Goiânia is the capital of the state of Goiás, in the central-western region of Brazil. The population of Goiânia is approximately one and a half million, and is ever growing, as people move to the city from the interior and rural regions, in search of employment.
Goiânia´s infrastructure is inadequate for its fast-growing population: healthcare services, transportation, education system, housing, employment. As a result, there is violence, drug addiction, growing prostitution rates and human trafficking. Since the majority of the population does not receive the present-day minimum salary, there is poverty, sickness, suffering and the related socio-economic problems. A growing problem is that of AIDS and people infected by the HIV virus. In Goiânia and Goiás, the virus follows the tendency in Brazil of feminization, pauperization and interiorization. The stark lack of health-care facilities is a shocking social problem. There are not enough medical professionals, or medical facilities available to meet the growing needs.
DETAILS OF THE ORGANISATION:
It is in this general setting that Divina de Fátima Nogueira Dias and Sister Margaret Hosty founded the AAVE Group – AIDS: SUPPORT, LIFE, HOPE, at the end of 1995. It was registered as a non-governmental organization in 2000 and gained the title “Utilidade Pública Estadual” in the state of Goias on 23/03/2005, Law Nº 15.132 and “Utilidade Pública Municipal” of the city of Goiânia on 08/07/2007 Law Nº 8570. The AAVE Group has as its objectives to support people living with HIV/AIDS; to provide information / education on HIV/AIDS prevention in the community and to be involved in lobbying activities and advocacy in an effort to protect human rights.
The 300 service users and their families registered at Grupo AAVE come from the city of Goiânia and towns of Aparecida de Goiânia, Trindade, Bela Vista de Goiás Senador Canedo, Goianira, Hidrolândia and Campestre and have at least one person living with HIV/AIDS. In order to carry out its mission and objectives, the AAVE Group offers a variety of services, courses and activities: Adult literacy, Counseling, Individual and Group Therapy, Arts and Crafts Classes, Computer Skills Classes, Cookery, Spirituality, Social Assistance, Legal Assistance, Human Rights workshops, a Recycling Project, home/hospital visiting and provides information on HIV/AIDS and its prevention to the public. Each year, through means of these services and courses AAVE reaches at least 10,000 people.
The activities, services and courses provided by AAVE are attended by adults. Occasionally children accompany their parents, guardians or caregivers. When children are present at AAVE they are always under the responsibility of the adult who brought them to AAVE and remain with that person as s/he takes part in an activity or service.
The following policy was drawn up in the AAVE Group to protect the rights of children, adolescents and vulnerable adults.
