Hurricane Gonzalo last October took away vital part of French side HIV/AIDS awareness association AIDES community testing tools – the signage outside its office indicating it is a place for rapid free confidential HIV test and information. Island Gems Charity Foundation stepped in to remedy the hurricane damage.
The all-women foundation donated a large new sign for AIDES. The sign has been installed outside the eight-year-old association’s office in the heart of Concordia.
AIDES supports people living with HIV on the French side. AIDES’ staff and volunteers assist those living with HIV/AIDS with counseling, housing support and paperwork among other services.
Another big activity of the association is its HIV prevention work. A novelty event is the “condom showers.” These showers are similar to the fun baby and bridal showers, but with the aim of spreading HIV awareness.
The association seeks to curb risky sexual behavior by the distribution of male and female condoms and informing about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Free HIV tests are offered in the communities by volunteers in the mobile testing unit.
Island Gems Vice President Karine Fleming said the work of AIDES is much admired and supported the Gems. She encouraged them to continue their very necessary community awareness and HIV testing activities.
AIDES works in close collaboration with St. Maarten AIDS Foundation of the Dutch side. This partnership was applauded by Fleming. “This shows good cooperation between the two organizations on the island. It’s like Island Gems; we support causes on both sides of our island.”
Island Gems President Alita Singh said she was impressed with the work of AIDES’ staff and volunteers.
An unfortunate bit of information among the welcomed talk about cooperation and partnership between the two AIDS awareness foundations was the halting of use of the mobile testing unit on the Dutch side.
AIDES mobile testing unit – a specially outfitted bus – has not been on the Dutch side since last year, because AIDES is awaiting the annual permission from the Dutch side’s Ministry of Public Health to cross the border and partner with St. Maarten AIDS Foundation for smaller in community testing.
The Dutch side has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate per capita in the Dutch Kingdom and is in the top 10 countries with high prevalence in the Caribbean based on information from St. Maarten AIDS Foundation.
“With such statistics, we hope AIDES will get permission soon to bring its testing bus in the Dutch side. This will give additional coverage and testing options on the Dutch side,” said Singh.
AIDES President Francois Cazassus, representatives Rene Arrondell, Nadia Agape, Dahlia Francois, Marie-Adeline Theodule, Sarina Raboanary, Julie Fosse and Angeline Potter shared information about AIDES activities and challenges with Singh, Fleming, Gems Treasurer Kerisha James and board member Jody Rosen when they visited the office in Concordia.
AIDES office opens to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the morning. Free HIV tests are available is open to persons age 18 and older.
