The Ripple Awards returns for its third installment this year to once again recognize movements and organizations that kept the HIV advocacy as timely and relevant amidst the challenging times.
This year we categorize this into three: Ripple of Inspiration, Ripple of Activation and Ripple of Innovation.
As we look back on the past Ripple Awards, the Ripple of Activation award intends to highlight and celebrate the groups who have continued the fight and carried on the advocacy work, resorting to creative and convenient ways to reach and respond to their clients and communities.
In 2019, the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter (FPOP-Iloilo) bagged the Ripple Awards as one of the “Organizations of the Year.” As the leading organization providing a variety of accessible family and sexual healthcare services in the Western Visayas region, FPOP-Iloilo has remained a reliable provider and partner in our continuous movement in the HIV advocacy.
In the same year, FPOP-Iloilo launched the Raising Awareness for Junior Advocates on HIV (RAJAH) community center, solely catering to raising HIV awareness through education, testing services, treatment, and prevention. Led by 2017 Ripple awardee Roberto Figuracion, Jr, the RAJAH community center, through the help of the Global Fund, the Department of Health CHD 6, UNICEF Philippines and the FPOP National Office, became a one-stop shop for HIV services, as a primary care facility in the region.
“The center now offers a myriad of services, covering the cascade of care for HIV, anchored on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Services, with a special lens on child protection and development,” shares Figuracion.
The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop FPOP-Iloilo from extending its much-needed services to the community. From utilizing its social media pages to educate and promote their advocacy campaigns, to door-to-door delivery of antiretroviral treatment (ART) medications and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to clients, FPOP-Iloilo adjusted its operations to continuously support their clients. On top of the family and reproductive health services they made available, FPOP-Iloilo never missed the opportunity to provide relief response to people with HIV (PLHIV) via the Rainbow Relief Response project, in partnership with Youth Voices Count Inc., and Frontline AIDS.
The Ripple Awards organization is certain that more organizations have continued on and even stepped up their game amidst the pandemic. These groups are worthy to be recognized and heard.
To nominate, visit bit.ly/RIPPLEAWARDS. The deadline for nominations will be on October 29, 2021.
Photo from the FPOP-Iloilo Facebook page.
