Against AIDS, in the rain or the sun

The Movement for Support of Problems of AIDS not only gives support to people with HIV, but also makes a lot of awareness and prevention among risk groups. In streets, which maintain facilities in several places in the Algarve and even the people at home, give the necessary support to those living with HIV / AIDS, while trying to prevent this scourge from spreading. A job that not everyone knows (or want) to make, but which the MAPS-Movement for Support of Problems of AIDS not seen the man. Even though much of his work goes through support for people with HIV, the MAPS does not limit its business to this group of people. The "reduction of damage and minimizing risk 'is a question that the movement there are, assured, the' weather 'Cidália Rodrigues, the Committee for the Management of MAPS. That is why it is done much work with drug addicts and also for people who are prostitutes. Raising awareness among this population, which is seen as two of the groups at risk of infection, can save many lives and avoid much suffering. "Our vision is always in the line of treatment. This is a fundamental issue for us, 'said. Voluntary institution in the Algarve for nine years, Rodrigues Cidália aware of the problem and warns that it can not be thinking about the problem of AIDS as something restricted to so-called risk groups. The number of cases in the Algarve 'is increasing this year' and there is a direct link with the so-called risk behavior, a name which fell, however, into disuse. One of the problems it identifies is the lack of information, particularly among the younger population. Despite the effort that has been done over the years, to spread the disease and alert the population in recent years "you can get a feeling that everybody has already informed". But the younger population, which was not influenced by these campaigns, has many doubts about the matter. "There are many young people who come here ask for information. Also here are teachers and parents, which shows the concern that exists', revealed Cidália Rodrigues. Here, the MAPS will join the Algarve schools and talk about the problem of AIDS in schools. "This is because the sexuality will enter this year in the areas of project", noted. This is just one of many projects that the movement is at hand. The MAPS has existed since 1992, who had already "much before that fight." Since then launched various projects. Besides providing home support, the movement has a temporary refuge center for those who are more social problems. At the same time, manages a protected residence, for people with HIV. The MAPS also provides psychological support level at the Center for Customer Monitoring and Psycho-social. To carry out this work, the movement counts on Social Security, the National Coordination of Fight against AIDS and the Institute for Drugs and Drug Addiction as privileged partners. But the support they receive from these entities do not always enough to the needs, since there is always a fringe of service that must be borne by beneficiaries. The majority are people "with little or no possessions' and 'pathways contributing nonexistent or too short', ends up being the MAPS have to come with additional money to support. The MAPS has been "to increase the group of volunteers, fruit in the interest of more people in work. Currently, it counts with 10 volunteers standing, which was joined by five other times and on different occasions. The movement does now on "expanding the scope of collaboration" with entities such as the University of Algarve, whose students have shown interest in helping in the fight against AIDS.