Horace Newman (left) and Marlon Kelsey, taxi peer counsellors from Manchester, look through a booklet on HIV/AIDS. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer Keisha Shakespeare Blackmore, Staff Reporter
The regional STI/HIV/AIDS co-ordinator, Audrey Brown, in 2003, carried out a study among 500 taxi drivers in five parishes to find out the level of knowledge, perception of risk and the behaviour of taxi drivers in relation to HIV, and whether it placed them at risk for that and other sexually transmitted infections.
The study proved that taxi drivers meet many people and engage in meaningful discussions; they can give advice to passengers because they listen, they get to hear conversations that they would not normally hear, and they are their own bosses to some extent.
As it relates to the taxi driver-school girl liaisons, it was found out that schoolgirls are less emotionally and financially challenging, there was an increase in demand for transportation amounting to increased opportunities for both groups to come in close contact. Also, men are attracted to 'virgin' territory, condoms were used mostly to avoid pregnancy and to a lesser extent to prevent STIs. Drivers reported making regular stops for schoolgirls who want to buy emergency contraceptive pills.
The research suggested that some taxi drivers are having sex with some schoolgirls due to:
1. Easy access.
2. Costs of maintaining them is low and they are less insistent on strong cash.
3. Many need money.
4. Peer pressure from girls and drivers.
5. Drivers are targeted by school girls.
6. Encouragements from parents.
After careful evaluation and assessment the taxi peer counsellorprogramme was born. The objective was to: increase knowledge of STIs and HIV among selected taxi drivers; to train them to be able to counsel and educate their peers and passengers, especially schoolgirls about their risk-taking behaviour; and to educate their peers about the Childcare and Protection Act and how it will impacton drivers who have sex with underage schoolgirls. These drivers are easily identified because they wear a shirt and cap with a logo.
Meet Clarendon Taxi Peer Counsellors
In Clarendon there are 18 taxi peer counsellors but Flair spoke with four. They have been a part of the programme since last May.
Bonito Ellis
Bonito Ellis, peer counsellor from Clarendon, notes that adults are more receptive to information being shared about HIV/AIDS. - PHOTOS BY Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer
Bonito Ellis is 32 years old and operates on the Frankfield via Cave Valley route in Clarendon. He has been in the taxi business for the past six years. He went into the business that was a tradition among his friends over the years. He was introduced to the programme and invited to training.
At the training, he learnt about HIV/AIDS, the correct way to use a condom, and how to interact and impart information he received. He said the response has been good but he finds adults more receptive. "The 'schoolers' pretend to be saints but some will take the flyers. We don't encourage youngsters to engage in sexual activities so we advise them to abstain." However, he added that some are already sexually active so he will give them condoms.
For him, the most challenging passenger he has met so far is a young man whom he tried to reason with and give condoms. "He refused to take them, he said AIDS was in the condoms." But, Mr. Ellis did not give up on him, " Every time I see him, I talk to him and he is coming around slowly."
Terrence Bent
Terrence Bent clad in his uniform and ready to hit the road. - PHOTOS BY Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer
For Terrence Bent, life begins at 40. All his hard work as a young man is now paying off and he can relax and enjoy the fruits of his labour.
The 41-year-old taxi driver is a very jovial and talkative character who has been in the business since 1994. He operates on the May Pen to Banks route. He was one of the two drivers recruited by health representatives Beverley Samuels and Ethlyn McKenzie to be a part of the programme.
Being a taxi peer counsellor gives him great joy. He especially loves the uniform and the respect he receives not only from other taxi operators but also from passengers when he's clad in it. "You see, the logo on our shirt and cap draws people's attention. They want to find out what it is all about and this helps me to easily get my message across," he said with a smile.
Mr. Bent is excited about the programme because he loves to interact with people. In fact, that is one of the reasons he got into the taxi business after he was made redundant from his previous job. He said the programme allows him to talk to both the young and old about safe sex. But some individuals are a bit difficult. Many, he said are reluctant to use a condom. "Some say they don't use it because they prefer 'bare back' and that condoms are not safe, they can burst. Others say that the AIDS virus is in the condoms and they 'white' people made condoms with it to wipe out the 'black' race."
Mr. Bent assures his passengers that that is not true and condoms are safe and will protect them from the disease. He also distributes many condoms to females and tells them to protect themselves and avoid sex without one. "Women are more conscious than the men because when I give them condoms, they gladly accept them."
Percival Rodney
Pervical Rodney cracks a smile as he talks about his experience in the programme.
Percival Rodney has been a laid-back, always smiling taxi operator for the past five years.
For him, becoming a taxi driver was all about the girls, the car and the 'hype'. He was studying to become a mason but issues with the teacher made him quit.At the time, taxi service was the easiest thing to do. He was young, had girls on his mind, so he thought why not start running a taxi? The upside of it was, "girls would be all over me," he said.
Rodney, now 28, has matured over the years and no more is it all about the girls, he has a clearer outlook on life. He has been in the taxi peer programme since last May. He notes that when Ms. Jacqueline Whyte from the Regional Health Authority introduced him to the programme he did not have a clue what it was all about. But, he went to the meeting anyway. He went into the programme with preconceived beliefs that sex with a virgin could cure HIV/AIDS. However, post-training, his misconceptions have cleared and he now has a better knowledge of the virus and other STIs.
It was no walk in the park because some people were a bit difficult. They refused to take the condoms saying they can burst. But, he insisted that condoms are from the Ministry of Health and it is in their best interest to protect themselves. Through his persistence, they have been responding more positively. "They even call me asking for condoms now."
He now feels he is playing an important role in society. "I just wish the other parishes will get on board."
James Powell
Taxi peer counsellor, James Powell.
Last year, James Powell's life changed when he became a taxi peer counsellor. At first he was hesitant to be part of the programme, but he warmed up to the idea after he went to training.
Powell, 33, has been a taxi operator for the past six years on the May Pen to Rocky route. After high school, he assisted his mother in her shop.
Last year, Ms. Beverley Samuels approached him to be a part o the programme but he was hesitant. "Taking time out my day seemed kind of hard. But, she explained that I would learn a lot about HIV/AIDS so I decided to go and have learnt so much about HIV and other STIs that may not be popular but can be just as deadly."Counselling is not done daily but whenever he can. His strategy is is to join in when passengers start a conversion. He corrects them when they say things that are false. When he initiates the conversion, passengers often do not want to participate. " I don't force them because I operate in an environment of ignorance so I don't push, I just remind them that the information is for their own good."
MANCHESTER
The team from Manchester has been a part of the programme since June 2005.
Stafford Williams
Stafford Williams, taxi peer counsellor from Manchester, has been a taxi operator since 1975. He says he loves to counsel people but is not so fond of interacting with the youngsters.
At 69 years old, Stafford Williams is not bothered by his age. He enjoys his time on the road and with his added job, he is even more ecstatic.
Known to others as 'Bush' he has been driving since he was 24 years old. He joined the programme in June 2005 after Moureen Swaby introduced it to him. It is going well; he meets many people and gets the opportunity to discuss safe sex. He also demonstrates proper condom use because some people do not know how to put it on properly.
His major challenges is that some people do not take him or the information seriously. However, he is reassured when he comes across intelligent people who respond positively. Mr. Williams prefers to deal with adults and is adamant that he is not into counselling students under 17 because they are jokers. "Schoolers don't have any manners so I don't deal with them. And moreover, they need to be attending to their books and not sex." He added that the programme is a good imitative and has taught him a lot.
Horace Newman
Horace Newman says when he first entered the programme two years ago it was hard relating to his passengers, but over time it has become much easier.
At first Horace Newman had many challenges as a taxi peer counsellor. His buddies teased and mocked him. But, recently they have been coming around.
Newman notes that a girl in his community died from HIV/AIDS so many people are now listening to him and taking the condoms. He said most women are coming to him for the condoms, they say that they cannot trust their husbands and boyfriends so they have to protect themselves. He added that before the programme, his wife was not into using condoms but since he became a peer counsellor she started using it.
The 39-year-old driver is contracted to carry the school children so he only gives them booklets because they advocate that the children abstain. He also gives his 15-year-old son the booklets to read so he can learn more about HIV. Whenever he interacts with adults, he gives out both booklet and condoms. He further stated that he has learnt so much through the programme and is happy to be involved.
Marlon Kelsey
Marlon Kelsey, taxi peer counsellor from Manchester, says he just loves to be a part of the programme and to educate others about HIV/AIDS.
Marlon Kelsey is a community-oriented person who always seeks to assist his community Trinity, Porus, in any way he can. Five years ago he saw that the children in his district had a hard time getting transportation to school. He decided to go into the public transportation business.
His route is from Porus to Mandeville and along with a fellow driver he was approached by Damion Sinclair, health authority representative to join the programme. He was a bit nervous going to the first session because, "I didn't know what to expect. But after I went, I realised it was simple because I already knew something about HIV. I just received added information," said Kelsey.
On his first time in his uniform, people were defensive. They did not want to discuss HIV/AIDS, they said they did not have AIDS so they did not want to know anything about it. Other taxi drivers made fun of the programme and teased, him saying he is walking around with "silver bells" (condoms) and not getting anything. As challenging as it was at first, he has found a way get people to listen to him. He starts on a friendly note then subtly strikes up a discussion about sex then gradually adds information about HIV/AIDS. Currently, individuals are responding positively and no longer find it as a joke.
"I warn them that it is hard to tell who has the virus, and as such they need to take the necessary precaution."
Keisha.shakespeare@gleanerjm.com
