| I
thank the Greater Newburyort Bura Alliance for funding
the proram. We were late to come due to the visa problem
in Kenya, but eventually we managed to come to Newburyport,
USA.
1.
Expectations: I wanted to learn the
following so that I can help my community.
- Guiding
and counselling
- Counselling
techniques
- How
to reduce stigma around HIV/AIDS
- How
to VCT services in Bura location
- Follow
up on Wungara Wusira proprosal
2.
Training: The methodology used in this
program is good because it is the sharing method. This
I feel is better for example then sitting in a classroom
being lectured. We have really learned a lot by visiting
different places like Anna Jacques Hospital, Holy Family
Hospital, counselling and Testing center in Beverly,
Strongest Link case management program, nutrition seminar
and many others.
3.
Visiting AIDS Patients: We have visited many
AIDS patients since came. This is to discuss with them
how they got the deadly disease. I am quite happy they
were talking freely and not as Kenya where people avoid
talking about the issue with others. In Kenya they shy
away. We managed to talk to a man named Norman who was
found HIV positive 19 years ago. He is using medications,
the cocktail, which we don’t have in Kenya. Another
man named David we met has been living with HIV for
14 years. We met many others over the course of our
training. We learned that here in the US there are medications
and lives are prolonged unlike in Kenya where medications
are very, very expensive and found in Nairobi only.
Only the very rich have access to medications.
4.
Schools. We visited different schools:
- Wilmington
High School and Middle school
- Pingree
School
- Newburyport
High School, Juniors and Sophmores
- Nock
Middle school 8th grade
We
gave lectures on how people in Africa, Kenya specifically
contract HIV. We talked about our cultural practices
that have helped to spread the virus like circumcision
and traditional healing practices where the same sharp
blade is used. Traditional birth attendants and family
members providing care to sick relatives also get infected
and spread the virus through unsafe practices. There
was time for questions at the end of the lecture. They
are good schools.
5.
Meetings/trainings. We have had several
meetings since we came to Newburyport. We have met with
the Rotary Club, the Mayor of Newburyport, Maryann Clancy,
and the GN/BA Funding Committee. We also met with an
HIV support group in Haverhill. In these meetings we
engaged in discussions about how HIV/AIDS is affecting
people in Bura. We also discussed methods we use to
reduce infections such as addressing behavior change
through drama and increased education. 6. Churches.
WE have gone to different churches during our visit.
We were happy when we went to the First Parish Church
and the Central Congregational Church because they are
fund-raising for the Heifer Project in Bura. Being one
of the beneficiaries I was happy to meet them.
7.
Heifer Project International. We had a good
tour of Overlook Farm in Rutland MA. We found that there
are so many different animals at Overlook Farm like
cows, goats, chickens, pigs, horses, sheep, llama’s
and many others. We also met some student volunteers
who work at the farm from other countries in order to
learn about the animals and the programs of Heifer.
They were interested in hearing about the Heifer Project
initiative happening in Bura.
8.
Shopping. We have gone shopping several
days. We thank GN/BA group which made sure we were all
well covered with clothing for the cold weather. We
did not have luggage with us so we needed many things.
We also thank our friends who donated their money and
bought items for us.
9.
Marathon. Our friends in Newburyport
are so kind. They sent us to Boston to see our fellow
Kenyans running in the Boston Marathon. We cheered them
on! We also toured part of the city of Boston and learned
some important history
11a.
Other activities. I am so happy to
meet my several friends not only at home stays but everywhere
we visited and above all I have made new friends.
11b.
IMEC/Book Project. We have really learned
how our Newburyport friends are
trying to help us. We went to pack books that have been
donated for Bura and
Esabalu. There are so many books in the warehouse. We
also packed some
medical supplies that will be shipped to Pumwani Maternity
Hospital in Nairobi.
There is a real appreciation for the efforts that you
are doing.
This
was a challenge for us to work hard and to explore methods
of addressing behavior change as a means of preventing
the spread of HIV/AIDS. |
