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!
