To all WAIT friends and family:

This week has truly illustrated the adage “as you sow, so shall you reap.” WAIT’s hard work and investment this week has sown some amazing blessings. A huge thank you to all who contributed in any way to these successes.

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.

About the AIDS Benefit Concert :

School Supports AIDS with Arts

More than 250 people were on hand to support the fight against AIDS at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD on Wednesday, May 9.  Organized by the You Choose Club and WAIT, the AIDS Benefit Concert drew together 8 school clubs, several well-known artists, parents, teachers and administrators to advocate for HIV prevention through creative messaging.

WAIT member, Teresa Ferrete, who also co-chaired the event with Kester Wilkening of the You Choose Club, proposed the event in lieu of the club’s regular “AIDS Awareness Day,” usually held annually during school hours.  This evening concert was to raise money for WAIT’s overseas outreach to Africa and the Caribbean. 

The program was an exciting mix of song, dance and beats.  “Dem Raider Boyz” combined exciting percussion and movement with unison spoken words.  Exciting and colorful, the “Flags” presentation used swirling pennants to emphasize the message of the song “Don’t Lie” by Black-eyed Peas.  The Eleanor Roosevelt Dance Company did a gospel type dance to “Amazing Grace,” and the Gospel choir “Blessed” sang “I need you to Survive.” 

Spoken word artist Komplex shared his unforgettable poem “Heaven In View,” about a woman with HIV who lived to the fullest.  WAIT member Ade Giwa stunned the audience with her poem “Guessing Game,” soon to be released on our coming album.

The song “Seasons of Love,” which originated in the rock opera “Rent,” was beautifully rendered by Suspenders, an acappella group from Roosevelt.  Anne Arundel dance major Lindsay Howard choreographed and performed an African dance, Koutougi, for the occasion. 

The You Choose Club debuted their original skit “Matrix Ultimatum” written by George Burton, a WAIT veteran.  It recounted the story of Neo, Trinity, Dr. Morpheus and the Oracle, all involved in a young couple contracting HIV, with lots of spoofing of the Matrix trilogy.

Of course, WAIT performed, doing Breakdance, "Rose," and "Wait For Me" showcasing some of our traditional acts, with the concert culminating in a new version of “Desert Rose” that involved all the WAIT members. 

Parents and friends helped out with manning the concession tables and other tasks.  It was so amazing to see with how much willingness and heart the entire event took place.

Extremely impressive was the active support of the Principal, Sylvester Conyers, who opened the event with a moving narrative about the genesis of the AIDS problem, and the seeming indifference of the public to what is still an active epidemic.  But the hero of the hour was definitely teacher Sean Brady, whose constant effort over the past year not only fostered the You Choose Club’s planning, but enabled the logistical issues to be surmounted.  He and his wife are expecting their first child just at this time, so it was a Herculean task to handle all these tasks while expecting labor to begin at any time!

The concert raised about $1,800 for WAIT’s international project travel costs.  But more importantly, it raised public awareness and commitment to stopping this preventable disease. 

Many thanks to all those involved.  A DVD of the event is being produced and will be available to those wishing to see how they might replicate such an event in their local area.

--Reported by Kate Tsubata

Local News

DC WAIT Recent Performance Reports
Browne Middle School Health Fair
Reported by Kate Tsubata
On Friday, May 4th, WAIT and WAIF joined the Browne Junior High School health fair.  While WAIT performed in the auditorium, the WAIF staff set up a display in the gymnasium and shared the powerpoint presentation on HIV. 

WAIT performed for about 60 9th graders, sharing the message about how each of us can prevent HIV with our choices and our gifts and talents.  Many really responded, coming up to sing and dance with us at the end. 

Teachers and administrators shared their seriousness about the AIDS situation in our city, and several students signed up to join WAIT.

Parkdale High School & New Hope Academy
Reported by Cathlene Bell
On May 3rd and 8th, the DC WAIT team and One Year Trainers returned to the familiar halls of Parkdale High School, a school that WAIT has been working with for 5 years. Our long and happy relationship with teacher Mrs. Reed has led WAIT to become a regular addition to Parkdale’s health curriculum.

We were able to give our “First AIDS” PowerPoint and do abbreviated performances for a total of 6 health classes. We were especially lucky to have 5 WAIT members that attend Parkdale who could perform for their classmates, making the message stand out even more strongly.

The response we received on both days was very inspiring. The students participated very actively in both the powerpoint and the performance, and many expressed a genuine interest in joining WAIT. Once again, it was a powerful experience to work in Parkdale.

On Monday, May 9th, DC WAIT visited New Hope Academy in Landover Hills, MD. We performed for over 200 6-8th graders. Three of our WAIT team members are students at New Hope, and they received a tremendous amount of support from their fellow classmates. Several students commited themselves to join WAIT. All in all, these three days of performing yielded excellent responses, and we eagerly await opportunities to return.

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