Anchoring Awareness in the Community - Handicap International

ANIMATORS AND AWARENESS DEVELOPMENT KNOW-HOW
We have seen that the animators were selected
according to educational level attained, with
PLWHIV in regions where it was possible.
These animators were then trained to acquire
in-depth knowledge of the disease, as well as
on how to monitor their activities. But it is most
certainly through their work experience that
they acquired their awareness development
know-how. In this chapter, we will have a
closer look at this know-how.
Smooth the approach
and the first moments of discussion
To put people at ease, the animators were
careful to adopt the same cultural codes
as those they visited and greet them in an
appropriate manner. For example, they would
say “salamalekum” when addressing a Muslim
family. Then they would present themselves
and wait to be invited inside the home.
Next, to gradually start the discussion, the
animators first talked about themselves and
their personal experience before beginning to
develop awareness.
Choose ears that are ready to hear
In the Somali ethnic group, it is easier to
approach women than men. Thus, animators
generally spoke to women. Through them, it
was eventually possible to approach the men,
either because they were nearby at the moment
of conversation or because their wives told
them what was said during the conversation.
Choose the best time
for developing awareness
There are times when people are more
available for discussion than others, when
they are ready to take time to talk. Animators
must choose the moment when people are
receptive to the awareness messages and
ready to discuss them.
“In the morning, men are in a bad mood
because they chewed khat the night before.
But in the afternoon, when they start chewing
khat again, they are in a good mood and we
can talk to them.” 14
Convince at least one person
To enter in contact with a reluctant family, the
animator tried to convince at least one family
member. Then, this person either convinced
the other family members to participate in the
awareness program or participated alone. But
at least one member had been made aware of
HIV and was informed about it. Consciously
or not, this person later served as a relay for
transmitting this information to the rest of the
family.
Separate men and women
to speak with more freedom
In some families, it was easier to speak by
raising awareness of the men on one side
with a male animator, and of the women on
the other with a female animator. Discussion
was easier with a person of the same sex and
everyone felt free to ask questions.
Listen well and discuss
without being didactic
To encourage people to ask questions, the
program leaders tried above all to put them
at ease in order to facilitate talking. This was
made possible by demonstrating that the
animator listened to each one.
“We didn’t start right away by telling everything
we knew. First of all, we asked people what
they knew already. This allowed creating a
dialog and putting people at ease, as well as
showing that our goal was to discuss the topic
of the disease.” 15
14. Wuhatem Abebe, animator at Ayesha
15. Trsit Selemen, animator at Togochale
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