It’s 5 AM, and I am back on the internet because I was not able to post the long blog I typed late last evening. Interrupted internet connection and power outages prevent posting so it must be re-typed. We have tried copying and pasting from a saved Word document into a blank blog but it doesn’t work, requiring extra time to re-type everything again. A waste of my time. Do any of you know how this step (Word doc to the Blog) can be accomplished? I have sent this question to Peter Keto, Erik Weikert and Nam Subramamian but we will appreciate any feedback.Continuation:
... The second school we visited was attached to the Police Academy. I was surprised when Chello drove through the guarded gates (complete with young soldiers with rifles) until I saw even younger high school students in semi-military uniforms with insignias. We met Colonel Francisco who graciously gave his permission for us to speak to Senora Mary's class of thirteen year olds with translation help from teacher Mr. Sanchez.
I told the story of Karen, an HIV-positive girl I once knew who died from AIDS. I refer to it as the Romeo and Juliet tale of HIV. There were a few tears at the end. I find stories of real people have the greatest impact on impressionable teens rather than boring medical or moralistic lectures. I always make sure there is some humor in the storytelling as well as pathos. I use inflection to the max at just the right moment with accompanying facial expressions to keep interest high -- and always, I repeat always, I look every student in the eye as I scan the audience. There is nothing more that I hate than a speaker who can only maintain sole focus on a few people during a speech... trés boring.
I also spent time talking to press for stories in Massachusetts where TeenAIDS formerly had its national headquarters using the local angle. And then to Virginia media now that we are located there and Samantha and Maryna reside there for the present. Maryna is helping contact D.R. TV stations with our PR and sending out previous television news to show them the value of reporting on our unique "AIDS Attacks." I emphasize that the action visuals of street outreach with teens -- on a controversial medical message with the goal of saving lives -- is good for increasing viewership. TV stations always say they get an uptick in public comment when doing a TeenAIDS story.
My next priority, to spread the word to hundreds of thousands more, is to convince at least one TV station to send a crew with us when we return to Guachupita. As noted previously, this sprawling urban neighborhood has the worst reputation among Dominicans who fear to tread there. Like all stereotypes, the rep is unfortunate because while Guachupita is obviously extremely impoverished by any measure and has a high crime rate, the youth we met were wonderful, friendly and willing to help our mission -- because they clearly understood it was helping themselves. I am going to challenge the three major TV stations to cover our AIDS attacks on the streets of Guachupita by using the compelling argument that they can help publicize worthy humanitarian work in a slum where grossly underprivileged youth are volunteering their time to a local project!
We will now have news coverage in three leading D.R. dailies: Listin Diario, El Dia and El Nacional.
We heard from our Virginia-based staff and friends. Sandra Brown and baby son Hudson were at the office running off mailing labels and getting ready for a major postcard mailing. She is our resident PR guru. Our dear friend, Barby Lumb has been holding down the fort visiting every day: morning, afternoon and evening, to take care of Jazz and helping the TeenAIDS mission in innumerable ways. Dyvontae Pierce, in charge of our online Teen Advice Column has been coming over to work on projects and play with Jazz before heading to Granby High (Barby drives him).
I will keep you informed. But until then, how about digging into your pockets and making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal on our website (VISA, MC or AMEX) or by check: P.O. Box 7114, Norfolk, VA 23503. You can help us save young lives from premature death -- from the comfort of your living room with a cool drink in hand and remote at your fingertips.
Adios. More stories from Boca Chica. Perhaps an interview with a teen prostitute(s) and their perceptions of the risk of HIV.
I told the story of Karen, an HIV-positive girl I once knew who died from AIDS. I refer to it as the Romeo and Juliet tale of HIV. There were a few tears at the end. I find stories of real people have the greatest impact on impressionable teens rather than boring medical or moralistic lectures. I always make sure there is some humor in the storytelling as well as pathos. I use inflection to the max at just the right moment with accompanying facial expressions to keep interest high -- and always, I repeat always, I look every student in the eye as I scan the audience. There is nothing more that I hate than a speaker who can only maintain sole focus on a few people during a speech... trés boring.
My next priority, to spread the word to hundreds of thousands more, is to convince at least one TV station to send a crew with us when we return to Guachupita. As noted previously, this sprawling urban neighborhood has the worst reputation among Dominicans who fear to tread there. Like all stereotypes, the rep is unfortunate because while Guachupita is obviously extremely impoverished by any measure and has a high crime rate, the youth we met were wonderful, friendly and willing to help our mission -- because they clearly understood it was helping themselves. I am going to challenge the three major TV stations to cover our AIDS attacks on the streets of Guachupita by using the compelling argument that they can help publicize worthy humanitarian work in a slum where grossly underprivileged youth are volunteering their time to a local project!
We will now have news coverage in three leading D.R. dailies: Listin Diario, El Dia and El Nacional.
I will keep you informed. But until then, how about digging into your pockets and making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal on our website (VISA, MC or AMEX) or by check: P.O. Box 7114, Norfolk, VA 23503. You can help us save young lives from premature death -- from the comfort of your living room with a cool drink in hand and remote at your fingertips.
Adios. More stories from Boca Chica. Perhaps an interview with a teen prostitute(s) and their perceptions of the risk of HIV.
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