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Nurturing the links between neighbourhood responses and broader systems change
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Who we are > Associates

Associates

Biographical notes for associates of AFFIRM are shown below:

Ian Campbell, Co-ordinator of AFFIRM, UK
Ian Campbell Photo A father of three children (Claire, Matthew and Fiona), married to Alison, and a faith motivated facilitator who happens to be a medical doctor, sensitised to local community strength by the AIDS epidemic onset in Africa in the mid 80's. At the time I was leading the development of the Chikankata Hospital in the Mazabuka district in Zambia , and the 'home care to community change' link was discovered , forming a foundation for hope for national response that remains undiminished in me personally, and shared with many colleagues in all continents . The formation of regional and national facilitation teams from 1990 to help link local response to organisational change has been a vibrant preoccupation and intense learning experience.

Why AFFIRM?
It seems the right time to foster a post-organisational association with people and communities and countries and colleagues with a particular emphasis on supporting faith linked responses to HIV- connecting expanding local community expression with organisations that should be learning as well as acting , participating more than providing, facilitating more than supervising , and building teams of people who are qualified by local experience rather than just academic expertise.
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Sue Lucas
Sue Lucas Photo I have been working with HIV and NGOs for many years, as staff member of NGOs, as co-ordinator of the UK NGO AIDS Consortium, then freelance for several years. I’ve worked in Africa, and lived in Kenya and Somaliland as well as lots of short work and family trips to many countries in Africa. As a core group member for AFFIRM, I have been working on communications, keeping in touch with associates and affiliates and trying to keep the core group in touch with each other. Recently, though I have been more involved with being a mother and grandmother than with emails, websites and computers.


Why AFFIRM?
I believe that change at community level is an essential part of responding to the challenge of HIV - and it is an extraordinary experience to be part of facilitating such change to happen. AFFIRM is both a link to many people with a similar belief in community change, and a chance to be actively involved in learning and participating in change.
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David M.A. Evans PhD
David M.A. Evans PhD Photo David Evans was a molecular biologist in his first career spending some time working on HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. He joined Tearfund UK in 1993 as their first HIV/AIDS Advisor. He left Tearfund in 2003 to become a freelance development consultant specialising in HIV/AIDS work, evaluation and with a specific interest in the role of the church in development. More recent involvements include a spell as the Director of the newly launched Tutu Foundation UK www.tutufoundationuk.org. David is married to Claire. They live with their three teenage children in central London. David has co-authored two books the more recent of which is Making Space For Strangers published by IVP.

Why AFFIRM?
The approach which AFFIRM has adopted in building people's capacity to respond positively to their circumstances and in accompanying them as they make those responses is the most authentic and sustainable approach I have encountered.
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Alison Campbell
Alison Campbell Photo I’m Alison.

I’m a person who is most alive in relationship with others. My background is community development, and social sciences in relation to development issues. During the past 20 years I have been in homes and neighbourhoods in every region of the world, and in some of the poorest communities in the world. I believe that God’s image and presence is found in community as well as in persons.


Why AFFIRM?
Connection is increasingly important in the world as it is. We want to demonstrate and work from a basis of connection which is beyond organizational labels, and so we are an association of interested people. We are trying to be consistent in our practice of looking for strengths in others, and bridging strength to strength.
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Gillian Paterson PhD.
Gillian Paterson PhD. Photo I am a freelance consultant, researcher and writer. Having worked for the British development agency Christian Aid on health and development in Sub-Saharan Africa, my recent partners include Christian Aid, UNAIDS, WCC, EAA, the International AIDS Society, and Norsk Misjons Bistandsnemndn. Recent publications in include Women in the Time of AIDS (Orbis Books), AIDS Related Stigma: Thinking Outside the Box (EAA & WCC), and Church Leadership and HIV Prevention (EAA), plus various articles and chapters. My doctoral thesis was on AIDS related stigma as an issue for Christian theology and ethics. I am a grandmother, a Catholic, I live in North London , and in this photo I am doing what I love doing best, but hardly ever have time for. I find that AFFIRM offers key insights on the interface between HIV and Christian theology, and an opportunity to relate grassroots insights to those that are coming from theological faculties and seminaries.
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Robin Rader
Robin Rader Photo I am a facilitator of facilitators. I am not often out facilitating community processes. I prefer to be behind the scenes, connecting and resourcing. Most of the knowledge that I use I got the Gracie Allen way, as I had to do stuff when I didn’t know what I was doing! One of those experiences was when I helped facilitate a re-structuring workshop for what is now the Churches Health Association of Zambia. The key attitude of doing WITH people instead of FOR them is an ongoing struggle for me. I just taught an elective to Salvation Army cadets (community based pastors in training) on Total Transformation: possibilities for Christian community development. The heart and soul of it was a SALT visit* to Newark Urban Ministries in New Jersey . That’s what keeps us real.


Why AFFIRM?
There are so many forces that work against being human, against simply relating and working in a human way. Ironically these forces abound in the helping professions. It is more than a privilege – it is a lifeline – to be part of AFFIRM.

*SALT: Our approach is rooted in the concepts of ‘human capacity development’, ‘local response’, ‘AIDS competence’ and ‘facilitation teams’. We have implemented this approach through what have come to be known as ‘SALT’ teams, which practice support and stimulation, appreciation, learning from local experience, team development and the transfer of knowledge, vision and direction. For more, see the SALT method guide.
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Claire Campbell
Claire Campbel Photo Answering a question about who you are is never easy. Many and varied are the things which make a person who they are. And, like a person him/herself, are constantly changing. I believe that no person or situation is ever static. They are in constant motion; affected by all contextual factors and events both within and outside of an individual's control. Within this dynamic interchange, the relationships between people are the component which keeps all things together and flowing. The relationships we have bring out our strengths and weaknesses. They can both help and hinder us. The people and relationships that have shaped my life have demonstrated that when you believe in each other and a God of grace, all things are possible.


Why AFFIRM?
I see Affirm as an avenue for working in relationship on a mutual journey of discovering each others strengths for change.
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Dusit Duangsa
Dusit Duangsa  Photo I am a father of 2 sons, and a lecturer at Chang Mai University in Thailand. I have worked on a number of social issues including migration, prostitution, child labour, child trafficking, community development, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), non-formal education and vocational training, and HIV/AIDS. I co-founded the AIDS Education Programme (AEP) at the university, and have used it as the channel to work closely with communities, civil society movement, and other organizations at local and international levels. I have learned a great deal from these experiences. I am also working with the Constellation for AIDS Competence to promote AIDS competence and life competence, which I believe go together like two sides of the same coin.

Why AFFIRM?
To take part in this meaningful and exciting journey of life and learning.
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Usa Duongsaa
Usa Duongsaa Photo I started to work on HIV/AIDS in the hope of helping to make the world a safer place for my 2 sons. However, I have continued to work on the issue during the past 15 years because I am inspired by the people and the communities who have taught me that HIV/AIDS is actually about love, and about life. Apart from teaching at Chiangmai University (in Chiangmai, Thailand), I am also working on HIV/AIDS and related issues with a number of organizations and movements, particularly the AIDS Education Programme (AEP), the Constellation for AIDS Competence, the Positive Learning working Group (PLWG), the Coalition for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS (CCABA), the Asian Harm Reduction Network (AHRN) and the Health and Development Network (HDN). I still hope that --by working, learning, and sharing together-- we can make the world a safer and better place for everyone.

Why AFFIRM?
I have been intrigued and inspired by human capacity for response and would like to continue exploring and understanding more about the approach and its application, with other people who believe in the approach and have more experiences.Return to top

 

Rachel McIlroy, Associate, USA
Rachel McIlroy PhotoI am a member of the Affirm family based in the United States, with long-standing and humbling ties to teammates and community processes located around the globe, from whom I never stop learning, growing and finding love and refreshment.  I have worked on the technical expertise side of projects and responses for fifteen years, but I am also a person who believes in this paradigm and framework as the way forward with all my being based on that experience.
The Affirm approach has reinforced within me, my belief in the capacities and potential of people no matter what they are caught up in, and my belief that there is a spiritual source and basis to all human and social relationships.

Why AFFIRM?
There is much conceptual consensus in the humanitarian, peace building and international development communities that community engagement, participation, and ‘listening’ are critical to effective and sustainable responses.  Yet, how do you engage with the community in an authentic way without agenda, how do you approach and enable local resources and strengths, how do you care and support action in non-intrusive ways, and how do you listen and what do you listen to?  Human Capacity Development for Response is about action, it’s about practical application. It is a proved and disciplined methodology that is more effective than any other approach I have experienced. 
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Elvis Simamvwa, Associate, Zambia
Elvis Simamvwa PhotoI have really been involved in the development of NGOs whose quest has been to make people realize they have capacities which, through faith, could give them ownership of their health.

Why AFFIRM?
I love working with like-minded people.


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April Foster, Associate, Kenya
April Foster PhotoI have extensive experience in HIV and AIDS community development programmes, with a focus on integrated community care and change responses, including work with orphans and vulnerable children, and a particular interest in community documentation and measurement. Partnership experience at regional and international levels with a focus on transfer of a human capacity development / facilitation team approach for community and organizational change. A particular strength and interest in the role of faith-based organizations in the response to HIV and AIDS. Education includes a Master’s as a Learning Consultant.

Why AFFIRM?
AFFIRM is the expression of the journey of so many of us over the years. A deep conviction about the need to accompany and belong to each other – to see strength in people instead of weakness – to be learners instead of experts. I feel privileged to be part of that journey in these days with AFFIRM and all those connected to it.
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Meble Vilika Birengo, Associate, Kenya
Meble Vilika Birengo PhotoI am a Kenyan citizen with extensive experience in HIV/AIDS community development programmes with a focus on integrated community care and change responses with specific strength for work with youth and children. I have nine years experience in programme design, strategic planning, project management, mentoring processes, creative ministries, participatory documentation and measurement, baseline surveys, and facilitation team development at regional and international levels. Principles that have influenced my experience are based on the belief in the strengths of communities and people to respond. This enables a systematic transfer of a human capacity development / facilitation team approach for community and organizational change.

Why AFFIRM?
I am affiliated with AFFIRM because of the principles articulated, and the opportunities for further transfer of this approach.
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Sima Barmania, Associate, UK
Sima Barmania Photo I am a Medical Doctor from London, with an intercalated degree in Community Health Sciences and more recently a Masters in Public Health from The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I am fervent and committed to issues of global health, motivated by faith yet inspired by people.


Why AFFIRM?
AFFIRM’s belief in the potential of Human Capacity Development is an approach I sincerely respect and value. It empowers the individual as well as the community and I am very honoured to be part of the AFFIRM team.
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Alma Acub, Associate, Manila
Alma Acub Photo My experience in working with communities was initially shaped by my involvement as a registered nurse in a small clinic way back in 1995 in an urban village in Manila, Philippines. For 10 years, I have been involved in HIV/AIDS work, facilitating and working with churches and communities. I am still in the journey of facilitating human capacity development for responding to issues that face them everyday. When we believe in the strength that people have, and we go alongside with them, it will truly effect change and stir faith and hope for better homes and communities.


Why AFFIRM?
I feel connected, as it is a community of people with similar practice in believing in the human capacity for response. In this way, there is so much avenue to learn from each other and share experiences that will deepen my faith in practice.
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