World AIDS Day Events @ Mnazi

 

On Tuesday November 29, we taught HIV/AIDS lessons to students at Mnazi Primary School. 

The student choir  performed a few songs with excellent dance moves. After we held a question and answer session for teachers and students.  

We finished the afternoon with a local arts group singing and dancing to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.  

On Wednesday November 30, we traveled to Langatandoia Primary School, several miles from my village center. 

Local villagers who reside near the school were invited to watch the students perform and listen to the Doctors lesson. We were all amazed with the performances these young students created to share with us.  They demonstrated the Elephants and Lion game, a short drama about stigma, and sang several songs.  

Because they taught us through several arts examples we chose to change the lesson to a session based on asking them questions about HIV/AIDS.  Students were very excited to receive Si Mchezo magazines for their correct answers. The day ended with the local adult arts group performing.

 

On Thursday December 1, we began the day at 5:30am, by prepping foods for our nutrition lesson. 

The official testing events began around 10 am. 

The students from both primary schools performed for a crowd of over 500.  

Doctor Wema announced that testing was open and all the local leaders at the high table entered the clinic for an HIV test.  

Within a few short hours we used all 50 testing kits that were provided by the district. 

a Big THANK YOU to Serendipity Endeavors of Livonia, NY for providing red ribbons for Mnazi World AIDS Day events. Everyone that attended and assisted with the testing day received a red ribbon. 

 

                 Numbers show that 121 others came for testing but were turned away and advised to return again when more kits become available.  The local arts group got the crowd excited again and performed several songs and skits. 

 

                We then moved inside the clinic, with local leaders and members of "Upendo" our local PLWHA support group. Doctor Wema referenced true and false information on our new HIV/AIDS bulletin board and passed out nutrition packets to everyone. 

We reviewed the information and discussed which foods best support ARV treatments.  Before sharing a nutritious meal together, we allowed the small group of 52 to ask questions. 

 

Changes--> In our original plan we wanted to attend Mnazi Secondary to provide HIV/AIDS education, but the school closed early after their final examinations.  We decided to return in February when the school reopens with a push to jump start the health club again. 

 

                Also another BIG change was with the project point person.  Doctor Hendrick Mangowi, had worked with me on every detail of this project. Just two weeks before the event, Doctor Bakari Wema returned from studying in Tanga to take over his original post at Mnazi Rural Health Center.  Doctor Wema did an Outstanding job taking the leadership role of this project with very little time to catch up on the all details.

  

 

Much of our work this year was focused on HIV/AIDS education and a push for testing.  I believe this foundation of education will provide an environment where behavior change is possible in the future. 

  MNAZI JUU!