CHOICE-HIV/AIDS Initiative organized First Comprehensive Workshop/Training/ Caring /Networking on HIV/AIDS in Mundgod Tibetan Settlement in South India from March 11 to 18, 2010.

CHOICE—HIV/AIDS Initiative, since its inception in April 2007, had conducted over 11O workshops in various Tibetan settlements and dwellings including Tibetan refugee camps, schools, colleges, Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), monasteries, nunneries, , sweater sellers, hospital, CTA staff, SFF army personals, and the PLHA(People living with HIV/AIDS).

In the recent years, CHOICE had also launched networking and caring of PLHA in various Tibetan settlements. It has successfully created network of PLHA in Bylakuppe last year and Mundgod this year. These networks are supported and coordinated by the regional hospital administrators, nurses, staff and the CHOICE members.

At present CHOICE have over 45 HIV+ patients under its care and network. Some are provided stipends, medical care and guidance, support in admission of children of PLHA in residential schools and also finding sponsors etc. It also endeavors to find sponsors and financial supports to all the poor and needy PLHA by launching a project, "Adopt an HIV Family" (family affected by HIV/AIDS).

Besides it also aims to provide further training on HIV/AIDS to various nurses and social activists through a reputed Indian Institutions on HIV/AIDS.

Beginning 11th of this month, CHOICE conducted its first ever comprehensive 9 daylong workshop/training/networking and caring of PLHA in Mundgod Tibetan Settlement. The CHOICE team conducting the workshops included HIV/AIDS trainer Phuntsok Chomphel, HIV patient/activist Norbu Damdul and resource person Mr. Lobsang Yeshi. Administrator Penpa Labrang and nurse Dhondup Tsomo of DTR Hospital also provided workshop and trainings.

The present workshop was hosted, arranged and coordinated by the Doeguling Welfare Officer Mr Dondup Palden and Administrator Penpa Labrang of DTR Hospital.

The present workshop was comprehensive in the sense that CHOICE conducted over 18 workshops on HIV/AIDS in the entire 9 camps, 3 school/hostels, nurses, monasteries, nunneries and PLHA. At the same time, training/orientation on HIV testing with latest one minute HIV testing INSTI kit to nurses from Hunsur, Kollegal, Bylakuppe and Mundgod was also conducted.

Meeting and creating a network of PLHA was carried out successfully with several HIV patients and their family being taken under CHOICE care and cases for admission of PLHA children in residential schools and finding sponsors for the same were documented. Besides several camps, HIV Testing was also carried out amongst nurses, Representative office staff, volunteers and PLHA family members. Several new HIV cases were also revealed among the PLHA families.

CHOICE's next comprehensive workshop would be organized in Mainpat Tibetan settlement in the coming months.

CHOICE extends its gratitude and appreciation to the Representative Dondup Palden and Administrator Penpa Labrang and Ms. Dhondup Tsomo (staff nurse) of DTR Hospital of Doegueling Tibetan Settlement in Mundgod for the support and hosting of this successful workshop.

We also acknowledge the all-round support being provided by Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dept of Health, CTA especially Health Minister Chope Paljor Tsering.