HIV Workshop In Tsaghkadzor

ART held a seminar for the network of the priests involved in HIV and trafficking activities in Armenia. The members of the network had undergone a number of seminars during the last two years focusing on spiritual, medical and psychological aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support of PLWHA. The goal of the present workshop was to present the details of medical, psychological aspects of HIV/AIDS, counseling skills, procedure of self-help groups’ facilitation and establish close collaboration of clergy with the National AIDS Center and “Real Life, Real People” NGO. The first part of the seminar was conducted by the specialists of the National Centre for AIDS Prevention of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia: head of the prevention department Rafael Ohanyan and the psychologist of the Center – Ruzanna Davtyan., and the trainers of “Real World, Real People” NGO who are working with people living with HIV/AIDS. Fifteen participant clergy were introduced to the medical aspects of HIV/AIDS, general situation in Armenia and statistics, development scenarios, prevention measures, as well as counseling and facilitator skills. The seminar was highly interactive and considering the involvement of PLWHA in the workshop, all the participant clergy had a chance to undergo real-life situations and case studies with PLWHA.
The workshop was very helpful for clergy to learn about the diversity of problems faced by PLWHA and the major expectations for the clergy. At the end of the workshop an HIV positive woman opened up her positive status and told her life story, which was warmly accepted by clergy. One of the participant clergy presented a blessed cross to that woman to save from harm and be blissful till the end of her life.
The workshop concluded with agreements on further collaboration among the clergy and PLWHA and AIDS National Center. In the coming month ART will start pilot projects in several regions of Armenia with involvement of clergy and PLWHA as project partners to implement activities related to prevention of HIV/AIDS, care and support of PLWHA.