Business Coalition on HIV/AIDs hands out awards

Jun 27, 2010 News

The Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Friday evening handed out awards to several companies for their outstanding work in seeking to eliminate HIV/AIDS and the stigma and discrimination against those living with the disease.

Director of the National AIDS Programme, Dr Shanti Singh (left), hands over the award to Peer Educator NAMILCO in the presence of her colleagues.

According to Amanda St Aubyn, the chairperson of the Coalition, the membership is more active than ever before, with marked increases in the presence of active workplace programmes and community partnerships that take on the most pressing and social issues that affect the spread and impact of HIV.

Over the past year, she said, the Coalition’s secretariat has grown, with the hiring of staff that has rapidly increased access to quality resources and support for members.

She said that the achievements of the Coalition are due to the support and leadership of the many individuals and institutions working tirelessly towards the unified goal of identifying and promoting new examples of best practices in helping to reduce and prevent HIV/AIDS in Guyana.

Awards were given for business excellence as exemplified by a workplace programme, peer education and community investment.

For workplace programme, Republic Bank (Guyana) picked up the award. The Bank began collaborating with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2004 to develop a workplace programme that has over time become an example of best practice in the country for its longevity and commitment to excellence.

The Bank has invested in training 18 persons as peer educators who are active in all 10 branches of the Bank, nationwide. The programme is continually renewed and enhanced with the training of new peer educators and on-going capacity building for all.

Additionally, all staff, managers and executive leadership in the company are expected to participate in workplace education activities, which are implemented in a standardised way and on a regular schedule at all branches.

Educational activities and training sessions reach beyond the basics of HIV to address related health and social issues that impact the lives of Republic Bank employees and their families. Republic Bank is now expanding their workplace programme to the community, encouraging other businesses in their area to participate in the response to HIV.

Under this category of awards, Grace Kennedy Remittance Services and Guyana Power and Light (GPL) received honourable mention.

Grace Kennedy endeavours to make learning about HIV/AIDs fun while giving employees the opportunity to feel secure and protected through the non-discrimination clause in its HIV/AIDS workplace policy.

GPL initiated its HIV/AIDS workplace programme in 2005, but renewed the commitment in 2008. So far, 12 peer educators representing six GPL locations are actively working with colleagues and the customer base to increase their knowledge of HIV and empower them to make choices that will protect their health and that of their families.

The National Milling Company received the award for outstanding performances by peer educators.

The company’s peer educators are applying their creativity and leadership to engage their colleagues in new and entertaining ways.

The group is diverse and energetic. Members were selected from within the company’s various departments, including milling, marketing, accounts and sanitation.

They are trained by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with the Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction Programme, Artistes in Direct Support and Volunteer Youth Corps Incorporated.

Since the training in 2009, the group has developed a laudable Edutainment programme which it uses to address HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination issues with the entire workforce at NAMILCO.

The vibrant group has taken the lead to educate and share beyond their workplace, participating in education and outreach activities in the neighbouring community of Agricola in partnership with the local group “Young Leaders of Agricola.”

Receiving honourable mention in the category of peer educators was Rohini Ramkumar of Edward B. Beharry and Company. She has been working with her colleagues since 2008, carrying out weekly, monthly and one-on-one sessions with over 200 persons in 2009. She has initiated mobile training to reach departments that have difficulty releasing staff for her scheduled programmes.

Scotiabank (Guyana) received the award for business excellence in the field of community investment. All Scotiabank branches host on-sight HIV testing at least once per year (once per quarter in Georgetown) and this is accessible to employees and community members in collaboration with the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, Comforting Hearts (Berbice) and Hope Foundation (Bartica).

Scotiabank’s community outreach activities have encouraged a frank conversation about the drivers and impact of HIV and IADS and the importance of non-discrimination in the workplace and community.