Quick news

Time is flying by over here in Ghana. While it's still surreal to think that I'll be here for over 2 years, it's also difficult to think that I've been here for the better part of 2 months. While each day moves a bit slowly, the weeks and months are flying by.

Over the past few weeks, we Aworowa (Environment) volunteers have been doing our best to give back to the community. We have now had 3 meetings with our Environment Club and each time we visit, the children are more engaged and receptive.

Our last visit was not about the Environment but was an opportunity to make our first HIV/AIDS presentation. Our group is 3 men and 3 women so we split the club according to gender. I recommended this as a way to minimize the embarrassment/acting up. This seemed to work well as the kids (13-15 yrs old) asked great questions.

As far as the presentation is concerned, we focused on the ABC's of HIV and AIDS prevention

A- Absitenence
B- Be Faithful
C- Condom use

Considering the age, we continually re-iterated that absitence is the only 100% safe sexual practice but beyond that I feel that we were very honest and helpful.

We played a Lions/Elephants game in which one student is a baby elephant, 6 students act as protective adult elephants while 4 students are predatory lions who are trying to take the baby elephant away. After each attempt, a student acting as a hunter comes and takes away two of the adult elephants. Obviously, each time, it's easier for the Lions to take the baby elephant. Can you guess what each character represents? The baby elephant is your life, the adult elephants are your immune system, the lions are various illnesses and the hunter is AIDS. It was a great way to get the students involved and really gets the point across. While AIDS doesn't kill you by itself, it destroys your immune system and makes it easier for other illnesses to kill you.

The next game was like a cat and mouse game in which one student tries to tag the others as they run past through a designated field. All those who make it safely across get to run again while those who are tagged must help tag the runners. I'm assume you get the idea. This game was an example of how even if one person has HIV, they can spread it to everybody indirectly if not practicing safe sex.

We played this cat/mouse game for 3 rounds. During round two, the students were given the option to stay behind the line in the safety zone (abstinence). It was no surprise that some rogue students tested the system but those who ran were all eventually caught.

Prior to the third round, we gave each student a folded up piece of paper with an X or an O on it. After all of the students were tagged, we allowed them to reveal the letter on the paper. Those with an O were said to have worn a condom and were brought back to safety.

After the games, we opened the floor for questions. Kwame, the group president solemnly asked; "If a witch comes and eats you during the night, is it possible for you to get HIV?" I wasn't sure how to answer this but all of the students looked on with sincere interest. So as not to insult local folklore, I asked if the witch had HIV and reminded the students of the 4 fluids through which it can be transmitted. After my explanation, the headmaster came by to say that it's common knowledge that witches will boil or cook your flesh before she eats you so the virus would die before you are eaten. I'm not sure if HIV affects people after they've been eaten alive but I didn't want to get too deep into that.

For the second straight meeting, a local FM station was present and took notes and interviewed us. Only 6 weeks in the country and I've been on TV and on the radio. It's strange for sure!!

Sorry I'm slacking on the soccer stories, there are more to add and I'll get to it soon enough.

We all go see our site this week so there should be new excitement/trepidation amongst the group.

I've been trying to implement a food sharing program between volunteers in the South and those in the North. For those who don't know, there have been issues with flood/drought in the North and the coming dry season could prove very trying.

A few of us met with members of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as a first step so I know that a great deal of action has already been taken. I'll keep you all updated as to whether or not we're able to get a program together.

Love to all!!