Road Town,Tortola - The National AIDS Programme (NAP) in the Ministry of Health and Social Development in collaboration with the Association for International Development recently facilitated a Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Workshop for members of the HIV/AIDS and New Day Foundations.
The objectives of the March 25th – 29th workshop were to assess the organisational capacity of those two agencies, as well as to develop a three-year strategic plan tailored to the priority needs of the groups as identified through the organisational capacity assessment.
Mrs. Doreen Boyd a Barbados-based private consultant facilitated the session.
Assistant Coordinator of the National AIDS Programme Mrs. Noelene Levons-Clarke said the initiative was a step in the right direction for the Territory. “It is one of many aimed at building a strong foundation for the implementation of the National Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS and STDs, which is a multi-sector commitment and approach to reducing and mitigating the effects of the current HIV/AIDS epidemic on the health, social and economic viability of the Territory given that we are situated in a Region that has the second highest prevalence globally,” she said.
Participants generally described the workshop as an empowering experience, which provided the knowledge and tools necessary for the HIV/AIDS and New Day Foundations to broaden their scope and sense of direction.
“I expect both foundations to now function with greater strength and effectiveness as the members become more involved in the decision making that affects the quality of the lives of persons living with HIV,” noted one of the participants.
The HIV/AIDS Foundation is a non-government not-for-profit organisation, which is funded from a variety of sources. The Government of the Virgin Islands has been providing the HIV/AIDS Foundation with an annual funding grant since 2004.
The New Day Foundation, meanwhile, is a support group for persons living with HIV in the Territory. Among other things, it advocates for and represents the voices of people who are infected with HIV.
The National AIDS Programme, in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, works closely with both foundations in order to provide programmes and services for people living with HIV as well as to improve sexual health promotion programmes and activities in the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the British Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News