THE REMEDIOS TRAINING INSTITUTE

The Remedios AIDS Foundation (RAF)'s capability building initiatives continue to contribute to the professional and personal development among its staff members as well as to its project partners which includes other NGOs, GOs, Private corporations, schools and universities.

As RAF perseveres in providing expanded RH services, various HIV/AIDS, STDs, ARH and gender sexuality lectures/workshops were conducted and attended namely: a) Training/workshop on HIV/AIDS in Davao City; b) Workshop on Condom Promotions Strategies conducted by PNAC; and c) Gender IEC Workshop in Davao City.

Participation in these seminars/workshops further enhances project staff's perception, experiences, attitudes, knowledge and skills for them to effectively deliver their programs for their own target clients. These workshops were as follows : a) Care for Caregivers Workshop conducted by the GINHAWA Wellness Foundation; b) Echo seminars on PHSSA/AIDS convention and Child's Rights by RAF staff members; c) Accounting for Non-accountants conducted by RAF's Finance Officer; and d) Finance Management System workshop for YZ Cebu staff conducted by YZ Manila staff.

RAF likewise conducted various lectures on RH among its partners namely : Kaibigan Foundation, OWWA, Univille Motors, HEKS, ACHIEVE, SHARP, OHNAP and schools/universities like PCU, Letran College, Roxas HighSchool. There were a total of 40 trainings and lectures conducted for this year.

International Conferences/Training/workshops were also attended by the project staff. Among those who attended are as follows:

• Dr. Jose NMC Sescon and Ms Grace Binay-Devara attended the 6-day Organizational Effectiveness Workshop conducted by ICOMP in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Mr. Mar Liwanag attended the Asia Pacific Seminar conducted by Inter Press Service in Bangkok, Thailand

• Ms Grace Binay-Devara attended the 14-day Workshop on Improving Skills on Assessing AIDS Intervention Program in Reproductive Health in Shenzhen, China conducted by ASP and Shenzhen Institute of Dermatology

• Dr Jose NMC Sescon, Ms Nenet Ortega, Ms Grace Binay Devara, Ms Ophelia Anino and Ms Cathy Dacillo attended the 6th ICAAP held in Melbourne Australia.

• Ms. Lisa Gadugdug and Mr. Rolly Rodriguez attended the 4-day Fifth International Conference on Home and Community Care for Persons Living With HIV/AIDS 'The Power of Humanity" in Chiang Mai, Thailand funded by The Ford Foundation

Consultancy Work provided by key staff members on RH concerns were conducted. This also serves as a ground for staff members in harnessing their training skills and provides good opportunities for partnership and networking.

Among those who were tapped by different organizations were:

• Ms. Grace Binay-Devara, Ms. Nenet Ortega and Dr. Neri Sescon were tapped by ACHIEVE as trainers for their Skills Training for Female Spouse of Migrant Workers held in Los Banos, Laguna

• Ms Grace Binay-Devara was tapped to provide consultation and FGDs for FAD on Condom negotiations among the youth

• Dr Jose NMC Sescon was tapped to conduct the Midyear Evaluation of the PHANSuP project partner's ACHIEVE and Positive Action Foundation, Philippines, Inc.

PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS YEAR 2001

A) Working Towards Empowered Filipino Youth: The Remedios Hotline Project
Funded by the Levi Strauss Philippines through the PBSP Levi's-Advised Fund
May 2000-May 2001

This project focuses on four (4) main areas, namely: counseling/education, resource center expansion, community mobilization and clinical services.

THE REMEDIOS HOTLINE PROJECT received a total of 15, 982 calls for this year, with number of male callers higher than female 8,894(61%) compared to 5,597(39%) respectively. Calls received were highest during the first quarter and lowest during the 3rd quarter, as figures 1 and 2 shown below.

Figure 1	Figure 2

The age group that had the highest representation among actual callers was the 16-20 age bracket with 4.448 or 30%, followed by the 21-25 age bracket with 4,052 or 27%.

The average number of calls per day is 42-45 calls with highest received during Fridays, and Saturdays. Continuous advertising scheme via cable, print and radio/television guestings helps to sustain the popularity of the hotline. An example of which is the Naked Truth radio program hosted by Dr. Margarita Holmes, which registered a contribution of 1,814 to the actual calls. This became the top source of Hotline numbers for 5 consecutive months.

Issues and concerns brought to Hotline vary and embrace various issues dealing with Reproductive Health. Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) concerns ranked 2nd among the top callers concerns. ARH concerns includes romantic relationships - crushes and love- as well as identity crisis and peer pressures. Other related RH concerns are drug addiction, incest and legal problems.

The top 3 main concerns of the hotline are as follows: 1) prevention and treatment of RTIs/STIs and HIV/AIDS; 2) Adolescent Reproductive Health; and 3) Counseling on Sexuality and Sexual Health.

THE RESOURCE CENTER of RAF received a total of 725 visitors for this year. 542(75%) of which were students/researchers while the remaining 183(25%) were visitors. Males comprised most of the visitors with 377(52%) as compared with females with only 348(48%). Monthly distribution were as follows:

The Resource Center Library Management Information Service has been running and regularly being updated to give its clients easier access to different materials. To date, 439 books were accessioned and catalogued, while 1,223 books were encoded using the database.

THE CLINIC HEALTH LABORATORY-MALATE BRANCH reached a total of 1371 as it started its operation last September 2000. The table below shows the hierarchy of laboratory requests administered. Procedures varied from the basic urinalysis to STI diagnosis and blood chemistry. The Clinic Health Laboratory in Malate is open every Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4pm to 8 pm. The Foundation has future plans of expanding the Malate clinic services subject to availability of funds. It has been recognized that the clinic is a good source of resource generation for the Foundation. Careful analysis of is viability is being undertaken with ICOMP on its cost effectiveness. Total earnings for the year 2001 is PhP 40,484.00

Table 1 : Laboratory tests required
Laboratory tests	TOTAL number of clients	Percentage
Hepatitis B antigen	244	18%
Urinalysis	205	15%
HIV antibody test	175	13%
Rapid Plasma Reagin	174	13.6%
Pap smear	166	12%
Gram Stain	107	7.8%
Complete Blood Count	85	6%
Pregnancy test	70	5%
TOTAL	1,371	100%

Table 2 : Malate Health Laboratory - Quarterly distribution of clients
	Total clients	Percentage
1st quarter	331	24
2nd quarter	388	28
3rd quarter	445	32
4th quarter	207	16
TOTAL	1,371	100%

Table 3 : Sex and Age distribution of clients
Age Group	Male	Female	Total
Below 14	76	90	166
15-20	49	193	242
21-30	268	392	660
31-40	89	110	199
41-50	24	41	65
51 and above	96	15	111
TOTAL	602 (41.72%)	841 (58.28%)	1443

Total number of patients

2,343

B) The Youth Zone: A Shopping Mall-Based Center for the Filipino Youth: An ARH Model
Funded by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation
November 2000 - onwards

Targeting the youths of Tondo ages 10-24 years old, the Youth Zone(YZ) project which started April 1999 as the first mall-based youth center supported initially by the UNFPA-Ted Turner project and now it is currently being funded by The David and Lucille Packard Foundation starting November 2000.

The project has three components: a) Capability Building initiatives, which is geared towards increasing the skills of project staff and project partners in handing ARH issues and concerns; b) Information, Education and Communication services, that aims to increase knowledge and awareness on ARH through delivery of various ARH services IEC campaigns; and lastly, c) Sustainability, that will foster good partnership among stakeholders and ensure support for the project.

For this year, the Division of City Schools (DECS) has given proper endorsements for the different projects of YZ Tondo to 10 school partners. This has resulted to the smooth conduct of activities by YZ. Two Youth Facilitators training were conducted forming a core group of 18 youths, who are now active and are plays an important role in various ARH activities.

Continuous in-center activities are being done at YZ Tondo such as film showing, peer tutorial, art works, recreational activities, teambuilding activities, and others. These activities have proved that learning could be fun. A total of 2, 614 youths were reached for the year, with 954 females (36%) and 1660 males(64%).

Youth Zone solemnly celebrated the AIDS Candlelight Memorial ceremony at Paco Park and Cemetery, which was graced by friends, and families of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. This celebration reached approximately 150 participants. For the World AIDS Day celebration, a 3-day event was done at Tutuban center, dubbed as December Festival of Lights, Dance and Sounds. This was started with a lantern parade in the afternoon of November 29, followed by a street dance MardiGras on the second day with the finale Choral contest on the last day, December 1. The lotus ceremony was likewise conducted to commemorate persons who have died from complications of AIDS. This celebration was participated by different schools and communities of Tondo Manila.

The medical aspect of YZ, Kalusugan@com, reached a total of 861 clients with the youth comprising 27% of the total population (230 clients). Reproductive concerns consist 51% versus 49% of general medicine concerns.

As part of its promotive/preventive aspect, K@C conducted 'Pa-WAP ka' or "Well Adolescent Program". This initiative is designed to assess the general well-being of an adolescent covering the physical, psychosocial and emotional aspects of an individual. 94 students were reached from Villegas High School, 53% were female while 47% were male. Twenty three percent (22 students) were mild underweight while 36% (34 students) were seen to have medical problems. These students were given proper referrals.

The #youthzone chatroom counseling, is an innovative way of reaching targeted youths where they can air their concerns with utmost confidentiality through the internet. From September to November 2001, YZ reached a total of 184 chatters with different concerns on peer pressure, crushes, relationships, studies and so on. The channel manager sets the topic for the day which chatters exploring and giving their opinions. Top 3 concerns are: 1)family problems; 2) love, boy-girl relationship; and pre-marital sex.

IEC materials were also developed as part of the project. This includes, among others, danglers, bookmarks, mugs, caps, shirts and pins. Current developments are the ARH komiks series as well as the YZ website which will be launched by 2002.

Youth Zone opened its new branch last December 2001 located at the 3rd floor of Colonade Mall Oriente, Cebu City. YZ Cebu is situated right in downtown Colon and is situated right at the heart of the university belt area. A Finance and Management Workshop was conducted among local Cebu based staff members by in-house training team of the Foundation. Just like YZ Manila , a more promising adolescent health program intervention awaits YZ Cebu for the year 2002.

C) Clinica Remedios: A Model Community HIV/AIDS/STD Clinic Targeting Freelance Sex Workers in the Tondo Community
Funded by The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) throught the Philippine Australian Community Assistance Program (PACAP)
January 1999 - March 2002

Clinica Remedios continued to provide holistic medical services not only to its target clientele who are Freelance Sex Workers (FLSW), but also to the nearby community of Tondo through its direct services, counseling and information, education activities. For year 2001, total number of clients served reaches at 1452. Breakdown is as follows:

Total Number of Clients	Clinic-based Community-based
General Public	428 (29.47%)
Sex Workers	974 (67%)
Partner or clients of sex workers	28 (2%)
MSM	22 (1.5%)

Among 974 sex workers, 111 (11%) have had endogenous reproductive tract infections (RTIs) wherein 109 (98%) were treated and 2(2%) were referred to a specialist to address persistent STI symptoms. With STI, 378 (39%) were diagnosed by the attending doctor. There were 326 (33%) of SW seen with asymptomatic RTIs.

For the whole year , the clinic was able to serve family planning services to 408 patients. Most of the clients prefer condom as a method to protect pregnancy as well as prevent STIs.

Film showings and lectures were conducted both clinic and community based. There were 12 film showings and lectures as well. Four medical missions were done in different areas of Tondo reaching a total of 400 patients from the community.

The cooperative initiative of United Multipurpose Cooperative Center is supporting its members of the sex industry. Loans have been released to applicants and they are on their way implementing their own business plans. More details of this initiative will surely unfold by 2002.

Staff attendance to microfinance sponsored by UNDP served as a conduit for the project to network and coordinate with people in the government as well as NGOs on the "how and who" of the microfinance.

D) Working Towards An Enabling And Supportive Filipino Community For Persons Living With HIV/AIDS
Funded by The Ford Foundation
February 2000 - March 2001

Supported by the Ford Foundation Philippines, this project enabled RAF to prepare with its Care and Support service delivery among people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) and their families. This has three components, namely: Institutional Capability Building, Publications and Distribution and the Durban Conference.

For capability building initiatives were undertaken in the year 2000 were a team of 6 caregivers went on a study tour in Indonesia and Thailand to gain experiences on how care and support services are being delivered in these countries. This was as a study observation tour so that RAF can start its own community service center for PHAS and their families considering it is a felt need among clients.

RAF has developed the continuum of care manuals that will serve as sourcebook for the delivery of care and support services for PHAs. It highlights its practicality especially in resource limited settings like the Philippines. Publications includes an updated Philippine NGO's directory 2000, Counseling Persons Living with HIV/AIDS: A manual, Exploring Alternative and Complementary Therapies for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and lastly, the Tagalog Version of RA 8504(AIDS Law). A total of 5,000 copies were printed and were distributed during the 2001 Melbourne AIDS Conference to different individuals, groups and agencies/organizations involved in HIV/AIDS work.

The Durban AIDS Conference 2000 paved way to showcase the Phil-Indonesian NGO initiatives on HIV/AIDS. RAF had its partner YAYASAN GALANG as with regards to the exhibit booth set up. Various materials from NGOs of both countries were distributed among 12,000 participating delegates of the said conference. This activity also served as a venue where networking/partnership with other AIDS NGOs from around the world took place.

E) Expanding Care Initiatives Towards an Enabling and Supportive Filipino Community for Filipino People Living with HIV/AIDS
Funded by the Ford Foundation 1010-0167
November 2000 - onwards

RAF continued to take the challenge in handling Care and Support services for PHAs as this project ushered in. The overall aim is to improve acceptance of PHAs in the Philippines through the delivery of expanded care initiatives among Filipino PHAs toward achieving an enabling and supportive environment.

The project started its implementation in July 2001 when Nothing Best but…HOME, a Community Support Center (CSC) was set-up to house the different activities in responding to the wide range of needs both infected ( PHA themselves) and affected ( families, volunteers, caregivers) by HIV/AIDS.

The major strategies involved in this project includes: a) Institutional Capability Building; b) Direct Expanded Care Initiatives; c) Publications and Distribution; d) Attendance to Australia AIDS Conference

For Capability Building, continuous staff development activities are being undertaken which includes Care for Caregivers workshop (stress management workshop), Raja Yoga meditation, and Dying Alive workshop. Two of CSC's caregivers were sent to Bogor, Indonesia to have a hands-on training on Alternative therapy. Two RAF staff have taken short course on "Designing an Effective Training Curriculum" under the Certificate Program Center of the De La Salle University, Manila to have a clear concept in developing and improving existing RAF training programs/curricula for CSC in-house training programs. Skills transfer is also part of the project as it plans to conduct a nationwide training among health care providers.

The establishment of " Nothing best but….HOME ",Community Support Center (CSC) is the first step in providing expanded care initiatives. This was launched last July 2001 with 40 people from different Gos and NGOs gracing the event. This became the venue for conducting different In-center activities provided to PHAs, their families and friends. This includes quilt making, discussions on stress management, stereotyping, and power of positive thinking, vegetarianism, nine joints exercise and others. 91 participants were reached during these sessions. Outreach activities are also being conducted to expand clientele reach and also to identify other potential areas of strengthening linkages with private institutions that cater to PHAs. Partnerships were established with Bahay Lingap of San Lazaro Hospital and with Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). During these visits, a total of 11 clients were reached, with whom the CSC project was introduced and face to face counseling sessions were conducted.

For the first year of the project, RAF has embarked on the development of two books: 1) Life stories of PHAs and 2) RAF's 10-years in the field of HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health. These publications will be released by 2002.

The 6th International Conference on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific is held in Melbourne, Australia last October 2001. RAF, on its 3rd consecutive year, spearhead the Philippine NGO Booth establishment for an international conference. RAF has showcased the Philippine-Indonesian NGO initiatives and has reached approximately 2000 delegates who were given different IEC materials such as posters, pins, pamphlets and others at the booth area. The experience gained by the attendance of project staff was a great opportunity and venue for them to learn from other countries' experiences and expertise.

F) Community-Based Strategies for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS Philippine National AIDS Council grant in partnership with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
January 2000 - March 2002

The project has two phases: first is the development of two manuals, entitled: "Gabay sa HIV/AIDS para sa Lider at Pamayanan ng Komunidad", a manual for DSWD Community Leaders and volunteers on HIV/AIDS/STI prevention. The second manual is "Self Instructional manual for Social Workers on HIV/AIDS/STI. This is a self-help training manual for social workers on how to deal with Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PHAs) at the community level.

Currently, both manuals are in their final stages of layout and printing and will be out by also by the year 2002. The second phase of the project is the conduct of training/workshops for both community leaders and social workers on HIV/AIDS/STI, which will scheduled between March-April 2002.

G) Organizational Effectiveness International Council on the Management of Population Programmes (ICOMP)

This project initiative started in February 2001 when two RAF's staff members attended ICOMP's Organizational Effectiveness Training held in Malaysia. The partnership with ICOMP includes three (3) phases of the OE Process namely : 1) Project-Related Activities; 2) Strategic Plan Review; and 3) Development of Interventions.

RAF is currently on the first phase. Each of RAF's programs was examined to determine how they contribute to the organization's overall mission. In the process, two consultants were hired to work on the business plans for the Clinic and Health Laboratory and Training Programs. The developments of business plans are undertaken considering RAF's sustainability concern.

CITED AS ONE OF UN BEST PRACTICES

For 2001, RAF's Hotline Project has been selected as one of the four (4) Case Studies to be part of the UNAIDS Best Practices for Telephone Hotline Counseling document being written. The document speaks of RAF's enriching experience in terms of hotline set up, counseling training, managing volunteers, IEC materials production and promotions. The document is on its final layout and will soon be available by 2002. This is one way of showing to the world RAF's 10 year experience in hotline counseling and how can this be a learning experience for those interested in setting up such initiative.

EXCHANGE STUDENT PROGRAM

RAF has tied up with University of California Education Abroad Program through the Ateneo de Manila University and UP Diliman Campus. The program involved RAF adopting 3 Filipino American exchange students to work at a specific program of the foundation. For this initiative, the three (3) interns worked with the YZ Tondo Manila for three consecutive months. Feedback from these three exchange students were very positive and inspiring and they indeed felt the value of working at the community through various immersion activities .

EPILOGUE

Indeed, the Year 2001 has been a fruitful, very busy yet very productive year for RAF. A new set of initiatives were introduced from establishment of two (2) new centers, and likewise venturing into publications. RAF has also its learned its success in process.

Having been in existence for the past 10 years RAF has gained and sustained its credibility in its field of endeavor. RAF will not be able to survive on its own but rather through the much able support and respect from various key stakeholders of the Philippine society, namely: donor agencies, the government, private sector and most especially the clients. Yes our clients, with whom we all owed a lot and has become our inspiration to continue to move on to serve and deliver RAF core services.