Guyana

Office Staff

  • Lisa Thompson, Chief of Party
  • Tomaisha Hendricks, Prevention Officer
  • Nicholas Persaud, Stigma & Gender Officer
  • Dr. Ruth Jacobs, Care & Support Officer
  • Tonia Newton, Finance Manager
  • Dionne Thompson, Grant Accountant
  • Joel De Mendonca, Strategic Information Intern
  • Tzaddi Frank, Administrative Officer
  • Robert Whyte, Driver
  • Dale De Mendonca, Driver
  • Shamar Wilson, Social Media Intern
  • Alessandra Hereman, Key Populations Intern

Contact Information

Advancing Partners & Communities - Guyana
Lot 6 Oleander Avenue
Belair Park, Georgetown
231-1123-4 & 226-4785

Goals of APC/Guyana

The goals for APC in Guyana is to provide technical assistance for local NGOs/FBOs/CBOs implementing activities that are evidence-based, cost-effective and efficiently designed to reduce transmission and impact of HIV through an integrated community response and in support of the MOH response to HIV in Guyana. In Guyana, APC supports 11 NGOs across eight of the 10 administrative regions: Artistes in Direct Support, Agape Network, Comforting Hearts, the FACT Group, G-Plus, Hope for All, Hope Foundation, Lifeline Counselling, Linden Care, United Bricklayers and Youth Challenge Guyana.

Screenshot of the PSAs

APC/Guyana, with technical assistance from JSI, created four HIV-related animated public service announcements (PSA) especially for a Guyanese audience. Watch the videos »

Office Objectives

  1. Improve the operational framework for local NGOs to reach key affected populations and provide services
  2. Improve the efficiency of service delivery to reduce unit costs
  3. Strengthen the partnership between NGOs and the Government to expand services with the same amount of investment and ensure the viability of the NGOs’ role in the national HIV response
  4. Explore initiatives to ensure sustainability of NGO programming based on best practices

Primary Activities

APC provides technical assistance to improve the structures and operation framework of grantee, enhance efficiency of service delivery and strengthen partnerships among all stake holders. APC’s scope of activities focuses on the development and implementation of guidelines and standard operating procedures for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC), Home-Based Care (HBC), Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and Positive Health and Dignity Prevention for person living with HIV (PHDP) programmes and financial management system coupled with support to national priorities such as mental health, mobile health services, stigma, discrimination and gender-based violence and bidirectional referrals.

Health Areas

Photo of Sally and Juanita (click to watch video)
Sally Rajigadoo (left), a beneficiary of services provided by United Brick Layers, stands with Juanita Burrows, UBL's Founder and Director, at their office in New Amsterdam, Guyana. Watch a video or view a photo gallery on the high impact and value of investing in NGOs in Guyana. Photo Credit: Joshua Yospyn.

HIV Prevention -key affected Populations (KAPs)*

  • Prevention of Sexually Transmitted HIV infections
  • HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC)
  • Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention for people living with HIV

Care and Support

  • Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
  • Adult Care and Support

Specific Crosscutting Areas

  • Stigma and Discrimination (S&D) Reduction
  • Promotion of Gender Equity & Reduction of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
  • Private sector engagement

KAPs are individuals affected by HIV and AIDS or at risk of being infected by the disease such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender persons, and other vulnerable populations (clients of sex workers, miners, loggers, and populations adjacent to mining and logging communities).

Videos

In a new video and infographic (PDF, 2.7 MB), NCC underscores the high impact of NGOs in the communities and the value of investing in NGOs. NCC currently operates through the three-year USAID-funded Guyana Civil Society Leadership project within the Volunteer Youth Corps, which ends in 2018. Learn more at nccgy.org. "Helping NGOs Support Guyana’s National Agenda for Health and Social Issues" is available on APC's Vimeo account or by using the players below.

(Extended Version)

Photos from Guyana


Guyana-Specific Resources

Final Report: APC Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention Project
September 2019 | Report

From September 2013 to September 2019, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. implemented the USAID-funded APC Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention Project. The project design included innovative, evidence-based, and cost-effective solutions, tailored to meet the needs of populations at risk of HIV in Guyana, in the contexts where programs are implemented, and where individuals reside.

Where Gender-Based Violence Meets HIV
March 2019 | Project Highlight

APC’s GBV project in Guyana multiplies the effects of PEPFAR investments by integrating GBV prevention and response into existing HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs in community-based organizations and health services. This includes supporting and developing national guidelines, strengthening coordination across sectors, and building the capacity of and linkages between clinics and community-based services in GBV prevention.

Guyana Infographic: Why Funding NGOs is a Smart Investment
May 2018 | Infographic

In Guyana, where more than 8,400 people are living with HIV and AIDS, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In 2016, NGOs conducted 31 percent of the country’s HIV testing, making them an important partner in the country’s efforts to reduce the rate of transmission. NGOs also provide up to 50 percent of all services for people living with HIV.

Flowchart: Integrating GBV Screening Within HIV Support Services in Guyana
November 2017 | Infographic

This flowchart breaks down the process for GBV screening within HIV support services in Guyana.

Gender-Based Violence & You: Know Your Rights
November 2017 | Brochure

This brochure provides information on how to get help for gender-based violence.

News from Guyana

2018

APC/Guyana Creates Four HIV-related Animated Public Service Announcements
November 28, 2018 | Announcement

The videos, created by APC/Guyana with technical assistance from JSI, which are also available for audio-only broadcasting, talk about the importance of getting tested; disclosing status and testing partners; the ART regimen; and adhering to it.

APC and Guyana National AIDS Program Secretariat Launch HIV-focused Public Service Announcements
September 26, 2018 | Event

The PSAs, funded by USAID and the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, were developed for television and radio by a working group comprising local writer Mosa Telford, local actors, NAPS representatives, community-based organizations, APC, and experts from JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.

New Video and Infographic Highlight the Importance of NGOs in HIV Prevention and Treatment
May 24, 2018 | General News

In Guyana, where more than 8,400 people are living with HIV and AIDS, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In 2016, NGOs conducted 31 percent of the country’s HIV testing, making them an important partner in the country’s efforts to reduce the rate of transmission. NGOs also provide up to 50 percent of all services for people living with HIV.

Addressing Stigma and Gender-Based Violence to Improve HIV Service Delivery to Key Populations: Findings From a Rapid Assessment

This rapid assessment was conducted in Guyana to gather information on the programmatic and capacity needs of the non-governmental organisations supported through APC to implement services for key populations as well as the structural challenges faced by these NGOs.

2017

16 Days of Activism Against GBV 2017 in Guyana
November 30, 2017 | Blog

Given mounting global evidence highlighting the correlation between experiencing violence and increased vulnerability to HIV infection, Guyana must tackle the causes of gender-based violence head-on.