AIDS Walk Africa 2007: Ramona
3/2/2007
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Ramona Belfiore's Web BlogIntroduction | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
Hello! My name is Ramona Belfiore and I’m a senior in high school. I am from Princeton, New Jersey, and I will be going on AIDS Walk Africa in Tanzania this year. I will be traveling with my dad, Bill Belfiore, and I am so excited about going.
It is now less than a week until we leave and I can’t wait. I decided I wanted to go to Africa because both of my parents and my younger sister have already gone. They all said they loved Africa and walking helped them experience it first-hand.
I have HIV, and I want to see what the people in other countries living with the virus are like. I also want to see the work that the Foundation is doing to fight HIV/AIDS in countries like Tanzania. I know the work of the Foundation very well, because they help my family, and other families like mine around the world, to live wonderful, healthy lives.
I know that what I will be doing next week is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am so glad I get to tell you all about it. My sister told me about her most cherished moment when she went on AIDS Walk last year — when all the kids came running out to greet the walkers when they got to a school house. I hope to experience something as important as she did, so I can speak about it for years to come.
I will be writing about my experiences during AIDS Walk so you all can keep up with my trip. So check back next week and join me on my journey!
Ramona – Day 1
Hi everyone! I have been in Africa for two days now. Our flight was delayed by six hours in Amsterdam, but we were lucky to meet some other people going on the walk while we were there. We talked and laughed until we finally got on the plane. I slept the whole way between Amsterdam and Kilimanjaro, missing our meal. We arrived in Africa at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday instead of 9:00 p.m. on Friday night. I was exhausted!
Two hours later, we left the inn for a day trip to Ngorongoro, the famous crater. I was really tired but I managed to get up. At the crater, we saw many animals. We saw lions, two zebras, water buffalo, cape buffalo, hyenas, baboons, giraffes, camels, and a lot of different birds. It was amazing and definitely worth two hours of sleep.
The four-hour drive back to the Inn was sooooo bumpy. We were flying all over the car. It was crazy! We got back at 8:00 and went to bed immediately.
Ramona - Day 2
The first real day of walking. |
Today was my first walk. We first drove to visit a hospital and got a tour. There was a new section being opened so there was a ceremony that we got to see. Pam Barnes made a great speech.
Shortly after the ceremony we left from the hospital and started walking. At first I was afraid I was not going to be able make it the whole way. I was the first person to fall on my butt and it was all up hill. It was hot and everyone was sweating like crazy.
We stopped at a school and the kids came out to greet us. Then they sang for us. I loved it!
At the end of the walk I was very tired, but I was happy that I had made it. My socks were so dusty and dirty and I thought I had gotten a tan, but I took them off and realized I was wrong. I am so excited to see what tomorrow brings!
Ramona – Day 3
Today was our second walk and I was sore from yesterday, but I did all of it. Most of it was flat and it was easier than yesterday.
I love getting to know everyone. Every time we stop for a break, I end up talking to someone new.
We stopped at Monsoon Safari Camp at Holy Mountain for lunch. It was very pretty. We heard a touching story from a woman who has HIV. There were kids showing off in the background doing flips and cartwheels. There were also very sick-looking but cute baby puppies. It was a wonderful place to stop for lunch.
I miss home a lot. I miss my mom and my siblings, but I am also happy to be here in Africa with my dad. It's been a great experience and I can't wait until tomorrow.
Ramona – Day 4
Day three of walking was awesome! I didn't feel great this morning. I didn't walk around with the group at the coffee factory and I rode in the car for about a half a mile after that. But I decided that riding in the car made me feel worse, so I got out and walked until lunch.
Lunch was wonderful. We met this woman named Mama Anna. She danced and sang with us under the shade and spoke for awhile. Then we had lunch.
My favorite part of the day was the orphanage we visited. It had 16 kids and they were so cute! My mom and sister said the orphanage was the best part of the trip last year and I agree. I love kids and seeing these kids made me smile and laugh – what a wonderful feeling.
Ramona - Day 5
Today was the best day of my life! We went to a school to fix two classrooms, put windows in the rooms, and build a urinal. I was in charge of making the urinal. I loved making the cement and stacking the bricks on each other. It was wonderful.
Then we listened to kids sing for us and we all danced. All the kids love when we take pictures of them. I met two little girls who I brought to the classrooms to see. They looked in and smiled. Then the best moment of the day happened when one of them turned around and said, "Thank you."
Today is our last day. Tomorrow we go our separate ways. I had the best week ever. Everyone here was so friendly! I loved Africa and I know my life would be different if I lived here. One man I met was amazed I was still healthy with HIV. Africa is very different than I imagined and I couldn't be happier I came. Every step is saving lives.