Dear WAIT members,

What a busy summer we all have had.  DC and One Year Trainer WAIT members have visited several other countries to teach new teams.  Ohio and Kentucky have been training several other state teams.  New Jersey raised the bar, creating more intensity for team members and gaining in seriousness and commitment. 

One thing I always notice is that we never lose by really investing ourselves.  Just when we are so tired, we feel we can’t take another step—but we do—there is some wonderful experience that is gained.

Please remember that each of you is unique—and each of you is WAIT.  We don’t grow because we have a certain number of members—but because we are becoming a certain type of person, together with our families. 

In this e-newsletter, please notice all the unique projects being undertaken by the amazing and creative people of WAIT all over the world.  I hope these give you some ideas for activities you might want to start in your own area.

Many thanks,
Aunt Kate

Washington AIDS International Teens

WAIT teaches people of all ages, races, religions, and cultures about the science of HIV. We advocate getting tested, living abstinent until a lifetime partnership, and good health care for those infected. We teach through the performing arts and other talents and skills, including electronic media and communication. WAIT works with anyone wishing to stop to AIDS in their communities and across the globe.

Czech, please!

The UK WAIT team and our dear Juliette Martin, recent graduate of the One Year program, returned from the Czech Republic with news of some groundbreaking training there. See the whole story….

Wait breaks the Anime Barrier

Lilia Gaigg of New Jersey WAIT has just produced a poignant anime, “Alec’s Story,” incorporating the talents of her whole family and several friends.  She is entering it in a Free Teens contest, but we were amazed to view the exciting DVD, which combines still images (all drawn by Lilia) with creative video techniques, voiceovers and sound effects. 

Lilia’s story follows a typical “player” who discovers that he is infected with HIV.  We experience his shock, anger, the heartache and stigma he experiences, and the joy of finding one really good friend. 

Lilia worked hard on this project, getting no sleep for the last 48 hours before the final deadline.  Uncle Kurt Garrison helped, and the result is a beautiful and very impressive DVD. See it here

Lights, Camera, Action!

Mie and Sun Jae Smith have initiated their filmmaking careers with a new project, their first ever fictional feature film.  All of the DC WAIT team have been involved in the various aspects of the production: lights, sound, acting, etc.   We decided to do this in the week before school starts for most of us, to end the summer with an unforgettable project.

The script is called “Soul Search” although the final film may have a different title.  We won’t divulge the plot, but stay tuned for more revelations….

Open Mikes

On another front, our own Ade Giwa performed at the “Busboys and Poets” open mike last week, reciting her story-poem “Guessing Game,” in which AIDS taunts people with its power and invisible expansion.  She also supported her friend Safiya who performed another poem, “Fake Revolutionary.”  Another friend, Hakim, performed an original song.

Share your heart! Contact us on what you think!

E-mail: info@waitteam.org

Phone: (301) 577-1094

Address: 7752 Decatur Rd., Hyattsville, MD 20784