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WAIT N’ SEE Serving The Communities Of The World In Stopping AIDS |
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To all WAIT friends and family:
As a way to prevent pain and the transmission of deadly diseases, knowledge of our situation can help us determine the best choices to make. Getting tested is the only way safe choices for the future will be made clear. That 's why we have a first person account this week from WAIT Year of Service Trainer, Mike Ferrete, on his recent experience getting tested. We hope this will inspire you all to tell others how important it is to know one's status, and to make powerful choices to stop AIDS.
Recent Contributors
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Upcoming Events 6/16/07: HOC Youth Expo |
"How can I help?" WAIT is a victim of its own success. Requests are pouring in from states and nations for us to come and train youth there…but airfares and food costs money. Your donation is an investment in humanity, and will be multiplied many times over through the hard work of the WAIT volunteers. You can donate online at waitteam.org/donate.htm, or by sending a check to: WAIT, 7752 Decatur Rd. A letter acknowledging your donation can be sent for your tax records. However, there are many ways that you can help without making a cash donation! We are also in desperate need of: - Desktop & Laptop Computers And above all, we are always looking for people willing to donate their time. For more information on how you can help WAIT, visit our Donate page. |
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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.
WAIT Year of Service Report Card
WAIT Year of Service... the end is near!
After months of intensive service learning, WAIT’s first-ever Year of Service is drawing to a close. The WAIT Team Year of Service began in July, 2006, when several high school graduates dedicated this year to use their passions to stopping AIDS. Working out of the home of the dedicated Tsubata family, we learned lot about ourselves and each other, as well as the world. Looking back on the past year, here is what we were able to accomplish:
Number of Trainers involved during the year (July 2006 – August 2007): |
10 |
Total number of Performances: |
Total: 187 |
Schools: |
19 |
Churches: |
26 |
Health Events: |
16 |
Community Events and Organizations: |
26 |
Audience members reached: |
Over 10,000 |
Number of Trainings: |
27 |
Teams Initiated: |
17 (9 US, 8 International) |
Total of US States reached: |
17 |
Total countries reached: |
8 (incl. Korea and Czech Rep, coming soon) |
Total Meetings with Press: |
8 |
Skills Gained: |
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Non-WAIT Related Community Outreach: |
West Lanham Hills Community Association
New Hope Farms
Mid-Atlantic Gleaning Network (MAGNET)
Also: Served at events and conferences for various nonprofit foundations and organizations National AIDS Council of Grenada “OUCH” Campaign
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Local News
Getting Tested
By Mike Ferrete
One big issue in stopping HIV and other STD's is to know one's status. With this knowledge, a person can make decisions that will keep them healthy as well as protecting others. Several WAIT members have been tested and urge others to do the same. This is one member's experience.
Having been tested almost a year previously, I thought it would be a good idea to get tested again and have up-to-date results. I was looking for sites on the web and found one provided by the Health Department from the state, which was free and at a convenient location. Getting tested was as easy as either rubbing a swab around in my mouth or getting pricked on the finger.
A few days later, I went to get an STD test (it was $10 but I heard other counties provide it for free.) Because I am not sexually active, the doctors had some trouble understanding why I was getting tested. They explicitly said "You can only get syphilis and gonorrhea from sex!" Eventually they just drew my blood and took a urine sample.
In the end, I knew where I stood and it took little effort to find out. Since many people who spread HIV don't even know it, one of the best things anyone can do is to get tested and and to know what choices you can make that will protect yourself and others from possible infections.
Food Bank
by Rakim Muhammad
The DC WAIT team normally spends around $400-$500 on food every week. Fortunately, thanks to the MAGNET food bank, the weekly food expenses have been cut down dramatically. WAIT was introduced to the Food Bank through Marian and Reid Mickens, the grandparents of WAIT members Tarik, Rakim, and Hashim Muhammad.
Every Wednesday, MAGNET delivers food to Thomas Lincoln Middle school and people, mostly from the community, gather to get food. The food is all donated and of course free. So, WAIT recently has started going there to get many food products that we consume very often such as potatoes, various fruits, lettuce, cabbage, chili beans, and many other vegetables. Also, we help pack food for other people.
Thanks to the MAGNET Food Bank, WAIT is able tosave a lot of money each week. Volunteering at a food bank is an excellent way to give back to the community. WAIT goes there both to get food and to help pack food for everyone else. That way, it’s a give and take situation and WAIT, MAGNET, and all the people gathered at the school benfit from us helping out there. Now that less money is being spent on food, WAIT can use more of its money for other local, national, and international outreach.
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
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