I am sending out a weekly email updating the Board and other members of Brazos on what is going on. Instead if writing the same thing over again here, I thought I would just copy and paste. Sorry to those who have already seen it...
The first week in Merida has been very successful and busy! Megan and I arrived here on sunday night and were picked up from the airport by two wonderful men, Carlos and Luca. They took us to our apartment and showed us how to work everything, thank goodness because I had never heard of an electric shower and I still can't quite figure out how to work the AC properly. We were supposed to have an event early in the week but it was cancelled for reasons I am not really sure of, but I think it was a lack of organization on the part of the university that was hosting the event. The first couple of days, since there was no event, was spent getting reacquainted with Merida, thinking about the workshop, and swimming in John and Jose's pool (THANKS YOU SO MUCH!). Carlos was very patient when showing us around, he really wanted to make sure we knew where we were and where we were going. On the third day, Megan and I were about to walk back from John's and I had to say to Carlos, "Please don't kill me, but where do I live?" he didnt kill me, but he made me lead the way back just to make sure it was engrained in my head. Thank you Carlos, Megan and I would still be trying to figure out how to get home if it wasn't for you.
On Thursday we had an event a small University in Merida (I think it was called Universidad Modelo, Carlos please correct me if I am wrong). Gordon came in the night before and was at the event for a short amount of time before he and Carlos went to the Mayor's HQ, what an honor! There was already an email sent out about it so I will not bore you with the same info..the account from Carlos was much more entertaining than mine would be. Hehehe. We tested 27 people, with no positives, hooray! The majority were students and were all very fun to interact with. They all had a lot of questions and were interested in what Brazos Abiertos was doing. Because Carlos and Gordon had to go to the meeting and the mayor's office we only had one person administering the tests and the line just kept getting longer and longer. Since I have been trained in US to administer the oral swab test I was able to help out. At the time I didnt know how big of a deal the use of oral swabs were in this region and reporters kept trying to sneak pictures or would come up and ask if they could take pictures (we had to say no to protect the anonymity of the students). Megan also had the chance to learn how to administer the saliva test and was able to test a person or two. Neither of us had ever participated in a health fair event with Brazos and we learned a lot from the experience. It was cool to see and be a part of that part of the Brazos Mission. I believe that our comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS prevention in Mexico is the key to success and sets us apart from other organizations. Because we combine education, anonymous testing, and treatment/resources to the people living in and around the Yucatan (not to mention the way we work within communities to insight change from the ground up) we have a sustainable program that targets HIV from every angle.
Friday we met with TEAMM Yucatan in the evening at Father Bill's place. We had 15 kids, well none of them are kids anymore so I am gonna have to say "young adults", show up to the meeting. I sent out an email a couple of days before and Carlos called Ricardo to make sure to gather everyone up and let them know about the meetings that were going to take place over the weekend. Margeli, Lariza, and Mitchell all came from Sierra, it was their first meeting in months and they seemed very happy to be there. Carlos also showed up after not participating in Brazos events for the past 5 months and announced that he is back and is committed to Brazos 100%. He had a great talk with Dr. Carlos about what had been going on the past few months and I know he left feeling very reassured and part of the group again. Hooray! At the meeting we talking about goals for the future and brainstormed about how to recruit new members and spread information. It is really important to TEAMM Yucatan to conduct a community fair in Komchen and we made it a goal for this summer. Very exciting. Also, Carlos came up with the idea to put up posters in the local health clinic about HIV. They also came up with a number of recruiting activities, so it looks like we have our work cut out for us this summer. It is going to be an exciting challenge. It was really good to get reacquainted with the group and work with them. They have all grown so much over the past 6 months but they are still the same wonderful people. Eduardo had us worried because he was having a difficult time paying attention during the meeting and didnt seem like himself. We were so worried that after the meeting we talked about what we thought was going on with him or what we should do about it. He called my phone shortly after that conversation to say that he was going to come to the fun event we had planned for the next day and apologized for the way he was acting during the meeting. Carlos asked him what was going on and he said that he was just happy because he feels that he did very well on his entrance exam for engineering school and that his friend his helping him get a job so that he can pay for university! All that worrying for nothing, he was just happy! Big congrats to him! I am sure you all remember that a year ago his mom told us that he may not be able to continue with high school because he needed to work and earn money. He was able to get a scholarship from Father Bill so he could continue with his studies. He is such a smart and talented young person!
After the meeting Carlos, Megan, and I debriefed on the meeting and the program as a whole. We came up with idea on how to better accommodate interns from universities who don't necessarily know about Brazos. We came up with the idea to have a training period at the beginning where they would be able to observe, learn, and jump in when they feel comfortable and then eventually take on more responsibiity to where they are working directly with the TEAMM leader (appointed by and from within TEAMM Yucatan) to organize events and meetings. I think that to have this transition period will mean that the interns will feel much more comfortable and prepared. We also talked about writing an outline of how we run the meetings so not only will it give the future interns a reference but it will also keep things consistent no matter who the intern is or who the TEAMM leader is. We came to the conclusion that in order to best utilize the gifts of TEAMM we need to create a set structure for the program . Over the past two years we have learned so much through trial and error and it is now time to compile what works best and implement it. One of my goals for the summer is to work with TEAMM Yucatan to create and implement this structure.
On Saturday we met up with TEAMM Yucatan to go to the movies, they chose Angels and Deamons. I have the lowest blood pressure in the world but when I go to movies like that I feel like my heart is going to explode. Luckily I had to leave to go to the bathroom during the most suspenseful scene. I was shaking so bad that my legs felt wobbly. Megan and TEAMM seemed to enjoy it though, and the fact that I was terrified the whole time or as Eduardo says it, I "had scared". Dr. Carlos was not able to stay for the movie and asked Ricardo to take the bus back to Centro with me and Megan to make sure we arrived to our apartment and didnt get lost or take the wrong bus. Well, more than Half of TEAMM Yucatan joined him to make sure we arrived safely! When we got to my apartment I told them I was sorry that it was so small and that I hadnt done the dishes yet and we welcomed them in. I dont think this place has ever seen that many people before and it was bursting at the seems. We had a great time and took a few minutes to email the Graduates (Sam and Mack who graduated Saturday and Norah who graduated a week(ish) ago). We also talked about our favorite movies and watched videos on youtube. I told them they could come visit me whenever they wanted to, I hope they do!!!! I am still struggling through my conversational spanish skills but they are very patient with me and I am learning, little by little. The only way I am gonna learn is by struggling through it! I have attached a picture of everyone in my little apartment along with the pics from the workshop!
I unfortunately was not able to attend the workshop on Sunday due to a horrible feeling in my stomach, but from what I heard it was also a great success! Megan was able to have some one on one time with TEAMM while Carlos went to sierra to pick up Margeli and Lariza. They talked about strategies for getting new members and the idea of TEAMM being its own committee within Brazos. How cool!!!!! Way to go Megan!!! It was sunday so not many people were able to attend and Ricardo even called to tell Carlos that he had to work unexpectedly. It seems like we are getting more and more efficient at communicating. Speaking of Ricardo, the group chose roles and he was elected as the leader of the group, Itzel was elected as the note taker and Margeli was elected as the leader for Sierra Papacal. At first the idea of having "job" within the group seemed like a lot of work and some were reluctant to volunteer or accept positions, but when the roles were explained to them they decided that it was a really good idea and were eager to take on the jobs. During a meeting in Houston Susan suggested that we have TEAMM chose roles within the group to help create more structure and sense of responsibility within the group, GREAT IDEA SUSAN!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone seems to be taking on more responsibility within Brazos and in turn taking ownership. I know Abby really worked hard on getting the group to this point and she did an amazing job. Abby, thank you so much for your hard work and dedication, I can see a huge difference in the group. After picking jobs the group went to the computer Lab to get set up on the blog, which was difficult because it was in spanish, and to do research to find clinics and hotlines relating to HIV/AIDS, STD's, domestic violence, and substance abuse. The information that they found will be put on a business card and we can hand it out at events and have them available for individuals who inquire about where they can go if they need assistance or help. The information will be sent to Dr. Carlos and he will verify that all the information is correct and the organizations are legitimate. This is going to be a great resource for us to have! Thanks to Megan, Carlos and TEAMM for putting it al together!
Also, I am happy to tell you that Brazos as gotten a new volunteer for a couple of weeks, Kody Dobecka. He graduated from A&M last year with a degree in Anthropology and spent a summer in Mexico with an exchange program. He is interested in pursuing a masters in medical anthropology so he will be helping with testing events amongst other things. He speaks excellent spanish and I am sure he will be a great asset. We are all very excited for him to arrive this Sunday, specially me since he happens to be my boyfriend. Now that I have shamelessly bragged about him I think my account of this past week is finished.
