It's the Holidays...and we needed to reflect on all our accomplishments for the year....so here's the Annual Report. Enjoy!

Pictures from the HIV Symposium

HIV symposium at St. George' Unviersity

Many expressed satisfaction with the high caliber of speakers presenting at the conference. Among them was Dr. Courtenay F. Bartholomew, Emeritus Professor of Medicine/Director at Trinidad & Tobago, who spoke on The Experience of the Medical Research Council (MBR) in AIDS Research in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Courtenay Bartholomew is an associate of Dr. Luc Montagnier who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1983, for identifying the virus that causes AIDS and then again in 2008, for his efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Dr. Bartholomew himself has done extensive research in the region and was the first to diagnose a case of AIDS in the Caribbean. Attendees were able to benefit from his immense knowledge and research. Dr. Marianne D. Szauer, faculty at SGU, presenting on two topics: NNRTI's and their complications, and The Epidemiology & Current Treatment Guidelines in Grenada pointed to some alarming trends needing urgent attention. She pointed out that in the region, in 2007 there are about 230,000 persons living with HIV; of these, some 14,000 of these have died of AIDS–related illnesses and just over 30,000 were receiving antiretoviral treatment. The estimated number of children under fifteen years newly infected with HIV in 2007 was 1800 in the Caribbean, whereas in North America for the same year, there were less than 500. Grenada’s statistics are consistent with this trend and there is therefore an urgent need for increased education on HIV and AIDS. In her presentation on Puppets and HIV Education for the Children of Grenada, Dr. Szauer illustrated how this is already being effectively accomplished. She and her team of volunteers in a creative, fun way have the puppets dramatize a variety of scenarios to teach children the facts about HIV and AIDS. Already, over 900 children and persons have benefitted from the program. Commenting on the event Dr. Marianne D. Szauer said, “The conference was very very successful. It brought to the fore current knowledge of treatment, recent developments and medications that are available for countries throughout the OECS.” Provost Dr. Allen Pensick though that the symposium went well and that the information was very important and timely. Dr. Judy Nisbett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Nevis; was among those who expressed keen interest in having a similar HIV awareness program in their home country. As the day concluded, all were convinced that they were more knowledgeable and better equipped to deal this social reality. It is hoped that there will be increased advocacy for the implementation of many of the treatments presented, to improve the quality of life of persons living with HIV in the region.

Some teaching and demonstrations

Diabetes on the Island

Diabetes is a problem on the three islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. Sometimes it is due to poverty, sometimes it is due to lack of knowledge, and sometimes it is due to self neglect. But, whatever the reasons, we are trying to help improve this by education programs about skin and foot care,as well as medication adherence, etc. and diabetes general counseling at the health fairs. We will continue to reach out and get into the many 'hill' areas of the islands and make a difference through education and medical care. So let's go....

Podiatry Outreach Clinics- There are so many diabetics on teh island...and they all need education about their skin and feet...So here we go!

Hello all...we just found a a unique way that you can contribute to our projects just by shopping on line, buying airline tickets. etc. Try it out!

Compilation of health fairs pictures from around the island this year- 2008

It's that time of year...as we get ready for the holidays, we begin to take a look back on what we have done for the year. And so, that said, I was lucky to have someone put together a compilation of health fair pictures from all over the island that we have done from January now.
As I look back, and November rolls in, I think about all the people we have had the opportunity to help, meet, talk with, laugh with and even share some tears with...and I thank all of them from the bottom of my heart. In preparing for Thanksgiving in the US and just coming out of Thanksgiving in the islands...it is always good to review what we do, and what we can do BETTER.
Here's the link...enjoy! www.joyocreative.com/archive/healthfair

Pearl's Airpot in St. Andrew's...another Health fair and the Vets joined us...What fun! Everybody learned something!

Another healthfair? Why Not? This one is way up in the hills...Apres Tout, St. David's

Here we go again! Another health fair...in Grand Anse Valley...thought we 'd help out those MPH students this time.

St. Mark's Victoria Health Fair 10.08

Help fight Animal Cruelty. Take the Pledge!

Hey...here we are in Calliste at the government school for a health fair.Check it out!

Links to Angel Mountain's "Other" websites

http://angelmtndrypack.blogspot.com This is our website that relates to our dry pack canning project running on the island of Grenada.

and

http://angelmtnkids.blogspot.com This is our website that relates to our Kids education project using puppets.

Kids Puppet Shows and Project "EARLY"

Training continues and we are having FUN! The first thing most of the puppeteers find out is that it is ALOT OF WORK! Building muscles you never knew you had, and trying to have the puppet say what you are actually trying to say. But the best part of it all is that the children (and of course...not to mention the adults) are mesmerized by the puppets themselves. They listen and are incredibly attentive to what the puppets are speaking about. As we go around the island, look for new pictures of the puppets and their travels!

Puppet Show at the Health Fair

First Fall Health Fair in Grand Anse at the LDS Church

Kids Fest!

Puppet programs

We were able to start our puppet programs and of course you have seen the Kids camp shots...but we also did a show at Kids Fest down in Grand Anse at the Spiceland parking lot. There were LOTS of kids, LOTS of noise, and of coures LOTS of fun with the puppets! Check out the pictures!

Oops!

Well, we tried to post the short video with the "Kids" show on the blog...but we were not able to (at least not yet) transfer it to an mpeg mode. Once we accomplish this, we will be posting it for your veiwing entertainment.
So...look forward to updates!

Kids on the Block

Well...it has finally happened! We will be starting the KOTB programs around the island, in the schools, in the malls, etc. I was excited to find out that the National AIDS Directorate on the island had approved the grant I wrote to help defray the costs of the program. Just so you can get an idea of the program, I am attaching a video which was presented t the Mexico City IAS (International AIDS Conference) to introduce the program. Thanks to Ms. Johns from Brainstorm Productions, you can view a short snippet of what our programs will be like.
(Please excuse the "puppeteers", as this was our first live performance with very little practice...me included)

Receiving and Opening the Dry Pack Supplies

About the Dry Pack Project

The Dry Pack Project was funded by the Church of Jesus Christ latter-day Saints. We intend to start processing canned provisions in #10 (105 oz.) cans including; rice, lentils, macaroni and powdered milk (2%) to start. We have been given approval by the NaDMA council for disaster planning, the Ministry of Health and the Prime Minister's Office.
We will be working in collaboration with volunteers and ultimately hope to use the disabled and challenged youth in a training program for skills using our canning process as well as getting them involved with dehydrating fruits, etc from their small farming efforts through the Ministries.
Not only will the dry pack canning serve to provide supplies for emergencies and disaster, we will provide supplies for large homes (nursing, children's, etc.) and other agencies who wish to purchase large bulk quantities from us with the ability to store safely the provisions over time from humidity and spoilage.
For more informaotin on the Dry Pack Canning Project, pleae see our sister website at:
http://angelmtndrypack.blogspot.com

Dry Pack Project Grant

HIV Kids Camp July 2008

RBC Bank Health fair July 2008