From AIDS Support Group Saba to Body Mind & Spirit
ASGS was established in 1990 following the first case of HIV infection on Saba in late 1989. The informal organization was formed as a social support network for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and/or AIDS, and their families. At the time there was a strong necessity to tackle the lack of knowledge about the issues PLHIV were facing. Both the local and national governments at the time did not prioritize the health and human rights issues of this vulnerable group, which made the founding of ASGS an absolute necessity.
Two of the primary founding members, Mieke van Schadewijk and Debbie Hassell, with support of the then island doctor Jack Buchanan, together with a few of the PLHIV on Saba became the critical players to ensure the success of the establishment of ASGS as a cornerstone for the care and treatment and as a platform for advocacy for quality of life for PLHIV.
By the mid 1990’s ASGS got involved in the education and well-being of the general population with regards to HIV/AIDS and other STDs. ASGS took a leading role in sexual education, promoting and executing STD-related public awareness outreach activities and education campaigns, including advocacy on HIV/AIDS. The organization remains an active player in this field today.
In 1992 the core members of ASGS received certifications as AIDS/HIV Counsellors, enabling them to effectively counsel members of the Saban community with regards to prevention, testing, treatment and the social aspects/stigmas associated with the HIV/AIDS virus. 1992 was also the onset of the involvement of ASGS on an international level by representing Saba at the 8th International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam.
In 2000 one of the early founding members, Rudolph Hassell, was officially appointed the 1st National AIDS Coordinator for the development of an expanded response plan to HIV/AIDS by the Executive Council of Saba. Until this time Mieke van Schadewijk had filled this position in an officious role. In 2004 this post was fulfilled by Naomi Wilson, head nurse at the A. M. Edward’s Medical Center and she succeeded by Carl Buncamper in 2007. He holds this post to date.
In 2002 the efforts of ASGS were formalized and the organization was established as a foundation/NGO. Over the last two decades the foundation evolved from a specific epidemic-related agency, tasked by the local government to create community awareness and outreach, to a stage where improving the quality of life for PLHIV is intrinsically linked to a holistic understanding of a health and human rights in the whole community of Saba.
In 2013 the board of the ASGS Foundation assessed the broadening of the organization’s reach within the community and decided to align itself with international trends in integrating prevention programs on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) within mainstream Public Health programs. This acknowledgement went together with the re-branding of the organization to the call-name Body, Mind & Spirit (BMS).
Acknowledging operational reality in programs implementation, in 2013 the foundation adopted the call-name “Body, Mind & Spirit” to highlight its incorporation of all healthy, balanced lifestyle promotion efforts. While the organization has broadened its scope, it is still the prime agency in collaboration with the Public Health Department, charged to spearhead the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control. Through our ongoing efforts the organization seeks to further the well-being of the community by mobilizing resources to prevent diseases and promote healthy lifestyle.
ASGS was established in 1990 following the first case of HIV infection on Saba in late 1989. The informal organization was formed as a social support network for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and/or AIDS, and their families. At the time there was a strong necessity to tackle the lack of knowledge about the issues PLHIV were facing. Both the local and national governments at the time did not prioritize the health and human rights issues of this vulnerable group, which made the founding of ASGS an absolute necessity.
Two of the primary founding members, Mieke van Schadewijk and Debbie Hassell, with support of the then island doctor Jack Buchanan, together with a few of the PLHIV on Saba became the critical players to ensure the success of the establishment of ASGS as a cornerstone for the care and treatment and as a platform for advocacy for quality of life for PLHIV.
By the mid 1990’s ASGS got involved in the education and well-being of the general population with regards to HIV/AIDS and other STDs. ASGS took a leading role in sexual education, promoting and executing STD-related public awareness outreach activities and education campaigns, including advocacy on HIV/AIDS. The organization remains an active player in this field today.
In 1992 the core members of ASGS received certifications as AIDS/HIV Counsellors, enabling them to effectively counsel members of the Saban community with regards to prevention, testing, treatment and the social aspects/stigmas associated with the HIV/AIDS virus. 1992 was also the onset of the involvement of ASGS on an international level by representing Saba at the 8th International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam.
In 2000 one of the early founding members, Rudolph Hassell, was officially appointed the 1st National AIDS Coordinator for the development of an expanded response plan to HIV/AIDS by the Executive Council of Saba. Until this time Mieke van Schadewijk had filled this position in an officious role. In 2004 this post was fulfilled by Naomi Wilson, head nurse at the A. M. Edward’s Medical Center and she succeeded by Carl Buncamper in 2007. He holds this post to date.
In 2002 the efforts of ASGS were formalized and the organization was established as a foundation/NGO. Over the last two decades the foundation evolved from a specific epidemic-related agency, tasked by the local government to create community awareness and outreach, to a stage where improving the quality of life for PLHIV is intrinsically linked to a holistic understanding of a health and human rights in the whole community of Saba.
In 2013 the board of the ASGS Foundation assessed the broadening of the organization’s reach within the community and decided to align itself with international trends in integrating prevention programs on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) within mainstream Public Health programs. This acknowledgement went together with the re-branding of the organization to the call-name Body, Mind & Spirit (BMS).
Acknowledging operational reality in programs implementation, in 2013 the foundation adopted the call-name “Body, Mind & Spirit” to highlight its incorporation of all healthy, balanced lifestyle promotion efforts. While the organization has broadened its scope, it is still the prime agency in collaboration with the Public Health Department, charged to spearhead the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control. Through our ongoing efforts the organization seeks to further the well-being of the community by mobilizing resources to prevent diseases and promote healthy lifestyle.