Letter 17, September 22nd, 2003

Dear Fam,

Never did I think I would be blowing a condom up like a balloon in front of 40 14 -17 year old... But let me backtrack. For two weeks now, I've been teaching life skills (mostly HIV/AIDs Education) at two of the local primary schools three days a week to Standard 5th and Standard 6th students. So far, it's been fun, but also a bit of a challenge as far as the kiswahili goes. Last week a couple of the boys asked me some questions about condoms, whether or not there were holes in them and if they really did protect against HIV. So this week, I brought some condoms to show them that their were no holes per se, although nothing is 100% but abstinence(as far as getting the virus through sexual practices or pregnancy). I put the condom on the end of a full water bottle and dumped it upside down, and then took it around to show them no water was leaking out through these tiny "invisible" holes. Then one of the boys asked me about how strong the condoms were, and suggested that some men don't use them........cuz they're too "big" for them. The only way I could think of disproving that was blowing it up like a balloon until it was as long as my arm and about four times as wide. Well, they were actually amazed by that and I hope it helped them to get at least a few things straightened out in their heads. The demonstration brought out all kinds of good questions, although I have to smile when I think about what my intentions were in joining the Peace Corps a year ago....somehow blowing up condoms didn't make that list, and I have to laugh, but be honest when I say it was the highlight of my week......

On the downside, my two favorite teachers have been accepted at the University in Dar and are leaving next week. I'm very excited for them, but I will truly miss them. I'm waiting to see if the school will fall apart without them too (One is the Second Master). A plus side for me is that I get to "Take Care" of the second master's mini-refrigerator while he's gone!!! Cold water and being able to keep food longer are two very exciting things to look forward to in the next year.

Alrighty, that's it for now,

my love to you all,

Jessica