Together for HIV and AIDS prevention

Section7
leaders was launched. LIT has added a practical component where the young people leader
trainees organize a Sports Day in a rural community. Over 400 orphans and vulnerable children
attended the Sports Day where they participated in health education and sport activities. This
was a valuable learning experience for the LIT trainees as well as a fun and educational day for the
participants.
7.2 So you feel ready. How are you going to engage the team?
It is best to use your position as coach to maintain control of the discussions.
Some basic rules will help. For example, personal information offered by team members or you
stays in the group, no abusive language, confidential information about someone else’s HIV status
will not be told to the group, raising hands to ask questions or when challenging someone,
questions should be general rather than asking individuals about their own sexuality. Get agreement
on these rules and any others from the players.
Box 9: Basic rules 11
HIV affects our most private emotions – our sexuality, our security and trust in relationships and in
the future. It is important for rules of trust and behaviour to be established when working in a
group. In groups where people want to talk about personal feelings and sensitive topics, they must
feel able to do so without being laughed at or silenced and without fear of other people finding
out. Ask group members what would make them feel safe and comfortable within the group. As
people make a suggestion, the leader should make sure that the rest of the group is in agreement
before it becomes one of the group rules. When agreed, write down the ground rules. These can be
amended or added to as the group develops.
Possible ground rules:
● Confidentiality;
● Respect: group members should listen to each other without interrupting and should only
speak one at a time;
● Language: group members should agree to use a language understood by all and to not use
words that might offend;
● Non-judgemental attitudes: group members should avoid being judgmental of other
people’s feelings, views and behaviour, unless these views lack respect; and
● Group members should inform the group leader if they are unable to attend.
Group members have the right to expect that what they say will remain confidential; otherwise they
will not feel that they can speak freely. They must know that their names will not be passed on to
other people without their permission. It is important that your group has a common understanding
of what confidentiality means for each of you.
11 Adapted from the Global Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) Positive Development: Setting up self-help
groups and advocating for change. A manual for people living with HIV. http://www.gnpplus.net/programs.html
78 Together for HIV and AIDS prevention