Animators in action – HIV and STI prevention in the Caribbean
02 November 2006
Sherene is from a quiet, rural area in Western Jamaica. Her home life was always a struggle. Lack of money constantly caused conflict in her family, which eventually culminated in Sherene’s mother repossessing her bed.
Upset, Sherene stormed out the house, met a friend and visited a local strip club. She was fascinated by what she saw and at how great the women looked. Determined to buy her own bed and gain independence from her mother, she got herself a costume and some high heels, and performed to perfection, ending up working in two local clubs in Montego Bay.
When working at the clubs, she took part in the Type 5 Health Centre programme, where free HIV and sexually transmitted infection tests are offered, along with education on sexual health issues. Sherene shared the handouts and materials she had received with her peers at the clubs. Though reluctant to attend the sessions themselves, they appreciated the interest she had shown in their welfare.
Sherene approached Type 5 several times about the possibility of her doing outreach work, but was constantly told there were no opportunities. Then she came across the Alliance in Antigua while working in a club… and the rest is history.
As part of the Alliance’s prevention programme, Sherene visits women working at local entertainment clubs and bars to distribute condoms. She also spends quality time teaching each girl she works with to adopt safer sexual practices, recognise signs of sexually transmitted infections, and provides information and support to influence behaviour change.
While she focuses on female sex workers, from time to time she also engages in outreach work with men and other people who do not identify as sex workers. For example, she once met a man who was seemingly completely against the idea of being tested and made all sorts of excuses to avoid it. With time and patience, Sherene shared with him the benefits of taking an HIV test, and supported him to overcome his fear.
Sherene feels that she has been able to gain respect from others and has been able to share valuable information with people who are consistently involved in risky sexual behaviour. “When I go to do follow up sessions, they greet me with open arms, ask questions about the information, education and communication materials I left with them and are always requesting condoms for their friends.”
