GTP+- Group for Posithive Prevention Activites

The day we met Sir Cliff!

Tuesday the 4th March 2008 was definitely a day to remember at GTP+, a HIV/AIDS prevention NGO run for and by people living with the HIV virus, based in Recife, Brazil. After weeks of preparation with theatre rehearsals, re-organising rooms, practising speeches and fixing toilets the day had come. The coach arrived and everybody gathered round in curious anticipation to welcome Sir Cliff Richard and the BBC to GTP+.

Sir Cliff, being a representative of the charity Tearfund, had come to visit Brazil, Tearfund´s partner NGO, Diaconia, and to film a documentary for ´Songs of Praise´, a UK Sunday evening TV programme. As GTP+ are linked within the partner network of Diaconia a special visit was scheduled into Sir Cliff´s agenda.

After a series of bi-lingual translated introductions everybody became seated in the main room and the theatre show began. To the background music of Sir Cliff’s popular hit `Living Doll´ and everyone clapping along, Marcus and Dino performed a cheeky, comedy dance sketch which raised more than a few smiles.

This smoothly transcended into their prevention based theatre performance of ´Maria Bonita and Lampião in the time of AIDS´.

The performance uses comedy, dance and crowd participation to focus on the themes of sexual health, reproduction and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Afterwards, Marcos, a founder member and theatre group co-ordinator, and Dino, a theatre group member and GTP+´ financial coordinator, both gave speeches about their experiences living with HIV and their time working with GTP+.
 

Marcos and Dino perform their version of ´Living Doll´to Sir Cliff and his team

Marcos as Maria Bonita


Sir Cliff, Marcos, Dino and theatre puppets

Wladimir presents the work of GTP+ to the room

Sir Cliff and the ´Solidarity Kitchen´ team


Sir Cliff and Emma Arnold

Article By Emma Arnold – Cooperant of GTP+ and International Service (UNAIS)
All Photos taken by staff at GTP+

This was then followed by Diaconia giving a small welcoming talk to the room and thanking GTP+ for their warm hospitality. Following this, Wladimir, the General Co-ordinator of GTP+, gave a PowerPoint presentation on GTP+ explaining the various projects and political actions GTP+ have achieved in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention since their beginnings in the year 2000.

Freshly made juices with coffee and a selection of fruits were then served by the ´Solidarity Kitchen´ project, providing an opportunity to chat and take photos. Even though Sir Cliff admitted he could only speak a few words of Portuguese he chatted freely with everyone and even sung a couple of lines of ´Summer Holiday´ with a few dance moves thrown in.

The BBC filmed interviews with some of the members of GTP+ and then all were shown round the premises and introduced to the ´Solidarity Kitchen´ team who put their busy cooking on hold to chat away with the visitors and take photos. The ´Solidarity Kitchen´ is a catering project set up by people living with HIV and which is based within the headquarters of GTP+ providing lunches to the public and free meals for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Sir Cliff Richards´ personal biographer, Penny, chatted away to the kitchen staff whilst sampling their famous ´Sucos do GTP+´; a mixture of fresh pineapple, hortela, maracaju, folha de couve and lime. This is a refreshing recipe which is particularly beneficial for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Finally Sir Cliff was presented by GTP+ with one of their theatre puppet dolls, which, although is about the size of a small child served to keep as a rather unique token of memorabilia. Alfredo, one of GTP+´ long-time serving members and a professional artisan, explained to Sir Cliff and the BBC crew how he had made the doll and his thoughts on the importance of theatre in the world of HIV/AIDS prevention work in Brazil.

After smiles and goodbyes the celebrity party left and with spirits high at GTP+ we were all left to wonder whether Sir Cliff would literally manage to get his ´living doll´ puppet through customs or not!