Jose NMC Sescon MD DPOGS, Jeramie Diaz, Mar Legaspi
Remedios AIDS Foundation, Inc., Pinoy Plus Association, Names Project, Philippines

PEER SUPPORTING PEER MODEL:
AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY TO REACH PLWHAS

OBJECTIVE:

To help People living with HIV and AIDS to come to terms of their life.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT:

More and more Filipinos are becoming HIV positive. AIDS awareness is increasing, thus increasing the number of people being educated about HIV and AIDS. The more people you educate they avail of the confidential and anonymous testing. But what happen to these people after being tested positive? They now start to isolate themselves. They start having depression and have the feeling  of being alone in this world with HIV or AIDS. Most leave their jobs for fear of being discriminated once their status is revealed. They become a burden to the family financially, economically, psychologically and morally. Some are even ostracized by their own families leaving them no option but to stay in a half way home for HIV positive individuals. Through the hospital or centers where positive individuals regularly drop by to seek medical attention was an excellent venue where we can reach and meet other positives. Learning that one is not alone of having HIV is a good relief and that there are others who are still economically productive.

RESULTS:

A positive individual is more comfortable talking and interacting with a peer. They have a sense of belongingness and commonality. Seeing and interacting with a peer encourages them to move on and live positively and productively and they can prove their worth. Others even got the chance of going back to their work.