Night HIV testing at Rodeo street party.

Special thanks to GT&T, the Takutu Hotel, and all the volunteers for supporting this year's Rodeo VCT promotion.
Congratulations to John Pedro for being drawn as the lucky winner of an internet-ready smart phone from GT+T. His number was pulled randomly from among many dozens of participants who came out to know their status and take steps to reduce their vulnerability to HIV. The drawing was held on stage at the Rupununi Rodeo beauty pageant at the Takutu hotel Friday night in Lethem in front of a massive crowd.

Pictured here are the RAM mobile clinic tents - all three of which were continuously occupied with clients and councilors right up to the drawing time. These horses were tied up by the local cowboys or 'vaqueros' who rode in to celebrate at the annual festival which draws visitors from across Guyana and abroad.

During the three-day promotion, two new HIV positive clients were diagnosed. RAM councilors go beyond their conventional mandate and are working with all positive clients to adjust to living with the virus and to help access the clinical and treatment services that do reach the remote areas through the Ministry of Health.