Zanzibar!

Wow what a week! We all have just completed our first week of volunteering. With the organization I am working wit called UKUN, we do home visits to people affected by HIV/AIDS. This week we followed the home-visit coordinator who introduced us too all the clients and showed us what we do with each and everyone one. It was really great because we started building a relationship with these people, even with the little Swahili I know. This week, the coordinator was expecting us to split us up into little groups and work with the families directly. Now that I know the families and their personality, I really feel like I can do something with them and help them with any care. So today on our first day of the the second week, we were on a mission. I was given the responsibility of visiting the visited the first family who has 3 people in the family who are affected. The first is the mother, who was unable to walk due to the complications of AIDS. For the past week, the coordinator and us have been doing exercises with her to regain her strength. And today, she walked while only lightly holding on to one of us! Our goal for her is to be able to take a few steps on her own by the end of my time here, and she's coming along super well. The second member of that family is the grandmother, who unfortunately is suffering from Ovarian cancer on top of HIV and AIDS. She has been bedridden for some time now and had developed some bed sores. However we were able to find some material to patch her up so they hurt less. I also hope to do some exercises with her in bed, so we can get her outside in the sun. The last member who is affected is the brother, who is doing great. He is walking around and doing his thing. On to the next client, we visited a past Tanzanian Solder, Kaptin. Now this guy is amazing. Unfortunately with the stigma against HIV and AIDS in his family, he is no longer being supported by them. Therefore, we come everyday to give him some attention and get him outside in the sun. He also can't walk due to complications of HIV and AIDS, however we are working towards rebuilding the strength in his legs. All in all, it was a successful first day of the second day.

The whole group made our way to Zanzibar over the weekend! Zanzibar is an Island about 2 hours (on a ferry) away from the capital, Dar Es Salaam. It's surrounded by gorgeous white sandy beaches and some of the coolest fish. We went snorkeling in the Indian Ocean, and saw everything from Zebra fish, to Nemo and Dore! The next day we visited a Spice Farm, which is a popular product in Zanzibar. They showed where all the spices come from, such as cinnamon (comes from tree bark!), pepper corns, lemon grass and nutmeg. We also visited the narrow streets of Stone Town, which was very busy but very cool. With the beautiful and warm weather, it turned out to be one hell of a weekend.

I have so much more to say but I'm running out of time in the internet cafe! I will try and update you all soon. :)

Nakupenda,
E.