Hi Fans :
On the 12th of January, Mike, Olivia, Pedro and I went to Pink Triangle Foundation (PTF) in Kuala Lumpur to help out. PTF is an organization devoted to HIV/AIDS issues in Malaysia. It was founded in 1987, and has grown since then to encompass divisions that assist five populations vulnerable to HIV. These groups are sex workers, drug users, transsexuals, men-who-have –sex-with-men (MSM), and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
We met some friendly employees and volunteers at the headquarters, which also acts as the MSM division. One task sponsored by PTF that is vital to HIV prevention, is the distribution of safe-sex packs. The other interns and I spent most of the day packing condoms, lubricant and information cards about PTF and safe sex. This was quite a relaxing way to spend the day. During this time, we were able to chat to some workers at the organization about the obstacles they face in the fight against the spread of HIV and against HIV related discrimination. One problem due to underfunding is that only bare bones management team can be formed. Further impediments to efficiency include institutionalized homophobia and the general taboo against open sexuality in society. For example, we were told that the presence of condoms (our hand packed safe sex kits!) in gay venues can be used as evidence against a club for hosting “illicit” activities.
Despite these obstacles however, if it weren’t for PTF, countless more lives would have been lost to HIV. Since the evolution of HIV in the 1980s that lead to it becoming a world-wide epidemic, 13,000 people have died of AIDS in Malaysia. The tireless efforts of PTF in providing testing and counseling, as well as distributing information, and of course, condoms, must have saved and prolonged many lives, and also reduced a lot of confusion and suffering.
Mike, Pedro, Olivia and I are grateful to being able to spend our time being involved with PTF, and we hope our visits over the next month can help prevent the spread of HIV and HIV-related discrimination!
The Hope Team , AIESEC UPM ,
January- February 2011
Jessica
