INFORMATIEDOCUMENT
ten behoeve van de
financiering van de
2e fase van het project voor
psychosociale ondersteuning
van kinderen met HIV/AIDS
en hun families in Paramaribo,
Suriname
This is their future, share it
Sharedfutures
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Surinam
Our project in Paramaribo, Surinam regards the psychosocial support of children living with HIV and their families.
Background
It is very important for children to grow up in a stable, stress-free environment.
Pain, side effects caused by medicine, confrontation with the illness and possible early death of parents and carers, stress in the family (discrimination, isolation, lack of love by parents and/or poverty) and/or stress caused at school, can all lead to developmental disturbances and psychological problems in children. When children are repeatedly confronted with negative influences, there is an increased need for stability, affection and reassurance.
For carers, especially mothers who are often infected with HIV themselves, this is a difficult task. In the cases where the family fails to provide this extra care and support, psychosocial support is considered to be imperative.
We believe that
- care and education, as well as psychosocial support is best provided within the family, by the child’s carers;
- the support programs for children should be directed at their carers, as these will be better equipped to perform their parenting tasks once they understand
how HIV and AIDS influences a child’s world, and once they feel more empowered, and
- because of the specific implications of HIV and AIDS, it seems natural to involve HIV consultants with expertise in childhood development.
The Project
Our project consists of 3 phases:
1. Feasibility Phase (2006)
2. Project Development Phase (2007 - 2008)
3. Implementation Phase (2009 - 2012)
1. The Feasibility Phase
In this phase we investigated the need for psychosocial support among Surinam children with HIV/AIDS and their families. We concluded that no such support directed at children, was available. Subsequently we searched for partners to help us develop this support.
We succeeded in this respect. The HIV treatment centre of Emma Children’s Hospital AMC of the Academic Medical Centre, the ‘Health Care & Culture’ Department of the VU Medical Centre (VUmc) and the Pediatric Department of ‘s Lands Hospital in Paramaribo, Surinam have offered their knowledge and experience to this project.
2. The Project Development Phase
In this phase we, together with the Psychosocial Department of the AMC, the HIV treatment centre of Emma Children’s Hospital AMC and with COVAB (the national training centre for nurses in Surinam) developed a psychosocial program and training book for psychosocial care that complied with Surinam tradition, culture and subsequently trained 20 nurses who regularly deal with children with the HIV virus. Together with the best professionals in Surinam and the our professionals of AMC we conducted a weeks' training on psychosocial support for 82 nurses who come into contact with children with the HIV virus.
In our view psychosocial support should be integrated in the existing structures in the country. We do not believe that we should start a new (HIV/AIDS) (non-governmental) organisation, as this increases discrimination and the opportunity to strengthen local organisations, is missed. The set up of a Multi Disciplinary Team, consisting of pediatrians, psychologist, HIV consultants and social workers withing a hospital seems a perfect way to accomplish an effective support.
3. The Implementation Phase
The 3rd phase is the implementation or rollout phase. Here we will execute the plan as set out above. Consultation with families and the implied application of the support programs will start shortly thereafter.
In December 2008 we established a cooperation with the Paediatric Department of the Diakonessenhuis Hospital with the aim to set up a Multi Disciplinary Team. This hospital is the reference hospital for the people living in the inlands of Surinam.
It is our intention to support this structure for a period of 3 years, whereby the programs will be further developed, the Multi Disciplinary Team members will be further trained and a structure to establish the self sufficiency of the local partner will be realised.
How you can participate
Individuals and companies who are convinced that development projects can only have a higher impact when in addition to financial contribution, a transfer or contribution of knowledge, expertise and experience occurs, have found the right foundation.
You can contribute to this project financially or otherwise.
Please contact Monique Faverey (info@sharedfutures.nl) for further information.
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