Maverick of Health, Ramona Williams
Behaviour Change Communication Officer
Photography by Jik-Reuben Pringle.
Maverick of Health, Ramona Williams’ purpose is helping to educate and empower people about their sexual and reproductive health. Working as a Behaviour Change Communication Officer in the St. Mary Health Department, Ramona and her team create and deliver programmes and initiatives to support adults, adolescents, out-of-school youth, sex workers, the LGBTQIA+ community, children from state-care homes and prisoners in Jamaica.
You are a Behaviour Change Communication Officer at St. Mary Health Department in Jamaica; please talk us through your role. What do you do on a day-to-day?
My day-to-day role includes supervising my team of Community Peer Educators. I currently have eight CPEs responsible for (Gayle, Port Maria, Highgate, and Annotto Bay). Throughout each health district collectively, we provide services such as sexual and reproductive health sessions, and voluntary counselling and testing.
What do you love about the work that you do?
I love being able to interact with people, especially youth and adolescents, create relationships and networking with other agencies to help educate and empower people about their sexual and reproductive health.
What was the catalyst that inspired you to pursue this type of career?
A very close friend who was already in the field of Guidance Counselling helped guide me in the decision to pursue this career, and it was at that point that I decided to apply to The Mico University College to pursue my Teaching Diploma and bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counselling.
What are the challenges that you face?
The major challenge faced is not having a mobile unit specifically for the HIV Prevention Team. As a result, we lose out on engaging in community activities that can increase our testing uptake and sexual education initiatives.
What support do you believe is needed to improve sexual education in Jamaica?
We need a comprehensive sexual education curriculum within schools and a mobile unit to provide access to healthcare, especially for the youth and adolescents.
What are some of the initiatives that you and your team have implemented?
We have implemented same-day testing, Community Sweeps, and Social Media Engagement, using our platforms on Instagram and Facebook to reach our target groups.
What would you consider your most outstanding achievement in your career so far?
I have completed my Master of Arts (M.A. degree) in Communication for Social and Behaviour Change with the assistance of a Marcus Garvey Public Sector Graduate Scholarship, granted by the MOFPS. This journey began during Covid-19, a crucial time for public sector workers. Albeit, God would have had it in his plan that despite the challenges and increased demand; I was able to balance both work and school and complete my studies.
You offer support in your daily working life to adults, adolescents, in and out-of-school youth, sex workers, the LGBTQIA+ community, children from state-care homes, and prisoners in Jamaica, how do you recharge after doing such intense work?
Throughout the week, I try to unwind when I get home by listening to soothing music, watching movies, attending church, and spending quality time with family and friends. In addition, once or twice a month, I do my massages, facials, spa manicures, and pedicures. Travelling is one of my most treasured ways to recharge, and in doing so I can see the world and learn new cultures. My passion for travelling allows even better insight into helping others.
Interview by Sherry Collins.
