January/February 2007 photos

I did a week long bike ride doing HIV/AIDS education in one of the more poor regions of Ghana. It was challenging - both physically and mentally. Over the 5 days, I biked 50+ miles and presented in 10 villages (most very small - under 500 people). There were 4 riding groups each on a different route. There were 11 Ghanaians and 4 other Peace Corps volunteers in my riding group. We slept under the stars each night and ate all local food (not something I've done for a week straight since I cook for myself most of the time). It was interesting to spend 5 entire days and nights with a group of Ghanaians - also something I haven't done before. I was in a group where I wasn't treated different or as an outsider. I got to see them being natural and having fun the way they like to have fun ... and then including me. Between the 4 groups, more than 10,000 people were educated ... or at least informed on what HIV/AIDS is, how you get it, and how to prevent getting it. This week was one of the most fulfilling since I've been here.