YCB India - Youth Club of Bejjipuram

SWAGATHI is a project implemented by HLFPPT. The aim of SWAGATHI project is for HIV Prevention among the most vulnerable populations in nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh with support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Project services are being delivered by YCB to 1189 KPs(FSW 689, MSM 500) in 15 Mandals of the District. BCC was carried out effectively by the Peer Educators as well as through Cultural shows that are being conducted regularly in all DICs across the intervention area by JKB Team. Through these JKB shows, messages regarding STI Services, Condom promotion / Social Marketing of Condoms and importance of Visioning of CBOs were disseminated effectively to all the KPs.

Community led IEC material (Posters disseminating the information regarding STIs, HIV/AIDS and Sangham concept) has been displayed in all the DICs and the information in it is being disseminated effectively to the KPs. The Community led IEC material on CBO is being utilized during the meetings of the CBO at all levels.

In STI services are concerned, there has been a substantial decrease in the STIs reported. On an average, around 800 KPs per every month had access to STI Clinics. There has been a drastical increase in the number of KPs attending clinics for RMCs. Swagati team with the help of Advocacy Committee members maintained good linkages with 15 ICTCs, 03 PPTCTs and 03 Care & Support centers in the District for Referral services. As part of RNTCP initiatives, 1189 KPs have undergone verbal screening and among them 27 KPs were suspected and referred to DMCs.

We referred 776 KPs to VCTC / ICTC, PPTCT center, Govt. hospital for general health problems. As far as the Syphillis tests for the KPs are concerned, we conducted 1470 samples of Syphi Check / EDTA tubes in the clinic and among them 08 KPs were found positive in these tests. EQUAS study was conducted for 75 KPs in 3 static clinics and sent 75 SST & EDTA Tubes to DDRC – Hyderabad for confirmation of HIV prevalence among high risk groups.

Free Condom Distribution is being done effectively across the intervention area,

Social marketing of condoms through Peer Educators were also promoted reasonably as per the requirements of the KPs. Condom promotion exhibitions were also organized across the intervention area to sensitize the Community as well as the General population on usage of Condoms. As a result of that, usage of Female Condoms among KPs has also been promoted and the KPs are also habituated to the usage of Female Condoms.

In DICs skill development activities like Tailoring, Candle making, Phenol making, Woolen Bags making, Embroidery, Wire Bags making, Adda leave plates making, Saree painting, Saree kundan work and Saree chips work were carried out in all the DICs and the finished products are being sold in the local markets. The profit margins gained while selling these products are being contributed for maintenance of DICs.

Education support for the children of the KPs is being provided at the DICs in Kotturu and Ponduru. In addition to tuition support, coaching material for Common Entrance Tests like EAMCET has also been provided to the eligible children of KPs.

Impact of Swagati Swaram on Project activities:

KPs understood the progress of Swagati interventions across all the Districts where the programme is being implemented.
KPs could understand the importance of unity among FSW community.
KPs participation during JKB shows and DIC level events has increased drastically.

CBO Members and Advocacy Committee members organized Mandal level Convergence Forum Meetings in their respective locations during the reporting period. As a result of these efforts, 207 KPs got Social entitlements like Ration Cards, Voter IDs, Widow and Old age pensions and Houses from State Government.

During this period, initiatives were taken to strengthen District level CBO. Many CB Trainings were provided to the executive body of the CBO on CBO management & Vision Building of the CB

Impact of BCC

1. KPs attending the Clinic for RMCs have increased substantially.
2. Social Marketing of Condoms especially Male Condoms were promoted by the PEs as per the set targets, which implies that Condom usage levels among KPs as well as Partners has increased.
3. Meeting process of the CBO at all levels has also been streamlined.

SWALIKHITA: SWALIKHITA (Documentation by the Community) was initiated during the reporting period. 7 KPs from different locations have documented their personal experiences with Swagati.

Contributions for Swagati Swaram
Condom promotion exhibitions at Srikakulam, Rajam, Kotturu, Amadalavalasa, Seethampeta, Palasa, Kotabommali & Palakonda;

Photos & Write ups about Major events like World AIDS Day, Independence Day, Republic Day and Children’s Day organized in the intervention area.

Songs written by KPs in Srikakulam, Tekkali and Ichapuram were sent to Swagati and most of them were published in the Swagati Swaram editions.

In addition to this, Swagati Mahila Sangham (CBO) has published ‘Pragathi Swaram’, an internal Magazine (A Quarterly Publication) that captures all the interesting work being done across the intervention area.

Best Foot Forward:
The experiences & Life Stories of the Swagathi KPs were well documented by Ms. Usha during the reporting period. This book is an attempt to capture the true feelings, colours and the understanding that the KPs have utilized, felt, learnt, believed in and cherished.
STI Services:

As far as STI services are concerned, there has been a substantial decrease in the STIs reported. On an average, around 800 KPs per every month had access to STI Clinics. There has been a drastic increase in the no. of KPs attending clinics for Repeated Medical Checkups.