Hello Folks!
I know that you are busy at work making things A-Ok in the US of A. I wanted to present you with a project that would be beneficial to you personally and your daily business. World Aids day is Dec 1st of every year. I hosted a Remembrance and Celebration in my village of Mwakaganga, Tanzania (pics coming soon). The PLWHA group (People Living with HIV/Aids) helped me every step of the way. Their goals are to educate the community about transmission of the disease, prevention of the disease, to fight stigma, and promote a healthy lifestyle for those living with the disease. During the festival on this past Saturday they danced, sung songs, performed skits, and talked about their individual stories. They didnt ask for anything in return as with the other groups who performed including the school children :-) They are in the process of starting a chicken farm to raise money for t-shirts and other materials that would assist them in promoting their goals and objectives throughout the community. Unlike the other groups who wore t-shirts with their group's logos, and mission statements, the PLWHA group wore plain white t-shirts because everyone has at least one in their closet, I actually loaned out my only white tee. To spice it up a bit I made each of them a red Aids awareness ribbon and pinned them on their shirts, they were so happy and grateful for this little red ribbon, it was amazing. I would like to help the PLWHA group get t-shirts that would make them feel proud about their mission and uplift them in their work within the community. If we come together I think it could be possible. If one person agrees to pay for the t-shirts (30),another pays for the actual printing (I would like to present this to Malcolm at Absolute Graphics to see if maybe he would be interested in doing this at a discounted rate or even for free), and another pay for the shipping this could work. I am in the process of planning a trip home between feb and march. If this happens I would be able to bring them back with me free of charge and the only costs would be the t-shirts and printing. I have a simple logo and message in mind, of course it would be in Kiswahili. Please give me your thoughts on this idea.....I understand if you are not interested or if you are not financially able tp help right now. I thank you for your time and Remember to get tested, Live happy and healthy knowing your status!
Front of the shirt- red Aids awareness ribbon (med sized in the upper right corner) printed under it Kata ya Ubaruku (ward of Ubaruku, the groups location)
Back of the shirt-(printed in black Kikundi cha Muungano-group of unity) directly under in smaller letters,(Waathirika wa Ukimwi, wanafanya kazi pumoja dhidi Ukimwi-people affected by Aids working together against Aids)
Love from Tanzania,
Shani C.......realizing its really not all about me....hey I'm a late bloomer!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
My my my maasai
Good Day People,
I hope you all have been taking care of yourselves. Busy with work and studies, the days have been flying by here. At first they were moving kinda slow and I was missing home a lot, but I am all settled in and living comfortably in my surroundings. One of My Peace Corps goals is to share the culture and experiences of my host country, Tanzania, with Americans. So I will be trying my best to give you a taste of my experiences with the culture here. Yesterday I visited two Maasai villages near the ward of Ubaruku. I honestly cant remember the names of the villages, they were very remote (i couldn't even get a signal on my cell, geesh). Just a little info, the Maasai people are an African ethnic group who live semi-nomadic. They are mostly located in Northern Tanzania and Kenya. There homes are located based on the food found for their cattle and land for farming. I traveled to the Maasai villages with the Nurse Mkuu (head nurse) and Doctor from the hospital that I volunteer at. Once a month they offer a traveling clinic to the Maasai women and children, because their villages are so far from any type of medical facility, most of them do not receive the proper medical attention they need. They were so surprised to meet me, it was hilarious. Just when I think I'm no longer the new kid on the block, I meet someone else who has never seen an African-American and I have to tell the story all over again...."I'm from America, really"..."No, my parents are from America too,really"....."Yes, there are lots more people who look like me in America."...."Well, a loooooong time ago my ancestors lived in Africa and were forced to live in America."...."Nope, I don't know which country." After that they just look at me and want to touch my hair (which i don't like but I'm dealing with) and give me gifts, jewelry that they make and I Love :-) They are very accepting and open, I love their spirit, it's so positive and upbeat. Almost as if they don't have any idea whats going on in the real world. I had a wonderful time with them, they laugh at the way I pronounce some words in Swahili, even though I say it correctly I still have an America accent. Sorta like someone from Down South talking to someone from Up North, you understand what they are saying but it makes you chuckle. Speaking of KiSwahili, let me just give myself a round of applause (patting myself on the back)! I am doing just fine with the language and I am learning more and more everyday. I speak only Swahili when I'm in my village, the only time I really get to speak English is when I visit with another Volunteer or I speak to my friends and family in the US. It's hard to go from English to Swahili so I try to only speak Swahili, even when I text. So don't be surprised if I'm writing you an email and all of a sudden Ninaanza kuandika Swahili. Pole!
Love From Tanzania,
Shani K. Cephas
I hope you all have been taking care of yourselves. Busy with work and studies, the days have been flying by here. At first they were moving kinda slow and I was missing home a lot, but I am all settled in and living comfortably in my surroundings. One of My Peace Corps goals is to share the culture and experiences of my host country, Tanzania, with Americans. So I will be trying my best to give you a taste of my experiences with the culture here. Yesterday I visited two Maasai villages near the ward of Ubaruku. I honestly cant remember the names of the villages, they were very remote (i couldn't even get a signal on my cell, geesh). Just a little info, the Maasai people are an African ethnic group who live semi-nomadic. They are mostly located in Northern Tanzania and Kenya. There homes are located based on the food found for their cattle and land for farming. I traveled to the Maasai villages with the Nurse Mkuu (head nurse) and Doctor from the hospital that I volunteer at. Once a month they offer a traveling clinic to the Maasai women and children, because their villages are so far from any type of medical facility, most of them do not receive the proper medical attention they need. They were so surprised to meet me, it was hilarious. Just when I think I'm no longer the new kid on the block, I meet someone else who has never seen an African-American and I have to tell the story all over again...."I'm from America, really"..."No, my parents are from America too,really"....."Yes, there are lots more people who look like me in America."...."Well, a loooooong time ago my ancestors lived in Africa and were forced to live in America."...."Nope, I don't know which country." After that they just look at me and want to touch my hair (which i don't like but I'm dealing with) and give me gifts, jewelry that they make and I Love :-) They are very accepting and open, I love their spirit, it's so positive and upbeat. Almost as if they don't have any idea whats going on in the real world. I had a wonderful time with them, they laugh at the way I pronounce some words in Swahili, even though I say it correctly I still have an America accent. Sorta like someone from Down South talking to someone from Up North, you understand what they are saying but it makes you chuckle. Speaking of KiSwahili, let me just give myself a round of applause (patting myself on the back)! I am doing just fine with the language and I am learning more and more everyday. I speak only Swahili when I'm in my village, the only time I really get to speak English is when I visit with another Volunteer or I speak to my friends and family in the US. It's hard to go from English to Swahili so I try to only speak Swahili, even when I text. So don't be surprised if I'm writing you an email and all of a sudden Ninaanza kuandika Swahili. Pole!
Love From Tanzania,
Shani K. Cephas
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