CLUB GENESIS (CG)

About CG

Club Genesis (CG) is a support group for people living with HIV running under the auspices of Action for Aids. It was started by a group of dedicated positive and negative individuals within the gay and lesbian community who saw the need a support network to help those newly diagnosed and also dying of AIDS related diseases. Now CG is a peer-facilitated support group that meets once a month. It is a drop-in support group that accommodates MSM individuals who have been infected with HIV.

CG is a place that:

• People can share common experiences and difficulties
• Group members can give and receive support
• Relieve stress – by talking about particular concerns, issues or situations, or even by obtaining useful information.
• It provides an opportunity for people to connect with each other and share similar problems and experiences – a vital part of the human condition
• Facilitate and enable expression and sharing of feelings
• Learning different ways of coping
• Nurture and build members by providing emotional support.
• Gaining insight into one’s self
• Seeing HIV-positive people who are well and coping with their lives hence serving as a model to others
• Expose members to accurate information regarding HIV and A IDS as well as related topics.
• Understanding different issues experienced by members of the group
• HIV-positive group members can be in a place where they feel accepted
• Prepare members to be comfortable with disclosure beyond the Support, for example, to spouse, family, or colleague.
• Educate members in terms of their human and legal rights regarding living with HIV and AIDS, especially in the Singapore context.
• Help prevent the increase of HIV infection.
• Encourage a sense of hope.
• Promote positive living.
• Build confidence and self-esteem to deal with issues and situations.

It is recognised that CG is by closed membership and only open to those infected with HIV. The purpose is to protect the privacy and confidentiality of its members. To this end, before any member is admitted to CG, they are required to read and sign a confidentiality agreement and to abide by a set of rules of membership and to as best of their abilities prescribe in a code of conduct as set in the membership application form.

CLUB GENESIS PROGRAMMES

CG Monthly Meeting-

This monthly meetings is open to anyone HIV positive. The main purpose is to provide general HIV information sharing and social meeting of HIV Positive MSM members. Many members feel alone in their fight with HIV. By coming to our monthly meeting, they know they are not alone. Plus is also a sharing session where each member would introduce themselves and update the group on their health status. This way one can share their experiences with each other on how they are coping with living with HIV at various stages of the infection. The group also covers informative subject matters which included disclosure, legal issues (especially with regards to the Infectious Diseases Act), new anti-retroviral (ARV) medication and areas concerning health which are of interest to members. The average attendance for each meeting is about 30 members.

Topics generally discussed at CG Monthly Meetings

Weekly cell group programme

CG started a weekly cell for newly diagnosed individual catering to information, acceptance of being positive and coping with HIV in August 2005. Since then, we have seen a steady batch of weekly cell programmes. The programme specifically designed for newly diagnosed individuals is a 10 session programme. Members are able to share about their fears while learning about the basics of HIV and how to keep themselves and those around them safe. This weekly meetings facilitated by trained HIV positive facilitators allows members to talk about issues that matter to them in relation to HIV care and support, family and relationships, sexuality, disclosure, medication, nutrition, finance and HIV law. The size of the group is not more than 8 people including the facilitator. For those interested to join the cell programme please do contact CG.

Buddie programme

This programme is meant to introduce more experienced CG members to help, counsel and befriend other HIV positive individuals. Many of the people in the buddy programme do not attend either the weekly or monthly meetings for varied reasons. Therefore the buddy programme is essential for these PWA’s to talk to someone who understand the illness and the challenges that are associated with it. CG provides help to those looking for someone to talk to and also to help in their first CDC appointment.

Email/SMS updates

This service for members to get up to date and important information on HIV related issues, medical breakthroughs, new AVR medication available in SG and CG related activities. Some members have no internet or email access and depend on sms updates. Other prefer to have email updates only and keep their hp phone line private. For more information on this please email club.genesis@afa.org.sg or sms 97927861 for more info. Please note that all correspondence will be kept in the strictest of confidence.

CG Yahoo Groups

In 2007, CG started a yahoo groups for its members to get updated on HIV news, CG events and related activities. The yahoo calendar is used to update CG members of upcoming events like the CG gatherings, our special gathering for Chinese New Year parties and Christmas parties etc, special outings, volunteer opportunities in AfA, job opportunities with business that are HIV friendly, monthly meetings and cell programmes. This yahoo groups is strictly for CG members only and will require authentication before joining the groups. (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/club_genesis/ )

Medical subsidy

For those CG members taking anti-retro viral medication (ARV drugs) medication, and not receiving medical subsidies from any other organisation (including CDC, Christian organizations, Malay organisations, Buddhist organisations etc), you are eligible to apply for a medical subsidy of $600 per quarter from Action for AIDS. Please note that your medical prescription for the ARV is necessary for the application. For more information regarding this subsidy please do call AfA at 62540212 for an application form. (Application for this subsidy is subject to conditions).

For more information, please contact CG at 62540212(AfA offices. Leave a message for CG) or sms/call 97927861 or email club.genesis@afa.org.sg . All correspondence will be kept in the strictest of confidence.