| What: Powerpoint Presentations at Parkdale High School
When: December 3-4th, 2005
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Details:
On Saturday, Dec. 3, six national team members went to Pennsylvania to help train youth from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware in the WAIT team methods.
After an introductory talk by Jarish Cohen, a college student working in Philadelphia, we began with the HIV/AIDS powerpoint and a mini-performance including New Jersey team members. A parents training then took place while the 40-plus participants broke into smaller groups to practice singing, dancing, skit and breakdancing.
During the evening, practices and the experiences of the youth were shared, both in their own schools and lives, and in the impact that WAIT has on their families and their communities.
The next day, we packed up and traveled to the Pentecostals of Pennsylvania, where Pastor Jesse Edwards welcomed us. More than 40 youth performed, despite the snow and cold weather that kept many people home. We were very moved by the testimony of one congregant who is an advocate and survivor of the disease, and who greatly encouraged the group in their work. This message was repeated by many of the church's leadership, and Pastor Edwards even put on a WAIT shirt and encouraged the congregation to take this message to the community and to all nations.
Then, we traveled across the city to perform at the Family Church of Philadelphia, where about 30 congregants enjoyed the presentation.
The training was quite amazing: in 3 hours, a group of girls learned the bulk of “One Girl Revolution” dance. The trainees performed the skit, breakdancing and the song “Hero” in both churches, and did a great job.
Much thanks to Chris Breland and the New Jersey team for organizing this exciting training!
Report on AIDS Awareness Week
Our efforts to promote Awareness of AIDS began with a performance at Anne Arundel Community College on Wednesay, Nov. 30, with a 40 minute presentation. The WAIT performance impressed the Nurses and organizers of the event, who had very strong praise for the heart and spirit of the presentation, as well as the performing skills.
Then, on Friday, the month-long efforts of WAIT members to create an AIDS Awareness Day at Eleanor Roosevelt High School finally bore fruit. Incorporated into the 8 performances by WAIT were acts from the Dance Team, Step Team “Dem Raider Boys” and the Flag team. Also, Bridgeport WAIT sent some of their key members to support. They also brought a speaker, Ms. Jennifer Kalangala, a refugee from the Congo, who spoke about the destruction of AIDS in her native land. Mr. Gregg Jones was also on hand to add his support. Kate Tsubata spoke in the health classes of Dr. Dave Jacobs, and Shelli Dinerstein, Heart to Hand, and other AIDS advocacy representatives were on hand to share the prevention message with Roosevelt students.
In Parkdale High School, the events continued with a series of powerpoint presentations, and eventually, WAIT performances, over the next few weeks.
Principal Horrigan invited the International Baccalaureate students to participate in the powerpoint, and expressed appreciation of the opportunity, and inviting WAIT to collaborate with students and faculty to create activities to fight the spread of AIDS.
Also, the UK WAIT leader, Marshall de Sousa, traveled to D.C. to meet with the WAIT core leaders, and to observe some of the school outreach work. He spoke at Parkdale about the impact of WAIT on the British schools and youth groups and churches as well.
The work continues, with plans for new trainings in Midwestern states in early Janaury. |
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