15.12.04 - 17:19

I have been in Nouakchott for a couple of days, but haven't been able to bring myself to update. I've been so busy lately, and so self-analytical, that I can't bear to write out my experiences again. Does that make sense?

So, in bare bones, I helped with an International AIDS Day celebration in Kankossa, which went dreadfully due to politics. Then, I went to Kiffa to assist in the UN sponsored AIDS education event. What follows is my official (but poorly-written) report of the event. Sorry, but it's what I can muster at this point:

"The UN Agency FNUAP joined with a host of partners, including Stop SIDA, Croissant Rouge Mauritanien, Croix Rouge Francaise, and the Peace Corps, to promote AIDS education.

"On December 4, there was a football (soccer) game between college and lycee teams. A couple hundred young people attended. At various points during the match, representatives from Croissant Rouge spoke about AIDS. A group called Theatre Populaire sang two songs about AIDS and performed a humorous skit. (I was extremely impressed by them. I have their contact information.)

"SOS Pair Educateurs began a five-day AIDS/peer counseling training on December 5. There were sixteen participants in total: ten men and six women. The participants came from Kiffa, Kankossa, and Guerou and were members of such NGOs as Stop SIDA and SOS Pair Educateurs. I attended four of the five days as an observer. The training topics consisted of sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS information and prevention, and peer counseling and education techniques.

"On December 6, there was a training session on how to use the Internet to research AIDS. Due to electricity problems, the date was changed and the original trainer was not able to attend. PCVs Luke and Andrew led the session instead.

"On December 7, SOS Pair Educateurs held an AIDS sensibilization for women at the Peace Corps Girls Mentoring Center. About ten women attended the two hour session. PCV Adriana hopes to use this session as a catalyst to begin further GAD work at the center.

"I believe that there was another information session for the Jeunesse, but I was not able to attend because it conflicted with the SOS training.

"In general, the event was successful, although there were several scheduling changes. I have contact information for almost everyone involved, if it is needed."

Fun, huh? Yup. I've actually been working pretty hard recently.

O, and thanks go out to Roland, Dawn, Witchy, my parents, and Heidi & Chris for the packages! I got about 12 in total. Score!

(ps rumors of molly doing a third year in mauritania are rampant...)

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