what we do in hIV/AIDS awareness

H.O.P.E. (Helping Ourselves in a Positive Environment)

H.O.P.E., "Helping Ourselves in a Positive Environment", is the local support group for persons living with HIV/AIDS. It provides a safe forum to share experiences and give support to one another, and also to empower and educate persons living with HIV/AIDS about their rights and health-related issues.

All persons living with HIV/AIDS from both Dutch and French side are welcome to join this group. Language used is English.

To join the group, please contact:

• Dr. Gerard van Osch at , or on +1-721-544-5374.

To ensure confidentiality of the members, meeting place and times are only given to members. New members would have to give some proof of status, or enter through the intervention of Dr. van Osch.

This group is only for persons living with HIV/AIDS. On the request of the group, non infected persons can be invited to give lectures or information.

Persons that feel fearful to meet within the group, but would like to meet other PLWHAs are brought in contact with counselors from HOPE (persons themselves infected with HIV).
HOPE also envisages empowering PLWHAs in such a way that they will be able to become activists in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Some members have participated in conferences and some are involved in policy development.

HOPE is also connected to CRN+, the Caribbean Regional Network of PLWHAs and the soon-to-be-launched DOT NET + (an online Dutch Overseas Territories network of PLWHAs).