A few more pictures -- Delivering the supplies donated by Center on Halsted to the VCT!

A few pictures from the "Voluntary Counseling & Testing Centre" at Old Mutare Mission Hospital.  The programs there -- testing, counseling & the AMAZING support groups -- will become part of Project Tariro in the new year.  It was wonderful to be welcomed into the support group and to meet the staff who do the same job as I do!  More soon...

The first pictures!

Another one...

We've been eating most of our meals at the hotel or at Africa University and take a packed lunch. We've always had plenty. However, earlier this week we stopped at the Holiday Inn in Mutare for lunch at their restaurant. It was a surreal experience eating in "The Spur" tex mex restaurant and hearing Celine Dion on the sound system!


Then came time to order. We soon discovered how well off we've had it. We tried to oorder a cheese and tomato sandwich and learned they were out of tomato. We then tried a grilled cheese but they had no cheese. This went on and on and on.

And then the electricity went out. Again.

We ended up with waffles. And a fried egg sandwich. Prepared one at a time on a wood burning, single burner stove.

Inconvenient for us. But a typical day for the residents of Zimbabwe.

Hello again...

Today we experience radical hospitality at Streamview UMC, a new church start in Mutare. We were welcomed like honored guests and seated just off the chancel. A translator was provided as the service was in Shona. I loved the music and the dancing -- it went on for two and a half hours but could have gone on longer.


We were each asked to introduce ourselves and where we are from. I said Chicago and told what I do. Afterwards people approached me saying either "Obama!" or "Oprah!" It was great. The most humbling moment was when some of our team told me someone was looking for me. I met a woman of about 20 and she introduced herself as Patience and asked if I were the HIV counselor. I said I was. She then wanted to share that "I am living positively." I was so moved that she wanted to share this with me. We spoke for a while and she told me that she is well but does not yet have ARV meds. I let her know about the support group I visited this week and she was excited to learn of it.

Several other women also wanted to speak with me as they too do HIV testing. We spoke about how difficult the work is. I asked one woman what age range is testing positive most often and she said "15, 16, 17. Too many."

Too many world wide.

Hello again!

Hello again from Zimbabwe! I'm able to use the hotel manager's computer right now as he seems to have an internet connection that doesn't take an hour and a half to load like the other night!


We are having an amazing experience. Incredible. Yet, emotional, humbling and at times heart-breaking.

Yesterday, I was given the opportunity to sit in the support group for people living with HIV/AIDS which was so awe-inspiring. They are learning to live positively with the virus and are breaking down the walls of stigma in this country. They are making such a difference as they come out of hiding & shame. 40 people supporting each other. Such stories to share.

Through this I was able to meet the women who do the same job as I -- testing, counseling, and support group facilitation! We had so much to talk about! I was thrilled to meet them and they were thrilled to meet me. We compared notes, supported each other and learned from each other. (I'll post the pictures when I return.) But while I and my staff find it difficult to have a positive rate of 3% -- their's is 10 times higher!?! 30%!!!! I cannot imagine. I asked what support they have for themselves and they just smiled and said -- there is no time. My heart goes out to them. Please keep these amazing women in your thoughts & prayers.

And all this for only $120 per month.

But the joy of the people in the support group is infectious! There motto is "don't be negative about being positive!"

I also have video to share of their singing. You will not believe it!

Know we are all well.. if tired. But... it is a good tired.

Love and prayers.

Hello from Zimbabwe!!

Hello from Zimbabwe!




We’ve made it finally on Monday morning to Harare Airport & then the 3 hour drive to where we are staying near Mutare. It’s a beautiful – yet in need of much repair – Bed & Breakfast – which is really a converted home from colonial days. I SO wish I could post pictures of the country. It is truly breathtaking.



Unfortunately, internet is extremely limited. There is wireless at Africa University but connectivity is so low. I was unable to bring anything up. Another person was able to – after it loaded for an hour. I don’t think I ever even had dial up this slow. I’m now on the internet at the B&B but it’s just as bad. The manager loaned me his Econet Connect Card that is connected to an antenna that runs outside and up onto a stick of bamboo. And I was able to bring up my email after an hour. So I’ve asked my sis to post things that I email to her. (Thanks, Rach!) Hopefully I can do this again at some point.

We’ve seen so much in the short time we’ve been in the country. We visited a primary school, secondary school, & job training centre for OVC (Orphans & Vulnerable Children) – meaning one or both parents have died from AIDS related complex. Heartbreaking. To hear their stories. To see the conditions of the schools & their clothes. But oh, to hear them sing! Truly incredible. Their faces light up. To take their picture and then show it to them on the digital screen – I can describe the joy on their faces. “Again!” The simple joys.



And then to the ”New Hope Old People’s Home.” Even worse condition. People – men & women – human beings – cast off – discarded by society, their families (if they have any since so many have died as a result of HIV/AIDS), the world. Many are from other countries: Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi. Some physically impaired. Some blind – as a result of cataracts – imagine. But the joy in their faces when we gave them clothes brought and when we simply shook their hands, looked them in their eyes, and asked their stories.



I spoke with one gentleman who had said in the introductions thru a translator that he was so pleased to meet people from America as he had always read about it in books.

After all the intros I took the translator with me so I could say, “I am so pleased to meet you as I’ve always read about Africa in books.”



He responded in perfect British English & not in Shona as he had been speaking. We sat and talked for quite a while. I learned he was from Mozambique, was 81, and his name is Golden. He asked me to send him magazines from overseas so he could continue reading about other places. Here he had next to nothing and all he asked for was magazines. I could not believe it. I sat looking him in his amazing blue eyes – listening. We exchanged contact info.

Quite a while later when we were leaving, he waved to me as I got into the car, “Do not forget me, Sr. Gross” were his parting words .

How could I, Golden?

And again...

So we've made it to Johannesburg, South Africa with our stop in Dakar, Senegal.

And so far, that's it...

Since our plane out of DC was delayed, we couldn't make our connecting flight from Jo-burg (as I've learned locals call it... or Josie..) to Harare, Zimbabwe.  And the next flight was booked... so while we arrived at 11AM local time on Sunday, the next flight to Harare is Monday at 6:30AM as there are only 2 a day. 

So another hotel stay & two more meals on South African Airlines. 

AND my very first VISA in my passport.  Unexpectedly from South Africa. 

The best part is that some of us used this opportunity to explore the city.  We arranged a tour of Soweto (South West Township) where the push against Apartheid gained steam in 1976.  We went to a Hector Pieterson Museum dedicated to the brave school kids (8-18 yo) who rebelled and where 600 were killed by the police.  So powerful. 

We drove by the homes of Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, & Winnie Mandela.  Amazing to visit these places in person.  And unexpectedly!

We saw many other sights in this city of 7 million including stadiums for the upcoming 2010 World Cup, the "Squatter City" which was devastating where many families live until being able to get city funded housing (which isn't much better), and an affluent suburb. 

And the flora & fauna of Africa which is even better in person.  I can't wait till I am able to up load photos of all of these but unfortunately, the wireless internet isn't cooperating here in the hotel.  But I did want to give you this up date at least.

Well, must head to bed -- the shuttle comes for us at 4AM!?  Arrive in Harare at ~9am and then the 3-4 hour drive to Mutare. 

I'll update as I can.  Everyone's well.  We just keep going with the flow and are enjoying this adventure as it unfolds.  I must say, I feel like I'm on the Amazing Race!  And loving every minute of it.