OMG Digital Magazine OMG Issue 275 7th September 2017 | Page 42

OMG Digital Magazine | 275 | Thursday 7 September 2017 • PAGE 42
MAKING A CONNECTION: Participants and facilitators
of the three-day workshop entitled “Positive
Connections”, which trained attendees to work with
adolescents who are affected by H.I.V. The workshop
was held from August 21-23 at the Scarborough
General Hospital.
MORE PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT
HIV-POSITIVE
YOUTH TO GET
MORE SUPPORT
Twenty-four HIV caregivers have been trained to work with adolescents who are
living with or affected by HIV. A three-day workshop, “Positive Connections,” was
held this week (August 21-23) at the Scarborough General Hospital by the HIV/
AIDS Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Health along with nonprofit human
development organisation FHI 360.
The collaboration also included the Office of the County Medical Officer of Health
(CMOH), and the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development’s Health
and Gender Affairs Unit. Representatives from FHI 360 conducted the sessions. The
training is critical, as the number of sexually transmitted infections among this age
group is increasing. The workshop topics included group norms and confidentiality,
and violence reporting and referral.
Our children need more attention. That’s
the assessment of Secretary of Health,
Wellness and Family Development
Dr. Agatha Carrington. The Secretary
said the contributions of parents and
guardians are key to developing well-
rounded children. She was speaking
during the Probation Hostel’s Life Skills
Achievement Day Ceremony yesterday
(August 24).
Dr. Carrington is calling for parents
and guardians to ensure they actively
participate in their children’s lives. “These
children at the hostel are good children
especially when you see what they can
do... they are very talented,” she said. “…
These talents cannot be developed if you
don’t participate in their lives.”
The Secretary encouraged the children
to “stay on course”, telling them their
journey has not yet ended.
“…If you ever feel like giving up, reach
out to a caregiver, or the police, who
may be able to help you,” Dr. Carrington
advised. The children participated in a
training programme from August 2-23,
and learned important life skills. The
appreciation ceremony allowed them to
showcase their talents in the presence of
parents, guardians and hostel staff.