United Bricklayers

GENERAL INFORMATION

United Bricklayers strives to achieve fundamental socio-economic outcomes by acting as a vehicle for change through empowerment. It facilitates and advocates for the social and economic development of the most vulnerable by reinforcing prevention programmes aimed at strengthening families, upholding sensitive cultural values, facilitating positive behavioural change and promoting responsible sexual behaviour.

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).

Community and Social Services

Men, women, children benefit from the services provided by United Bricklayers.

HIV/AIDS SERVICES

Mapping of key populations (KPs) hotspots
Sensitisation sessions which targeted KPs hotspots, health care centres, and the Police Force
Education outreach sessions held thrice per week
Targeting at least four (4) locations per week
Basic HIV & STI Information, condom negotiation, condom & lubricant use, hygiene, etc.
Distribution of behaviour change communication (BCC) materials
HIV counselling and testing
Referrals and navigation into services
Support group sessions
Risk reduction assessment and counselling

Community Impact

During a six (6) month period from July 2015 to December 2015 two hundred and forty-one (241) men who have sex with men (MSM) and two hundred and ninety-eight (298) female sex workers (FSWs) benefitted from HIV related services and other cross cutting services; of which two hundred and thirty-one (231) MSM and two hundred and eighty-eight (288) FSWs were tested.

During a special three (3) day outreach in Morakobai region 5, fifty-two (52) FSWs and eight (8) MSM were tested.

Forty (40) health care workers and forty (40) police officers received gender-based violence along with stigma and discrimination training. Additionally, ten (10) peer educators received training.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

United Bricklayers (a non-profit and voluntary organisation) serves as a vehicle for change through empowerment, and strives to achieve fundamental socio-economic outcomes by reinforcing prevention programmes aimed at strengthening family units and upholding appropriate cultural values together with promoting positive behavioural change and responsible sexual behaviour. Our goals are to:

  • Increase the knowledge of the effective approaches and techniques for HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention.
  • Ensure adequate access to existing health services in terms of HIV and other STI screening, treatment, care and support.
  • Raise awareness at all levels through advocacy and social mobilisation to create a supportive environment for persons affected by HIV/AIDS.
  • Improve the social and economic conditions – education, health, religion, development and quality of life- for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs).
  • Support families and households coping with an increased burden of care for OVCs through education, health care, counseling, etc.
  • Encourage fostering and retention of OVCs within their families and communities to promote their socio-economic and psychosocial development.
  • Strengthen/build capacities in community based systems for sustained care and support to OVCs and households through awareness creation.    

Through our programme of activities, we will focus on targeting the key affected populations (KAPs) through peer education, condom and lubricant promotion and distribution, risk reduction and risk assessment, economic strengthening, referral for screening, care and treatment, voluntary counselling and testing,, and behaviour change activities i.e. support groups and capacity building sessions designed to address stigma and discrimination, and impart skills that will provide alternative means of generating income. Activities specifically related to the progamme also consists of sensitisation sessions with owners and managers of locations visited by KAPs, risk reduction counselling sessions, training for peer educators (men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSWs)) among others.

CONTACT US

Phone: 592-333-3322 Address: 25 Charles Place, New Amsterdam, Berbice