Interns: Three months in Russia!

natalie-giaSince January, two interns have been living in Saint Petersburg waiting for an orphanage to open its doors to Americans.

While they wait, Natalie and Gia have not been idle with their time. A local NGO has kept them busy with empowering Russian women on how to live with HIV.

Here is an update from Natalie as she looks back on the last 3 months living in Russia.

I can’t believe it’s already been 3 months!
I just helped finish my first international grant proposal with EVA. I’m learning more and more about my abilities and contributions with the NGO while, at the same time, understanding the capacity and importance of EVA. The EVA network  was established to provide a resource hub for women and children with HIV all around Russia. The small, partnering organizations that respond to the needs of HIV+ women aid EVA to identify regional disparities and set priorities. Communicating with local and regional organizations expand the amount of women involved, creates a wider arena of discussion and thus more comprehensive strategy development.  The goal of the grant proposal is to improve access to health services for HIV-positive pregnant women and women with young children in at least four regions of Russia. These women-led organizations will identify problems and develop services to address their needs. The project strategies will focus on PMTCT (prevention mother to child transmission of HIV) services ranging from outreach to postpartum follow-up for women in vulnerable social groups. It’s been an amazing opportunity to participate in the development and discussion of this grant, help write it and experience how community engagement and leadership strengthen prevention outcomes. From budget to project development to planning the evaluation, I’m getting some legitimate global health experience and I’m very thankful.
For the hands on field work – I’ve been volunteering at EVA’s partner “innovation” center for children affected by HIV/AIDS. These children may or may not have HIV and they are not orphaned. Their parent’s have HIV. The children either live with their parents or grandparents because their parents have died or become unavailable to raise them. The center was established because some children entering preschool were denied a spot because their parent’s have HIV and used to be drug users. Young children now have a safe place free of stigma to start preschool and kindergarten…
I have not been able to attend the HIV+ baby orphanage that I visited during my first visit to St. Petersburg in 2010.  However, we have an interview opportunity with the director to learn more about the services and barriers to caring for the HIV+ orphans. I’m not getting my hopes up for investing with the children and staff, but I’m happy to continue to learn more and think about my role in this story.
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