19-10-11

So sorry I haven't updated you all in a while. 2 reasons, 1. I don't really have anything to write about, 2. I ran out of internet time. 

I've been pretty busy with women's groups lately. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and ask myself. . . what am I really doing here, do these women really listen to me? Well today I got the conformation I needed. Not only were the women very thankful and appreciative, but the chair lady of the group and spoke up to the women who were laughing through out the entire session. I was talking about the importance of using condoms, male and female. The ladies were laughing so hard they were crying. The chair lady spoke up "why are you laughing!?" she said, "Our children our having sex, getting AIDS and dying! There is no reason to laugh at condoms!" I was so grateful for this mama. I could care less if the women laugh, sometimes I make jokes and laugh along too, but this mama made an excellent point! Kenyans are losing a generation because of AIDS. Not really because of AIDS, but because of the lack of knowledge to prevent and the denial to get treated. These mamas may not feel that they should use condom because they "are faithful" who knows about their spouses, but their children are having unprotected sex, because they are not educated on how to protect themselves. If they don't teach their children, who will? I am only here for 2 years, and though I plan to teach at every school in my area, there will be some that miss the day, or just won't listen to me. 

If you remember a few weeks ago, I taught at Atlas Primary school ( I posted a picture of the group). I left an envelope their for them to ask anonymous questions. I picked up the envelope the other day, because I will be returning next week to answer their questions. The envelope was bursting with questions. Some of which, I couldn't believe, were being asked by primary students. This primary school goes up to 8th grade, and the majority of the questions were about STI's and HIV. Basically "babies" asking these questions. The headmaster is only giving me an hour to answer the questions as well as speak about other health topics. NOWAY can I elaborate on all of these questions in 1 hour! It's sad that the schools don't offer better health teachings and even counseling to these students. Hopefully after my session the headmaster will allow me to return for another session.