Magdaline had set up her usual well-organized meeting, having made reminder calls to all of the participants earlier this morning. I wanted to hear from the women I'd trained in sex ed peer education in 2008, see whether it had made an impact in their lives and whether they'd used their new knowledge in the community. Here is Magdaline setting up the expectations.
My daughter Julie's and my first trip to Kenya in 2004, Mumbi gave us one of our warmest welcomes. And is a fantastic cook! She continued to be a good friend to all of us. Here she and I are catching up.
On the right is Mary, a new group member who does a lot of health and HIV education. She discloses her positive status and her story as part of her outreach, so I'm not breaching confidentiality by saying that she is HIV+. As you can see she looks fantastic, was diagnosed in 2005, and uses her story to help empower people who are afraid of her diagnosis.
The drought is not as devastating in this part of Kenya as in many other parts of East Africa, but looking at the ribs on this cow (it was grazing outside the door of the church where we met) you can see that the animals are suffering.
The old group. Eunice, Magdaline, Beatrice, another Eunice, Jane, Joyce, Mary, and in the front row Peris and Murugi, Eunice (no. 2's) daughter.
I heard a lot of stories, most very positive. They are encouraging community members to be tested, much of it by example. Magdaline and a friend of hers (both around my age, nearing 60), were tested and tell people about it. "If I, a grandmother, can get tested and not feel ashamed, so can you."
Two of the women, Joyce and Jane, told stories of visiting HIV+ acquaintances in their homes, in part to show that they weren't afraid, that community members can continue socializing with HIV+ friend and relatives without fear. Joyce also told of encouraging HIV testing at a school, with bad consequences. The school counselor wasn't good and some of the girls who tested positive came screaming and crying out of the session. Joyce, a trained counselor herself, ended up making repeat visits to the girls to help them deal with the realities.
It's winter here, probably in the low 60s inside the church, so you can see from the photo that August at the equator is not necessarily the weather pattern you assume.
A good day.
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