Pigs!

I have already got my hands in the pig farm.
-Piebald

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, one of my main projects has been working with community support groups for HIV+ people. A few months ago we received a grant for two such groups- one for a group in Bigasa Sub-county, and another for a group in Kitanda Sub-county. The grant is funding the construction of a “piggery” (pig sty/shelter) and two improved-breed pigs for each group. The group members will practice community farming to rear the pigs, and piglets will be distributed to group members for personal rearing. Things are still underway with the project, but here's what has gone on so far!

The Bigasa Piggery...

Group members unloading cement:

Measuring:

Members clearing the land for the project:

A load full of sand is delivered:

Mixing:

They start making the foundation!

Me pretending to help smoosh down the concrete:

My counterpart Frank (right) discussing things with Nakiwala, the chairperson of the group. (Nakiwala is a name from the same clan as my name-Nakivumbi- so she and I are "sisters.")

On World AIDS Day, lots of important people visited the project.

Me and the District Agricultural Officer (center):

The almost-finished structure:The group members gave me a chicken:

Group members and the piggery!

The Kitanda Piggery...

Group members unloading bricks:

The foundation:

Bena (group chairperson) and my counterpart Frank discussing what to feed the pigs:

Bena has a really awesome matooke plantation, and she gave me a huge bunch:
Bena and me:

The Kitanda Piggery!

There are going to be more educational sessions and a group study trip to a really well-run piggery in a nearby village, and we plan to get the pigs in May!

Camp

Back in December I helped out with a camp for HIV+ kids that was sponsored by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The camp included kids from 11-18 years who were identified by their psychosocial counselors at the health centers where they seek treatment. The camp was a really great way for them to meet other kids who face the same challenges as they do!

With campers Kenneth, Shamimu, and Fred:
During the camp, we had a lot of get-to-know-each-other activities, lessons and discussions about dealing with the social aspects of having HIV, a lot of singing and dancing, and a lot of fun! Here are pictures from some of the events...

One day we took the kids to see the Nile River. On the way there, with the girls in the back of the bus:
Mayi, Babirye, & Stella

The kids at Bugagali Falls:
They had a lot of fun watching the daredevil men who make it down the falls by holding on to nothing but a 20-liter jerrycan full of air to help keep them afloat. They also really enjoyed watching an acrobat:
On another day we had a much-anticipated talent show:

There was lots of singing:
Fred, with backup singers Nasta, Ivan, Lucy, & Vivian

The show also included traditional dancing:
Which I eventually joining in...
As well as modern dancing:
Featuring counselors Robert and Seth- the latter came from LA to help with the camp!


There was also a fashion show-
Shamimu's outfit is made from paper bags that once held cement- amazing!


And, what is the end of camp without a celebratory cake?

I think that the best thing about the camp was that the kids got to be in a place where there was no discrimination against them by their peers or by their caretakers- which is usually not the case. But, at the camp, every single one of their fellow campers was HIV+ just like them, and every single one of their counselors knew that they deserved as much of a chance as any other kid.
It was a week that no one will soon forget!