Imagine having a good time at your favourite nightclub, when out of the blue, someone you've never seen before causally approaches you and discreetly places a condom wrapped in paper, which has literature on HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs and STIs)."I do that all the time," declared Pauline Asgarali, co-ordinator of the Angels Forever Foundation.A non-profit organisation, Angles Forever, was established in 2007 to address and dispel myths and misinformation about STDs, encourage safe sex practices, and STD testing."We go into bars and clubs and other entertainment spots to spread awareness. But we never give people condoms without information, because that's like telling them here, go ahead and have sex," said Asgarali.The condoms she distributes through her foundation are called Halo, an international brand, locally endorsed by footballer and North East Stars Football Club, chief executive officer, Brent Sancho.
"Every purchase of the condom helps us to buy two HIV testing kits. They are packaged attractively to get people to use them. For some strange reason, there's a stigma associated with condoms...English model, Jody-Candice Gray is our poster girl for the brand."Asgarali is visibly passionate about her cause. That passion was born some 29 years ago when she watched her father suffer and eventually die from opportunistic infections associated with HIV.Since then, she's dedicated her life to educating others about the dreaded disease."He was only 35-years-old and I was his nurse. Watching him suffer was not a nice thing for a little girl," she asserted.
It's very real
Noting that people continued to suffer from a lack of proper information, Asgarali......who has worked with other groups such as Rapport, said education was key to tackling the spread of STDs and STI's."We often come across people who say 'I'm infected and I don't care who gets it, because someone didn't care that they gave it to me. We try to get people to change that mind-set...That's why I'm doing what I'm doing."
But, the number one contributor to the escalation of the disease, she believes, is poverty. "There are mothers who are so poor that they will have sex with men just to put food on the table. It's very real."
Cope mentally
Pointing to the HIV/AIDS testing kit in her hands, the mother of two stated that many remained in the dark about their HIV status, as they were afraid to get tested.And with more people falling victim to the virus, Asgarali said the time had come for citizens to take matters into their own hands to protect their health and the health of their partners."Do you know that three years ago, we were rated number one in the Caribbean for HIV/AIDS? We are up against Haiti. That's crazy!" she declared. "HIV testing is a gentle thing. It's the stigma that continues to hold people back. No one wants people to know they are HIV positive."That's why the Petit Valley resident has made it her mission to spread her knowledge everywhere-even visiting the ghetto on many occasions."The residents tell me they're very happy that I consider them. A lot of them are infected but don't have any food to take the medication. We are on the ground so we know."
Humble means
Asgarali works part time as a maid at a fast food restaurant, and does various odd jobs to make ends meet and to continue her work as a volunteer. But her limited resources are yet to diminish her zeal."I don't have a computer at home or anything else to help me do this work for that matter. Right now I'm appealing to government to provide funding so I can do more."But while she is yet to garner the kind of local support she would like, her foundation has recently caught the attention of Chloe Hadjimatheou of the BBC News Washington Bureau, who contacted her via the social networking site, Facebook, expressing interest in working with the Angels Forever Foundation abroad."This issue is a serious one. We need to do what we can to help. Trust me when I say it can happen to you."
More info:
Contact Asgarali at angels4evertt@hotmail.com.