Re-Connect was a few weeks ago. Our topic was Program Design Management workshop and I traveled to "my hometown" Okahandja with my counterpart/social worker/boss madam/best friend. Our focus for the workshop is for ALHIV (Adolescents Living with HIV ) support group. We learned a great deal on how to properly plan for such a project and we are using a great deal of what we learned from Tate Bill and JT (fellow PCVs) as well as using the worksheets that were given to begin planning for the ALHIV group. One of our issues would be of disclosure since there are quite a few guardians who have chosen not to fully disclose to the child that they have HIV or have not fully informed the child of what the virus is. We are in the process of having interviews with the guardians as well as the clients to determine whether there is an interest in having the support group. We want to have a separate meeting with the guardians to determine how much the child is informed of the virus and how much information we can give to them with the permission of the guardians. I'm really looking forward to these interviews to get started and get the ball rolling with this support group. Progress is slow, however, mostly because planning and interviewing needs to be completed with a nurse who works closely with these clients and their guardians. The nurses at Mariental Hospital are incredibly busy and have very tight schedules. I'm going to do whatever it takes to start this group up in the coming months, It has already been on the back burner for far too long.
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| Chai tea at the Garden Cafe in Okahandja made with love by owner, Rose |
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| We got our Peace Corps Namibia 39 polos. We are too legit! This is our normal photo because we are insane...in a hot, sexy way of course. |
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| This one took effort. The most uncomfortable photo for our group ;) |
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| From left to right: Soini my neighbour and nurse in pediatrics, Julia my closest PCV, Justine my neighbour and ART nurse, me, and Rebecca my fabulous counterpart |
Secondly, I've been working to continue with the TADAH (Teenagers Against Drugs, Alcohol, and HIV) program for third term, starting up on the 2nd of September. The learners enjoyed our lessons this past school term, and were literally pleading for more. I'm going to demand my counterpart Allan takes some damn pictures this time around...still super salty he was too lazy to the first time. Bringing my sass game for third term. Whenever I see the learners who experienced our first TADAH lessons I hear "Miss. Sinthu, Miss. Sinthu, when are you coming back to teach us?" I get so freaking excited for the upcoming term. Updates to come once lessons begin!
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| Me, Allan my lame counterpart ;) and Joey my supervisor. She isn't that tall, folks |
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| Allan trying his charm. It doesn't 'work on me. |
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Lastly, let me shed some light on the family I was able to visit in Okahandja. I was able to meet up with my host family Alex, Anna, and Shai my other siblings Tyrone and Rashida were sent off to the farm so my host parents could have some peace and quiet haha. So awesome that I can still keep in touch with the family even after 4 months of being in another region. Even my baby sister Shai was excited to see me. The new volunteer even said she was screaming my name into her ear and crying the entire car ride home. Good to know I'm loved though I do feel bad for the trainee's ears haha. I was able to kick it with my sister from another mother while in OKJ too which was much needed because I missed her like crazy. I also spend loads of time with my Afrikaans teacher Aunty Martha, what a superb woman!
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| Best Friends, My honey boo boo! |
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| My adorable host siblings Rashid and baby Shai |
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| My host brother, Tyrone. The only chill child in the family haha |
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| Surprise visit from Rebecca and I. Shai was an only child temporarily =) Crazy small world, my counterpart Rebecca grew up with my host parents |
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| Sibling love with baby Shai |
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| Tany (Aunty) Martha looking adorable as ever. I crochet a red scarf for her that sadly fell too short (I'm a beginner, okay), but instead of judging me she made it into a fabulous Damara hat <3 |
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| Tany Martha showing off our Group 39 t-shirt! Designed by the fabulous 39er, Julia Gordon! |
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Last week was a pretty chill week. I'm getting back into the swing of things post Re-connect. A lot of the time spent at work is on planning for upcoming project, though I'm mainly focusing on the ALHIV group. I recently went to a forum on alcohol abuse in Kalkrand, which is 75 north of Mariental. I went with my counterpart Rebecca and the environmental officer and had an informal talk with the owners of the shebeens (house bars) on responsible business practices within the shebeen and the importance of feeling a sense of responsibility to the clients they serve. I was thoroughly pleased to hear the shebeen owners hold support meetings for problems that occur in shebeens to be supportive to one another. Hoping to have a follow-up meeting with this group in the coming month or two to see how progress is coming along. After leaving the forum we visited a game lodge that was on the way to Mariental. the environmental officer had some follow-ups with the lodge management. While the environmental officer was taking care of business Rebecca and I had a relaxing time with fresh tea and cake ;) The good life!!! I can't wait to come back and relax some more, maybe even use the pool!!
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| Fake birds and they laid eggs? impressive |
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| They had real Chai Tea, 'twas delectable! The chef even gave us some extras! |
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| Fresh, warm mediera cake yum yum yum <3 |
