WINDHAM – Wilkes University senior Kirstin Cook, of Windham, is learning lessons about AIDS policy in Africa as part of a service-learning trip to Karagwe, Tanzania. Cook, a communication studies major at the northern Pennsylvania university, is spending a month in Tanzania to learn more about the impact of AIDS in the African country. She is the daughter of Suzanne Grace.

Cook’s trip has included visiting the Nyakahanga Hospital, learning about the AIDS Control Program and visiting the Bweranyange Secondary School, an all-girls school in Rwanda. The trip began June 13 and concludes July 13. The blog is available at www.communityserviceintanzania.wordpress.com.

Cook and fellow student Christine Shaneberger are writing about their experience on a blog and posting photos about their experience. At Wilkes, Cook had worked to raise money for AIDS orphans. On the blog, she has written, “I finally met Kihinga. Last fall semester, when I was working to raise money for the Embrace a Child in Tanzania campaign, he was the face of the project in my mind. When Dr. Winkler told me his story, it really resonated with me. His motivation to attend school and resulting success in classes was inspiring. I learned of his story long before I even dreamt I would get to meet him, so to talk to him in person was unbelievable.”

“He was exactly like what I expected,” Cook went on to say. “He was intelligent, polite and incredibly humble. He was so grateful for this opportunity he had been given of a good education and a good future. The whole time I was interviewing him for my documentary, he had tears in his eyes and a wide smile on his face. He talked about being able to achieve his dreams due to funding from sponsors. He could not say enough how thankful he was. He also said he realized the importance of education in getting a good job, showing his recognition of the value of his school career. It was amazing to see the difference the funding had made on such a good-hearted individual.”

Kirstin Cook, of Windham, is seen with girls from the Bweranyange Secondary School, an all-girls school in Rwanda. Cook is spending a month in a service program in Africa and is blogging about the experience. (Courtesy photo)