It's Official

Have you ever noticed that nearly every single momentous occasion, every new chapter in your life, begins with a signature? Why, in the past two years alone I have signed marriage contracts, greencard applications, and mortgage agreements. And on Wednesday I signed one more. It may not seem like a big deal, since I have been living, working and studying in preparation for my trip to Namibia for the past five months now, but on Wednesday myself and my 10 other teammates sat down with Jytte, our headmaster, who very clearly and deliberately explained the contract set out before us between ourselves and Humana People to People. She also went over in detail our health insurance plan, which was very reassuring (especially the part about air evacuation should the need arise). And with one more signature I formally signed my life away for one year. So begins another chapter in what is turning out to be a surprisingly adventurous life. And what an adventure this new chapter will be.

So here is what I know about what I will be doing for the next year. Still no word on my visa to Namibia, but all going well, I am hoping to fly out of JFK with Brian and two other team members on the 23^rd February. We’ll fly into either Johannesburg or Cape Town and then on to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. From there we will most likely take a bus up to the DAPP center where we will be living. The center is about 10 km from Uutapi which is located right on the border with Angola in the province of Omusati. We will be living in a hut with running water and electricity (although I am not counting on it working continuously) and will be sharing a kitchen with another DI. I am hoping we will have internet since Joseph, our Project Leader, has been pretty quick in his email responses, which I am taking as a good sign – both with regards to internet access and to his abilities/motivation/commitment as a Project Leader. Brian and I will be working with their TCE program which has actually completed its mandated 3 years and is now in TCE Phase 2, something which has stumped all the teachers here on the mountain since they were not aware that Phase 2 existed. It seems that the structure of the program looks to remain the same, which is good since that is what we have been studying and preparing for. The only difference seems to be that in this phase the one on one interaction goes more in depth, focusing on high risk behaviors and delving deeper into all aspects of HIV/AIDS and harm reduction methods. Which, if I am correct in what I believe Phase 2 is doing, is extremely interesting and exciting.

All of which is motivating me even more to learn the basics so that I don’t look like an idiot, and can be of some use. To that end, I am going to a one day course in Albany on Wednesday on HIV/AIDS & STDS, a three day course in February on HIV & Harm Reduction, and will be leading an evening program this week on leadership & teambuilding skills and recognizing individual comfort zones.

So that’s me for the time being. The mountain is looking beautiful under its blanket of snow. Walking in the silent woods in winter is one of the most peaceful times of the year. And watching people from Brazil, Japan and Korea sled down the hill for the first time is an experience I will never forget – fantastic!