2007 United States Conference on AIDS (USCA)Abstract: 
“Empowering Chuukese Women on Guam for HIV Prevention”

Chuukese women, like many people living in the Micronesian Pacific, have no real organized movement to advance womens' issues.  This places them at far higher risk for HIV infection.    

Linguistically correct and culturally appropriate methodology to communicate with Chuukese women have been developed.  This was created from a far more basic approach to HIV compared to existing conventional Western models.  This required studied observations and time spent living in communities where Chuukese women live to design interventions that work for them.  Learning the Chuukese language and using humor as a grounding tool became highly effective methods to              

Chuukese women responded more effectively to HIV prevention messages where they felt safe and unthreatened.  They responded especially well to non-Chuukese men who acknowledged their roles not only as women but as Chuukese women living on Guam.  Clear differences   

Chuukese women responded more effectively to HIV prevention messages where they felt safe and unthreatened.  They responded especially well to non-Chuukese men who acknowledged their roles not only as women but as Chuukese women living on Guam.  Many Chuukese women were unaware of their basic civil rights regarding physical violence, sexual assault and some very basic human rights that are taken for granted in neighboring islands.   

Results:  Chuukese women responded more effectively to HIV prevention messages where they felt safe and unthreatened.  They responded especially well to non-Chuukese men who acknowledged their roles not only as women but as Chuukese women living on Guam.  Many Chuukese women were unaware of their basic civil rights regarding physical violence, sexual assault and some very basic human rights that are taken for granted in neighboring islands.  Concrete explanations and descriptions of self-empowerment with cultural overtures appeared to generate conversation that moved the Chuukese women to state their intent to take more control of their lives and their bodies      

Conclusions:  There appears to be a rich source of support and empowerment for Chuukese living on Guam for HIV prevention.  These sources; however, involve a reassessment of the conventional approaches to HIV prevention in Pacific Islander women.  It involves non-Chuukese men with the tactful and respectful approach to HIV prevention that is tailored uniquely to Chuukese women. 

Conclusions:  There appears to be a rich source of support and empowerment for Chuukese living on Guam for HIV prevention.  These sources; however, involve a reassessment of the conventional approaches to HIV prevention in Pacific Islander women.  It involves non-Chuukese men with the tactful and respectful approach to HIV prevention that is tailored uniquely to Chuukese women. 

Chuuk pdf V1 USCA	Chuuk pdf V2 USCA	Chuuk pdf V3 USCA

Prepared and Submitted by:  Alex Silverio, GUAHAN Project Executive Director

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Director’s Notes:  The Normal Heart
“The human contribution is the essential ingredient.  It is only the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.”  These are the words of Ethel Perry Andrus.  Words that truly represent the work you are about to witness tonight.  The Normal Heart was just another job I auditioned for as a professional actor.  I played the role of Mickey Marcus.  But I did not realize the impact and the importance of this work as a theatre piece and a message piece.  We learn a great deal about each other based on our histories and actions.  This play is a history on the plague we know as AIDS and is one of most important examples of getting to know what we are up against as activists and people living in the age of this disease. 

The presentation of this play is not as unorthodox as you might think.  Plays go through processes of evolution known as staged readings.  The directors, producers, and playwrights need to see the play “on its feet” and more importantly the actors giving the characters a voice.  We as actors kindly and graciously give you this work as an expression of our dedication to educating the public about AIDS and the prejudice that surrounds it.  The work itself is presented in the simplest form possible – bare stage, uniformed costumes, and basic lighting.  It is now your job to use your imagination to create the scenarios and situations.  We hope to help you in the images you create. 

Now we ask you to contribute and to give of yourself for this cause we feel so strongly. 

Ricky Vergara, Director, The Normal Heart (Read More)