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Tim Berezny
Kathleen Fodrek
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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.