Thoughts: Back in the US

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I get back to the states. We have so much- I have been given every essential my life ever required, plus a lot more, taken for granted that all of my needs are met comfortably and without the sacrifice of those immediately around me. Every time I return to Africa I revel in the contented nature of daily life. In the United States, during my daily life as a student, somehow there is some power urging me to compete, to create efficiency, to be the best. I buy things because I can. Get a latte without considering where the 12 oz. of milk originated, much less stopped to wonder at the options- do I want skim? 2%? Whole milk or soy milk? What about sugar? Syrup? Flavorings? Sugarfree?

In Tanzania, I feel like you know where that milk came from- because its source is staring you straight in the face when you buy it from the market. You kind of humbly want to …shake that cows hand (pardon me, hoof), or show it some offering of mutual respect for providing you with something to put in your coffee.

But in all seriousness, I want to explore this feeling I get when I am in Africa. The blessedness. The respect that everyone has for one another. The time that I take to stop and revel at the way light hits the gravel road. Why is it that here I am I so much more inclined to smile, stop to talk to someone on my way to do an errand? How can we learn from the community of Imbaseni, to better our programs, and create sustainable change? There is so much that I want to better understand about the daily lives of people we met on the trip…

To me, AIDSTanzania is not just about HIV and prevention, it is about the health of the entire community we visit. More and more I feel that we need to develop discussion among mothers, youth, students—people who maintain and grow the structure of the community. There is so much to do, but here they say “pole, pole…” (Slow, slow…) …. In any case, I hope I have done something to help at least one person in Imbaseni, I certainly know I have been changed for the better.

–Marigene

"Pole, Pole" : Imbaseni kids waiting for their turn to get water

Journal Entry

1/5/2012

Another productive and exciting day!

Today we walked through the Imbaseini Village and, with the help of our friendly translators Herman and Peter, informed people about our upcoming HIV/AIDS workshops. Lots of people took the time to read our poster and listen, so hopefully there’s a big turnout tomorrow! Our main stop seemed to be in a market not too far outside of the UAACC. There was so much activity: children playing, women selling all sorts of fruits and vegetables and meats, men talking and laughing together.  It had a real community feel to it which was really refreshing.

Next week, we are holding a woman’s day where we talk about HIV/AIDS topics that might be more important to women like how to have a safe pregnancy even if your HIV positive and stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS.  Many of the women seemed to be interested in attending that workshop so it might be something we want to continue doing or even extend over a couple of days next time.

I’m a little nervous for our first workshop but I have a good feeling about it!

– Carrie

Carrie working on a poster for the workshops

Reflections

Going on the trip has changed how I look at this group and everything that we’ve been doing. Walking through the village, seeing people’s homes, hearing their concerns just enforces the feelings I had coming into this group that we are doing good work.

The thing I was most pleased with out of the whole week was when a man came in and said that he would love to hold discussions like the ones we were leading. We left them with copies of all our notes, and everything that we said in the presentations. I think that the best way for us to leave a lasting change given our limited resources is to inspire people in Tanzania to educate themselves and each other.

Finally, if I learned one thing this trip its that you can never trust a dog with dreads.

–Danny B.

Our unofficial trip mascot -- "Dread Dog"

We’re back!

The AIDSTanzania team spent a fantastic week and half living at the United African Alliance Community Center in the Imbaseni Village outside of Arusha. During our time there, we held HIV/AIDS workshops for women, men, and children, and sponsored a free HIV testing day. Overall, it was a huge success; many members of the community were able to come into the Center and get tested, ask questions, and even participate in some fun music and dancing afterward. We made lots of friends in the Imbaseni village, and had some experiences I’m sure none of us will ever forget.

Over the next few weeks, each of our team members who went on the trip will be posting a short personal reflection of their time in Tanzania, so keep checking back for more updates!

A fun group shot from one of our walks in the village. Clearly there are some goofballs on the ATZ team!

Shipping Out!

The AIDSTanzania team is leaving the country! This year our in-country team consists of six students: Erin, Danny B., Carrie, Rhiannon, Melissa, and team leader Marigene. Except for trip veteran Marigene, this is everyone’s first AIDSTanzania trip, and I think I speak for all of us when I say: we are SO STOKED!

With our yellow fever vaccinations, visas, and full-to-the-brim carry-ons at the ready, we’re departing from DC on Monday evening and will be spending — if I accounted for the time difference correctly — 9.5 million hours in flight. We’ll be stopping over in Frankfurt and then in Addis Ababa before finally landing at Kilimanjaro airport. Once in Tanzania we’ll be traveling to Arusha where we’ll be staying and working in the community. There we will be distributing the educational booklets we created, hosting an HIV testing day, collaborating with students from the local university, and participating in a host of other programs and activities.

I know I for one can’t WAIT to see what this trip holds for us. Stay tuned to hear what happens!

- Rhiannon

Glowing Cats are Resistant to Feline AIDS

KITTEH?!

Read the full article here.

Smelly socks tested in Tanzania as way to prevent malaria

Um, what? That’s right: “Previous lab studies have shown that smelly socks work well in attracting mosquitoes,” and now doctors are pioneering a way to use these smelly socks to lure malaria-ridden socks into a traps where they become contaminated with poison and die. Read the whole article here.

Here’s hoping it works.

Two studies show that drugs used to treat AIDS can prevent HIV infection

Two studies announced Wednesday, July 13 show Gilead Science Inc.’s Truvada pill helped prevent the spread of the AIDS virus between heterosexual couples in Africa. The drug is already used to treat people with HIV.

Read the whole article here.

Why Aren’t More Americans Getting Screened for HIV?

In the 30 years since the discovery of HIV/AIDS, much advancement has been made. New drugs ensure that people with HIV are living longer, more symptom-free lives. One area in which we are still lacking, however, is in testing. Says Dr. Patrick Sullivan, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, “One of the problems we still have is a very basic one: We’ve had a test for HIV since 1985, and yet we still haven’t taken full advantage of that tool.”

Read the full article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/23/hiv-screening_n_882467.html.

States cut back efforts to provide drugs for HIV, AIDS

“Cash-strapped states are scaling back efforts to provide life-saving medicines to HIV patients.”

In this article, Shefali S. Kulkarni somewhat frighteningly explains that in an effort to save money, some states are changing eligibility, cutting back on waiting lists, and decreasing the availability of antiretrovial drugs for AIDS patients. This means that thousands of people cannot get the drugs they need.

Experts say this plan may save money now but will ultimately backfire, because patients with access to antiretroviral drugs are better able to manage the disease and may even be less infectious, thus lowering costs in the long run.