This one’s for Gallapo!

Ever since my volunteer program last summer, I have wondered Gallapo Town. I always think back to the days we walked to and from schools, taught in the town, and of the community we were able to reach out to. I also wonder about my homestay and how the Happy Household is doing, I wonder if the work we did made an impact in the community, and if anything we taught was sustainable. These questions were answered a few weeks ago when Dan, the Volunteer Program Manager, asked if I would attend the Peer Leader graduation ceremony.

In many of the villages around the Babati district are HIV positive support groups. Within these groups, several people were selected to be trained and to lead a small group within the support group. As a Peer Leader, each person went through a training where they learned the SIC curriculum backwards and forward so that they can teach their group about HIV education, while also providing emotional support, and helping those who are at the stage of AIDS adhere to their medication. The reason I was asked to attend this celebration was to meet Veronica (on her request), a young women living in Gallapo Town, recently diagnosed with HIV.

As I entered the room to take part in this celebration, I was greeted by 41 smiling faces, all of various ages, ranging from age 10 to much older, but with a common goal to live life to the fullest despite their HIV status. As I looked around the room, I recognized faces from Gallapo, yet couldn’t find Veronica. I was a little nervous for our encounter, unsure if I would know who she was and curious to hear her story. Before I could think too far into the situation, Waziri, the Field Officer and Peer Leader Trainer, introduced me to the group and invited Veronica to the front to share her story.

From the third row to the front stood a beautiful young woman, dressed in the traditional Tanzanian congas, and wearing white sneakers. She smiled as she approached me and reached out her arm in greeting, and she began to tell the following story: Last summer as the Gallapo crew went around the town promoting our free testing day yelling the familiar “Upimaji wa VVU, Bure, Siri, na haraka” we were interrupted by screaming in a nearby duka (store). The screaming came from Veronica. She yelled that America brought HIV and that we should all return home. She giggled as she explained her reaction, but somehow Veronica decided to get the HIV test where unfortunately she found she was HIV positive. As she looked me in the eyes and apologized for her reaction and “rude comments”, I couldn’t believe the transformation she had made in less than a year. Not only had her life been turned around 180 degrees, but now she was making a positive impact not only for herself, but for those around her.

This is why I am back in Tanzania; for one person, one person like Veronica who was able to find change in their life, to see HIV as a reality, and to find the inner motivation to combat this disease and to protect others by being open about their status. Looking around the room at the Peer Leaders, it blew my mind how joyous and healthy they all looked, despite the misconception that HIV positive patients are sad and sickly. They all sang together, danced, and rejoiced as each received their diploma. It was such an amazing and encouraging site to encounter. As I left the celebration I was able to see the reality of HIV, yet the strong community it can bring. I walked out encouraged by this group and ready to work my hardest in Mamire. Stories such as Veronica’s shows that it’s not a matter of the number of people you reach, but just one individual can carry the joy and celebration as a thousand.

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