And Last But Not Least!

Habari!?

I believe I am the last person to post. It's kind of sad that my first addition to this weblog comes at the end of the trip. (Technical difficulties).  Thank you to Adam and Robin for fixing those! =)

This trip has been an amazing adventure! Africa is so beautiful in ways I cannot even describe. The people here are so friendly and happy, despite the poverty. It's really made me realize what is important in life. Hakuna Matata truly is the moto here and everything happens in African time. At times, we, who are used to North American schedules, have found it hard to get used to the much slower and more relaxed pace, but then again, is North American lifestyle and scheduling really that healthy?

This past week we have been teaching at the local secondary schools. We've taught HIV/AIDS, sexuality, STDs, nutrition, healthy lifestyles and vision. It has been an amazing experience to stand in front of all these eager faces, dispelling myths and giving information that may one day save their lives. We've done several condom demonstartions, which we feel has been a good experience, since most of the children know that they should use condoms to protect themselves against HIV and other STDs, but almost none of them have ever seen a condom, let alone know how to use one. When teaching about sexuality, we are focusing on A,B,Cs - Abstinance, Being Faithful to one partner and Condom use when engaging in sex.

It has been a very hectic couple of days. As the project winds down we find ourselves wanting to finish all of the projects that we started and so we have been running from one location to the next to try to fit in extra teaching sessions with the medical professionals, finishing our school visits and completeing our health screenings of the street children at Maji Ya Chai. This week looks like it will be much the same, with the teaching sessions at the last of our schools, the remaining teaching sessions with the medical professionals and dropping off our donations at all the locations at which we have been working, arranging where our financial donations will be allocated and saying our goodbyes to staff and friends.

I loved going back to Maji Ya Chai. The kids there were really happy to see us. I was doing the health histories for these kids, which included asking about their family history, and what led them to choose to live on the streets rather than at home. Some of these kids have been on the streets since they were 6 and 7 years old and you can imagine what leads a child to leave the "safety" of home for the streets. You really have to admire these kids - their strength, courage and survival skills are incredible! Most of them are pretty well adapted considering their pasts. It was really hard to leave them again yesterday afternoon. I left a couple of them with my address and I do hope they write! I would love to know what happens to them down the roads.

I have fallen in love with this country and I am already thinking of my next visit back. When (not if) I do come back, I fully intend on returning to some of the places we have worked, to visit with friends and to continue some of the work that we've done. I'm also planning on dragging a few people back with me to share this experience and to climb Mt. Kili.  =)

To my friends and family, I have lots of stories to tell about the various methods of transportation here (including Dala Dalas), the different culture, the amazing and beautiful people we have met, all of our many adventures and the beautiful countryside here. Although I look forward to seeing my friends and family and cannot wait to get and give hugs, I will be sad to leave here as well.

Laura =)