GENERAL INFORMATION
Artistes in Direct Support is a non-profit, community-based organization focused on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) education. Accountability Credibility and Transparency, the foundation upon which Artistes In Direct Support stands was laid over twenty-five (25) years ago and was the brainchild of the late Keith Andre Sobryan. His vision of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) focused on creating behaviour change through the use of their theatrical talents and peer education is kept alive through the hard work and dedication of Ms. Desiree Edghill and team.Volunteers and staff educate at-risk populations through the performing arts, media, and peer education.
SERVICES
With the additional funding from USAID, Artistes in Direct Support has expanded their scope of work to include community mobilization, capacity building, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), and outreach services for men having sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW).
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Community and Social Services
Gender-dased violence support groups
Life skills and risk reduction counselling
Training of Peer Educators
Awareness sessions for in and out of school youths
Dramatic presentations
Writing, directing and production of programmes and plays
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HIV/AIDS SERVICES
Sensitization of HIV through performing arts
HIV/AIDS prevention
Support groups and community mobilization
Linkage to care and treatment
Voluntary counselling and testing
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Community Impact
In the fiscal year 2014/15, Artistes in Direct Support provided HIV treatment for the most at-risk populations, impacting the lives of two thousand five hundred (2500) key populations of which two thousand (2000) were counselled and tested, while another sixty-one (61) were screened for gender-based violence. Life skills training were provided to one thousand two hundred and fifty (1250) persons, with eighty-five (85) persons benefitting from support group services, and a total of one thousand five (1500) receiving risk reduction counselling.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Aspirations for the Future Artistes In Direct Support hopes to: Create and deliver a gender sensitive curriculum to institutionalized youths; Produce biannually, productions to be staged at the National Cultural Center; Acquire our own building
CONTACT US
Phone: 592-225-5112/227-7320 Email: artsup92@gmail.com Address: 156 Alexander Street, Georgetown