Testimonials
from People involved with JAS
A
mother and her son
Tina
, The mother of Derrick, who is HIV+, says
that Jamaica AIDS Support has helped to reassure
her and to form a closer bond between she
and her son.
She is thankful for the free medication and
doctors visits provided by JAS for her son.
JAS has alleviated her fears associated with
HIV/AIDS and has assisted her in helping others
in her community to understand and diminish
the myths surrounding HIV/AIDS
Derrick,
a thirty year old man with HIV is at present
unable to walk. However he is very appreciative
of the love and care offered to him in the
form of doctors visits, medication, interaction
and exercises. "Life has been much easier
for me since I was introduced to Support Services
at JAS", says Derrick.
- in
memory of Derrick, who died on Wednesday
June 27th, 2001
The
experience of a United States Peace Corps Volunteer
with Jamaica AIDS Support
Coming
to Jamaica for the first time and being placed
with an unknown organisation could be a difficult
adjustment. However my adjustment with Jamaica
AIDS Support (JAS) was made an easy one as
I was welcomed with open arms, and immediately
became a part of their "family".
I have become fully immersed in the Jamaican
culture by learning the Jamaican Patois, cooking
Jamaican style, and hand washing laundry,
not an easy task as I have found, just to
name a few.
When
family and friends would ask me what am I
doing at Jamaica AIDS Support I would tell
them at the start of my experience I am working
with JAS's "Life's Work" project,
a creative soap making project to help those
living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. The
purpose of the project is to help build their
self-esteem while earning a little money too.
My job is to get the project off the ground,
assist and work with the clients and hopefully
teach a Jamaican to run the project. That
way the project will be sustainable after
I leave. Over the past year and a half I have
been able to achieve the first two objectives.
During
my experience with JAS I have used my knowledge
and education of HIV/AIDS with the help of
my supervisor , Mrs Novlet Reid, to teach
and reach Jamaicans through workshops, and
walking and talking around different communities.
The Ocho Rios "Life's Work" Soap
Making Project has been up and running for
just over a year now. I have loved working
with JAS staff, and the Ocho Rios community,
especially the pickney dem. The experience
has made me an even stronger person and increased
my awareness of the world outside of the United
States. It has helped me to realize, even
more so, how many different beautiful people
and countries there are in the world.
"A
True FRIENDS Volunteer"…
…Adrian Atkinson
Why
a "FRIENDS" Volunteer
After
a dear relative of mine died of HIV/AIDS complicated
illnesses, and knowing of persons living with
the illness, I thought to myself that someone
like me has a lot to give to assist in this
area. I am not aware of how he was treated
during his illness and in what way my uncle
made his transition, because family members
kept it a secret, even from me. I had only
discovered that he was ill and actually died
a year after he was buried upon enquiring
about him after not seeing him for a long
time. I was deeply saddened by it and so I
took it up on myself to give back to persons
who were suffering from the illness in memory
of my dear uncle. Even so, I also wanted to
educate myself more about the illness, how
it could be transmitted and how people were
affected by it. I also knew that there would
be more persons living with and dying of HIV/AIDS
that I would eventually meet and know. There
was no better way to equip myself to deal
with HIV/AIDS than becoming a trained "FRIENDS"
Volunteer.
I
was assigned my first "Client" in
1999. I'll call her "SAMPSON - A True
Survivor". I have never seen a stronger,
caring, loving and determined person like
her…even in her state of illness. I never
saw her as a person living with HIV/AIDS.
As far as I was concerned she was just another
person and a dear friend. She taught me a
lot in the short time that I had the opportunity
to be with her every step of the way. Death
was not her consciousness, neither was it
mine….so we spoke about everything else
except death. I loved her even more than I
loved myself, she was what I breathe, and
sleep.
That
is how much she was apart of my life. I would
oftentimes go to bed and wonder what she was
feeling, what she was thinking and even though
she told me not to worry myself, I couldn't
help it because this was another human being
with feelings and emotions, needs and wants,
dreams and aspirations like me and everybody
else and there was nothing I could do to make
here well again. It tore my heart apart. Months
passed and we became even closer, not wanting
to let go of her, not even for a second. Then
it hit home that she would never be well again,
as much as I fooled myself into believing
that she would be….yes, it is called
"denial". Even so, I never gave
up. I stood the test of times with her.
I
was able to document every day of her life
after becoming her friend, every conversation
we had and the wonderful love-filled times
spent together. That book of information I
will keep until I die. It is everything and
all that I have for her. After she died, I
felt that my world had come to an end and
I couldn't understand why persons like her
had to go through so much pain and suffering
in such a short time. I will always have fond
memories of her and until I die she will always
hold a special place in my heart. I know that
wherever she is, she is quite happy and I
know that she is ok. There was no greater
joy than having "SAMPSON" in my
life. Now I am stronger than before. She taught
me well and for that I am eternally grateful.
One
thing for sure, I can safely say that, from
her lips came words of wisdom and love. With
her hands she was giving of herself in her
safe haven. I will never know what her final
thoughts were, what she wanted to say to a
friend…I will never know the semblance
of her last smile, what her final words were
or even know what picture her innocent face
painted before she went on her pilgrimage.
Faded
at Sunset
Like
Daffodils fading peacefully
In the evening sun
SAMPSON faded at sunset into the unknown
Without saying good-bye
She
left behind
A legacy of love filled memories
To comfort many
Why
she went so soon
I have oftentimes asked
But I have come to realize
That her mission in the past life
Had been accomplished
And it was time for her to move on
Mine
eyes are filled with tears
And in my heart
I am left with pain and sorrow
To contend with
Good-bye
my dear friend SAMPSON
Sleep well, because you are now at PEACE
Words
by: Adrian A. Atkinson
Two
years later, she is more in my thoughts than
before and I wish she were alive. She came
into my life for a reason and it was a pleasure
to have had her in my life. If I had the opportunity
to see her one last time I would truly tell
her how much I miss her and she was more than
anyone could ask for as a friend and her friendship
can never be replaced.
The
Impact Volunteering Has Had On My Life
Words
cannot express and time would fail me to say
how positively being a volunteer has impacted
on my life, world and affairs. I am more focussed
than before. In a nut's shell becoming a volunteer
has allowed me to see things differently,
view the world in a different light, and take
life more seriously. I am more compassionate
and even more sensitive than before and my
welfare as well as that of others is paramount
to me. I really don't know where I would have
been right now had I not gotten involved with
Jamaica AIDS Support. Probably dead….it
is a hard knock reality…..and I/we have
to face it. I will continue to give of myself
in whatever way I possibly can to help Jamaica
AIDS Support in the fight against AIDS.
Greatest
Wishes
It
is my greatest wish to see more persons being
sensitive to people who are infected and affected
by HIV/AIDS and volunteering their time and
effort….it can happen to anyone. I would
love to see infected persons being treated
like human beings by persons who believe that
God has sent a curse such as HIV/AIDS to punish
the world for its sins. Life is too short
and precious for us to treat people like outcasts
and not until we begin to put ourselves in
their shoes we will never be able to care
for them, appreciate them, love them, respect
then and support them. I would love to wake
up tomorrow just like everyone else and hear
that there is a cure. I would like to see
(starting now) everyone educating themselves
more about the illness and maybe sometime
in the near future, HIV/AIDS will be seen
as just another thing like "JOGGING".
Until then, let us all unite and work together
to fight this dangerous unforgiving illness.
Remember, it begins with you.
What
Jamaica AIDS Support has meant in my life.
Interview
with a client of JAS (Kingston)
Over
the years I have felt more secure in this
environment. It has become my immediate family,
when I feel down I know I will be lifted up
as JAS has always been there for me in the
good and the bad. JAS has become my Mother
and Father, it built my self esteem and I
see things much differently than before. I
used to be very negative.
Before I knew about JAS I was suicidal, my
life was going down, but now with the support
from JAS, I feel better. I am a part of society
and can play my part in society. I am loved
and feel much better. This is my honest opinion.
When I am at home, I cannot tell my family
my problems and they cannot help me or understand
what I am going through. At JAS, they understand
what I am feeling and going through and support
me.
THANK
YOU JAMAICA AIDS SUPPORT FOR ALLOWING ME
TO BE A PART OF YOUR ORGANISATION THROUGH
VOLUNTEERING. I WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE OF
MYSELF IN EVERYWAY THAT I POSSIBLY CAN.
THANKS TO ALL THE OTHER VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE
BEEN THERE FOR ME AND CONTINUE TO BE THERE
FOR EACH OTHER. YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL PEOPLE.
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