This is Justine. She’s 10. I bet this picture could get her a million dollars if I told the world she needed it. I met her in Windhoek last week during Peace Corps Reconnect. Our Country Health Director, Lejeune Lockett (my boss), has developed a youth centre there in Windhoek. It’s called Young Achievers. Justine is a member of the group. She was carrying around this globe and looking adorable; probably not something she has to work at. I asked her if she could show me Namibia on the globe. No problem. Then I asked her where she wanted to visit. She said, “Canada.”I asked why. “Because it’s peaceful there,” she said. I couldn’t argue.
I’ve returned to Tsumeb after a week at some posh resort outside Windhoek. Peace Corps Reconnect is a week where all the volunteers come back together, discuss our Namibian lives, and take hot showers. The hot showers were the best part. Spending a week in 8-5 sessions just wasn’t what I wanted to do. I did get some useful information though. I learned about a few grants we can apply for. I’m now in the process of writing one for our HIV/AIDS Support Group. The American Embassy has a lot of money to give toward HIV/AIDS projects (Thank you PEPFAR). The support group is designed to give emotional support to people living with HIV/AIDS, but it’s more than that. People are out of work. They want something to do, and they want something to eat. If all goes well our support group will provide gardening activities, sewing projects and other income-generation projects. Our centre has attempted to get this group going but has run into many hurdles. We had about 15 people register for the group last year, but most did not attended subsequent meetings. They started a sewing project but our sewing machines and materials were stolen. There are now burglar bars and a barbed-wire fence to discourage break-ins. I think if we get some funding and some food we could have ourselves a successful support group. Stigma will be an on-going problem. HIV+ people really don’t want anyone to know their status. We think some fear being judged just by entering our centre where ‘HIV/AIDS Support Centre’ is painted on the exterior. Wish us luck.
5 comments:
just ran across your blog and was curious to hear your boss' name. Can you tell me if she studied at UC Davis? if so, can you ask her to please email randy from davis at rg_offers at yahoo. thanks.
I went to school with Lejeune at UCLA School of Public Health. I have always been a huge fan of hers and I am please that she has had much successful in International Health Issues. I am very proud of her!!!
Bradley Walker UCLA class of '91
Hi Dave,
I like your blog. Beautiful picture of Justy also. I'll be sure to let her see it so that she can know that she is representing the Young Achievers of Namibia throughout the world! Can believe that I came across your blog because I was searching for an old friend, Brad from grad school. Wow! The world just got smaller. Thanks for connecting us.
Hi Dave,
I actually am trying to reach Lejeune Lockett and hopefully you can help me. I met her YEARS ago in Mexico -- maybe in 1997. I am sure all of this would be easier if I would just breakdown and create a Facebook page. If you could, please give my e-mail address, drdrobinson at sprynet.com, to Lejeune. Thank you so much and all the best in your work.
Dave, your blog has done wonders for my social life!I've reconnected with old friends that I thought were lost forever. I hope that you are doing well after finishing your assignment in Namibia. I would love to hear from you and what you are doing next. Take care and congratulations for your excellent work as a PCV!
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