CAI International

Caribbean Region

USAID/Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention Project (GHARP), Guyana

Micro-enterprise

Strong HIV stigma and discrimination continues to victimize people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and hamper HIV prevention and reduction efforts. Many PLWHAs, particularly women, are not able to access jobs or develop specialized skills necessary to provide for themselves and their families and this contributes to the growing level of poverty plaguing the country. In support of the goals of the Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction Project (GHARP) Cicatelli Associates Inc. (CAI), a GHARP Partner, has implemented several important micro-enterprise activities.

CAI is involved in the following micro-enterprise activities:

Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED)

CAI works in close collaboration with IPED officers in Guyana to identify PLWHA interested in taking out small loans. Specifically, CAI field staff, Dr. Gordon-Boyle identifies PLWHA applicants for IPED, conducts a clinical assessment and facilitates interested PLWHA through the IPED application process in order to access loans. Dr. Gordon-Boyle works closely with local NGOs and clinics to explain the loan process and help them help facilitate PLWHA to enroll in the program. Thus far, 50 PLWH have applied for loans, 19 PLWHA has successfully received loans and 2 have already repaid the loan. Some of the successful projects include production of metal houseware items and a chicken breeding project.

A New Attitude

“A New Attitude” is a project designed to help PLWHAs in Guyana enhance their quality of life of by providing them with specialized skills for future employment or business opportunities.

Because many PLWHAs, particularly women, do not have the jobs or the necessary skills to provide for themselves and their families, CAI and Liana Cane, a high-end import/export furniture and crafts organization, are training 30 HIV-positive women in specialized crafts including fabric painting, leather working, woodworking and jewelry making. The products created by these women will be available for sale to international and national markets via Liana Cane and a special website dedicated to the sale of these products.

Impact of the Micro-enterprise project

Through both of these programs we have seen how access to loans and skills training has a tremendous impact on the quality of life and economic viability of PLWHAs.

PLWHA accessing small loans have begun small businesses to support themselves and their families.

PLWHA are acquiring interpersonal and job skills development

An improved sense of confidence. The women trained through “A New Attitude” not only gain skills in creating specialized crafts, they become more confident and able to make difficult decisions regarding their life and HIV status.

Cicatelli Associates Incorporated, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10018
phone: (212) 594-7741 / fax: (212) 629-3321
http://www.cicatelli.org

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