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….

News From the States'

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

After School Program Conference’s WAIT Performance Report, Columbus, OH

Once upon a time, or more specifically, August the 22nd 2007, the Ohio WAIT team gathered at the enormous Vineyard Church Community Center to perform at the After School Programs Conference. There were a hundred teachers, educators, and leaders from all over Ohio and even some from other states.  Preceding us were inspirational speakers and poets, and an award ceremony to honor one teacher’s efforts for the community.  The WAIT performance followed this ceremony, and the audience responded with enthusiastic energy.  We performed the breakdance act (Jump), the skit, the game show - given by Andreas Culbertson, with great delivery - and the dance “A Rose is still a Rose”.  The audience was very excited about our message and wanted to share it with their communities.  Thankfully this performance helped us spread our message further into Columbus and its surroundings, and we hope that we will spread it even further with their help. 
~ Harmony Becker ~ Ohio WAIT Team member ~

New Jerusalem Baptist Church’s WAIT Performance Report ~ Louisville, KY

On August 24th, Ilseuk Masuda, Yong-Sung Masuda, Gracie Becker, and Harmony Becker from the Ohio WAIT Team all set out for Louisville, Kentucky.  After a four hour drive, we arrived at the Williams’ home, to a very enthusiastic reception complete with a lot of rainbow sherbet.  The next day we practiced with the Kentucky team and their two new members, Michael and his younger brother.  We went to the performance site to scope out the area and prepare the next day Sunday Service/WAIT Performance program with Rev. Elliot. After a quick runthrough, we went home and everyone ran back and forth between the Presley’s and the Williams’ house.  It was all very exciting. 

The next morning, at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church,  the church members had a very contagious energy that lasted through the whole service and our performance, which consisted of a breakdance act to “Revolution”, the skit, and the dance “Beauty From Pain”.  The church members received it very well, especially Elizabeth, the woman who gave the message.  She is HIV positive, and gave her sermon about living with HIV but still having faith in God and enjoying her life to the fullest.  Her testimony was very inspiring and I will never forget it.  Unfortunately, the Ohio members had to leave directly after her testimony, but we won’t forget the experience and the heart of the New Jerusalem Church. 
~ Harmony Becker ~ Ohio WAIT Team member  ~

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.

WAIT Performs for 4th Annual International Youth Assembly at the UN

On August 14, 2007, WAIT was invited to take part in an event of global proportions. For the Fourth consecutive year, the United Nations in New York City held an International Youth Assembly. Youth Representatives from all around the world convened to discuss the UN’s Millennium Development Goals – which include halting the spread of HIV/AIDS. WAIT participated in an evening cultural performance at the Turkish Mission facility, which was attended by several hundred Youth UN representatives. See the whole story...

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E-mail: info@waitteam.org

Phone: (301) 577-1094

Address: 7752 Decatur Rd., Hyattsville, MD 20784