Spread The Positive Love
Donation protected
As many of you know by now, I am in Arusha, Tanzania following a lifelong dream of volunteering with an HIV/AIDS organization. I was planning to leave on November 27 but decided to stay a bit longer so I can help plan a huge benefit on world AIDS day, December 1.
Positive Love is an organization that was founded by three of my friends here in Arusha nearly 3 years ago. Nelly, Angela, and Collin set out to begin a program for women living with HIV/AIDS to teach them skills to survive on their own. The center is equipped with a stove for cooking, sewing machines for tailoring, beads for jewelry making, and garden spaces for growing produce. The women are meant to stay in the program for a year or so and then start businesses of their own based on the skill they adapt to. I am incredibly grateful to have helped plan and run the most recent graduation for the ladies of Positive Love and can't wait to see where the future takes them.
The stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS here in Tanzania is still incredibly strong. The majority of Arusha still believe the virus can be spread with a HUG. There is no sex ed in schools, and people refuse to get tested out of fear. The volunteers at Positive Love have been visiting schools to further educate the youth of Arusha on the FACTS about the illness.
I can't say that my journey hasn't been faced with struggles. For a while there I wasn't sure the organization would be able to continue. The grants awarded to the recent graduates at Positive Love has left the organization a bigtstrapped for cash, to say the least. As you can imagine, it takes funds to keep projects like this going.
I am dedicated to restructuring Positive Love so it can fulfill its potential as a women's community center. My dreams go above and beyond what can possibly be done in my next few weeks in country, but I will be back.
I am asking for a donation of any amount to help rebuild this amazing organization. I am so thankful for everyone who has already helped me in so many ways. ASANTE SANA.
Positive Love is an organization that was founded by three of my friends here in Arusha nearly 3 years ago. Nelly, Angela, and Collin set out to begin a program for women living with HIV/AIDS to teach them skills to survive on their own. The center is equipped with a stove for cooking, sewing machines for tailoring, beads for jewelry making, and garden spaces for growing produce. The women are meant to stay in the program for a year or so and then start businesses of their own based on the skill they adapt to. I am incredibly grateful to have helped plan and run the most recent graduation for the ladies of Positive Love and can't wait to see where the future takes them.
The stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS here in Tanzania is still incredibly strong. The majority of Arusha still believe the virus can be spread with a HUG. There is no sex ed in schools, and people refuse to get tested out of fear. The volunteers at Positive Love have been visiting schools to further educate the youth of Arusha on the FACTS about the illness.
I can't say that my journey hasn't been faced with struggles. For a while there I wasn't sure the organization would be able to continue. The grants awarded to the recent graduates at Positive Love has left the organization a bigtstrapped for cash, to say the least. As you can imagine, it takes funds to keep projects like this going.
I am dedicated to restructuring Positive Love so it can fulfill its potential as a women's community center. My dreams go above and beyond what can possibly be done in my next few weeks in country, but I will be back.
I am asking for a donation of any amount to help rebuild this amazing organization. I am so thankful for everyone who has already helped me in so many ways. ASANTE SANA.
Organizer
Callie Cingari
Organizer
Jamaica Plain, MA
