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IN ‘EACH ONE’ ‘Juan’ finds life after HIV
Related to this project: Each One, Reach One, Teach One: Leadership Innovation for Young People Living with and Affected by HIV

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

By Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:47:00 12/31/2008

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20081231-180884/Juan-finds-life-after-HIV

Filed Under: Good news, Overseas Employment, Diseases, Health treatment, Youth

MANILA, Philippines—Having failed to pass the medical tests for a new job in Saudi Arabia, Juan (not his real name) came home last March to confront a painful truth: He is positive for the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV).

His heart was crushed, his faith shattered. He thought it was the end of his dreams. He thought his life was ended at 24.

He found out that he was wrong.

“There is life after what happened,” said Juan who has found new purpose as a member of the Bacolod chapter of the Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay (KGPP), one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) for 2008.

The KGPP was cited for its project to promote awareness about the disease as well as provide a support group for its 18 members living with HIV, including Juan.

Support group

“It is very important to have a support group because you can talk to them and express what you feel, what you think about life—things you cannot talk about even with your family—and they will understand,” Juan said.

He is now one of the group’s most active members, speaking in various forums to spread awareness about the disease and minimize discrimination.

It was also Juan who presented the KGPP project during the national judging for the TAYO awards.

“I am here in front (of you) with the firm conviction that even an HIV positive individual can do something to bring a positive change in the lives of others,” he said in his presentation.

The project, named “Each One, Reach One, Teach One: Leadership for Young People Living with and Affected by HIV,” is three-pronged: educate children about their rights and risks; reach out to HIV carriers through hospital and home visits, counseling and medical support; and educate HIV carriers to “better understand and cope with the stigma and discrimination.”

They live normal lives

In an e-mail message, KGPP president and founder John Piermont Montilla stressed that people with HIV should not be labeled “victims” nor should they be described as “suffering from HIV.”

“They do not suffer. They still live normal lives,” said Montilla.

It was not an easy process for him, said Juan. He did not know who to talk with and what to say. Could he ever get a job again? Could he face other people?

“I felt hopeless. I felt like my life would be going to waste,” said Juan, who contracted the disease from a partner.

Though he considered himself fortunate in having a supportive family, he knew his parents were also in pain: “They did not say so, but I know they were hurting.”

Since its establishment in December 2006, the KGPP in Bacolod City has established links with government and private agencies, as well as with the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital where Juan tested positive for HIV. The hospital endorsed his case to the KGPP.

“I was apprehensive at first. I did not know who they were. I did not know how they would think about me,” Juan said.

His fears proved wrong after a few meetings with the group.

“I felt I was in a good group,” he said. He found himself getting more involved in the KGPP and regaining his self-respect in the process.

“I found the courage to face students during symposiums, one thing that I never thought I could do again,” he said.

Don’t hide

Juan worked as a teacher in South Korea for two years. He transferred to Saudi Arabia to work as an accountant. It was there that he failed the medical tests and discovered that he was infected with HIV.

“I want to encourage other people [with HIV] not to hide. I want them to see my example,” Juan said.

“I have accepted what happened. Life must go on. Just do what good things you can still do,” he added.

The project, which the KGPP also presented at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City last August, has brought together not only people with HIV in Western Visayas, but also their children and family members.

Juan said that many members with HIV are overseas workers like him. Some are wives of overseas workers.

“I empathize with them [the wives]. Their acceptance is slow. They ask themselves, why did this happen when they have been faithful,” Juan said.

Families of people with HIV also need support as they are also victims of discrimination once neighbors learn that a relative is infected.

Come out

The group is also able to help with the costly medication for its members with HIV through the grants it receives from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Philippine National AIDS Council.

Juan said the KGPP can also help people who suspect they may have acquired the virus to take the test.

Echoing the warnings from international agencies, he said the actual number of people with HIV in the Philippines could be much higher that is reported largely because of the fear of being discriminated against that deters carriers from coming out.

The Department of Health says there are 8,600 people with HIV in the country.

The KGPP chapter in Bacolod City is one of the five chapters of the parent organization established in Iloilo City in 1998, which started out as a group to rescue and protect sexually exploited children. It won a TAYO award in 2003.

Recognition

TAYO started giving recognition to what it considers to be excellent projects of youth organizations in 2002. It is open to all groups whose members and leaders are 15 to 30 years old. More than 80 groups joined the competition this year.

The following groups also won the TAYO award for 2008: Dynamic Teen Company, Cavite City; Society of Scholars and Grantees, Benguet State University; UP Cebu SEALNet Entrepreneurs’ Club, UP High School Cebu; Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts, Dumaguete City; 505 Disaster Rescuers for Emergencies; Assistance and Management Inc., Kidapawan, North Cotabato; Lamlifew 4-H Club, Sarangani; School of Business and Management Student Council, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City; Jose Rizal University-Computer Society, Mandaluyong City; and Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity, UP Manila.

The 10 organizations received their awards last Dec. 16 and each got a P50,000 cash grant for their projects.

Risky behaviors

Montilla said his group also supports the reproductive health bill pending in Congress which promotes sex education and the use of artificial contraceptives.

“Young people engage in risky behaviors not because of the reproductive health bill or sex education measures but because they are robbed of their right to [have access to] accurate information about sex, sexuality and reproductive health,” Montilla said.

The social stigma attached to people with HIV is hard to bear, said Juan.

“There are instances when someone would stay away from me because of my disease,” he said while still dreaming that one day he might be able to hold a full-time job again.

But in his prayers, Juan remains grateful: “I am thankful that despite my disease, I feel good about life.”


Copyright 2009 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

January 6, 2009 | 5:52 AM Comments  0 comments

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Untitled
Related to this project: Heal, Empower, Affirm-Reaffirm, Recover & Transform (HEART) Innovation: Transformative Behavior Change Package for Boys

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Dear Friends

With regards to the upcoming World AIDS Day Campaign 2008 with the them Leadership, the Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay (KGPP), Inc. will initiate a fund-raising campaign for our most-at-risk children and youth (boys 7-17 years old) dubbed as “mga nawong sa likod sang masskara” a unite for children unite against AIDS local campaign for children.

Tickets are sold at 300.00 PhP each inclusive of meal and a handcrafted art souvenir item, a certificate and invitation programme or package B of 500.00 PhP + a reproduced art counseling piece representing a life of a prostituted boy. The dinner venue is at Romeo’s grill 2nd Floor Metrodome, Sincang, Bacolod City on December 1, 2008 at 7:00 pm.

Arts and crafts are produced by street children during the Artwork Festival of Street Children during the Masskara Festival celebration held at the publi47c plaza last October 19, 2008 and these will be sold at 200.00 – 500.00 pesos each. Street children will also join us during the World AIDS Day Campaign and the dinner for their meaningful participation.

Income generated from this activity is dedicated to create a trust fund for the sustainability of the art therapy, counseling and workshops and to transition these children to formal, non-formal or vocational education system and training to alleviate impact of the hazards of street life they confront daily as part of our commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

KGPP, Inc.
Bacolod City

November 17, 2008 | 8:10 PM Comments  0 comments

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Art-therapy 1: Kevin
Related to this project: Heal, Empower, Affirm-Reaffirm, Recover & Transform (HEART) Innovation: Transformative Behavior Change Package for Boys
About this event: XVII International AIDS Conference
Related to country: Philippines

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Self-expression of “Kevin’s Victimisation Transformed into Art by the Artist's Hands through Art Counselling

Name of Child: Kevin, started prostitution at age 8
now 16 years old working as peer educator under the
UNICEF Country Programme for Children –6
Counselling-artist: Levi Salmon
Counsellor: Virginia Tinsay-Advincula, RSW
Original piece bought by: Ms. Mylene Salamero at the AIDS Conference Mexico, August 6, 2008

October 8, 2008 | 3:50 AM Comments  0 comments

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XVII International AIDS Conference: Global Village and Marketplace Booths Participation of KGPP, Inc.
Related to this project: Peer Education Systems for HIV Prevention in High-risk Spaces and Environments
About this event: XVII International AIDS Conference
Related to country: Mexico

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay has been selected for a space for the NGO Booth and marketplace booths at AIDS2008 at the Global Village in the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Mexico, 3-8 August 2008.

The NGO Booth will showcase the youth-led initiatives of the organiztion addressing the risks and vulnerabilties of most-at-risk children, youth and women in Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Municipality of Estancia in Western Visayas Region.

The NGO booth will also showcase the YouthActionNet Global Fellowship of the International Youth Foundation and the "connecting youth to create change" activities of YAN ambassadors and fellows.

The Marketplace booth will showcase one souvenir item - a mini t-shirt with HIV/AIDS messages made by street children in Iloilo City to be sold at 10 USD each or buy one-set of 10 pcs at 75 USD. The proceed will go to the 5-year plan to build a small school for children and youth in difficult circumstances. IEC materials in Hiligaynon Langauage and Organizational Brochures will also be displayed and distributed.

Please make a visit to support our project and be part of our family and dream.

May 10, 2008 | 2:26 PM Comments  0 comments

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XVII International AIDS Conference Mexico: Poster Exhibition Participation of KGPP, Inc.
Related to this project: Peer Education Systems for HIV Prevention in High-risk Spaces and Environments
About this event: XVII International AIDS Conference
Related to country: Mexico

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Two abstracts from HIV/AIDS Prevention for Most-at-Risk Children and Youth in Western Visayas has been selected for Poster Exhibition at the XVII International AIDS Conference to be held at Centro Banamex, Mexico City

Abstract 1: AIDS-Talk Marathon: Young People's Movement to Halt and Reverse HIV (formerly HAYAP on Tour)
Presenting Author: John Piermont V. Montilla [1]
Team Leader: Andrie Nelson Ceballos [2]
Advocacy Supervisor: Stanley Fabila-Lazalita [3]

Institutes:
1 KGPP, Inc.
2 Peer in Action Core Team
3 UNICEF CPC-6 Advocacy and Social Mobilization: SocMob Component

Schedule of Presentation: Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Location: Poster Exhibition, Hall D at Centro Banamex


Abstract 2: Mainstreaming HIV Prevention Policies and Programme in the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children through Participation of At-risk and Vulnerable Children and Youth: The Barangay Sum-ag of Bacolod City Experience
Presenting Author: John Piermont V. Montilla [1]
Supervisor: Philip Castro, RN, MHSS [2]
Advocacy Policy Champion: Hon. Brgy. Capt. Sayson [3]
Local Catalysts: Linda Ablanque, RSW [4]
Advocacy Supervisor: Stanley Fabila-Lazalita [5]
Project Coordinator: Virginia Tinsay-Advincula, RSW [6]

Institutes:
1 KGPP, Inc.
2 UNICEF CPC-6 Advocacy and Social Mobilization: Advocacy Policy Component
3 Brgy. Council for the Protection of Children, Brgy. Sum-ag Bacolod City
4 Department of Social Services and Development Bacolod City
5 KGPP, Inc. HIV and AIDS Division

Schedule of Presentation: Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Location: Poster Exhibition, Hall D at Centro Banamex

Please visit during my presentation on how our organization go about in working with most-at-risk children and youth and our local government in accelerating local responses on HIV and AIDS. Please prepare your questions and I will provide you our insights and perspective especially the voices of children I had bring with me. Those who cannot attend, please use this blog for knowledge exchange

May 10, 2008 | 2:13 PM Comments  0 comments





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