AIDSTanzania is student-run organization from the College of William and Mary dedicated to providing free, easily accessible, and sustainable HIV/AIDS education and testing to the diverse rural communities of Eastern sub-Saharan Africa. Nearly two-thirds of all people living with HIV are found in sub-Saharan Africa, although this region contains little more than 10% of the world’s population (UNAIDS Report 2006). We emphasize prevention in all of our programs, and seek to empower community members, providing them with the tools and resources to develop and deliver programming and testing to their peers while we are in the United States. We are not doctors, we are not health professionals—we are students, and the people we work with in Tanzania are students; yet, our efforts are limited only in their scope, not their effectiveness. In 2009, we tested 238 individuals over three testing days and initiated a successful peer education program at a local secondary school; we held roundtable discussions with women from the community and discussed condom use with young men. And we looked, together, towards future projects.
The winter 2012 AIDSTanzania team
Applications and interviews for AIDSTanzania’s new member class are submitted and conducted, respectively, in late February and March of each year. Here’s our Winter 2012 team:
Manal Saif (Trip Leader)
Ashburn, VA
2012
Favorite Place in Tanzania: Masai Market
Eliza Spear (Trip Leader)
Kennett Square, PA
Sustainability / 2013
Favorite Pattern: “Like, a gentle wave.”
Reid Francis (VP-Finance)
Napa, CA
Marketing / 2013
Favorite cheese: Brie
Marigene Willson (Communications Chair / Member Education)
Charlottesville, VA
Psychology and Pre-Med / 2013
Favorite Thing I Miss about Home: Slurpee runs with my little bro.
Davey McKissick
Richmond, VA
Government and Public Policy / 2013
Favorite Thing: Chocolate Chip Cookie Day at the Caf
Danny Brooker
Westerville, OH
2013
Favorite Movie: Fight Club
Rhiannon Ecsedy
Needham, MA
Art and Pre-Med / 2013
Favorite organic molecule: carbohydrates
Melissa Jarmas
Oakton, VA
Marketing / 2013
Favorite Thing to Eat in Williamsburg: Rita’s Georgia Peach Italian ice!
Erin Kellogg
Bexley, OH
2014
Favorite Disney Princess: Ariel (because we’re both gingers)
Sarah McHenry
Southborough, MA
2013
Favorite Speed on the Highway: 92 mph
Carrie Sartor
Ashburn, VA
Neuroscience / 2014
Favorite Musical Artist: Alicia Keys
