---------------World AIDS Day--------------REMEMBER + CELEBRATE LIFE

My first of two World AIDS Day stories is about Monica, a 10 year old,we thought we might lose to this disease as recently as last January. Her face was covered in warts and her brain was effected so severely that she was unable to play the simpliest of games and school was a daily challenge. -------Here is a photo of Monica receiving her doll from the "Doll Party" last January ,followed by a photo 8 mo. after starting the ARV's

The good news is after an extended hospital stay to regulate her treatment and train her family in the dispersing of the medications , the success of taking the ARV's on a regular basis has been phenominal! The warts have all disappeared, she can jump rope with the best of them and, my favorite, she leads the children in the local dancing at Mass each sunday........

MONICA-----NOW!__________________________________________________________
----- These three musketeers in blue are all sporting their red ribbons

Second story is about a wonderful World AIDS Day event I planned, produced and implemented last Saturday. We usually have between 110 and 130 children who have been orphaned by one or both parents from AIDS, but word must have gotten out that it was to be a special day, as over 150 children showed up. --------Devota giving Health Lesson to the AIDS Orphans-----

In the morning the usual health talk was about AIDS, but with a spin on the emotional aspects , and how this disease affected Uganda, their villages and them personally. "Remembering" those they have lost is an unfamiliar concept to the children, whose only messages regarding AIDS comes from school, with dark, though important ,messages like "Don't take gifts for sex" and "AIDS kills".

---This program was followed by an Art Program where each child was encouraged to draw their own personal feelings about this disease.

Each child received a soda and cookies and with 20 unexpected children in attendance, an emergency run was necessary. Yet it all turned out well.

That's me giving out the goodies!

-Then in the afternoon the message "Celebrate Life" was more easily enacted, as these children possess the kind of joy that has nothing to do with what they have but , rather, who they are.
---First came the traditional dancing and singing and welcoming of guests Barton and Brent, followed by the "reel" dancing of music heard on the radio.


Barton's friend Brent showed them a few dance moves that I expect to see re-enacted in future parties. Thanks Brent, for showing them Americans are far from stodgy(smile)

It was a glorious day of REMEMBERING + CELEBRATING LIFE

The children singing the Welcome Song to visitors Barton Brooks and Brent LaRash