Working with African Faith (Christianity) Leaders A Case Study of ‘It Starts With Me’ Network- North West by Revd Charles Kwaku-Odoi
Background Generating Interest & Brokering Engagement The Summits How To Guide World AIDS Day celebration Lessons Learned- A Model that Works???
Background HIV prevalence Better engagement and education in the MSM community but difficulty in reaching the African community. Recognition that majority of Africans are people of faith; largely Christians and Muslims Pastors and Imams are gatekeepers 3
Initial Mapping Identifying potential members through existing networks Expression of Interest- request Follow up- Telephone Face-to-face group meeting- (an evening) Actions and timescales agreed
Motivation Selling the vision - benefits for church members Refreshment at meeting Travel Reimbursement Token of appreciation for time- meetings and responses
How to Guide Terms Biblical (with a pentecostal touch) Four topics- Testing; Treatment, Precautionary behaviour, and Stigma & Discrimination Initial draft by Lead Comments and suggestions by Draft agreed
1st Summit One day summit 20 African Faith Leaders Refreshments & Lunch Setting the context- by partner agency Qs & As Discussion on the ‘How to Guide’
Summit Recommendations 1.More information on transmission at future HIV conferences. 2.Faith leaders’ referral protocols for people testing positive. 3.Promote community testing that refers people for a second test. 4.Support faith leaders to offer pre and post marriage counselling. 5.Mentoring scheme for faith leaders to shadow sexual health outreach workers. 6.Develop a community sexual health scheme which includes community development and organisational workforce development. 7.Training and accreditation for faith leaders to provide confidential support; offering an approved counselling programme; maintaining a register of accredited counsellors who are faith leaders. 8.Engaging with HIV in faith events and activities such as prayer meeting. 9.A well-resourced peer support network for accredited faith leaders to become ambassadors and offer support for newly recruited faith leaders. 10.Medium-term plan of forming a consortium of organisations and churches providing faith-based sexual health.
2nd Summit 20 African Faith Leaders (some new participants) Session on HIV transmission HIV testing demonstration- using different test kits ‘How to Guide’ Discussion
Summit photos
How to Guide publication Testing Treatment Precautionary Behaviour Stigma & Discrimination ‘ Guide to HIV Prevention for Faith Leaders Guide to HIV Prevention for Faith Leaders ’- ges/Guide%20to%20HIV%20Prevention%20for%20Faith%20Leaders%20-%20FINAL.pdf
Post-Summit Commissioning churches to hold health day events with HIV testing as part of it. Participation in National HIV Testing Week; 22nd- 30th Nov 2014 World AIDS Day partnership participation & Church St Ann’s Church, 1st December Vox TV special edition on HIV with a live interview
Social Media Campaign
THANK YOU!!! Questions?