Today was the second day of community events near Livingstone. The weekend is structured around 2 soccer games and 2 netball (like basketball) games, with matches between 2 towns on either side of Livingstone, Mukuni and Simonga. Musicians—including 2 nationally known bands that have flown down from Lusaka—opened the day and quickly drew crowds down to the fields. The bands have already been through SHARe orientation, so they not only know the basics of HIV, but have been tested themselves and now proudly show their arm bands and publicly talk about having been tested to encourage others to get tested as well.
Yesterday, SHARe staff met with the athletes and village members from each of the towns to “sensitize” them on the basics of HIV, making sure that the athletes wearing the uniforms (provided by SHARe with USAID and PEPFAR logos very apparent!) also know what the messages they’re wearing actually mean. JSI* staff member, Simon, conducted the sensitization meetings, and was very engaging, effectively drawing in the audiences of about 75, ranging in age from 14-52.
By then the athletes were ready for action—four games were scheduled, two between the middle school soccer and netball teams today, and 2 games tomorrow between the town “professionals.”
As the teams played, the Livingstone District AIDS Coordinating Advisor, Julius Chilongoshi (who looks like actor Djimon Hounsou, from Gladiator and In America) was a masterful master of ceremonies. As he enthusiastically announced the game, he also wove in HIV messages, encouraging the audience of over a thousand to take advantage of the HIV testing tents as well as the other health services provided, including malaria testing, blood pressure, weight, and eye care.
Photo: Crowds from Mukuni village watch the band Mozageta play
I ran around videotaping the musicians, taking photos of the dancers, athletes and the many kids in the audience—half way through I realized I’d not even been over to the health tents yet to get shots of the services we were actually providing!
I also met a wonderful young woman whose aunt, Rajeeta Rao, used to work for JSI. Sheena had volunteered in the village of Makuni for a month and is working in the clinic and school before returning for her senior year at USC. After that, she’ll be applying for a PC position with JSI!
Colin arrives tomorrow--looks like he'll be able to join us for the big events tomorrow afternoon!
*Disclaimer: I work for JSI and World Education as the Director of Communications and travel occasionally for work. This blog is, of course, my own musings on my travels and do not necessarily reflect the views of JSI or its partners or funders or anyone else aside from me!
Yesterday, SHARe staff met with the athletes and village members from each of the towns to “sensitize” them on the basics of HIV, making sure that the athletes wearing the uniforms (provided by SHARe with USAID and PEPFAR logos very apparent!) also know what the messages they’re wearing actually mean. JSI* staff member, Simon, conducted the sensitization meetings, and was very engaging, effectively drawing in the audiences of about 75, ranging in age from 14-52.
By then the athletes were ready for action—four games were scheduled, two between the middle school soccer and netball teams today, and 2 games tomorrow between the town “professionals.”
As the teams played, the Livingstone District AIDS Coordinating Advisor, Julius Chilongoshi (who looks like actor Djimon Hounsou, from Gladiator and In America) was a masterful master of ceremonies. As he enthusiastically announced the game, he also wove in HIV messages, encouraging the audience of over a thousand to take advantage of the HIV testing tents as well as the other health services provided, including malaria testing, blood pressure, weight, and eye care.
Photo: Crowds from Mukuni village watch the band Mozageta play
I ran around videotaping the musicians, taking photos of the dancers, athletes and the many kids in the audience—half way through I realized I’d not even been over to the health tents yet to get shots of the services we were actually providing!
I also met a wonderful young woman whose aunt, Rajeeta Rao, used to work for JSI. Sheena had volunteered in the village of Makuni for a month and is working in the clinic and school before returning for her senior year at USC. After that, she’ll be applying for a PC position with JSI!
Colin arrives tomorrow--looks like he'll be able to join us for the big events tomorrow afternoon!
*Disclaimer: I work for JSI and World Education as the Director of Communications and travel occasionally for work. This blog is, of course, my own musings on my travels and do not necessarily reflect the views of JSI or its partners or funders or anyone else aside from me!
No comments:
Post a Comment