heks

Thousands of people from Latin America live in Switzerland without any authorisation to take up residence. Circumstances are difficult for these people without legal documents - known as «sans-papiers» - who have to cope with social isolation, a life lived in hiding, fear of deportation, and lack of job prospects.

The «flying counsellors» of the «Health promotion for sans-papiers» project are committed to helping the people from Latin America who are living in Switzerland, offering support with health issues, social security, employment law and the right to education.

Two Spanish and French-speaking counsellors travel around in Geneva on behalf of HEKS, regularly visiting places where Latin Americans meet. They approach the sans-papiers and offer three different types of counselling: one-on-one interviews; group meetings where everyday issues are discussed; opportunities to talk to external experts, most notably about family planning. The counsellors also support private initiatives started by those affected, such as drama groups which act out role plays designed to prevent the spread of AIDS.