Things in Babati are going super well!!! We've already tested over 800 people in less than a week! World AIDS day was on Tuesday and it was awesome. We had testings, teachings, art projects, middle school-like facts posters, performances, a soccer tournament, and a net ball tournament (for those of you who don't know net ball is like messed up basketball haha). It was great and we tested over 200 people that day!!!
Our group's project has been going well too. We've been going around to all the bars, restaurants, and guest houses to see who wants to get taught and who is willing to put up fliers that we made advertising the importance of using condoms and getting tested. We have our work cut out for us cuz there's over 50 bars and restaurants and more than 20 guest houses. We might inlist the help of some of the other groups cuz the group in charge of testing and educating the prison doesn't have as much to do now that the prison is being super uncooperative.
Other than that, I'm trying to hang out with the Tanzanians as much as possible since we only have like 9 more days together (insert bbm smiley that's crying uncontrollably here). I'm not as worried about leaving my American friends cuz we still have Zanzibar together after the program is over plus we've already planned a Vegas trip for March. Ya that's how we roll haha!
That's all that's really going on right now. Nothing too exciting. For those of you who asked, I get back to the states December 16th and have no fear I have already told my mom what I want my first meal to be and I plan on going though all the foods I have missed that first week and getting incredible sick haha
Also, I promised to get you guys the final numbers for our time in Qash and here it is: We tested 1237 and taught 6594!!! Yay!!! I'd say testing in Babati is definitely easier but getting people to sit down and be taught is harder since everyone's so much busier. I guess we'll see how it goes.
Bye for now! Asante sana squashed banana! Can't wait to have real phone conversations with you guys in less than two weeks! Love you all!
Ilana
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Wow! I cant believe youre almost done... seems like you left yesterday! Nah, stay there! We dont need you!
ReplyDeleteJK!!!!! I miss you like crazy. Dec. 16th couldnt come soon enough!
Yo Spanks, all of that sounds so amazing! I'm so proud of you - you are really making a difference in the world!
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining the testing process, but one more thing - what part of it do you actually do? Also, when you guys have teaching sessions, how does it work with the language barrier? Do you have a local there with you to translate?
Guess what?! I made A team! yayayaya! and so did 4 rookies!!! (yes our rookies this year are amazing!) Next semester will be a whole different kind of life for me because I wont get to do all my regular clubs and activities. I will have to narrow down to probab;y just 2 or 3.
I go back to Berkeley on the 16th, so I wont get to see you then. You'll just have to come up to LA on the weekend of Jan 7-9 for the B team SB qualifier tournament and cheer with me on the sidelines! Oh and we got the Ultimate 5 sponsorship!
B'ahava,
Sonic
Ilana,
ReplyDeleteI hope you're still having lots of fun! I was going to update you on ultimate but Sonic beat me to it :) Enjoy the end of your trip!
<3 Mary