Ngwe Toe Paing, a counsellor from the Pyi Gyi Khin project in Aung Ban Township recounted his memorable journey of transformation from a community volunteer to a highly confident counsellor.
Training to build the confidence and counselling skills of volunteers is part of the capacity building initiative by the Pyi Gyi Khin HIV/AIDS project.
"After I attended the training organized by Pyi Gyi Khin Aung Ban HIV/AIDS project, my skills in counselling significantly improved and I gained more confidence. I became aware of the qualities that a competent counsellor should have: to maintain confidentiality and the client's benefit above all concerns.
"Knowing how my contribution could improve the quality of life of patients with HIV and also save their lives motivated me and helped me gain more self-confidence.
"My life as a counsellor in Pyi Gyi Khin Aung Ban project began one morning when I woke up to the sound of singing birds and prayers of Buddhist monks going on the morning alms round. There was a funeral for a boy in our ward who died quite young recently. Unlike the other funerals in our ward, I was surprised to see that the people in the neighbourhood did not stay long at the funeral home after donating money. I rushed there to give much-needed psychosocial support to the bereaved family.
"By the time I learnt that the boy had died from AIDS, I became frightened and worried that I would get infected with HIV by being present at the funeral home. Thanks to the awareness raising and HIV prevention messages disseminated by Pyi Gyi Khin, I soon learnt that one could not get infected with HIV just by being close to, helping and supporting people living with HIV and families of those who died from AIDS.
"Since that day, whenever I got a chance, I disseminated knowledge to our neighbours who had misconceptions about transmission of HIV from various reasons, mainly from lack of access to information on HIV prevention, leading to stigma and discrimination. Later, the staff from Aung Ban Pyi Gyi Khin HIV/AIDS project arrived to give much needed psychosocial support even helping with the burial service. Inspired by their outstanding social work, rendering service to those in need crying out for help, I too decided to volunteer for Pyi Gyi Khin from that day onwards.
"With experience from working with Pyi Gyi Khin topped up by support and training received, my life was transformed from a mere volunteer to a highly competent and confident counsellor. I tried my best to disseminate knowledge on HIV transmission, help people living with HIV to regain their life potential, regain their self-esteem and live a meaningful life contributing towards the local economy.
"My life as a counsellor with Global Fund supported Pyi Gyi Khin HIV/AIDS project is like an energy generator that produces energy and light to illuminate a world previously darkened from lack of knowledge on HIV prevention and stigma, making oneself vulnerable to communicable yet preventable diseases like HIV. I would give a helping hand to all those who got infected with HIV in need of help. I would like to thank Global Fund funded Pyi Gyi Khin HIV/AIDS project and UNOPS for much needed support."
