Kathleen Fodrek
Who am I? And what am I
doing here?
My name is Kathleen Fodrek. On September
18, 2003, I left my tiny apartment in Toronto, Ontario, and hopped
on a plane to the tiny West African country of Togo. I am currently
working in the city of Kpalimé, in the Plateaux Region of
Togo, in the field of HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and support
for people living with HIV/AIDS. With already two months of experiences
behind me, I have been deeply touched by the current situation in
Africa. I see the gravity of the AIDS crisis here, and have set
up this website in an effort to promote greater awareness of the
realities ‘in the field’.
I was chosen by the Canadian Federal Government’s Youth Employment
Strategies (YES) program for the International Youth Internship
Program (IYIP). This provides opportunities for young professionals
to gain relevant work experience in their field of study. I completed
a BA in Psychology from McGill University, and am currently working
on my Master’s in Transpersonal Counselling Psychology. I was selected
by Canadian Crossroads International (www.cciorg.ca) for a six month
internship at a non-governmental organization called Vivre Mieux
(“To live better”).
Vivre Mieux: The Organization
Vivre Mieux is a non-governmental organization based in Kpalimé,
Togo, West Africa. Since 1994, they have been working to support
suitable and sustainable development of communities in difficulty
in the Plateaux region of Togo.
Vivre Mieux is divided into five diverse areas of activity, including
health and reproduction, community development, education, environment,
and communication. Their health initiatives are primarily prevention
based. Since 1995 they have been running projects directed at HIV/AIDS
education and prevention. Currently, they are a part of a nationwide
network called RAS+TOGO, which consists of ten non-profit associations
dedicated to the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the care and support
of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Some of our current activities include:
• an information and counselling centre
• an active volunteer unit of community service agents specially
trained in HIV/AIDS prevention and support
• a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS
• a youth drop-in unit at the centre
• HIV/AIDS prevention education in the rural schools of the Plateaux
region
• a parent-training program in sexuality, sexual health, and HIV/AIDS
In the domain of HIV/AIDS, our vision is to provide a support network
for people affected and infected by HIV, including families and
orphans. My current activities support these initiatives in countering
the discrimination and stigmatization of HIV that limits the adoption
of lower risk sexual behaviour, and hinders those living with HIV
from obtaining adequate medical and psycho-social care in their
communities.
As an important adjunct to the services we currently provide to
the local community, one of my projects is to further develop our
Information and Counselling Centre. Our goal is to create a library
with resources in HIV/AIDS information, and perhaps written material
on other pertinent health issues (e.g. malaria, basic sanitation,
diarrhea, and other illnesses). I would also like to include publications
directed at women's health and empowerment.
For additional information, please see our temporary website at:
www.berezny.com/vivremieux
Tim Berezny is currently creating another, more in-depth site
which will include specific details on all of Vivre Mieux's past
activities and obtained results, as well as current and future projects.
Working with people living with HIV/AIDS has truly opened my eyes
to the many issues surrounding the AIDS pandemic here in Africa.
It gives me great pleasure to share some of my experiences with
you.
Click on the above links to read about my trip.
Click here for my coworker, Tim Berezny's
adventure.
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