SWOP Teambuilding

As the morning sun shone brightly above the clear Nairobi skies, a normal day it seemed, but somewhere along Kiambu road, The Rib Shark to be precise a rather interesting activity was about to go down. The Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) had in place a team building and fun day for the sex workers, Peer Educators and Preventive Officers on the eve of Jamuhuri day.

The event organized by the Kenya Aids Control Project (KACP) was aimed at strengthening the mutual understanding and relationship between Peer Educators and their supervisors from SWOP-the Preventive Officers.

The mood was already set for hours of none stop fun and team building exercises as the peer educators thronged in numbers each spotting a unique but eye catching outfits the day promised to deliver. Kicking off the day was a series of races with particularly the handicap race where a group of four people were tied together got the fun gears shifting.

Then excitement was building up and a passerby would be perplexed at the gleeful and playful nature that was on display by the adults on the field a clear indication that those present were having a good time.

Then came that victorious moment where the peer educators comprehensively overcame the preventive officers in a tug of war tussle prompting a Gor Mahia like Fans celebration. The highlight of the day came down to a hilarious skit on show by the KACP team on condom use and negotiation skills.

According to one of the organizers, Mr. Stephen, the event was geared at providing a platform for relaxation and bonding after a year of intense training and education for the peer educators. “This day is all about relationship cohesion between peer educators and protection officers, a place where they can freely express themselves on any issue concerning the project whether concerns or recommendations.” He elaborated.

SWOP was established to offer comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services to the MARPS in Nairobi Kenya on the background that female sex workers and the men having sex with men (MSMs) constitute most at risk populations (MARPS) in HIV/AIDS acquisition and transmission in Kenya.

Helen Pera, a 29 year old sex worker in Nairobi Riruta area for the past two years gave an insight on SWOP’s impact on her life. “Kuna wakati condom ilikua inapasuka, labda ni kwa sababu sikua nafahamu jinsi ya kuiweka vizuri lakini baada ya kujiunga na SWOP nimepata mafunzo bora ya kujikinga pamoja na wateja wangu.” (There were times when the condom would burst, maybe it’s down to the fact that I didn’t know how to use it, but after joining SWOP I have been trained well on various ways to protect myself and also my clients) she explains.

The services offered in the clinic include information on safer sex practices, HIV Testing and Counseling, care and treatment, condom information, demonstration and provision, family planning, STI screening and treatment and TB referral.
HTC services are offered at enrollment level; follow up after 3 months and subsequently after every 6months. The sex workers can also visit the clinics at any time when unwell.

Commenting on the fun day was Simon a male sex worker who has been one of the pioneers of SWOP, expressed his joy to be involved in the event and more so what SWOP has done in his life. “I have been in SWOP for many years and before we used crude methods like Vaseline but now am well informed. The fact that SWOP clinics offer us free testing and treatment is a plus and we will continue reaching out to other sex workers to join.” He elaborates.

The teams were then treated to a tasteful lunch delicacies at the Rib Shark restaurant, thereafter the teams took to the dance floor and danced the rest of the day away after all they deserved it  and a lesson they inspire the world is :keep on looking to the brighter side of life, keep on running for the goals in life, keep on searching for the treasure of life, keep on moving forward positively.