Recent projects

From 28-30 July 2003 the Family Planning Association (FPA) organized a workshop entitled “Orientation Meeting - Quality of Reproductive Health Care Program, Training and Self-Assessment tools". The goal was to improve the quality of reproductive health services in clients’ rights and needs of health providers. Five clinics from Moldova were selected to participate in this program (2 from Chisinau and other 3 from counties).

In August and September 2003 the activities of the clinic will be self-assessed. IPPF will provide funding and technical assistance and also will participate in monitoring and evaluation of the results.

The FPA is finishing the work on establishing the Youth Service Center in Calarasi. This center is part of the "Quality of Care" project. Already this autumn young people will have the possibility to visit the center. It will offer quality health services to all young people and will provide information on a healthy life style and safe sexual behavior through communication activities in schools, different seminars, debates, and information campaigns. The center will also distribute brochures, leaflets and other information materials. A group of volunteers will be involved in this activity. We hope that the Center will provide a friendly atmosphere for young people where they can go to seek advice, information and have open discussions.

As a result of the Family Planning Association’s project “Improving the national minorities’ access to qualitative health services", on July 17, 2003 a new health clinic in Soroca was officially opened. It is designed to offer qualitative services for Roma people of which Soroca has a large population. This Clinic was also selected for a "Quality of Care" project and will therefore follow international standards on quality of health services in its work.

Throughout the summer of 2003, the Family Planning Association’ volunteers have continued to do a lot of work in order to offer to young people information and to educate them on more safe sexual behavior.

The volunteers facilitated a series of seminars with the theme "Sexual Education" especially designed for disabled (deaf) young people. Seminars were held in Chisinau, Calarasi and Cahul during May and June. It was a new experience not only for the young people, but also for the volunteers, as they came to learn that in many cases the words are not as important as emotions, finding new ways to communicate and share experiences with each other. It was also important to learn that all people (whether disabled or not) need to know about their rights, sexuality, love, but also contraception, HIV and AIDS. We all confront the same problems. All these seminars were funded by UNFPA.

During July and August FPA volunteers were involved in youth summer camps throughout Moldova. This again was funded by the UNFPA project "Informed and protected 2003". In each summer camp a 4-day seminar was organized for young people of 12-16 years. All activities were interactive and some of the following themes were discussed: self-esteem, interpersonal communication, what is a value? and what are the personal values?, puberty, love and emotions, how to say "no"?, myths and truth about HIV and AIDS, how to use condoms. Volunteers also organized a role play "How does it feel to be a teenage parent?"

It was a good experience also for our volunteers because they met volunteers from other NGOs, who also participated in this project. This way they could share their experiences how to work better with young people. All these activities were made possible with logistic and financial support provided by UNFPA. Many thanks to them for their support.

Training courses and professional support

The reproductive and sexual health field brings together professionals from many areas of work including general practice, family planning, genito-urinary medicine, pregnancy counseling, HIV, and young people services. Although the areas of specialties differ, there are common concerns such as the impact of personal values, working with different cultural communities, communication about sex issues, and the promotion of reproductive and sexual well being.

Since 1994 FPAM training has covered a range of issues including refreshing of clinical skills of medical doctors working in the field of family planning, communication, psychological aspects of sex education, working with youth and unplanned pregnancy for professionals in sexual health field.

Consumer information leaflets and posters are an integral part of the FPAM's Information, Education and Communication program. The Association's core ranges of five leaflets are widely used as among professionals as population. The list of the leaflets printed by FPAM is following:

• "Unwanted pregnancy "
• "An agenda for teens"
• "STI's and AIDS. How to prevent"
• "Hormonal contraception"
• "To parents about teens sexuality"
• "Cool Condoms" & others

Posters:

• "From abortion to contraception"
• "Rights of clients"
• "The methods of contraception"
• "Stop AIDS"

Manuals & Books

"Manualul pentru Viata de Familie"
"Ghidul Viitoarei Mamei"
"Compendiul de Planificare a Familiei" and others

The FPAM's leaflets were distributed through Association's branches, family planning clinics/cabinets, health promotion departments in schools, among the participants of summer youth camp. FPAM publications are designed to meet high quality standards and all leaflets to population carry the principle of clarity of language and presentation.

See also:

• FPAM Projects Photo Gallery