"Kweli" au "Sikweli"

--> Week 4 in Moshi

The week has been packed once again, such that even when you think that nothing much is happening, lots of things have happened.  Personally, the highlights had to do with meetings rather than views.  The weather has just dried up.  No rain, lots of dust, hot, a big power out (when we least expected it!), and though the mountain has been out each and every day, the dust sort of dulls your desire to go racing out to catch her splendor one more time.  It is even hard to drive downtown because it is so hot and dusty you just feel drained by the time you return.

One of our favorite actors, David, and Chrissy

There were some fun things.  Chrissy awarded certificates to the Usalama Barabarani group, and they were all very pleased.  They were quite serious as they completed surveys and focus groups regarding the dramas to the schools, and it was touching to see and to hear from them about how much the group meant to them.  (a bit surprising as well).  Thanks to St. Margaret’s Church for allowing the group to meet and practice there.  We could talk about the word “serious” forever, and as well “Kweli” au “Sikweli”. (True or false) These three words will forever have changed meanings for Chrissy and I, and will probably send us into gales of laughter for the rest of our lives.  Yet, I’m not sure anyone else would think they are so funny.

Moshi Youth CAB

Fearless Facilitator John

Great Coordinator Ema and resident Comic Vincent

The Moshi Youth CAB also met again, and talked about difficult topics, but their comments help the rest of us in understanding what young people are thinking about, what their attitudes and beliefs are about HIV-research, stigma, disclosure, and how you can get along well with one another.  I love this group as there are all sorts of young people in it.  They come from all around Moshi, and they come from different backgrounds.  All are familiar with HIV, though some more intimately than others, but everyone knows someone with HIV or someone who has died from HIV, and most have some family member or another who has been personally affected by HIV.  So all the discussions become personal and quite thoughtful.

The "New Jerusalem"!

John, Chrissy and I ventured out to eat at a new Ethiopian restaurant in Moshi.  Aptly named “Lalibella” (the amazing place in Ethiopia with the temples underground) we were so excited particularly because the menu was posted and looked good.  We encouraged to sit down, and only after doing so were we told that the restaurant actually didn’t have Ethiopian food (except on Thursdays sometimes) because the restaurant was so new, and the clientele had not grown enough.  This is so Tanzanian I have to say.  But, we did get the owner’s name and she promised that if we called a day ahead, she would prepare the food for us, so all was not in vain and we hope that soon the food will be in our bellies!

Our lovely church and our new Pastor Jason

Our new pastor at St. Margarets arrived last week as well.  A long awaited arrival.  His first sermon was great.  We are looking forward to getting to know his family and he much better, although John will be traveling so much that I think the “get to know” will happen when we return in 2014! 

So, I’m happy to just sit typing away today, reading protocols and making plans.  Hopefully the weather will change and we can hop up from the doldrums.  But, who knows.  It can stay hot and dusty for quite a long while here.  (Kweli au SiKweli?)