MISSION
“To reduce the psychosocial impact of HIV/AIDS on persons living with or affected by the disease, through counseling and education.”
Lifeline counseling service, a registered non-governmental organization was established in October 1996 to respond to the insufficient provision of HIV and AIDS counseling in the Georgetown. Its co-founders were Mr. Dereck Springer, Mr. Phillip Vanderhyden and Ms. Jennifer Rosenzeig.
Lifeline was officially launched on December 3rd 1996 by then Minister of Health, Ms. Gail Teixera. Lifeline was initially created to provide counseling for persons living with or affected by HIV & AIDS in the Georgetown area but this soon changed to include HIV Prevention, Education and Care and support for PLWHAS. Lifeline has achieved success in its thrust to encourage persons to improve their coping ability, and has extended its education services to all ten regions in Guyana.
Objectives
Ø To help people living with HIV/AIDS and their families cope by improving their mental health.
Ø To empower individuals and groups to protect themselves/others from STI’s and HIV
Ø To work towards the national goal of reducing the spread of HIV through community outreach
Vision
To provide quality services to persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS increase individuals’ sensitivity to the disease and to reduce youth vulnerability to HIV/AIDS by 2010.
Ø Pre and Post test
Ø Support counseling for people living with or affected by HIV & AIDS
Ø Risk assessment and reduction
Ø Sexuality
Ø Relationships
Ø Suicide
Ø HIV awareness and education for youth groups, schools, churches, workplaces, etc.
Ø HIV & AIDS/STI educators
Ø HIV & AIDS counselors
Ø Training of trainers in HIV&AIDS/STI’s
Ø Hampers for clients
Ø Limited assistance for the purchase of medication
Ø Distribution of used clothing
Ø School uniforms for needy AIDS orphans
Ø Condoms and literature can be uplifted everyday from the center.
Ø Available everyday
Hotline
Ø Free and confidential counseling (226-8684)
Ø Annual Phillip Vanderhyden Walk-a-ton
Ø Media presentations
Ø Condom distribution
Ø Distribution of T-shirts
Ø Information booth at UG & other places
Ø Red ribbon appeal
Ø USAID
Ø BCCP
Ø PAHO/WHO
Ø UNAIDS
HOW CAN YOU HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV & AIDS?
Ø By practicing safe sex, abstaining, being faithful
Ø By becoming a member of Lifeline
Ø By educating others
Ø By making regular contributions to Lifeline as low as $100 per month
Ø By sponsoring any one of Lifeline’s programs in part as a corporate citizen
Ø By becoming a corporate member of Lifeline for as little as $15,000 per annum
Auditors
Ø Barellos & Narine Chartered Accountants
Ø Auditor General
Ø Demerara Bank Ltd.
Ø Mr. Jimmy Bhojedat
Board
Ø Mr. Dereck Springer
Ø Dr. Karen Boyle
Ø Ms. Bonita Harris
Ø Mr. Berkeley Houston
Patron
Ø Mrs. Audrey Glover – wife of the British High Commissioner
Office hours:
Monday to Friday 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.
354 Cummings Street
North Cummingsberg, Georgetown
Guyana, South America
Hotline: 592-226-8684
Phone: 592-231-7289
Email: lifeline@sndp.org.gy