Humboldt State University's Vox Club
Humboldt State University's Vox Club
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Condom Tally
7542 # given out since August 2002: 231 # given out Fall 2005 |
St. Kitts Exchange - Phase I
Quilt Fundraiser Staff & Volunteers of SKFLSA Internship at St. Kitts Family Life Services Assn. I boarded the plane to St. Kitts, knowing little of what to expect in the days ahead, carrying 4,000 condoms, 3 cartons of birth control pills, videos, books, and over $600 raised from raffle ticket sales. Before I left, I was assured that someone would pick me up at the airport and host me in his or her home for 9 days, but I wasn’t sure who I’d meet when my plane touched down 26 hours later. During the week, I was to complete a 45-hour internship at the family planning clinic. That is about all I knew to expect. You may be wondering how I got here? Only 68-square miles, St. Kitts is a nation of about 32,000 people who gained independence from Britain in 1983. When I first visited this Eastern Caribbean island for a research project on sexuality and family life in the Caribbean, I learned from Mr. Collins, the Executive Director of St. Kitts Family Life Services Assn., that controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS, decreasing teenage pregnancy, and encouraging male responsibility are the most important issues they address. However, providing the necessary educational and clinic services can be difficult. For example, men’s attitude toward condom use is one of the hurdles that this affiliate faces and they are working on programs to address this. However, the single greatest hurdle to providing these and other programs and essential clinic services is a lack of money. I wanted to help address this need, so when I returned home I decided to do a fundraiser and solicit donations from organizations in my home town. My request for materials and money for St. Kitts was generously met. After corresponding with Mr. Collins, I was invited to do an internship in St. Kitts. When my plane arrived on the island, I passed through Customs, baffling the Agent with my huge suitcases full of condoms and birth control pills. Mr. Collins was there to meet me, and his family welcomed me into their home. The highlight of my internship was when I talked to a class of fifty 17-19 year-old students about teenage pregnancy and how to prevent it. At first the teens just stared at me when I would ask them questions, until finally the teacher stood up and yelled, “Answer her! She is just a NORMAL PERSON!” This broke the ice. I guess I seemed out of place with my California-accent. Together, the students and I laughed as I showed them how to put a condom on (a canister of spermicidal foam!), and when I tried to explain what a dental dam is for. Yet, the idea of a banana-flavored condom was the hit of the day! In addition to my educational experience through the internship, I learned about everyday life in another culture and I gained a different perspective on life in the United States. I experienced the highs and lows of traveling and surviving in the world all alone. But most importantly, I met so many great people and found a new place to call home. |
