| The contributions of the community-based organisation,NFL Jerseys Cheap, Artistes In Direct Support, in the fight against HIV/AIDS has for the past nine years been funded significantly by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).Desiree EdghillHowever, with this month-end departure of USAID’s technical unit,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, the Guyana HIV/ AIDS Reduction and Prevention (GHARP) project, Artistes in Direct Support has now embraced plans to officially register as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).Artistes In Direct Support, according to its President, Ms Desiree Edghill, has been in existence since 1992.It was not until 1999 that funding was forthcoming from USAID, Edghill said. She recounted that when the GHARP project was established here in 2004 funding was channelled through that unit.And initially, the project should have ended in September 2008, but was extended with additional funding from the US President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID.However, with the extension of the project, GHARP was forced to review the purpose for which entities, including Artistes in Direct Support were funded.GHARP’s Chief of Party, Kwame Asiedu, had explained last year that the funding for some NGOs was cut with a view to ensuring that there is no ‘overlapping’ in the service being provided.The whole move, he said, was essential since it was required that there is complete transparency with the US Government funding.He divulged that USAID funding to NGOs was at one point being accused of funding the same NGOs that were not in a competition. For this reason, the decision was made to encourage competitiveness between NGOs.A request for proposals from all NGOs in the country came about,Asics Dynaflyte 2 Womens, which saw them being awarded funding based on the review.Asiedu had noted that prior to the ‘cut’ there were about 18 NGOs countrywide that received automatic funding annually from USAID.However, it became mandatory that NGOs throughout Guyana that required funding offer a detailed proposal of how they intend to implement their activities.Artistes in Direct Support was among the entities which, after submitting proposals that were thoroughly pursued, was able to retain funding.But, according to Edghill, as a registered entity Artistes In Direct Support will now be able to build its own credibility, and not just shelter under a credible umbrella in the form of GHARP.She pointed out that as an NGO her organisation will be better positioned to bargain and get relevant support, hence becoming a force to be reckoned with in the fight against the dreaded disease.With the planned departure of GHARP, Edghill said that an NGO-Coordinating Council has been created which, in addition to an Executive Committee,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, will address the interests of such organisations.Since coming into active combat against HIV/AIDS,Wholesale China NFL Jerseys, Artistes in Direct Support has moved from being a five-member body to a registered entity of about 50 individuals. Members include Margaret Lawrence, Theresa Pemberton and Nazim Hussain.Its primary style of involvement has been the raising of awareness through television and radio productions, print media,Zapatillas Deportivas Asics Baratas, theatre, peer education and dramatic workshops.The entity is also known for its annual feature ‘The Flame and the Ribbon’ which is staged on World AIDS Day at the National Cultural Centre. |
