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Richenella Dirks started at FPA as an intern over ten years ago

Story

Providing information and contraceptive care to young people

For over fifteen years FPA has worked in partnership with one of the largest secondary schools on the island. The FPA team visits the school on a monthly basis to provide guidance, counseling, and con...

Accessibility to information and contraceptives has always been a priority for Famia Planea Aruba (FPA), whether through the office, delivery service, or in schools. 

For over fifteen years FPA has worked in partnership with one of the largest secondary schools on the island. The FPA team visits the school on a monthly basis to provide guidance, counseling, and contraceptive care to students and to help ensure they stay in school to complete their education. 

“One of my first experiences providing comprehensive sex education, with FPA was at the EPB School during my education as a social worker, many years later I still very much enjoy this”, says Richenella, FPA’s Finance and IEC support staff.

Richenella Dirks
Richenella started at FPA as an intern over ten years ago, before taking on a permanent position.
Sadie is a student at the EPB School, where FPA visits regularly. Sadie enjoys the convenience of having FPA provide healthcare and counselling at her school.

FPA’s client is at the heart of its healthcare provision. FPA staff work with students to build trust and ensure they feel safe to talk openly. This helps to provide a sense of consistency for the student, as well as efficiency for the team being familiar with specific students and cases. They are better able to notice if something changes, and if a student needs a referral to a medical doctor or other organization for additional treatment.

“The consultations are always fun; you get a change of scenery by stepping out of the office. Over the years you see so many faces and still, somehow you manage to remember most of them. After just a few visits you can start to build a profile of most students, you can start to tell who the class clown is, the Mister Popular, the shy one, the loud one, and the one who just wants to take his time to avoid going back to class”, Richenella laughs.

 

when

country

Aruba

region

Americas & the Caribbean

Subject

Contraception, Gynaecological, HIV and STIs

Related Member Association

Foundation for the Promotion of Responsible Parenthood - Aruba