hello from Johannesburg!

I have only been in SA for a day but it is already amazing!

The last two days in DC were great. On Monday, our HIV/AIDS theme day, we watched the film 'sex in an epidemic' which was co produced by out professor shanti - which looks at the stigmas and misconceptions associated with HIV over the last two decades. After, we spoke to four different NGOs which work on HIV and sex related issues in DC. At night, we had a great dinner at almaz, an etheopian restaurant on u st, with Ihp alumni that live in the area. I sat with s man who went on Ihp in 1968! It was great to hear the stories memories and advice. On Tuesday, we lobbied with our senators to pass a legislation that prohibits child marriage in the developing world. Learning about the issue and lobbying on the hill was a great experience. At night, we had a final group meeting and check in before we left for SA. during this talk, we discussed our privileges and how they influence our lives now and the role we will play while were abroad. We also acknowledged how diverse our group is and how this will be a unique exciting and sometimes challenging experience for us all - a huge cultural experience in and of itself. I feel really fortunate to be part of such s diverse group, filled with all races religions and ethnic backgrounds.. I know I will learn so much from everyone. I went to Gw to say my final goodbyes which really set in the reality of my beginning.


After a long 16 hour flight I finally arrived to SA! We are staying in a community called wilgespruit west of joburg. A lovely woman named Anastasia who runs the community gave us a welcome speech about the place we are staying and about SA in general. Fun fact - SA has 11 official languages and most blacks here speak at least 6 of them. The food has been great and so accommodating to vegetarians! And the rooms are so nice, suite style..with bathrooms - so no bucket showers yet! Anastasia introduced us to her nephew 'shakes' who is 22 and is our groups party man because he is planning to take us all out tomorrow night! The landscape and weather is great as well. This afternoon, we went to the apartheid museum in joburg which helped me learn so much about SAs rich and sad history. It was really upsetting to learn that apartheid began right after WWII ended and that it lasted all the way through when I was born. Really sad. Everything is so exciting and I'm loving every moment of it. I will be in the joburg area for the next few days and will leave for very rural Bushbuckridge on wednesday.

Happy readings!
Jess