Listen on: AnchorFM / Spotify / iTunesPodcast Homepage Jen and Tanya learn more about each other's love stories, commiserate on how easy it is for a working mother's schedule to blow up, and express gratitude for having each other as colleagues. The two compare stories on how they decided where to set their family roots, and how they both intended to adopt children, but life took them in a different direction.
AFCA's new podcast, "That’s a Terrible Idea… When do we Start?" has found a home on Spotify's podcast platform, Anchor.Harrisburg, PA, March 09, 2022 -- The American Foundation for Children with AIDS looks to attract listeners to it's newly formed podcast, That's a Terrible Idea... When do we Start? now streaming on Spotify's podcast platform, Anchor FM.New to podcasting, co-hosts, Jen Panattoni and Tanya Weaver, both directors of the charity, discuss the genesis of AFCA and also tell stories of adventure travel. Tanya, the charity's director, recalls program visits in remote areas of Africa's sub-Saharan countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. From harrowing motorbike rides on some of [...]
The sun is setting as my belly rumbles. Mandaba asks me if I happen to have food sitting around for dinner, leading me to pull out three of my trusty dehydrated meals. While Josue starts a small fire with coals, I walk around the semi-darkness, wanting to move after a day of sitting down. Mandaba warns me about snakes, telling me to stay away from grassy areas, which at this time, are getting harder and harder to see. Josue checks with me as to how much water should be boiled, placing the aluminum pot on the hot coals. With darkness having removed all shadows from the yard, the three [...]
The air is full of so many smells, my nose is having a hard time landing on anything specific. I smell deodorant, body odor, too much perfume, fresh fish, various fried foods that are going to Kinshasa, dust, and the random fart. Between the smell and the noise level, going through customs in Gemena is an assault to my senses. I stand against a wall, my backpack propped between my feet, noticing the grumble in my hungry belly, swaying with each bump as people push their way past. With watery diarrhea, this is not a fun way to start the day, with some stinky bodies pressing too close to me [...]
The day starts with the feeling of newness. A cool 80 degrees makes me feel like I can breathe after an afternoon that seemed to suck in the humidity. As the evening approached yesterday, the humidity increased. And increased. I lay on the floor, arms and legs stretched out, trying to bring the semi-coolness of the tile into my body. My head, laying on a cushion, can't get rid of the heat fast enough, trapped as it is my mop of thick, curling hair. If I just had scissors or a razor available, I will get rid of it, I think to myself as I pray for rain to break [...]
He gives me two yogurts for dinner four nights ago. I immediately drink the banana flavored one because it is my favorite, putting the plain one in the "kitchen" area of the guesthouse.Four days later, I return to the guesthouse after a long day of riding on the back of a motorcycle, doing site visits. I feel the sunburn on my face, neck and arms, and the grit in my hair as I get off the bike, but instead of p yogurt sitting around for four days in 95 degree heat. The stench of an exploded yogurt bottle is not great. It is good that I have a super power [...]
Listen on: AnchorFM / Spotify / iTunes Podcast Homepage Jen and Tanya chat about AFCA's Vacation with a Purpose program, the details, costs and more. Jen plans her first trip with the program to Zimbabwe with her 13 year old son, Charlie. We chat about how these programs change the lives of those that go, how they benefit our programs and relationships that remain even after the trip is over. Other topics include how Aiden, Tanya's son, might be the world's best future boyfriend, and our love-hate relationship with smoothies.Resourceshttps://www.afcaids.org/vacation-with-a-purpose/
. He, unlike me, does not need a bath.The air still feels heavy, even though the sun is starting its slow trek towards settling down for the day. It has been muggy, hot, humid, and downright disgusting all day and the four of us meeting on the veranda of the guesthouse keep guzzling water, sopping it up with napkins as it comes out our skin. I haven't used the restroom once today but I have had at least five liters of water. I feel sticky but I also feel happy knowing that it was a profitable day of reconnecting with staff, welcoming a new man onboard and planning for the [...]
I see a friendly face at the DGM (immigration) office today. A man with a large smile and firm handshake welcomes me, asking how Juju and Aiden are. I show him a photo of the kids and he calls others over to check them out, explaining that he saw them when they were here in August. He sounds like a proud uncle and we immediately have this point of connection so that when I explain the situation in Kinshasa and how I need him to look at my passport to ensure everything is ok, he laughs and says that I am in the right place. He groans hearing about [...]
Ten things I learned today: 1. Rebar does not make a good curtain rod if you want to slide the curtain 2. Carrying a portable solar charger is the way to go. 3. It is possible to make an emergency cup of coffee with instant coffee, powdered milk and cold water! 4. Packing a million snacks is smart, especially when you don't have the opportunity to shop in-country 5. Holding on to sadness is damaging 6. Speaking multiple languages is the way to go - it opens doors, builds relationships, allows for independence and confidence, and gives you the world from which to learn 7. Colorful flowers brighten my [...]