on Culture & Development - Seameo-SPAFA

74IntroductionRead the following conversationbetween 2 project team plannersdiscussing a proposed project in TownX, designed to reduce HIV infectionamongst male sex workers.A) You know if we just print theusual leaflets with a safe sexmessage on it and distribute it,we’ll never know if it’ll work.Maybe it won’t even be read.B) That’s right, and in fact if wego round to the bars and clubsto meet these sex workers, wellthat’s when they are busy.They are working and don’thave much time for us. Andalmost certainly aren’tinterested in us either… letalone the leaflets!A) And the owners of the barswon’t like us being there too asthey will see us as disturbingthe customers.B) Perhaps we should try tomake the initial contact in adifferent way.How about hosting some kindof party /meeting and invitethese sex workers to comealong? It’d be a relaxedenvironment and then they’dbe more likely to frankly tell ushow we could help, what weshould do…A) I don’t know. We have a setagenda, don’t we? We areobliged to do this safe sexeducation & condomdistribution programme comewhat may….. And what if theyaren’t interested? Does thatmean we give up?B) No, not at all! It’s just thatit’ll be easier for us and betterfor them if we know what’sreally needed and how toapproach the whole thing onsome kind of equal footingwithout seeming like we ‘know’what’s good for them. Howabout we announce theopening of the drop-in centre inthe local paper and see whathappens? And if there is a goodresponse we could then havean informal gathering – anopening party.A) Okay, and if that works,then we can follow-up fromthat, begin peer recruitmentand get the inputs from themon the best ways to initiate