JASL has been a haven for many, but, like many other organisations around the world, has been rocked by the tempestuous waves of the global economic crisis.

Shortage of staff, lack of resources and lack of funding are a few of the problems Jarrett highlighted in a recent interview with The Gleaner. With three rented offices and other expenses piling up, Jarrett lamented the blow the crisis had dealt JASL.

Jarrett, who started at JASL as manager of finance and adminis-tration last January, moved up the ranks to executive director in November. She now has several accomplishments under her belt, including a peer influence programme where gay men are identified and trained to do intervention within their own group.

Better opportunities

Classes in mathematics, English and computing were instituted in September to increase literacy, and Jarrett said sex workers leave the streets at nights to attend classes, hoping for better opportunities.

JASL also has three clinics in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Kingston - and a library.

Jarrett has commended her staff for their outstanding work and says she could not have managed without them.

"I have a very supportive staff. They amaze me! They work without pay for months and then take their food from home to come and cook to make sure everybody has something to eat," she said.

Commenting further, the executive director told The Gleaner that though employees were sometimes called out to work in the wee hours of the morning, they always showed willingness.

Somebody to call

"That's when our clients call and need people to be there, when they are having side effects from their drugs and they just want somebody to call and cry to, we have to be there," she added.

Jarrett revealed that on numerous occasions the organisation has almost closed its doors because of funding woes, even as recently as four months ago.

However, despite the many hardships, Jarrett wants to take her movement to corporate Jamaica.

"I'd like to see JASL set up in every parish, every community. I am looking to expand the movement of JASL to get communities to take on the vision of providing care for their people who are living with HIV who are affected by it themselves," said an optimistic Jarrett.

kimesha.walters@gleanerjm.com