This past week was HIV-AIDS week and was very exhausting. But, it was well worth waking up at 0600 most of the mornings. I learned an incredible amount of information from how to frame HIV-AIDS into a simpler presentation for 15 year olds in a classroom for a 45 minute period, to creating a fun and dynamic HIV-AIDS presentation to adult, male firefighters who´s age range from 18 to 50. Before this past training week working with how to promote HIV-AIDS prevention, I did not think I was that interested in the topic. From the States´ I have always known that HIV is a world-wide pandemic and a serious killer of many people, but I had always viewed the virus and the latter stages as a biological issue very scientific in nature. But after this past week I dscovered that one can promote HIV prevention and awareness and make a difference in combating the virus, even while doing it in a foreign language. It was mostly work, but we did manage to have some fun. On Wednesday afternoon, we were able to swim in the Pacific Ocean for the first time since our arrival in Nicaragua. It was in the port town of Corinto and the water was comfortable and spending time in the Ocean and beach is always worth the time.
On Monday, March 16 at 3:30 in the afternoon I will find out where I will be placed for my two years of service. I am waiting with grand anticpation. I also know that I should be able to adapt anywhere they decide to place me, so I have a sense of security in that feeling. Then, on Friday, the 20th, I depart for Managua, meet my Collegue, the main “official” contact, I will be working with, who is a native Nicaraguan, for two years, and we will visit my new site for 5 days. During this time, I also anticípate meeting the current volunteer, who´s service is expiring and who I am replacing (assuming I will be a direct follow-up PCV).
I return to my training town on the following Wednesday (25th of March). Monday, April 14, 2009 is the day of my swearing in and will be here in the blink of an eye. I can´t wait!
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Hey Nick,
ReplyDeleteYou will go far in making classroom presentations especially to teenagers. We depend a lot on science and technology to solve all of our problems. And often that works. But good old basic educations can also pay great benefits. We have our fingers crossed for your new assignment! love Mom and Dad
wow... even that I'm far away, I always read what you post in this blog, I'm really proud of you, recently I met a person who is HIV positive... before, I never thought of how close are HIV to me, not that I'm doing risk activities or something like that., but I never thought to met someone with the virus, it's good the education that you are giving to the people, I can tell by a fact that I know everything about it, but the truth there are always questions that no one asks., so I'm proud of you my brother... Y no puedo esperar a ver donde te quedas!!!.... como esta tu español?... jajajaj... I'll be checking your uptades!.
ReplyDeleteTe quiero mi hermano!
Dear Nick,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your assignment. Just read in the paper that Washington, D.C. and San Francisco have the highest HIV in the U.S. Maybe, when you are finished there you can help us!!! We will be on our way to the Caribbean when you begin your assignment. Mick will start training on the airbus at that time. Thinking of you with best wishes on this assignment. Be careful. Love, Lorna & Dean