Program Priority Areas
Prevention of HIV Transmission
In addition to school-based activities and programs spearheaded by BMS, the foundation provides the public with condom vending machines and free condoms available at strategic locations. The machines installed in public restrooms make condom use accessible for the community. BMS monitors condom updates from the vending machines as well as community-wide attitudes toward condom use. Condoms, lubricants and information materials are made available in sachets that are distributed from our office in Windwardside, at the A. M Edwards Medical Center in The Bottom, and the Saba Comprehensive School in St. John’s. The public is becoming less reluctant to access these resources and distribution of condoms during the Saba Summer Festivals has become an accepted fixture lauded for curbing, not just STI and HIV transmission, but also for eliminating unwanted pregnancies historically related to these annual festivities.
Increasing Knowledge and Behavior
Years of research and numerous studies have linked the following behaviours to increased risk of HIV transmission: Early initiation of sexual activity, multiple sex partners for both men and women, inconsistent condom use, social taboos preventing teaching or discussion of sex with young people, commercial sex work and drug use, both intravenous drug use (direct) and other substance abuse.
Social structure and culture have a significant impact on these health behaviours. The unique structure and size of the population of Saba might reflect into some of the noticed behaviour, especially among youth. Many girls and boys reported that they avoid going to hospital for testing of suspected STIs due to anonymity issues. The culture in Saba, like in the most of the Caribbean, promotes increased risk of alcohol consumption among youth as well as early initiation of sex.
Improving Treatment, Care and Quality of Life for PLHIV
The goals are to provide full coverage of anti-retroviral therapy for all PLHIV, free supported counselling services, make services and tools available for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of STIs and to create an environment on Saba that allows PLHIV to discuss their condition openly and without any inhibition, fear of stigma and discrimination.
Confidential counselling services for PLHIV and/or their families, at more advanced levels of concern in a number of areas, continues to be offered through the “buddy system” (PLHIV registered as trained counsellors).
Curbing Stigma and Discrimination
For the past 15 years, there have been no known reported cases of discrimination against PLHIV on Saba. During this period, there was greater involvement in BMS’s awareness activities and campaigns by the general public. The increased level of awareness about transmission had substantially reduced the level of discrimination experienced by PLHIV on Saba. Sustained media awareness campaigns remain a feature of the BMS’ efforts together with youth education programs. Many shopping stores and public offices also act as distribution spots for the BMS Newsletter. In addition to featuring the foundation’s community efforts and regional developments related to discrimination against the HIV+ and the LGBTI Caribbean community, the newsletter fosters greater awareness about healthy lifestyles.
Human Rights Monitoring and Promotion
BMS is engaged in human rights monitoring and promotion efforts focused on prevention of workplace discrimination based on health status and/or sexual orientation. We lobby for respect and acceptance of an individual’s identity. To achieve this, we organize regular multi-media campaigns designed to create awareness and debunk preconceptions about the sexual and behavioural diversity. We promote community-level partnerships with stakeholder public and non-governmental organizations in human rights monitoring and promotion. We are an active member organization in the Dutch Caribbean regional LGBT+ lobby entity titled Pink Orange Alliance working closely with COC Netherlands, the peer organization that represents the interests of minority groups at a national level. Our core belief in diversity, inclusion, respect and accountability is reflected in our attempts to bridge divides and incorporate faith-based organizations within our programs. Such incorporation targets the creating of a safe and healthy environment for self-expression that allows each individual to develop their full potential.
Prevention of HIV Transmission
In addition to school-based activities and programs spearheaded by BMS, the foundation provides the public with condom vending machines and free condoms available at strategic locations. The machines installed in public restrooms make condom use accessible for the community. BMS monitors condom updates from the vending machines as well as community-wide attitudes toward condom use. Condoms, lubricants and information materials are made available in sachets that are distributed from our office in Windwardside, at the A. M Edwards Medical Center in The Bottom, and the Saba Comprehensive School in St. John’s. The public is becoming less reluctant to access these resources and distribution of condoms during the Saba Summer Festivals has become an accepted fixture lauded for curbing, not just STI and HIV transmission, but also for eliminating unwanted pregnancies historically related to these annual festivities.
Increasing Knowledge and Behavior
Years of research and numerous studies have linked the following behaviours to increased risk of HIV transmission: Early initiation of sexual activity, multiple sex partners for both men and women, inconsistent condom use, social taboos preventing teaching or discussion of sex with young people, commercial sex work and drug use, both intravenous drug use (direct) and other substance abuse.
Social structure and culture have a significant impact on these health behaviours. The unique structure and size of the population of Saba might reflect into some of the noticed behaviour, especially among youth. Many girls and boys reported that they avoid going to hospital for testing of suspected STIs due to anonymity issues. The culture in Saba, like in the most of the Caribbean, promotes increased risk of alcohol consumption among youth as well as early initiation of sex.
Improving Treatment, Care and Quality of Life for PLHIV
The goals are to provide full coverage of anti-retroviral therapy for all PLHIV, free supported counselling services, make services and tools available for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of STIs and to create an environment on Saba that allows PLHIV to discuss their condition openly and without any inhibition, fear of stigma and discrimination.
Confidential counselling services for PLHIV and/or their families, at more advanced levels of concern in a number of areas, continues to be offered through the “buddy system” (PLHIV registered as trained counsellors).
Curbing Stigma and Discrimination
For the past 15 years, there have been no known reported cases of discrimination against PLHIV on Saba. During this period, there was greater involvement in BMS’s awareness activities and campaigns by the general public. The increased level of awareness about transmission had substantially reduced the level of discrimination experienced by PLHIV on Saba. Sustained media awareness campaigns remain a feature of the BMS’ efforts together with youth education programs. Many shopping stores and public offices also act as distribution spots for the BMS Newsletter. In addition to featuring the foundation’s community efforts and regional developments related to discrimination against the HIV+ and the LGBTI Caribbean community, the newsletter fosters greater awareness about healthy lifestyles.
Human Rights Monitoring and Promotion
BMS is engaged in human rights monitoring and promotion efforts focused on prevention of workplace discrimination based on health status and/or sexual orientation. We lobby for respect and acceptance of an individual’s identity. To achieve this, we organize regular multi-media campaigns designed to create awareness and debunk preconceptions about the sexual and behavioural diversity. We promote community-level partnerships with stakeholder public and non-governmental organizations in human rights monitoring and promotion. We are an active member organization in the Dutch Caribbean regional LGBT+ lobby entity titled Pink Orange Alliance working closely with COC Netherlands, the peer organization that represents the interests of minority groups at a national level. Our core belief in diversity, inclusion, respect and accountability is reflected in our attempts to bridge divides and incorporate faith-based organizations within our programs. Such incorporation targets the creating of a safe and healthy environment for self-expression that allows each individual to develop their full potential.