Today was a great day for me! Jodi, Cheryl(P), Luisa, and myself all went to five different homes here in Arusha, Tanzania. Lesika, was our guide today, and what a sensitive, kind person he is!
It was fascinating how every home differed, however we were predominantly in a very poor area of Arusha. It may have been a good day for me, but in the lives of the people we saw today, not so much. All five of these Tanzanian women had HIV. Four of the five women were on anti-retroviral medications. Some of these women were stigmatized by their community and families and basically lived alone, without a social support system. Gladness, Margaret, and Beatrice were three Tanzanian women who took us to the homes of these women infected with HIV. All three are very generous, caring, and giving women. They give of their time (voluntarily), and energy (walking, and communicating) with these isolated, sick, and quite poor women. I was quite impressed, and actually very happy to know that even when we’re not around, someone has taken the initiative to support and care for these patients. Although it was hard to see what we saw today, it was quite rewarding and I hope that the people understood that we weren’t there to gawk, or to satisfy some personal interest, but rather to provide care (medical, educational, and social).

On a lighter note, Christa and I became quite acquainted with some of the creatures here in Moivaro lodge. On our second night here, not only was there a geco in our room, but Christa practically showered with a slug, and I practically slept with a frog! Needless to say, Denny and Anne next door, heard us half laughing and half screaming at night. Good times!