HIV/AIDS Workshop

It's been almost a month since the HIV/Awareness Workshop that I helped facilitate, and I can't believe I haven't blogged it yet. On June 28th, I did two sessions of a 2 day workshop. My first session was about STI's. I showed a graphic video that explained common STI's in Guyana and their signs and symptoms. After the video, I split the kids up in groups so that they could come up with reasons why it's important to know about STI's and to make connections between STI's and HIV. It was a little bit of struggle to get them to participate.

Then while we waited for the next presenter, we played a game called fruit basket. It's similar to musical chairs in that a person gets out of the game because there is one less chair than people. They really enjoyed that; there was a lot of scrambling around and laughter.

The next session I did involeved describing different kinds of scenarios, talking about what behaviors would likely happen, and then discussing safe behaviors in that particular situation. For example: Two people are in a secluded spot on the seawall. They are hugging and kissing. He pulls out a condom.

One scenario that I remember distinctly is: Two people having been going out for a while. The girl says, "You've been stopping by me for a year now. Why haven't you tried to have sex with me? You like boys or something?" We had a really interesting conversation about this situation. From it, I learned how much pressure there is on males to have sex even if they might not want to or even if they're not ready for it. And, they're made to feel that something is inately wrong with them if they don't have sex by a certain age.

For my first workshop, I felt that I did an okay job. Later though, I found out that the kids really enjoyed my sessions, and they wondered why I only did the one day instead of both days :)

Work and life

When we Peace Corps Volunteers get together we always ask the same 3 questions:
How's work?
How's the living situation?
Are you married yet?

Work is improving meaning I'm starting to understand where I fit into at the health center. I see my main audience being pregnant women and children. I've also talked to a couple of the schools here in Parika, and when the next term starts in September I'll be going into the schools to talk about health education. Futhermore there's a group of young Guyanese here who want to work on community development in Parika. I went to a meeting yesterday to talk about the possiblities, and there's a general consensus that the group wants to focus on youth and helping them to find personal purpose.

I'm still living with a host family. I've started cooking breakfast and lunch for myself, but I still depend on them for dinner. Also in some respects I'm a spoiled little brat. I never have to do my own laundry, which is a big deal since many PCVs have to do laundry by hand. And, I really don't have to clean my flat because Joyce always does that for me whether I want her to or not. But come August, I'll have the place to myself.

The marriage question more generally refers to your social life, and if there is a love interest. In Guyana there's really not the concept of casual dating. People date to get married. And being a forigner makes you that much more appealing for marriage because you're a ticket out. Don't worry I'm being careful, but I did meet a really great guy. He's got enough brains that if he wants to get out of the country he can do it on his own. He's kind, considerate, good to talk to, and not to mention cute.

In other aspects of social life, last weekend all of Guy 17 got a chance to get together for the first time in 2 months. Saturday, the U.S. Ambassador had a pool party at his residence. That same night we had a party at Tessa's place in Georgetown. Sunday, we had an American style bbq. It was great fun and refreshing. It's nice to know you're all in the same boat no matter how rocky or peaceful it is.

Supergirl

Your results:
Adannaa is Supergirl

Supergirl 85% Wonder Woman 70% Superman 65% Robin 62% Spider-Man 55% Hulk 55% The Flash 50% Green Lantern 50% Iron Man 45% Catwoman 30% Batman 20%

Lean, muscular and feminine. (Probably explains why all the Guyanese men want to marry me.) Honest and a defender of the innocent. (No wonder I became a Peace Corps Volunteer.)

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