"Prevention work works when everyone is on board!"

Portrait of a person

The WHO:

I'm originally from Burkina Faso. I have been living in Germany since 2007. I have been working as a social worker for 21 years, seven of them in Burkina Faso. In addition to a Master of Art in Social Work, I have a Master's degree in Psychology and am qualified as a youth leader for intercultural youth exchanges. During and after completing my studies in social work, I supported the AIDS service organization in Hamburg. I was employed full-time as the technical director of the health ambassadors. I have been a volunteer since March 2013.

I coordinated and supported the PaKoMi case study (participation and cooperation in HIV primary prevention) in Hamburg. Since then, I have also been working as a freelance trainer (basic seminar for migrants and, since 2019, in the pool of trainers for the basic qualification Orientation for Newcomers) for Deutsche Aidshilfe in Germany.

My work as a counsellor in the youth migration service within a federally funded counselling program at the AWO IntegrationsCenter Hamburg began in 2013, where I mainly worked with adolescents and young adults who have migration and refugee experiences in their biography. From there, I have now moved to Berlin and back to Aidshilfe.

I speak Mooré (mother tongue), French, German, English, Arabic (A1) and Spanish (B1).

The HOW:

As a specialist consultant for migration, it is a matter close to my heart to help ensure that the lifeworld, cultural, linguistic and professional knowledge of the target groups, communities and partner organizations is incorporated into the planning. This is the only way to ensure that prevention measures are tailored to specific target groups. The application of the AIDS concept of "structural prevention" is intended to combat exclusion and structural discrimination against migrants in Germany as well as everyday racism. AIDS service organizations bring migrants into the mainstream, giving them equal rights, acceptance and respect - and thus making them part of this society.

The PASSION:

I am delighted to be able to continue my passion for migration work here at DAH. Networking is particularly important to me. I am motivated and hope for new innovative ideas to creatively continue the success of the AIDS service organization's work.

(Picture: A. Oedraogo)