Forty children from Goa and Mangalore, living with HIV, are on a five-day residential camp at the Raut Farm in Bicholim taking a shot at hands-on improvement in confidence and self-esteem, besides upping their knowledge and understanding of living with the dreaded disease.
The annual leadership camp is being facilitated by Human Touch Foundation, for adolescents living with HIV and began on Wednesday.
The camp attempts to address isolation and facilitate peer friendships and includes activities such as creative workshops, sports, role play and advice on disclosure, workshops on HIV transmission, sexual health and rights.
Adolescents living with HIV face complex psychosocial concerns and need targeted, comprehensive services. Their needs are much more sensitive and varied than those of adults, as they need to simultaneously deal with ‘adult’ issues like disclosure, practicing safe sex and adhering to treatment, according to Pranab Barui, Psychosocial Wellbeing lead at Human Touch Foundation, which is conducting the camp.
Barui said the children also need to address issues traditionally associated with adolescence, such as body image, first sexual experience, peer pressure and forming personal identity.
While HIV diagnosis at any stage in life is difficult, for teens starting their adult life, intervention and support to help them adhere to complex drug regimens is crucial as they feel overwhelmed and victimised by the stigma of HIV, she adds.
Adolescents face unprecedented development challenges with HIV, like complex realities in life and significant obstacles in education and security, hindering their overall well-being and stability.
“Human Touch Foundation has specific tailored interventions to address these issues, says Applesta Da Costa, its Head of Operations.
This year, the camp is powered by Youth LEAD, with GKB Hi-Tech Lenses and Karma Group as associated sponsors besides support from other individual donors from Goa.
