"The Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention is a community-based, non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing health promotion, support, education and advocacy in a non-discriminatory manner for those who identify as South Asian living with and affected by HIV/AIDS."
It is an afternoon 10 years ago. Doug Stewart from ACT calls to talk about one of his clients who is HIV+. Like myself the client is from Sri Lanka, so Karim Ladak, whom Doug first contacted, has suggested that Doug call me.
The client's wife has recently died of AIDS. His family is pressuring him to marry his late wife's sister. He dares not tell them she died of AIDS and he too is infected. He speaks very little English and wants to tell his story to someone who can understand his language and his situation.
I arrange a meeting of some South Asian queer activists at ACT (AIDS Committee of Toronto) and invite Dr. Christine Selvadurai (mother of author Shyam Selvadurai). The group decides that there is a need to support not only Doug Stewart's efforts to assist his client, but any other South Asian infected with or affected by AIDS. And so the 'South Asian AIDS Coalition is born'. Later it becomes the 'Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention' (ASAAP). This acronym ASAAP signifies that this work must be done As Soon As Possible.
What of the Sri Lankan gentleman? He passed away some months later. But ASAAP, the organization which began because he was in need of support, continues to work in preventative education and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Sharmini Fernando is a health and human rights consultant, community worker, and a founding member & ex-Board member of ASAAP. She has recently done AIDS education work in Sri Lanka.
