TakingITGlobal: Inspireer, Informeer, Involveer

PIAF is the first and sole regional non-governmental organization focusing exclusively on HIV/AIDS and advocating for People Living with HIV/AIDS in the Pacific Islands region. The Foundation was born out of the vision of Maire Bopp-Dupont (Allport), its Founding trustee, to enhance the regional...
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PIAF is the first and sole regional non-governmental organization focusing exclusively on HIV/AIDS and advocating for People Living with HIV/AIDS in the Pacific Islands region. The Foundation was born out of the vision of Maire Bopp-Dupont (Allport), its Founding trustee, to enhance the regional response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and provide for those who are already living with and affected by the virus. Hence, its mission is to improve the quality of life of people living with and/or affected by HIV and AIDS, as well as improve prevention messages disseminated by PLWHA.
PIAF believes that the success of its response depends on its ability to keep ‘people’ at the centre of our work, mutually support and complement each other’s work, and fill gaps where identified. PIAF works by these core principles. Our key areas of interventions are summarized by five themes, which also carry the spirit of “living positively despite HIV” that motivates our work and messages. These themes are as follows: Positive Living, Positive Health, Positive Partnerships, Positive Action and Prevention, Positive Investment.
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PIAF’s main projects and tasks include:
Advocacy & Planning – Representation and presentations at key national, regional or international meetings or committees to voice the needs of those already affected and/or living with the virus, as well as highlight gaps, issues and successes in...
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PIAF’s main projects and tasks include:
Advocacy & Planning – Representation and presentations at key national, regional or international meetings or committees to voice the needs of those already affected and/or living with the virus, as well as highlight gaps, issues and successes in the response to the epidemic in the region.
Communications - Sensitizing the media and spreading key advocacy messages around the region, including successfully pioneering in producing and using video documentaries to enhance messaging and outreach to communities to encourage mobilization and leadership on HIV issues.
AIDS Ambassadors Program - The project is composed of an annual training and an outreach program. The training is offered to HIV positive Pacific Islanders who are willing to become public speakers. It builds capacity and knowledge in areas such as positive mental attitude, media and public speaking, law and ethics. The choice of ‘going public’ is based on consent after informative discussions. The outreach program offers support to those who choose to ‘go public’ and become public advocates of HIV and AIDS. It offers placement opportunities with an external organisation or a direct one-year contract funded and monitored by PIAF. During this period, PIAF helps the person to identify longer-term income venture.
Hardship Grant - An emergency relief fund for those living with HIV and AIDS who are facing extreme hardship. This immediate grant is used to relieve hardship until more sustainable opportunities or assistance can be located.
Legal and Human Rights Task Force (LHRTF) – To advocate for positive legislation and policy reforms including the protection of HIV positive people’s rights; increase HIV positive people’s literacy and knowledge of legal issues related to HIV and AIDS, particularly those that may directly affect their quality of life; provide free advice on legal matters, which include identify appropriate national channels to place an inquiry or case.
Study on the Social and Economic impact of HIV on Pacific Islanders after diagnosis and/or disclosure - This survey is the first of its sort in the Pacific Islands and aims at collating information received from HIV positive pacific islanders to build evidence on the ways that diagnosis and/or disclosure of HIV status in small islands countries impacts people.
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PIAF ensures youth involvement and inclusion in the Pacific Islands regional response to HIV through a variety of activities. Examples of these include:
- partnerships with Youth Peer Education groups to support HIV awareness,
- PIAF participation in regional or national youth...
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PIAF ensures youth involvement and inclusion in the Pacific Islands regional response to HIV through a variety of activities. Examples of these include:
- partnerships with Youth Peer Education groups to support HIV awareness,
- PIAF participation in regional or national youth events on HIV and encouraging youth to participate,
- hosting PIAF interns aged 18-30 (voluntary program),
- supporting HIV positive youth in the Pacific Islands through PIAF projects and partnerships.
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