aidscompetence

connecting local responses around the world

Gaston
  • 28, Male
  • Chiang Mai
  • Thailand
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SALT adds flavour to life

Latest Activity

Thank you Joao for this well articulated description of SALT in your life. You go down to the essence of the approach. The 'T' for Transfer is obvious in your case. I can see how you would think: 'So what's my role in all this'? Well, as you've exp…
December 15
Thank you Wiwin for your wonderful postings. I can read that you truly understand and apply SALT. As we all know, it's not easy to keep this attitude alive. Please keep on sharing your personal experiences. It's inspiring!
December 14
Hi Geoff. I think the merging is possible. It almost seems to me there is a hierarchy in the two principles. Obviously people will not transfer information if they do not think it's their issue. So in that sense 'transferring information' seems a me…
December 8
Dear Virgilio. Many thanks for posting your thoughts and reflections on this. We all have the potential to be hero's in the response to HIV in our own context.
December 8
Thanks for posting Ricardo. It seems to be a critical shift in looking at the epidemic. Leadership commitment can really catalyse local responses as well. I remember a story when a group of Indonesian policy makers came to learn from Northern Thaila…
December 7
November 26
November 26
Dear Bobby, Thank you for this initiative. To be honest, I am not that involved in this link so far, so I am happy to hear experiences and sharing on this. The TB news already gives some good background. Can you share some of your wide experience…
November 26

Profile Information

Name
Gaston Schmitz
Organisation
the Constellation for AIDS Competence
About Me:
I am 28 years old and from the Netherlands. I have 3 brothers of which 1 twin brother, two great parents and a great dog called ' Baloe' . My background is in International Management. I almost worked for a large multi-national in the field of Marketing, but switched to the development cooperation sector. I did a second Master in Development Studies, worked in Mozambique for Unilever, in the Philippines for a NGO and for a Dutch NGO in post-conflict areas such as Kosovo, Bosnia and Sierra Leone. Since January 2008 I am working for the Constellation as the facilitator for ' Transfer'. This means facilitating the transfer of our approach and mindset to other people, organizations, topics and of course my own community and family :)

Working for the Constellation is not really work. It is reflecting, appreciating and trying to be as happy as possible in my work. If I do my work mindful, the results of my work come naturally and my learning curve is steeper than ever before. So, let's enjoy every bit of our work and look for strenghts!
My dream:
My dream is to explore more cultures and communities around the world and keep on learning from them.

A more materialistic dream is to go snowboarding in Alaska with my friends :)
My concern:
I moved to Chiang Mai in Thailand since April 2008. I will not see my own community and family a lot during the next years. My concern is related to the sustainability of these relationships and that nothing bad will happen to them while I am here.
I'm proud of:
I have learnt to take much better care of myself the last years. I feel my body and mind and take up signals much better. I am able to enjoy small moments much more than before. And I am proud that I climbed my first 7A route last weekend :)
What I think of AIDS Competence:
So great that it's worth helping to spread it around the world for 40 hours a week
What do I want to do to spread AIDS Competence?
Facilitate AIDS Competence in my community, Launch a facilitation team, Join a facilitation team, Share about AIDS Competence with potential partners; friends; colleagues, I want to apply SALT in my own life (S: Stimulate; Support; A: Appreciate; L: Listen; Learn; Link; T: Transfer; Team), I want to share my experience on my blog in Ning, Other
The small secretariat of the Constellation also needs help. Do you want to help? I want to:
IT support, Writing skills, Develop blended learning, Share AIDS Competence with potential partners, Financial management skills, Knowledge Management

Gaston's Blog

Gaston

Community Life Competence Process as mainstreaming tool?

Mainstreaming. An issue that many of you deal with in some way. As the Constellation, we were asked to provide some inputs on a HIV mainstreaming strategy of a bi-lateral donor. Instead of reverting to the ‘standard’ arguments on how HIV is inherently linked to all kinds of other development issues, I took another stance. For me, the solution to effective mainstreaming can (again) be found in communities that respond.

Think back about the community visits you have done before….. How often did y… Continue

Posted on November 1, 2009 at 2:17pm — 8 Comments

Gaston

Comment je suis devenu un fan de la RD-Congo


Un peu nerveux, je descends de l’avion de Nairobi. Enfin, j’entre la République Démocratique du Congo. 2 semaines à parler français dans un pays qui est normalement associé dans les journaux avec ‘un désordre’. Quand je disais à beaucoup de mes amis et famille que j’irais en RDC, ils ont di… Continue

Posted on August 4, 2009 at 11:03am — 5 Comments

Gaston

How I became a fan of DR-Congo


A little nervous I stepped out of the airplane from Nairobi. Finally, stepping foot in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 2 weeks of French speaking in a country that is generally known in the press as ‘being a mess’. When I told many of my friends or family that I was going to DRC, many wou… Continue

Posted on August 4, 2009 at 11:02am — 3 Comments

Gaston

An Indian wealthy engineer or a transgender - who is most vulnerable?

It was already past midnight, but I thought it was time for a SALT visit 30,000 feet above sea level on my way to Kolkata. The Indian guy next to me was an engineer working on ships around the world for 6 months/ year. The other 6 months he spends with his family in Kolkata. After some small talk about work and his fear of losing his job in the economic crisis, he asked about my work. His questions came up: ‘If there are 10 Indians and 1 has HIV, can you see the difference? Can you get it throug… Continue

Posted on May 23, 2009 at 8:51pm — 4 Comments

Gaston

Sustained action in PNG after projects come to an end


This is Regina from Genoka settlement in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. Genoka is one of the most notorious settlements in the country. No NGO has entered before, mainly due to safety concerns. Only occasional volunteers distribute condoms. Genoka is now one of the exemplary communities… Continue

Posted on March 24, 2009 at 10:09am — 4 Comments

Comment Wall (24 comments)

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At 7:14pm on November 26, 2009, khorchi laurie said…
HI!
Je suis étudiante en droit international humanitaire et je prépare un mémoire mais je ne sais pas trop sur quel sujet je peux le faire tout en restant dans le juridique.
J'ai un peu parler avec jean louis Lamboray qui ma donné quelques idées, je le vois samedi soir, j'aurais surement l'occasion d'en parler.
Je sais qu'avant d'agir au niveau international je dois m'investir au niveau national, mais je ne sais pas comment m'y prendre toute seule.
Je me sent un peu inefficace, je n'ai aucune idée de comment aider les gens qui sont au prés de moi.
j'aimerais beaucoup obtenir ton aide pour mes recherches et mon sujets de mémoire.
Je te remercie de t'intéresser à ma situation et de répondre aussi rapidement.
Je suis très heureuse de faire partie de la Constellation.
j'espère pouvoir apporter autant qu'elle m'apporte.
Je fais des connaissances que je n'aurais jamais faite auparavant. Je suis vraiment contente de prendre du temps chaque jour à lire les actualités concernant la Constellation et les avancés de chacun dans leurs expériences, ça me motive à agir!

merci beaucoup!!!!!

LAURIE
At 10:06pm on November 25, 2009, khorchi laurie said…
bonjour!
Merci pour ta réponse, tu es très positif et ton approche de ton travail après des populations de la RDC m'impressionne.
J'avoue que quand tu me demande comment je pense contribuer à la Constellation je ne sais pas quoi répondre parce que je suis justement entrain de me poser cette question moi même, j'essaie de trouver ma place. Je sais que la constellation a besoin de bras pour agir, il me reste juste à savoir comment utiliser mes bras!
Je suis encore étudiante et ma seule expérience dans le domaine social est d'avoir partager une soirée de ma semaine à nourrir des sans domicile fixe et d'échanger quelques paroles avec eux.
Je sais que ce n'est pas rien, et je suis fière de l'avoir fais mais je ne sais pas comment m'y prendre pour aider des populations en Afrique ou en Asie. Je pense partir cet été dans le cadre d'une mission humanitaire mais je ne sais pas encore comment faire, à qui m'adresser, pour quelle mission? C'est encore beaucoup de question aux quelles je n'ai pas de réponse.
C'est pour cette raison que j'essaie de lire le plus d'expérience possible et de savoir comment toi et les autres membres actifs de l'organisation on fait!
Si tu as des conseils, des recommandations ou autre ça m'aiderais!

Quant à la question concernant mon expérience face à la devise " trouver les forces avant de chercher les problèmes", je crains que mon expérience ne soit trop limité pour avoir dire si j'applique cela.
Mais il est évident que de voir le côté négatif des choses avant d'envisager les points fort d'une situation ne permet pas d'avancer et pour trouver la force d'avancer et de se battre il faut trouver l'envie, et je crois que cette envie n'apparait que quand on relève la tête.

Merci beaucoup en tout cas et j'espère pouvoir un jour apprendre toute sorte de danse aussi et de faire ce que tu fais!

Laurie
At 10:52pm on November 2, 2009, Beate Jakob said…
Hello Gaston,
Nice to communicate this way! As to your question on SALT & PIRHANA: I am waiting for a follow up plan developed by Sue or Ricardo. I guess that Sue will circulate the minutes of the consultation and set up working groups. What do you think? Greetings, Beate
At 8:15pm on November 2, 2009, Rachel mash said…
Dear gaston
maybe you can do me a faviour, since I am not so technically adept///
on our website www.fikelela.org.za there is the video, if you look under resources. are you able to load it?
thanks
rachel
At 6:46pm on November 2, 2009, Rachel mash said…
Thanks! that is a very competent dessert!!!
good to be in touch
cheers
Rachel
At 6:46pm on October 30, 2009, irangbui said…
Hi! Gaston, its refreshing to be always with you through this ning, the only stambling is the access, we ve poor network here yet thats not the wall that can keep all of us apart, we can feel your presence every time we do SALT and of course the ACP clap! LOL, you left the legacy behind in your short stay in Dimapur.

irang here
At 4:50pm on September 4, 2009, Alain DIBAKANGA Zolana said…
Salut SALT,
Je vous annonce que la petite BELLEFIE a été orientée depuis hier, au centre AMO CONGO, de N'djili Q/7 et bénéficiera de la prise en charge médicale de ce centre, ceci après la confirmation de test VIH qui a démontré la présence du virus dans son sang.Elle sera donc aujourd'hui à leur centre de kasa vubu pour passer au test déterminant la charge virale, un test CD4 et autres tests, et pourra commencer les ARV qu'après les résultats de ceux-ci.
Ce qui reste maintenant, c'est d'être près de la famille pour la motiver et soutenir du côté nutritionnel et autres, car, il a été demandé à la famille de bien assurer l'alimentation de Bellefie, chose un peu difficile pour la famille, mais sa grand mère a promis qu'elle fera tout malgré sa situation socio économique, et bien vous aussi, vous pouvez la soutenir...Vous, c'est tout celui qui se sent disposer à assister cette fillette de 9 ans qui passe cette année en 3 ième primaire, malgré son état.
Les examens exigés, à kasa vubu, on doit amener 10$, qui semble déjà être difficile à être trouver...
A vous de réagir!
La grand mère de Bellefie vous remercie tous pour ce que vous avez fait pour BELLEFIE!
Qui, maintenant, est entre les mains d'un médecin.
Alain DIBAKANGA
RDCCOMPETENCE
At 1:03am on September 4, 2009, jose30 said…
Bonjour Gaston,
Wht' s news ?
j'ai été au bandundu. je suis à Kinshasa. Je venais assisté à la réunion des délégués des OAC sur les AGR animé par la facilitatrice Judith nes activités vont bon train.

Salutation cordiale

José NDJALI
At 1:07pm on August 5, 2009, rebeka sultana said…
Gaston, I come to ning to see your comment. Preparing for Bali. Thanks for kind words. I really needed them now! Papua event was great. Sirinate an excellent coach. Learned so much from her, the indo team and the Jayapura peoples.
I am rereading the book ' Teachings on Love' by Thich Nhat Hanh. Please come again to Jakarta, the lovely place i ever stayed. Jakarta has one color...GREEN

Regards,
Rebeka
At 11:47am on July 13, 2009, Bobby Zachariah said…
Hi Gaston, Thanks for being a tireless crusader of being an encourager. You are a born ACP champion. I shall try. B
 
 

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