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Educating, supporting, counseling. Reaching out to
infected and affected by HIV & AIDS.
The cry of AIDS Project - Bartica is a non-governmental,
non-profit organization promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in
Bartica, Guyana, South America.
WHAT IS CRY OF AIDS PROJECT - BARTICA?
Cry of AIDS Project Bartica (COAP) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that was established in 1996. COAP is located in Bartica, Guyana oh the left bank of the Essequibo River seventy-five miles from Georgetown, the capital. COAP was created with the intent to serve all environs of Bartica and the surrounding riverain communities (an estimated population of 15, 000 people) without discrimination to race, religion, age, sex, or creed.
THE PURPOSE OF COAP
1.To promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention knowledge that lead to behavioral change
2.To reduce the psych-social impact and enhance care to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS
3.To mobilize the necessary resources needed to sustain the work of COAP
4.To
further the development of the members of the organization via supplementary
education and training
COAP MISSION STATEMENT
To work towards the national goal to reduce the spread
of HIV/AIDS through education and outreach programs in Bartica and environs.
Statistics provided by CAREC
HIV/AIDS IN GUYANA
According to the information published by CAREC (Caribbean Epidemiologist Center) in 2000, AIDS is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 - 45 living in the Caribbean, next to Haiti.
These facts illustrate the great need for organizations
like COAP to respond to the great need for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention
education in Guyana.
SERVICES PROVIDED
COAP strives to meet the needs of Bartica and the surrounding areas by providing the following services:
·Workshops and Information Sessions on HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention.
·HIV/AIDS Counseling
·TV programs, Notice Board, and Information Desk.
·Training New Members as Peer-Educators.
·Annual Participation in the World AIDS Campaign Rally.
·Distribution
of HIV/AIDS/STI Literature.
CURRENT PROJECTS
The members of COAP have put their efforts toward
expanding the target population. Recently, COAP has been involved with
facilitating HIV/AIDS/STI's awareness and prevention workshops in the following
Riverain Communities: Karatabo, Batavia, Kaow Island, Skull Point, the
Mazaruni Prisons, Goshen and Agatash. Working with these Riverain communities
has proved to be enjoyable and worthwhile.
CRY OF AIDS PROJECT- BARTICA
THE RED RIBBON IS A SYMBOL OF AWARENESS, COMITTMENT,
SOLIDARITY, AND COMPASSION. WEARING THIS RIBBON SHOWS THAT YOU SHARE THE
GRIEF OF PERSONS INFECTED AND AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS IT ALSO SIGNIFIES THE
HOPE FOR A CURE. IN ADDITION, THE INDIVIDUALS WEARING THIS RIBBON SHOW
THEY HAVE UNDERTAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS.
MEET THE MEMBERS OF COAP
COAP has grown since it was first established in 1996. Currently our members include HIV/AIDS counselors, Youth Arm members, Peer Educators, Riverain Community members, Bartica members, Child-Abuse Arm members, as well as International volunteers.
COAP operates out of an office in Bartica proper.
The office is staffed by three full-time members.
HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER
COAP welcomes anyone to become a member of this organization. There are two ways to volunteer with COAP:
1.You can volunteer on a one-time project or event
2.You can attend three consecutive meetings, apply for membership, and then have an interview with COAP staff.
3.You
can be a sponsor by donating materials or finances that ensure the success
of COAP.
Come by the office for more information about volunteer
with COAP.
Cry of AIDS Project-Bartica
40 Second Avenue Bartica
Essequibo River, Guyana
South America.
Phone: 455-2462
Fax: 455-2462
Email: coapbartica@yahoo.com