AIDS?

Today I woke up late and went to school for my 10 am meeting with Jimmy’s aunt. As with all African’s no one really keeps time so she showed up closer to 11. Before they arrived Jimmy pulled me aside and told me that he wanted to talk to me about what his guardians told him last night. I told him that we would talk after school when no one was around.

Jimmy’s uncle (brother in law to the women I met the other day) also came. The uncle was very nice and asked me a lot of questions. We exchanged addressed and took photos of each other. He eventually asked me if I knew Jimmy’s status. I played dumb and told him no. He told me that Jimmy has AIDS and that he is on ARV medication. He told me that both Jimmy’s parents died of AIDS a few years ago. They also told me that is the reason why Jimmy had swelling in his head. They said that the P5 teacher did not know and was beating him because Jimmy would show up late to school. The reason he was late is because he was taking the medication and that was making him sick. I wanted to believe the uncle because he seemed very sincere and why else would he say Jimmy had AIDS in a society where it is kept quite. The aunt on the other hand looked very suspicious. She kept her head down and didn’t say much.

When they left I asked Nansubuga if she believed them. She said that she believed the uncle but that the women was looking srrange. I told her that Jimmy had told me that here husband was beating him and that is why he had problems with his head. I then asked Nansubuga and another teacher if they thought it would be ok for me to take Jimmy for an HIV test. They both said yes, so I may take him later this week, if he agrees.

This afternoon I showed the kids the video I took of them last time. They LOVED it! I even video taped them watching it and their reaction. It was a great moment. We have agreed to meet at the school on Saturday to have a dance party, so that should be fun.

Tonight I am meeting with Kakembo's mother and Kwagala's father to talk to them about getting passports for the kids. I wanted to invite Jimmy but if he does indeed have AIDS I think it would be too much of a risk. We'll see what the other two kid's parents say.

This is my first visit to the internet in Mukono and it seems to be MUCH better. It is way faster this time and I was able to put up several posts in a short amount of time. I really feel like this trip is so much different than the last one. There are fewer volunteers, the latrines are cleaner, the internet is better, so far so good. I am glad though that I went through hard times last time because it is really making me appreciate this trip so much more. I love this country and it's people and wish I could share it all with everyone.

Hope you're all enjoying the winter. I know it's strange to say but I can't wait to get back to the cold, this weather is killing me. 30 degree's in Uganda is like 50 degrees in Canada. HOT!


Jenn