Horizons | Research Summary | Positive, Engaged, Involved: PLHA Participation in Community-based Organizations

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Positive, Engaged, Involved:
PLHA Participation in Community-based Organizations

The director of Initiative Privée et Communautaire contre le SIDA (IPC) and the president of AMMIE lead a discussion during a presentation of Horizons study results to local leaders of HIV prevention, care, and support organizations.

The findings from the Horizons research show that initiating or improving involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in CBOs has the potential to make the services they provide more effective, appropriate, and meaningful. For example, when HIV-positive people receive training and support to counsel others, they share a first-hand perspective about the fears and difficulties faced by the group that helps reduce the sense of isolation many people experience. The CBO benefits by gaining a clearer understanding of how HIV-positive people value and respond to services and possibly attracting new members. People living with HIV/AIDS report that they personally value the opportunity to be involved in CBOs providing HIV/AIDS services, which also contributes to that organization’s overall sustainability and strength within the community.

Although there is widespread and genuine interest in involving people living with HIV/AIDS in CBOs, the study confirms a general lack of understanding about how to do this effectively. CBOs sometimes view HIV-positive people solely as recipients of services, with little appreciation for their untapped potential. Involving people living with HIV/AIDS means being able to look at them as individuals with interests and skills to offer, and then creating support strategies through training and other means so they can fulfill volunteer or paid roles within the organization.

The study identified some risks to PLHA involvement, particularly if the CBO lacks the organizational capacity and experience to match skills and interests with service delivery needs.

CBOs that seek to enhance involvement of PLHA people should not expect to find a single model that works well in every instance. Instead, CBOs should begin by taking stock of their existing organizational structure, the environment in which they operate, and the services they currently provide. Comparing this information to the models of PLHA involvement identified by the Horizons research can then provide ideas for how to gradually support the evolution of the CBO so that greater inclusion of people living with HIV/AIDS can be achieved.

For additional information please contact:
Horizons
Population Council
4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 280
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: +1 202 237 9400
Facsimile: +1 202 237 8410
E-mail: horizons@popcouncil.org