Hello Everyone
We’re now settled in Zanzibar with a small flat in the middle of Stone Town . Here are a few quick updates on some of the amazing things we’ve been up to!
Yesterday we held the first meeting of the youth support group for HIV+ children and/or children affected by HIV/AIDS. The group began with a big bodymapping session led by the support group facilitators we’ve trained and will continue to work with. Children told stories about losing their parents to HIV and about the stigma they face while the facilitators talked about the hope and possibilities of supporting each other.
One young man spent most of the session staring at his bodymap in distress. We suggested a facilitator help him. High Tide, our translator and an incredible youth activist, sat down with the boy. The boy told High Tide that he felt so much sadness he was too overwhelmed to put it down on paper. High Tide painted for him and told him he is now in a space where everyone else is dealing with similar problems, he can feel supported and not alone anymore. The boy spoke loud and clear to the whole group upon presenting his bodymap, having gained a new confidence in hearing similar struggles from other youth before him. He also has gained mentorship and community support.
We will be starting an adult support group soon and will work with other organizations that have asked us for support. We’ve had such an incredible reception here, with so many possibilities! The three bodymapping sessions we’ve already had have been incredible successes.
We’ve also started to study Swahili, taught an English class for two weeks, and have gone to many unbelievable cultural events. Drinking coconuts, going to the fish market to buy our dinner, watching the sun go down over one of the islands, and making unbelievable Zanzibari friends while doing the work we love most…
We hope you are all well. Keep in touch! More stories soon…
Nicole & Katelin
