We just finished up 3 days of riding around the Banikoara Commune raising awareness on HIV/AIDS. Each day we rode to different schools in the commune and led sessions on preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS, including proper condom use. Teaching middle school and high school aged girls how to use condoms was quite the experience.
The first day we went from Banikoara to Founogou, a 25k bike ride. The ride was tough because my bike was messed up somehow but I made it there in one piece. We gave our presentation, had a delicious lunch and then continued on to the next school in Somperekou. Tracie and I rode in the car for that stretch and right as we entered the school the top of the car met the bottom of a mango tree. Apparently the driver forgot that our bikes were on top and they were both completely ruined. The driver felt pretty bad but we just called HQ and they are sending us two new bikes. Your tax dollars hard at work. We also had a couple of spare bikes so I used one of those the next two days. Day two we visited schools in the town of Banikoara commune and there was not much riding but I found myself enjoying the presentations more and more. At each school we split up into a boys group and a girls group to facilitate better communication and hopefully answer gender specific questions. I realized how much I liked working with the girls and I am hoping to become involved in the already existing girls club in Malanville. Day three we travelled 7k to Toura and afterwards another 13k to Gomouri. I actually rode the whole day and the 20k ride back was brutal. We had to ride directly into strong wind and the road was slightly uphill, not a fun way to end the day. At that point we had finished our last presentation and we celebrated by drinking gin and tonics.
In total we rode about 100k over 3 days. Not that impressive unless you consider that roads are unpaved and 100 degree temperature. Can't wait for next year!Pictures are coming, unfortunately the internet connection here in Kandi is not very fast but I will post them as soon as I can.
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