Comment

Comment by Onesmus Mutuku on November 23, 2009 at 8:21am

Dear all,

I am adding a few thoughts linked to the below concern raised by both Marlou and the Team in the discussions below ,

1. Could we explore something on added values on
Starting from strengths as opposed to starting with naming the problems during Community conversations?

2. Self worth(Esteem),

3. Risk and vulnerability.

Any others?

Regards,

Onesmus

Comment by Marlou on November 19, 2009 at 1:35pm

Dear all,

I am very excited by the exchanges happening! We are learning so much already from Trucker responses in Kenya and Inda.

A concrete question from me now: The team in Kenya plans to carry out the SALT visit by the end of November. Can we make concrete suggestions of where the visit will focus on, so that the team going to Mlolongo can learn and capture the lessons that are most useful to the friends in India.
I personally believe that the way the SALT team is set up and functioning around the Wellness Centers in Kenya is an absolute asset in the Kenyan response. Will this be an element of interest for the video-exchange?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts,

Marlou

Comment by Onesmus Mutuku on November 17, 2009 at 4:39pm

Dear Riruu,
Here is the response to the questions you posted:

What do you mean by rest of the team and neighbourhood community?

Our Team in Mlolongo is composed of People from Network of PLHAs and Truck drivers. Part of the PLHAs members are from the Support groups in the neighborhood of the truck stop. During the SALT visits, which happens in the truck stop or neighborhood community where every one is invited to participate including the Sex workers.People voluntarily join the discussion and later show interest in wanting to become part of the Facilitation team. The members then takes the responsibility of mentoring the new team mates into the process including its Facilitation even beyond the truck stop. Ideally into their Networks.
The facilitators self assessment is a key tool to bring out what strengths exist within the team and areas to improve on for competence down the line. Basically their emerges accountability pairs (People team up to learn from each other)

' I am happy to join the team any time to support our friends in the transport corridor to truly understand how to fight the disease, Chair Lady- Shauri Moyo Baptist support Group.

o What are wellness centres? Who has set them up?

These are refurbished containers, strategically located in the truck stop where truckers and people from the neighborhood can pop in and access information on HIV/AIDs, health and other Life issues. They also connect as people to share and learn from each other. Normally the conversations are moderated by a facilitator to enhance Knowledge exchange. It also links truckers to other Services like ART, Counselling and testing.
In our context we have had recreational centers along the corridor but they do not have the AIDs competence function.
The centres are integrated to the community through ACP supported by the SALT team. Ideally making the centre NOT to look like an expertise plat form which just offers services alone.

Several players have put their hands in their set up. They include; Great lakes Initiative against AIDs through Constellation, World food program through North Star foundation, Mombasa Port and our National AIDs Council.


o Who are turn boys?

Generally in Kenya, they are men at the youthful age who are hired to assist the Truck drivers in their journey. Their task normally is to Change flat tires, greasing, guard the truck in the night etc

o Who were your partners in this initiative?

GLIA /World Food Program/ North star Foundation/National Aids Control Council/Liverpool VCT/ Ministry Of Health

o Please elaborate on joint working of PLHIV and truckers.

When we first did the 1st SALT Visit in Mlolongo, it was noted that the Network of PLHas had a lot to share with the Network of Truckers. These ranged from Access to treatment, positive living(Life beyond hiv), overcoming self stigma, acknowledging the issue and testing etc We truly saw the synergy and how the two Networks complement each other.
Drivers were encouraged and they were motivated to test and know their status.
Todate, they ask to be referred to ART clinics along the Transport corridor for treatment and they have formed a truckers support Group. Initially this was not there.

o Mainstreaming ACP within PLHIV network?

' i see the value of using the ACP in my Network of PLHas, it helps people see their strengths and as an organizations you dont need a lot of money to initiate it. I have come from Mbeya to meet groups and i used the approach and more people have joined the Umbrella network,' Joan Chamungu Tanzania reflection during the GLIA training in Chalinze 2008.

The National coordiantor NEPHAK - Kenya see the need for transferring the ACP to the groups under the Umbrella and they have committed in their plans, resources to transfer the approach to the affiliate Groups.

Hope this answers your queries Rituu,

Onesmus

Comment by Rituu B. Nanda on November 14, 2009 at 8:44pm

Dear Onesmus,

Refer to your posting on Kenya’s application of ACP with Truckers
http://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/salt-visit-with-truckers

Thanks for this powerful sharing. The collaboration of PLHIV networks and truckers networks was an effective strategy in mobilising the truckers’ response to HIV. I have a few queries
o What do you mean by rest of the team and neighbourhood community?
o What are wellness centres? Who has set them up?
o Who are turn boys?
o Who were your partners in this initiative?
o Please elaborate on joint working of PLHIV and truckers.
o Mainstreaming ACP within PLHIV network?

Ninatumahi kusikia kwako (I look forward to your response).

Best regards,

Rituu

Comment by Rituu B. Nanda on November 13, 2009 at 7:21pm

Dear Dr Avnish,

I am pleasantly surprised to know that you have seen my home and met my parents. Thanks for putting it so well and bringing back memories of Chandigarh.

The eye does not see what the mind does not know. I was studying in Chandigarh and did not go deep into any of these issues and don't have much to share.

Just opposite my house was an auto repair market which saw a huge influx of drivers. The people living in the area feared that it would lead to crime and rowdiness and urged the administration to move the market to some other place which finally happened after several years.

I do remember that my parents’ clinics were frequented by long-distance road transport workers including truck drivers, bus drivers and taxi drivers and their families. I asked my Mom and she said that among female patients with STIs she found a large number were wives of those who were away from their families for long like truck drivers. My mom practised from home and she would share with us that the consumption of alcohol and substance abuse was high among drivers.Whenever I was in my mother’s clinic I was wary of truck drivers. Some members have noted in the forum about the low self esteem among truck drivers and I now understand why it is so.

Thanks Gaston for sharing John-Piermont’s example. Its a great lesson on how realization of strengths transformed gang leaders into agents of change brimming with confidence. I can’t help quoting from a poem by John-Piermont titled ‘The risk gangs hold dear’
What I see and what I hear,
from my peers, I hold them dear
feel strong when they are near
to face the risk with no more fear

Regards,

Rituu

Comment by Avnish Jolly on November 13, 2009 at 10:42am

Dear Gaston,

We publish their Success stories that they are working and going to evening school and good in theater as well and supporting their families in local media. Along with my friend Zulfi we are doing it since 1992 regularly.The painting painted by slum children is displayed at Sukhna Lake Café area, Chandigarh which was inaugurated by Governor of Punjab long back.

Visit
Theatre Age
A Group for Upliftment of Slum Children
http://www.blog.theatreage.org/?page_id=2

Theater Age – Carving Gems Out of Rough Stones
http://www.theindiapost.com/2008/06/13/theater-age-carving-gems-out...’-theater-5/

Theatre, Dance and Music Workshop For Slum Children - India
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/116540

Reporters usually visit spots regularly for new stories and interact with them.

These celebrity children feel if they involve themselves in any unsocial activity they will lose recognition in media. It disturbs them and helps stimulate then to sustain good behavior.

They feel proud after studying the stories of reporters they know and advocate it in the society.

Hope I am able to clarify in length.

Best Wishes and Regards,
Avnish

Comment by Gaston on November 13, 2009 at 9:01am

Dear Avnish and friends,

Thanks for these insightful experiences. I am skipping my 'to-do list' for today,because your experiences make me want to exchange more today.

You write that: "They feel proud that their child hood friend is Doctor and the frequent media advocacy and my regular articles in the Punjabi News Papers is source of their reorganization in their circle." You add that: "When media people started meeting them regularly they feel they should not involve in any antisocial activities" and you mention the recreational activities. Can you share a bit more why you think this media attention and these activities stimulated them to change or reorganize?

I ask this because I have the same experience with settlements in Papua New Guinea. Once we asked them if we could capture their strengths and ideas on paper and video, they felt proud and it ignited their own local response in ways that went beyond what we thought was possible.

I have seen that this sense of pride, self-esteem and self-worth can be essential in this change. Revealing their strengths can be one way to reveal such feelings.

What do you think?
Gaston

Comment by Avnish Jolly on November 13, 2009 at 8:02am

Dear Associates,

Our moderator Rittu is not doing justice to us,

There is Auto market and Nagla Taxi Stand (is famous Taxi stand since 1950 in Chandigarh) opposite Rituu's house at Chandigarh, her parents both father and mother are doctors who were introduced to me by Ms. S. Choudhary, Principal, St. Solider International Public School, Chandigarh when I was actively working for development of school children and National Integration. There is also famous traditional fast food center (Pakora Shop) and liquor shop and hatta, Pal Dhaba (famous for non-veg in Chandigarh) opposite to her house and Chandigarh Press Club very nearby. The evening seen of that lane add life to intervention. Even local Member Parliament and Minister of State is living nearby so think Intervention place – Doctor, Media, Temple and Democracy along with local residence of UN employ. There is also a residence of IAS, IPS, Judicial officers and other state representatives are very nearby.

I use to send both male and female RTI/STI patents and street children from the market to her parents for treatment, I know most of adults want to hide their identity and visit her place at odd times and sometimes they don’t have money for their treatment. Her parents are not greedy they dispense free medicine to them.

At that time I was not aware this association find place in the history of Public Health of Chandigarh and international knowledge and information / experience sharing.

Rituu please open up and share your child hood memories and experience.

Regards,
Avnish

Comment by Avnish Jolly on November 13, 2009 at 6:39am

Dear Gaston,

We earn experience while growing from the circumstances and atmosphere around us it’s very difficult to judge that what we gather. Transport Area, Manimajra, Chandigarh, India is one of the biggest Transport Area in South Asia. Many mechanics and spare part shop owners are my childhood friends because earlier they were working near my grand father’s house at Sector 21, Chandigarh.

When I started working in the field of HIV/AIDS and visited them during the HIV/AIDS Awareness and STIs/RTIs treatment camps they became my opinion leaders and this association helps me to reach them at large. Most of them clarify their myths regarding sex and sexuality and bring STI/RTI patients in the medical camps. They feel proud that their child hood friend is Doctor and the frequent media advocacy and my regular articles in the Punjabi News Papers is source of their reorganization in their circle. Many times they try to repair my vehicle free of cost but I never allow them off course they gave me discount.

During these camps I came to know few the children working at spare part shop or helpers to the mechanics were less paid. They earn extra when they supply FSWs and other things even these children were abused at night by elder people. They also stole the motor parts, scarab and other things to earn more. These habits they gather from surrounding and with the motivation of their seniors. Some time to maintain the relations with truckers they supply FSWs and their contact No’s to them even when they were repairing their truck the truckers visits FSWs to pass the time. The young children feel that this is life and earning is important for lively hood. With my intervention I came to know many things and enrich my experience in this field a lot – than tries to rehabilitate them and rectify their myths. I personally feel that this kind of atmosphere imbibes the delinquent behavior in those children.

After this with the help of Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh and NGOs we started different educational, vocational courses and intervention projects for these children – enlist them for the same and advocate it through Media. When media people started meeting them regularly they feel they should not involve in any antisocial activities.

Gaston, I am motivated to write back to you because one child shared with me that he did not know what is good or bad, he feels it is LIFE everyone is involved in such activities around. Drinking, Smoking and Having Sex made them equal to elders – I do everything which adults are doing and there is no Difference give them satisfaction.

We stimulate them with applied education and alternatives to livelihood along with recreational activities (music, dance, drama, painting etc,) with continues efforts and regular follow-ups of course value based BCC.

Regards,
Avnish

Comment by Gaston on November 13, 2009 at 3:03am

Dear Avnish,

Thank you for sincerely sharing your views on this important issue. Your bad experiences with truckers are certainly part of the reality. I think it is important that we address these cases of abuse and rape in a proper way.

However, my perception is that the people below, including myself, are not hushing-up the core problems. We know, perhaps to different extents, what some of these truckers are engaged in. But my experiences have shown me that to stimulate real change, a focus on problems, needs and judging cases does not help the specific group in making progress. People need to realize it's an important issue, but then they will take action based on their strengths in order to address their challenges. That's why I take strengths as a starting point, not shortcomings. It is important not to be naive and be aware of the other side, but it's not the primary focus.

A good example is from John-Piermont Montila from the Philippines. He coordinates a NGO that works with street children in Manila. These children are judged by many people, who say: "they all steal, they all are involved in sex work, they all use drugs". So the children said: well, if everybody thinks that of us and nobody beliefs we can do something, we might as well comply to their beliefs.....

Then John-Piermont introduced a more appreciative approach (SALT), appreciative inquiry and tried to start from strength. By building their dreams for the future, the children saw their possibilities. By discussing their own situation and strengths, they supported each other to change. Somehow, this was a domino-effect leading to positive-led changes within those groups. They now measure their own progress in terms of drug-use and sex work and are proud of this.

I think my main message is that for anybody to change, we need to start from strengths and try to understand the person or group. We do not ignore the shortcomings and problems, but it's simply not the starting point.

This is my experience. Probably this is not the only way. I would like to hear from your experience with truckers (which is larger than mine I am sure) what you learned about truckers changing their behaviour? When do they change? What stimulated them to change?

Thank you again Avnish to stimulate my reflection.
Gaston

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