CLIMBING MOUNTAINS OF COMPASSION:
GENET WOLDE’S JOURNEY TO ENSURE ACCESSIBLE HEALTH SERVICES FOR KEY POPULATIONS
Author: Mekdim Hailu, Project Communication Manager, PSI Ethiopia
When nurse Genet Wolde climbed Mount Tabor on the outskirts of the beautiful city of Hawassa, she had one goal in mind: to get two sex workers whom she had recently counseled and tested positive for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) to start antiretroviral therapy (ART). Looking back on the strenuous climb up that mountain, Genet said, “My colleague and I had to push each other to reach the summit to find their house. Nothing could stop us because we were determined to ensure these two patients start their medications.”
This is part of Genet’s routine duties at the Hawassa Drop-In Center (DICs), a USAID MULU: Key Populations (KP) Activity-supported initiative that established a network of hotspot-based community centers clinics specially designed to provide comprehensive and accessible HIV services for key and priority populations. The DICs primarily target sex workers because they are at substantial risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) and face significant stigma undermining their well-being and access to health services. In addition, many sex workers, particularly those from rural areas, are unaware of crucial prevention methods against HIV/STI. Thus, the USAID MULU: KP Activity, through its DICs, addresses these gaps through education, counseling, and health services to improve the well-being of this marginalized group.
Genet explains, “When the project established the drop-in center two years ago, we visited hotels, guesthouses, and areas where sex workers stay, approached them in a friendly manner, and explained that we offer free recreational, clinical, and counseling services. It was difficult to convince them, but we chose some who showed communication and organizational skills and were willing to be trained as peer educators.”
In weekly meetings, these peer educators, who are also sex workers, impart their experience and knowledge to other sex workers through the training provided by the DIC. These gatherings emphasize healthy habits and preventative measures against HIV/STI, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence, among other challenges.
The DIC employs 11 staff members, comprising DIC coordinators, community health workers/counselors, and support staff. The DIC also engages volunteer peer educators to provide peer based SBCC (Social and Behavior Change Communication) and support. Through these individuals, the center offers comprehensive peer education encompassing awareness-raising on HIV/STI, condom use, pregnancy, gender-based violence, cervical cancer, and other pertinent topics. The approach includes custom-designed counseling tools crafted in collaboration with the target audience, incorporating concise information, real-life scenarios, and compelling content tailored to their needs.
To increase outreach, the center provides peer educators with the counseling tools to organize sessions every two weeks at their homes and invite sex workers to learn from them. After the behavior change education, eligible participants get screened for HIV and other health issues and have increased awareness of self-care, Genet confirms.
Genet emphasizes the distinctive nature of the DIC’s services, stating, “What sets us apart is our openness and non-judgmental approach. We provide a welcoming environment and treat and care for sex workers like friends and family. This approach is invaluable. We have also partnered with bars, guesthouses, and hotels to have them notify us when a new sex worker arrives.”
The DIC services are noted for their friendliness, encouraging clients to attend. In addition to health services, DICs offer recreational facilities and amenities such as dormitories, laundry facilities, showers, and a kitchen. “The center is not just there for HIV testing,” Genet explains. “It provides a haven for many to find friendship and love. Our clients have our phone numbers and turn to us when they get sick or experience gender-based abuse. This support system makes them feel like they are not alone, especially considering that most women are far from their families and lack other social support.”
Senait Lemma, a DIC client, recounts her experience, “Many people involved in various projects recommended that I get tested for STDs. But Genet’s approach was different. I felt she genuinely cared about me, wanted to save me, and that my life mattered to her.” The full story of Senait can be found here.
For Genet, her work at DIC has significant personal meaning. “For me, it’s more than just a job. I know this center’s impact on people’s lives, and nothing brings me more joy than seeing how happy they are when they use our services,” she explains. “That’s why I went up Mount Tabor not once, but twice, to find those women. Although they came to the center for testing and received a positive result, they did not return to begin taking ART. My conscience will not allow me to leave them alone. I visited their house on the mountain, but they were not there. However, I will try to find them again because I want them to realize their life is not over. If they stick to their medication, they can live a healthy life. “
Genet’s tireless dedication to the well-being of the DIC’s clients is genuinely commendable. Through their efforts at the center, Genet and her team have created a welcoming and supportive environment where people struggling with stigma and discrimination can access vital clinical and social services and receive the care and compassion they deserve. They are breaking down barriers and changing lives by expanding their reach through peer educators and partnerships with local business owners (bars, restaurants, etc.). Genet’s commitment to climbing mountains, figuratively and literally, to ensure no one is left behind is a testament to the power of compassion and advocacy in improving public health and promoting hope for high-risk populations.
