Reality Check

My first 16 months of posts were pretty positive. You might be thinking Peace Corps doesn't sound so bad or "I could live in Africa no problem." Truth is, Peace Corps isn't so bad, but some days ain't so great*. Don't worry when reading about my bad days or times. I left the US strong and I'm only getting stronger. And wiser. And totally cooler.

I recently travelled to the beautiful mountains of Mokhotlong to teach teachers educational activities addressing health and safety. It was great! We gathered in my friend's tiny rondavel; we had nine people in a rondavel with an eight foot diameter. Quite impressive and cozy. I taught I safety song I wrote to the tune of "Turn the World Around" which goes a little bit like this:

"Children are the future,
Future of Lesotho.
Let us help the children
Be healthy as can be!

Stay away from sharp things,
Broken glass and tin cans.
Needles are a no-no.
Be healthy as can be.

Free from hurt, free from harm,
Keep the children safe and sound.
Feed them well, keep them strong,
Teach them to know right from wrong."

It was a big hit. I'm planning on changing the lyrics to have a HIV/AIDS message and spreading it around Lesotho. Maybe while riding a donkey.

While in Mokhotlong, my friends and I visited a local orphanage for HIV positive children. For those who haven't been paying attention, about a quarter of the Lesotho population is HIV infected. Now, one can watch the Bono charity specials or by (RED) shirts from the Gap, but until you've held a child dying of AIDS in your arms.... I just can't describe that feeling. I held a four year old boy against my chest who was the size of a child half his age. His fingers were like an infant's as they reached for my affection. I cautiously adjusted him to feed him, afraid or harming his matchstick arms and legs while making room for his bulging, malnourished stomach. My heart literally broke watching him labor to blink.

Unfortunately, that's part of life here. Why you can buy coffins are sold at roadside tin-shack shops. This orphanage (http://www.touchingtinylives.org/) has Basotho nursing these kids back to life - if they can. There's hope. Across the country, women are being empowered, youth educated, and men sensitized relating to HIV and AIDS. Slowly, on the grassroots level. But there is hope for change(it's not just a campaign slogan). Call me an optimist; I've always been a dreamer.

*I hate using poor grammar but it just sounds so right.