Previous News

June

'Connecting local responses' is in your hands!

The Constellation Support Team developed a Share strategy to connect local responses, share the inspiration and lessons learned between facilitators and communities around the world. We developed tools - like website, newsletter, online community, weekly digest, brochures, annual report. Today, we want to revise some of these tools with your help. We want to improve what we do and better meet your needs.
The survey takes between 10 and 20 min. Every participant makes a chance of winning a Constellation surprise package including a T-shirt and a set of gifts from Chiang Mai.

Transforming our challenge into an opportunity

Faced with a temporary financial shortfall, the Constellation Support Team and the Board proposed to revisit why we are so committed, who we really are and what we can do together to achieve our collective dream. A ‘Constellation Dream Team’ consisting of April Foster, Olivia Munoru, Sanghamitra Iyengar, Prince Bosco Kanani and Yves Charpentier, will support our collective thinking on these questions and reaffirm the vision and functions of The Constellation.

First Anniversary of the Memorandum of Understanding with UNAIDS

This month the Constellation and UNAIDS are looking at the first anniversary of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in June 2010 by Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Jean-Louis Lamboray, Chair of the Constellation. After one year the MoU has helped concrete partnerships in Russia, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Constellation Booth at ICAAP

Those of you travelling to ICAAP will be happy to know that the Constellation will have a booth at its disposal at this conference. Constellation friends are invited to meet around the booth and share their activities on Community Life Competence with each other and interested friends. If you have plans to participate in the conference and or want to contribute to the booth, kindly contact Marlou (Marlou[@]communitylifecompetence.org). The 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific is taking place in Busan, Korea from 26-30 August 2011. More information on the conference can be found on the official website.

Community engagement workshop in Chiang Mai

From 12 to 15 of June, the Constellation was invited by the UK-based Wellcome Trust to participate in a workshop on ‘Community Engagement: under the microscope’. Gaston Schmitz and Sirinate Piyajitpirat, two Constellation coaches, learned a lot on how to engage communities in research. Gaston shared what he learned on his blog. “Do we want communities to develop a critical consciousness about all that is happening and the intention that each player has? Do we really want this or we prefer to see communities as passive recipients of our interventions? We know the answer in the Constellation’s values.” More on Gaston’s blog “Do we really want to engage communities in our research?”

The power of inclusion
19-22 June, Mozambique

More than 90 participants came together from 19 to 22 of June for a three day Knowledge Fair in Mozambique. Newly trained facilitators, the National Facilitation Team in Mozambique and visitors from Angola, South Africa and Belgium- all came together to share what they had learned to respond to HIV and disability. "I have truly never witnessed or participated in such a joyful and caring event. The interaction amongst the group, according to many of those I spoke to, came about as a result of applying the ACP methodology in their own lives," explained Bernice Roeland, from AIDS Response South Africa.

Member of the month: Life competence by being complementary in our role in day to day life

Meenal Mehta works with communities in India on issues like Micro skills, Infertility and HIV/AIDS. She actively participated in Community Action Day 2010 with her team in Manipur. This year she will celebrate Community Action Day on one of the villages in Ghaziabad to initiate the community in No-Scalpel Vasectomy acceptance.

Blog of the month: An aid worker's poetic journey

Jennifer explained the journey of her poem and how it will be part of the dedication ceremony of a Peace bridge between Catholic and Protestants in Ireland. The bridge is part of a wider EU-backed peace and reconciliation program. As Ian describes, “One side is mainly Catholic/Nationalist and the other has a slightly larger Protestant/Unionist population. A plan was realised to build a pedestrian bridge spanning the Foyle (it already has two motor bridges), which would practically and symbolically unite the city.” More on Jennifer’s blog

May

Learning from cross border migrants in India
10-13 May, India

IndiaCompetence facilitated a Knowledge Fair with CARE India, its partner NGOs and community representatives, who work with mobile population. Participants shared their experience on specific topics like Access to services for migrants. Community representatives, including the police and a group of rickshaws, shared stories of change in their community.

Pinoy Youth Competence is born!
28-29 May 2011, Philippines

Pinoy Youth Competence is the emerging strength of PinoyCompetence, the national facilitation team in the Philippines. Four youth organizations, 20 young people, and seven adult companions converged to share their CLCP journey, experiences, and plans on ways forward in Manila in May. They sealed their commitments with their colored hand cut outs on how they will personally contribute to the sustainability of their goals. During the Knowledge Fair, Pinoy Competence and India Competence shared their experience by skype.

Members approved the 2010 Accounts and Narrative report
25 April – 4 May, around the world

Eleven out of twelve Constellation voting members brought in their votes during the Virtual Membership Meeting that took place under the chairmanship of Dr. Jean-Louis Lamboray. They participated in discussions over email, in a virtual document and in Skype conversations. The members approved the 2010 accounts and narrative report which April qualified as ‘impressive’ and Geoff as ‘A well thought out document’.

Engaged Fundraising for Constellation activities

The Constellation will soon obtain the prolongation of its tax-exemption status for donations. This opens the door for Belgian Tax payers to deduct their donations to the Constellation from their annual tax declaration. Also, we will invite members from other countries to contribute if they wish to do it.

Community Life Competence and the private sector

A small group of Constellation members have started to discuss how we can bring the Community Life Competence Process to the private sector, and vice versa.
Interesting area's and first experiences mentioned are:
- SALT visits that bring staff out of their comfort zone to inspire them and to build a reciprocal relationship with communities
- Businesses 'sponsoring' the Connection between Local Responses
- Facilitation of CLCP in the private sector If you are interested to join the working group, please contact Marlou (marlou@communitylifecompetence.org)

Coaches nomination

Boris Alberda, from the Netherlands, has been nominated coach of the Constellation. Congratulations to Boris!

Member of the month: New bright smile in the Constellation: Khun Oil

The Constellation Support Team has a new member since last Wednesday. Khun Oil will be taking care of accounting and finances. The team here in Chiang Mai is very happy to have Khun Oil on board. “I wanted to work with the Constellation because it gives me to opportunity to interact with many different people and teams from around the world.”

Blog of the month: Reasons for hope in Japan

“The people I spend my time with here believe we must support people in Tohoku in building their own communities again. We must help create conditions that support them in coming together to have conversations that matter -- conversations which can host deep grief, deal with the practical matters of how to live daily lives now, and begin to envision and build a future. In some ways it is the same everywhere. We must turn to one another and become community again.” on Bob Stilger’s blog. More on Bob’s blog

April

Less crime and more job opportunities for our friends in Papua New Guinea
5-10 April, Papua New Guinea

The National Facilitation Team in Papua New Guinea, PNGAC, organized a Knowledge Fair with 22 participants in Port Moresby. Gaston Schmitz, Constellation coach, joined the team. Facilitators from 5 provinces shared about the progress that is taking place in their community, such as a decrease in crime rates and more employment opportunities for young people.

Sveta revolution in Russia
April 5 – 7, Russia

A team of coaches -Sirinate Piyajitpirat, Ian Campbell and Marlou de Rouw- joined facilitators from three cities in Russia for a learning event in Kazan. One of the facilitators is Sveta, a Young HIV-positive hairdresser who had to move out from her home village as people didn’t accept her status. Sveta and her team are now introducing the AIDS Competence Process in Russian communities.

More about the recent learning event on Kolomiiets Snizhana’s blog

Community Based Organisations working with disabled people use AIDS competence in Matola and Boane
5 – 10 April, Mozambique

For 3 months, the Constellation and Handicap International will work together to strengthen the capacity of 40 Community Based Organisations in Matola and Boane, specifically to improve their experience on community consultation and community based self-assessment. In April, two Constellation coaches mentored the National Facilitation Team in Mozambique to transfer the facilitation skills to new facilitators.

Using Community Life Competence to respond to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene issues in Suriname
9-21 April, Suriname

A facilitation team consisting of April Foster, Autry Haynes and Boris Alberda facilitated a learning event where the Community Life Competence Process is applied to Water and Sanitation in 6 clusters, including 15 communities. This in the context of a partnership between Constellation, UNICEF Suriname, Fonds Ontwikkeling Binnenland (FOB), Red Cross and Peace Corps. The approach of the Constellation blended seemingly with other community based approaches.

CLCP event on strengthening women rights
April 25-30 2011, Indonesia

IndoCompetence and Inspirit organized a training of facilitators to strengthen Women Rights, with support from GIZ (German ‘Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit’). Sixteen participants from different regions of Indonesia- NTB (Lombok) and Central Java (Semarang) took part in the event. Indo competence team learned about how to integrate Community Life Competence into Asset Based Community Development approaches. Read more on the blog of Wiwin

Member of the month : “I am always surprised by how resilient and compassionate people are”

April Foster is our member of this month. Founding member of the Constellation as well as a Constellation Coach, April has been working for the past 20 years in stimulating and connecting local responses as part of a facilitation team. You can read her profile here.

“I have been in thousands of homes and communities over the years, and have always walked away 'blessed' by the encounter,” says April.

More about April, member of the month of…April

The Constellation: Nomination of new coaches

Mike Nzenga, Toussaint Mukalayi, Junior Kalonji and Dady Delli from RDCCompétence, the National Facilitation Team in DR-Congo, and Autry Haynes, from Guyana Competence, have been nominated coach of the Constellation. Congratulations!

International SALT visit in Mozambique

From June 19-22, the Constellation and Handicap International is organizing an international SALT visit in the district of Matola, in the province of Maputo, in Mozambique. During two days, you will visit communities including disabled people who have dealt with the issue of HIV and disability, using the AIDS Competence Process. One the last day, you are invited to join a knowledge fair where facilitators and communities will come together to share what they have learned.
Download the invitation

Blog of the month: Health personnel is now living with HIV

Lyndon from Guyana shared: “I was given the opportunity to work with a nurse who is presently HIV for the past two year now, her problem is to coming to grip with the reality of her status, however, after about three hour she was willing to open up and discuss her problem, and even informed me that her collages at the hospital is advising her to leave her profession and seek a next job.”

March

Learning event in Borana, Ethiopia,

March 18 – 25, 2011

Constellation organised a learning event with partners of The International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) to follow-up on integration of AIDS Competence into existing CMDRR work and jointly develop the conceptual framework of CMDRR+ from experience in application of this integrated approach.

MariJo was in Saint Petersburg at the beginning of the month, with a group of women leaders
4 March, Russia

On 4th March UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Europe and Central Asia organised an event following a Leadership training workshop hosted by UNDP in St Petersburg. MariJo made a presentation on Community life competence process (CLCP). 28 women from 7 countries in the region participated in the event.

Knowledge Fair in India

About 10 organisations and nearly 40 participants from all over India gathered in Kumta, Karnataka from 1st to 3rd February 2011 for a three-day ‘Knowledge Fair’ to share experiences about how they were facilitating local response in their communities. The Knowlege Fair was organised by India Competence and hosted by Samraksha.

Member of the month: “The most fulfilling part of my job is when I am with the communities.”

We have Yeruva Anthony Reddy as member of the month for March. You will relate to him and you might even share a similar dream as his. Enjoy!

Blog of the month: Being specific about strengths

Phil’s story sends me thinking. Being specific about strengths in our family: How do we accompany others that are DEAR to us to see their strengths ? I’m inspired and eventually i say i will try it to my wife. More on Abednego Mutungwa blog

Two days of SALT visits in Chiang Mai with friends from Madagascar

For two and a half days, 6 friends from Madagascar, 2 Belgian friends and two French friends did SALT visits in communities in Chiang Mai. They visited communities of PLHIV, Men who have sex with men (MSM) and former sex workers. "I discovered an approach where the community itself is involved and takes the answer in hand its own hands," said Mananarisoa.

Constellation Support Team meeting

21-25 March 2011, Chiang Mai

The Constellation’s activities are coordinated by a small team comprising of Jean Louis Lamboray (Chair), Marlou de Rouw, Philip Forth, Gaston Schmitz , Laurence Gilliot, Lawan Vejapikul , Atawut Reungtranont, Gaetane Gilliot and Rituu B. Nanda. The Constellation Support Team met in Chiang Mai between 21 and 25 March.

New coach nominated in March
Consolée in Burundi has been nominated as the new Constellation coach.

Update on Community Action Day

The following members have joined working group for Community Action Day 2011- Africa- Jeanne d'Arc (Cameroon), Ukeme (Nigeria), Namara (Uganda) Americas- Autry and Korey (both from Guyana) Europe- Olivia (UK), Boris (Netherlands) Asia- Wiwin (Indonesia), Laurence (Thailand), Roli and Rituu (both from India)

Please contact Rituu B Nanda at rituu[@]competencelifecompetence.org if you would like to join the working group.

February

58 participants attended the National Learning Event in Phnom Penh

The National facilitation team in Cambodia organized a learning event on 15 to 17 February 2011 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The main aim of the event was to share the concepts of Human Capacity for Response and the AIDS Competence Process to the implementing NGO’s. 58 participants from 28 NGOs attended.

Constellation members contribute to the 2011 Work Plan

Many Constellation friends contributed this month to the first Membership Assembly of 2011. The virtual meeting was held via conversations on Skype, on the Constellations virtual platform and in a Google Document. Members from India to Kenya, and from Belgium to Australia, were able to contribute thoughts for the work plan of 2011. “It is great to see confirmed how many friends feel ownership of the Constellation,” said Marlou de Rouw from the Constellation Support Team.

Knowledge exchange on Preventing Mother-To-Child Transmission in Millenium Villages
February 22-24, Nairobi

April Foster, Onesmus Mutuku and Luc Barrière, three Constellation coaches, participated in a 3 day event on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission in Millenium Villages. They interacted with participants as resource persons and facilitated a session on the AIDS Competence Process. They also shared the way forward to integrate ACP in the Tanzania Millenium Villages Project and facilitated an interactive clinic session. “We haven’t thought about communities having their own dream and how to learn from their experience in our programming and planning,” said one participant.

Jean-Louis’ inspiration tour in Burundi and Kenya
1-8 February, Burundi and Kenya

Jean-Louis Lamboray, the Constellation chair, visited the National Facilitation teams in Burundi and Kenya early February. In Burundi, he discussed the implementation of a potential partnership on Peace Competence with Burundi Competence and local partners. In Kenya, he co-facilitated a SALT visit in Kithituni, a village North from Nairobi.

Member of the month: Ian Campbell, a visionary leader with his heart in communities

“People matter -no point in walking through UNAIDS or organisational centres of power unless the village voice is the middle of the conversation. And how else to know that, except by going out and in through invitation into the most local of intimacies in home and neighbourhood and connected community.”
Ian Campbell is a founder and board member of the Constellation. He founded Affirm and lives now in the UK.

Blog of the month: Circular Connections: Reflections on Rwanda from 1994-2011

When the genocide happened in '94, Kaitlyn was 8 and collecting coins for 'the children of Rwanda'. 17 years later, she goes to Rwanda and connects on a human level with young Rwandan who were also 8 when the genocide happened...

December

The pearl of Morocco
14-16 December, Morocco

The learning event in Morocco, supported by the Belgian Technical Cooperation, was a success, enabling new perspectives. Because we have practiced SALT throughout the event, a team was formed and is ready to take action. The Moroccan team is already very dynamic.

Is the Community Life Competence Process Dutch-able?
14 December, the Netherlands

On Tuesday evening 14 December, 11 enthusiasts came together at ‘The Hub’ in Amsterdam to get to know each other and share their ideas around the possible application of the Community Life Competence Process in the Netherlands. “We have to start applying the process on a topic that is of interest to us. Not some noble and distant ideal, but something we personally care for,” explains Maaike Van der Velden.

Re-think the Business Model for the Constellation Support Team
14 December, the Netherlands

Six Constellation members came together on 14 December in Amsterdam to brainstorm on the business model for the Constellation Support Team (CST). The Constellation grew tremendously in the last years and the CST needs to adapt to be able to fully support the starting movement. “We generated so many ideas in one day! But this is just the starting point of the reflection,” said Gaston Schmitz, Facilitator Transfer of the Constellation.

Community Action Day: communities share their strengths around the world

As we reflect on all that has happened over this past year, we are so appreciative of the opportunity to have worked together on Community Action day (CAD). The day ignited in us the fuel to inquire, reflect and focus on outcomes drawing upon our strengths. We thank you for sharing with us - we learned, we laughed and were amazed at the engagement and excitement that we heard from each other.

Member of the month: Ephraim, modest village boy blessed with many talents

I am that modest poor village boy blessed, who grew up from grass to Grace. I was born in 1965 in a small village called Guneku in the North West region of Cameroon. I lost my father when I needed him most at the age of 12. From then life became very difficult and challenging as I had to take all his responsibilities as a father. Presently, I am the project manager of Global Fund Round 9 malaria component for Plan Cameroon.

Blog of the month: Dream Building - Activity Programme for Peer Educators

We had organised a workshop for Peer Educators on December 20-21, 2010 bringing into focus sundry priority issues and plans of the target community at the Jhilmil ANCHAL Special School.
In the process of our discussions and problem solving exercise, we intiated a 'Dream Building' programme in the last phase of the training, for the entire gathering. We put forth certain issues and queries to the gathered participants. Read more on the blog

November

Kindu Facilitators help communities in four main cities in DR-Congo to document their progress
November, DR-Congo

“Since we made our action plan with our Community Based Organisation ‘Prudence Mobile’, we started growing rabbits. With the revenue of the sold rabbits we support People Living with HIV and orphans. Several PLHIV and orphans came out and we do not fear to discuss HIV anymore,” explained a member of Prudence Mobile from Mbuji Mayi. Three Constellation coaches and facilitators from RDCCompétence helped communities to document their progress and to exchange with others, in Kindu, Mbuji Mayi, Matadi and Kinshasa.

Communities moving faster than organizations
8-12 November, Ethiopia

In November, Constellation coaches had the opportunity for the second support visit to IIRR Partners in Ethiopia. They were hosted by JeCCDO in Dire Dawa and joined by SOS Borana.
After a community visit where in 5 minutes a community facilitator clearly and distinctly explained the process they use to help them move towards their own future, April Foster, Constellation coach, said: “In 5 minutes they had done what it took us as organizations several hours to articulate!”

Unesco Bangkok Training improving UNESCO programme delivery and creating a culture of sharing and learning
23-24 November, Thailand

On November 23 and 24, 2010, Lawan Vejapikul and Jean-Louis Lamboray facilitated a workshop on “Knowledge Management - Training improving our programme delivery and creating a culture of sharing and learning” at the UNESCO Bangkok Office for the Asia and Pacific. 25 participants from various countries/field offices took part in the event. During the workshop participants set the stage for a Knowledge Management strategy in the region.

Community Action Day

Communities from Belgium, Cambodia, Cameroon, DR-Congo, France, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Mali, Nigeria, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, Uganda participated in the Community Action Day on or around 1 December. They build a common dream for their community, discussed their strengths and took action to improve the situation. Community Action Day is still ongoing so please sign up if you want to participate. More in the CAD group.

Member of the month: Olivia: passionate, funny and… oh so human!

I am ridiculously passionate about pretty much anything and everything - it can be quite funny and embarrassing at times because I cry in most movies, laugh at all jokes and tend to be hard to stop once I get going on telling a story. When I discovered CLCP and SALT I was so happy because now I can channel my enthusiasm towards recognising the strengths of communities.

Blog of the month: To be a friend: A salt visit

"I went out to find a friend, I found nobody but when I went out to be a friend I found many." John-Pierre shares how he becomes friends with a boy.

October

Tears of joy at the week of SALT visits in Karnataka

Emotions ran high, tears flowed, tears of pain as well as tears of joy when participants shared experiences were shared. Nearly 25 participants came together from different parts of the world to share and learn from the communities in North Karnataka. The event began with a beautiful welcome song as Divya explained the meaning of the Indian Greeting Namaskar- I greet the God within you.

The magic of virtual human connections between Mali and the world

Laurence Gilliot and Gaston Schmitz, Facilitators Share and Transfer of the Global Facilitation Team, visited the National Facilitation Team in Mali. Together they explored ways to document and share the experience with local responses in Mali. “I am so happy today because I was able to join Ning and to share my story,” said Hawa Dramé, facilitator of MaliCompetence and member of AFAS, a network of PLHIV.

13 NGO’s in South Africa share their experience in Pretoria

13 NGOs active in the field of HIV in South Africa participated in a Knowledge Fair in Pretoria. The Knowledge fairs provided an open space for sharing of human experiences and allowed participants to derive common principles from their various responses to HIV, health, social development and human rights. The Fair was organised by the Catholic Organization for Relief and Development Aid (Cordaid) and facilitated by Ricardo Walters and Onesmus Mutuku, two Constellation coaches. “We are proud of the strong partnerships that are emerging locally, “said Leona Pienaar, Metro Evangelical Services.

HIVOS partners in East-Africa dream to be a “Network of excellence”

12 representatives from NGOs in East-Africa met in Nairobi to exchange their experiences on organizational capacity. They want to build a strong network in East Africa to keep on learning from each other and decided on actions to take together to get there.

Member of the month: Namara, the positive force behind Uganda Competence

“Uganda has always been an example in the fight against HIV. Our country managed to reverse the trends from 30% (1990) to 5,2 % (2002). But today the trend is going up again. I believe the AIDS Competence Process could help to control the recent increase.

Three months ago, I met with Stephen Alege, Constellation coach, and Prof John Rwomushana, Board member of the Constellation, to discuss the creation of Uganda Competence. We need to have our own secretariat to bring the approach to another level. With Uganda Competence we can promote AIDS Competence in Uganda and monitor the teams. That’s my dream, that’s what I want to do.”

Blog of the month: The Experience

“My organisation's tag line says "the experience that lasts a lifetime". Even as I sit and reflect on the AIDS Competence process and the process involved, it makes me realize that this will add to my experiences that will last me a lifetime. […] It is a process I believe that gives back to the community, it helps the work with the strengths they have. Too long has imposition been the game played.” Michael Mc Garrell, from Guyana. More about the blog of Michael “The experience”

“Look with caring eyes into our Constellation”

‘Mobilizing Resources’ was the main theme during this year’s face-to-face board meeting. The Constellation board and CST members came together in Brussels and Grez-Doiceau, Belgium, on 11 and 12 October to discuss the strategic directions for 2011. The two day meeting started of with a Peer Assist where Constellation friends were invited to help find ideas on how the Constellation can put its resources at work in order to reach our dream.

News from Member organisations: RDCCompétence in Action!

Communities throughout DR-Congo are taking action against HIV. In their newsletter, RDCCompétence shares several stories of incredible change in communities. In the prison of Kananga, more than 400 prisoners want to get tested. Pastors and village heads get involved in the HIV response.

More in the newsletter of RDCCompétence of July and August (en French)

September

Guyana Competence has its first pool of certified facilitators

In September the Constellation paid its second visit to Guyana. Coaches Usa Duongsaa and Gaston Schmitz had two objectives. Firstly they facilitated the joint UN team on AIDS retreat and introduced them to Community Life Competence. Secondly, they further supported the local pool of facilitators and officially certifying those that are skilled in all steps today.

Member of the month: Khun Suriyon, looking at people in a positive way

I started using SALT to change the way I look at other people, in a more positive way. From the past, when I saw drug users or alcoholic people, I always put the label on them. After I learned about ACP and SALT, I started to look at them in a different way and more positive and also try better to understand their reasons and conditions. When we change our perspective or our way of thinking, our behaviors that we perform will also change and finally, our way of working will change too.

Suriyon Sungkam works for the Interfaith Network on AIDS in Thailand, strong facilitator and member of the Thai ACP network.

Blog of the month: Paolo Freire and the Constellation

“At first I was sceptical, but now I am a fan. Paolo Freire’s thinking and that of the Constellation are very close. Actually they are so close that the Constellation was probably influenced by Paolo Freire. Who was Paolo Freire? What were his ideas? What ideas do we have in common? How and to what extent did his ideas inspire people around the world? I try to answer these questions in the blog and attached document, and also to summarize the different perceptions and extensive discussions on challenges and applicability of his thinking.” More on the blog of Marie Lamboray

August

A small but motivated group of facilitators spreads AIDS Competence in Cambodia

Five facilitators and one Constellation coach introduced the AIDS Competence Process to a group of eleven new facilitators in Cambodia. The movement in Cambodia has great potential because there is a facilitation team in place and support at policy level. “SALT will take a lot of time because we are changing people’s thoughts,” said one of the participants.

The Thai ACP Network is now expanding in all regions of Thailand

“The learning event that took place in Chiang Mai exceeded our expectations.
Not only did 63 people participate but they came from the 4 regions in Thailand. In each region there is now a team committed to coordinate and spread the AIDS Competence Process,” said Lawan Vejapikul, member of Thai ACP network and Constellation coach.

News from member organisations: SALT visits to keep the interest of team members

Eight team members of Kenya Competence Trust (KCT) met in Nairobi to connect and share the progress of Community Life Competence in Kenya. The team discussed about the partnerships it is implementing, like with Women Against AIDS in Uganda, and the opportunities that are awaiting in the pipeline. The KCT team also regularly does SALT visits together, for the purpose of learning as a team.

Member of the month: "The challenge is to overcome old reflexes"

"Those who use the approach should question themselves. There are always old reflexes that challenge us. Do not switch back to the old system. If everyone could act like this we could help communities to step out of their passive mode. "

Younoussa Diarra works for Pivot Group on the program of the Global Fund to fight against HIV and AIDS. He supports Support and Learning Teams to facilitate local responses in all regions of Mali.

Blog of the month: With more listening time, care will deepen

In the context of his reconfirmation as Constellation coach Ian Campbell is sharing his learning during a Mildway International Workshop on Human Capacity for Response to HIV in Kampala, June 2010. The story is about how more listening can bring us a next step forward on a shared journey.
“Stigma kills us –even with tablets –but love and understanding makes everything work,” shared a HIV positive woman during the home visit with Ian’s team. More on Ian’s blog

July

Myanmar opens its door for the AIDS Competence Process

From 4 to 8 July, two Constellation coaches facilitated a learning event in Yangon, Myanmar to introduce the AIDS Competence Process to members of the National Network of NGOs (3N) against HIV. 35 participants, mostly People Living with HIV from Community Based Organisations and self-help groups throughout the country, attend the three day event. “This approach is very good because it is a simple process for us to practice and there is not much jargon like outputs, outcomes, etc.,” said one of the participants.

Mali Sikasso NGOs active in the response to AIDS in Mali are organizing themselves to spread local responses in their country

On 26-27 July a two-day workshop took place in Bamako, bringing together different actors in Mali active in the response to AIDS. The main idea? Create a National Facilitation Team that can support and connect the many local initiatives already taking place in the country. A support team, composed of Groupe Pivot Santé Population and World Vision-Mali, then went to Sikasso, in the south-east of Mali, to collectively assess and strengthen the work of the facilitators in the field.

Mainstreaming Community Life Competence in UNFPA Indonesia country plan

The Constellation facilitated a three day event for the staff members of UNFPA Indonesia, in Bandung, in West Java. Participants learned more about SALT and the Community Life Competence Process applied to HIV or other community issues. On the last day, participants reflected on how the approach could be mainstreamed in UNFPA’s 8thCountry Program and in the work place. Dr. Zahid Huque, Country Representative of UNFPA said that, “It is great to see this critical mass of UNFPA staff being convinced of this approach”.

Organizations with national reach learned to facilitate the AIDS Competence Process in DR-Congo

In July, four learning events took place in DR-Congo in addition to the eleven learning events that took place in May and June. Representatives from five organizations with national reach were invited at the learning event in Kinshasa. Through these organizations the AIDS Competence Process has the potential to spread throughout the country.

Member of the month: "It is the first time I see such enthusiasm for HIV testing"

"We experienced a very emotional moment in a prison in Kananga. When we arrived, there were about 600 prisoners and we split into small groups of 60 to discuss about HIV. Immediately after that, 400 prisoners were lined up to get tested. "

Jean Kabwau is the Head of the Community Section in the National Multisectoral Program against AIDS (PNMLS). The Constellation, RDCCompétence and PNMLS collaborate to spread the SALT approach in 15 cities in DR-Congo. Jean gave an interview to share his impressions.

Blog of the month: Would you like to join in for Community Action Day?

Stimulating a movement fuelled by local responses

Community Life Competence is expanding. Communities in a wide range of contexts and locations rely on their strengths and take progress on issues of their concern in their own hands. Can we as Constellation members, facilitators and coaches all over the world make large scale progress and involve even more communities, including our own in this movement fuelled by local responses? To do so we propose to organize a Community Action Day. Do you have any ideas for the day, or would you like to join the working team to plan and coordinate the event all over the world? Please write to me at rituu[@]communitylifecompetence.org. More about the Community Action Day.

Refreshment in Constellation Coaches pool

The Constellation is refreshing these months its pool of coaches. Existing coaches reconfirm their status, new coaches are invited and some coaches choose to play a different role in the Constellation.

Traces of Community Life Competence at Vienna Conference

"Experience tells us this: Every community has the capacity to respond to AIDS”, wrote Jean-Louis Lamboray in a message to the 20’000 participants at the World AIDS Conference in Vienna. “The spirit of Community Life Competence however was still difficult to find back in the main agenda in Vienna”, say Constellation friends who were present at the event.

June

Fishermen in Kisangani obtain condoms

“The SALT approach can reverse the increasing trend of HIV here in Kisangani,” said a newly trained facilitator, in DR-Congo. RDCCompétence, the Constellation and PNMLS organized learning events in eleven cities in DR-Congo and four more will take place in July. They transferred the approach to 505 facilitators who will be using it in their work with communities. This is the first important step in spreading the approach throughout DR-Congo and make HIV an issue of the past. Communities throughout the country are already taking action, like the fishermen association in Kisangani.

Appreciating strengths to respond to domestic violence in Jayapura

“I feel that people in Nolokla village are more open to share their story,” shared Paula from Nolokla village near Sentani. Together with 11 other community members, Paula attended a learning event facilitated by the Constellation, IndoCompetence and UNFPA in Jayapura, in Indonesia. They adapted the AIDS Competence Process to domestic violence and already see the benefits of the approach in their communities.

Facilitators met in Thailand to decide on their future as a team

With support from the Asian Development Bank, facilitators in Thailand met in June. They spent three days to share how they integrated the AIDS Competence Process (ACP) into their work, what they had learned and they build a dream for Thai ACP Network. “The AIDS Competence Process had an impact on individuals, organizations and on society,” said Khun Sompong from UNAIDS. In the other five countries –India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines- supported by the ADB, the teams are also making progress.

Member of the month: Amerindian communities of Guyana gain self-confidence with the AIDS Competence Process

“Even though I am from Amerindian decent, I have never experienced indigenous life because my mother moved away from the settlement where she was born. My experience with indigenous people has now become my passion. I was so happy when I was invited in February to the AIDS Competence training. From the opening I said to myself, my colleagues and then to the assembly that, “this is what I was looking for: an approach that would contribute to the empowerment of people.”

Autry Haynes works for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in Guyana and he is a strong supporter of the AIDS Competence Process at the country level.

Blog of the month: PLEASE PASS THE S.A.L.T.

"Esther had come to collect her photo and frame. The day we all had collected ours, Esther had gone to the hospital to pick her Anti Retroviral drugs. You should have seen the smile in her eyes as she looked at her photo and frame. As she turned round the corner, I found myself thanking God for the experience and privilege. I thanked God for the years I had spent in Chikankata where the Home Care concept was first practiced as the option to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The experience has continued to define my work and responses to personal, community tragedies and/or celebrations. Especially in the area of HIV/AIDS. " Read more on the blog "Please pass the SALT"

Constellations 2009 accounts closed

The Constellation board closed the Constellation’s 2009 accounts with a loss of 18,923.43 Euro for the period, leading to a negative equity of 12,401.14 Euro. The Membership Meeting approved the 2009 accounts in a virtual meeting from 28-30 June 2010.

More about the Membership Meeting

AIDS Competence at the Vienna Conference

Some Constellation friends will participate at the International Conference on AIDS in Vienna. John-Piermont Montilla invites all of us to speak in the name of ‘Community Life Competence Community’ at the opening ceremony of the Global Village on July 19. If you want to participate, please go to ‘Vienna Conference group’ and participate in the discussion ‘Message in Vienna’. John-Pierre also proposed to meet at the KGPP boot in the Global Village. (The image represents the artwork made by streetchildren supported by KGPP)

SALT visit in North Karnataka, India, end of October

From 23-30 October 2010, the Constellation and IndiaCompetence invites you to participate in a week of SALT visits in North Karnataka, to experience the Constellation’s strengths-based approach.

During this week, we would like you to experience first hand the AIDS response by the people of Koppal district and to explore with them important lessons. Koppal district was one of the hardest hit by the epidemic but over the last four years, the HIV prevalence has been consistently declining.

If you are interested to join, please contact lawan@communitylifecompetence.org.

Download the invitation and spread the word!

Knowledge asset on Inclusion

Do you want to know the key lessons learned on inclusion by communities in Thailand, India, Kenya, Belgium, Burma, Spain, Mozambique, South Africa, Cambodia, Indonesia, Uganda, RDC in just one click? Then, visit the ever-growing Knowledge asset on inclusion here. You can share this Knowledge Asset with your community or the communities you work with to assist them to raise their level of competence.

We will now work on the practice of ‘Mobilizing Resources’. If you are interested to get involved follow the link below. More about the Knowledge asset on Inclusion and how you can get involved

May

"We are working full speed after the orientation session"
3-6 May, DR-Congo

That is what Eddy Panzu, facilitator from Matadi, said after the orientation session in Kinshasa. From 3-6 May 2010, facilitators of RDCCompétence from 15 cities and members of the provincial coordinations of the Multisectoral National Program against AIDS (PNMLS) met to prepare for implementation of the project "Support to community initiatives." A person from PNMLS said: If indeed the PNMLS had been able to introduce this approach earlier, we would already have had great results!

Introducing SALT by introducing yourself
16-20 May, the Netherlands

From 16 to 20 May 2010, the representatives from INHAT (Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDS in Thailand) traveled to the Netherlands to respond to the invitation from the Togetherness Foundation with the support from OXFAM Novib. They shared their experience with SALT with people and different networks in the Netherlands. Lawan Vejapikul explained that, I have learned that SALT can best be introduced by applying it to yourself and people will be able to see and feel it when they interact with you. You can practice SALT everywhere!

First step towards Russian Constellations
25-27 May, Moscow

Jean-Louis Lamboray, co-founder and coach of the Constellation, went to Moscow for three days to meet with the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Europe and Central Asia, Russia’s Joint UN Team on HIV/AIDS and civil society from 7 Russian cities. Regional UNAIDS Team has conducted a self-assessment of their AIDS competence. The meeting with the Joint UN Team on HIV was build on the presentation of the Constellation experiences around the world and sharing of UN experiences in mobilization of Russia’s local communities. On the third day, Jean-Louis met with the representatives of civil society organizations from Barnaul, Chelyabinsk, Kemerovo, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Samara and Irkutsk to discuss the opportunities for the implementation of the AIDS Competence Process in Rus