GUAHAN Project - Guam HIV/AIDS Network

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Education and Resources

Pacific Resource & Training Center (PRTC)
The GUAHAN Project Pacific Resource & Training Center (PRTC) offers free educational materials for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Sexualy Transmitted Diseases (STD). In addition, information on diabetes, tobacco cessation, aging, women's reproductive health and hemophilia can be found in the PRTC. These materials include posters, pamphlets, journals, DVDs, CDs, video tapes, magazines, books and HIV prevention items such as free condoms and personal lubricants provided by the Guam Department of Public Health.

A popular feature of the PRTC is the free computer access. This includes unlimited internet access and a free wireless hotspot. The new GUAHAN Project website can be accessed at www.guahanproject.org and features the latest in GUAHAN Project news.

There are also resources of interest to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer communities in a special resource section. The PRTC also has an office space for the Hemophilia Foundation of Guam (HFOG). In addition, the PRTC develops local materials for HIV/AIDS prevention, education and awareness.

The GUAHAN Project also provides free HIV/AIDS educational workshops and presentations to schools, community groups and organizations. The Pacific Resource & Training Center also provides free meeting rooms for community organizations. The PRTC is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6 :00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

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Office of Minority Health (OMH): Investing in the GUAHAN Project
In fighting AIDS, and in trying to save lives, non-profit organizations such as the GUAHAN Project that address this epidemic are usually on the short end of the equation in terms of funding, resources and support. In the U.S. Pacific island jurisdictions, establishing a bona-fide community-based organization can be nearly impossible. The GUAHAN Project was fortunate that Guam’s tax laws mirror the U.S. tax laws but that is not consistent with the other jurisdictions.

This is due to restrictive laws and governance that vary greatly between the island jurisdictions regarding tax-exempt non-profit organizations and the relationships that the respective governments of these jurisdictions negotiated with the United States over the last 30 years.

On the other hand, the U.S. has obligations to provide opportunities to fund the health departments of the U.S. affiliated Pacific island jurisdictions. This creates great disparities between the government and non-government organizations in many health issues, including the work involved in addressing HIV/AIDS.

The most proactive and committed U.S. federal government partner in supporting the work of HIV/AIDS community-based organizations in the U.S. Pacific island jurisdictions is the Office of Minority Health (OMH). In just a few short years, OMH has established an impressive history of support that has enabled the GUAHAN Project to produce pioneering and ground-breaking programs that have a direct impact in fighting AIDS.

OMH funding allowed the GUAHAN Project website to be a reality. This website debuted on December 14, 2007 with capacity-building funding by OMH. For the first time, a Health Information Campaign specific to Chuukese women was created and implemented in collaboration with Guam Public Health. Chuukese women are now empowered with useful contemporary HIV/AIDS prevention messages in the Chuukese language via posters, television commercials and home visits.

The GUAHAN Project Pacific Resource and Training Center (PRTC) opened in October, 2006 and features free resources and materials for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases. It also provides training spaces and free computer and internet access. It has proven to be an extremely popular place for the community for HIV/AIDS prevention, education and awareness.

There have been huge dividends in the investment that OMH has made with the GUAHAN Project. Many people have changed their high-risk behaviors and gained knowledge to prevent the spread of HIV. OMH funding has allowed GUAHAN Project to mobilize the community into greater action by funding programs that encourage collaborations and partnerships, as well as maximizing resources. As a result, lives have been saved.

Strengthening this investment is OMH’s consistent support and regular capacity-building efforts for the GUAHAN Project through in-person, face-to-face meetings on Guam and the U.S. mainland.

It is never too late for other U.S. federal partners to re-examine their commitment and actual support in fighting AIDS with the U.S. Pacific island jurisdictions. The voices stating the needs to address AIDS have been articulated, repeated, repackaged, reframed and regurgitated year after year by the Pacific islanders to its federal government partners.

It has not been without challenges and differences; however, OMH has been able to support the GUAHAN Project without antagonizing, belittling or by placing the GUAHAN Project mired in a meaningless bureaucratic waiting process. OMH listened, made no excuses, took risks and decisively took action. OMH continues to diligently work to support and fund community-based AIDS organizations such as the GUAHAN Project in the fight against AIDS. That, in turn, helps to save lives.

Written by: Alex Silverio, GUAHAN Project Executive Director


	Updated! GUAHAN Project Phone Numbers Effective June 2, 2008 Pacific Resource & Training Center (PRTC) Suite 301 (671) 646-2437, (671) 647-2437, FAX (671) 647-4481 STD/HIV Satellite Office (671) 647-5684 CHICA Program Cell Phone (671) 988-5636 Cell Phones (671) 689-4480, (671) 689-4482


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Guam Congresswoman
Madeleine Z. Bordallo
Since the GUAHAN Project was established in 2003, Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo has served as the Honorary Chairperson of the organization. She also strongly encouraged the founders of the GUAHAN Project to serve the community when the organization was being formed and when challenges seemed insurmountable. Despite the shame and stigma still associated with the epidemic, Congresswoman Bordallo has been very supportive of the many people who make AIDS prevention, education, awareness and care a reality. The GUAHAN Project proudly salutes Congresswoman Bordallo in the fight against AIDS on Guam.

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)

Thank You!
Three sold-out performances and one very lavish gala event helped the community to become more aware of AIDS and how we need to protect and educate ourselves from this epidemic. Very special thanks to the amazing talents of the RENT cast, Choreographer Margie Dancel, Music Director Dr. Randall Johnson, Director Ernest Ochoco and all of the hard-working and selfless volunteers who made this production possible. Thank you again for your support in the fight against AIDS.



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December 1. World AIDS Day. Why celebrate AIDS?

Why is there World AIDS Day? It does seem awkward. Why do we celebrate a disease that has killed over 25 million people since 1981? We really don’t hear much these days about AIDS. There are some people that believe AIDS is curable and that there is nothing to worry about. That fact is, HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, continues to infect more people than ever around the world. True, in some places the infection rates are dropping slightly but they are more than offset by the sharp increases in new infections in Africa, China and Russia.