Meeting our Placement Partners

On the Monday of the orientation period, aka Day 3, we were to meet our placement partners via a luncheon. However, the day before, during the Swahili language lesson, I was pulled out of class to be told that my placement was going to be changed. The Chivane Cultural Group I was supposed to be working with was contracted to perform in Zanzibar for a few weeks. Great for them, but really disappointing for me. I was really set on working with this group. But shit happens for a reason, right?!

So instead of meeting with my placement partner, Mama Clementina aka Mama C and one of the drivers, Ahmani, took me to the Baobab Studio. The Baobab Studio is a community art studio where local artist can make and sell their work. Additionally, there is a music studio in the back where beats and “instrumentation” can be made and vocal tracks can be added later to make Swahili Hip-Hop. SWAHILI HIP-HOP!!! I was pretty excited to work with this group and see what I can do with and for them.

Orientation of the CCS Program

The next few days will be the orientation period of the CCS program. We’re on a pretty strict schedule from breakfast to dinner. Breakfast is from saa moja (7am. Weird considering that moja is one in Kiswahili. “Swahili time runs on an hour system reckoned from dawn to dawn and not midnight to midnight.”*) to saa mbili (8am), but will sometime be put out by saa kumi na mbili nusu (6:30am). And BTW, roosters are definitely around. After breakfast we had an hour break to get things together and do whatever we had to do before we had our first activity. I took this opportunity to get lost for a bit on my own.

I left the main house and walked west on the road right in front of the main and Annex houses. At first I thought the neighborhood looked a lot like Cevillar in Barranquilla, Colombia, the town my mom is from and that I have visited many times before. It is very poor with unpaved roads and locals walking around with giant baskets or buckets balanced on their heads. The difference though, was the houses weren’t really houses, but tin roofs with long strong sticks as columns holding the tin roof up. What I saw were women cooking on a fire made of burnt wood pieces and/or garbage on the floor with children surrounding them and/or running about, sometimes naked. The women were wrapped in fabrics called kangas, making breakfast for their familia and themselves. Their adults’ and sometimes the children’s faces were stoic, but once I said mambo? (What’s up?) to the children, their response being poa (cool), or Habari or Shikamoo to the older and elder people, their faces lit up with a warm and welcoming smile. I wasn’t afraid to say Mambo, Habari, or Shikamoo after the first few times. Everyone responded with a welcome and warmth that let me know I was safe. I felt an immediate connection once those introductory words were exchanged. Everyone stared at the mzungu (white person or foreigner). Sometimes the children would callout “MZUNGU! MZUNGU!” and run towards me asking nipe tano (give me five). And sometimes they’d crowd around me and grab my hand and walk with me for a few paces, their eyes just glowing, full of wonder of the tall mzungu. I walked a bit passing two junctions, turning north on the second. I said hello to a few people and high fived a number of children. Tanzanian people are beautiful, inside and out. There were seamstresses going at the sewing machine and mothers washing clothes by hand in a bucket. Men were riding on a piki (motor bike) or walking to work, I assume. I asked “Habari?” to one woman and she stopped me to tell me something I didn’t understand in Swahili. I told her Sifahamu (I don’t understand). Meanwhile an adolescent boy who spoke English was passing by at the same time and asked me “what did I need?” I told him I didn’t understand the woman and he just said, “Then just keep walking!” I laughed to myself. I looked at the time and noticed it was getting close to the time of the next activity. So I headed back to the Main House.

Fido, one of the guards greeted me at the front door and told me I was being sought. Of course, even in Bagamoyo, I was late to the next activity. The rest of the crowd, staff and volunteers (old and new) were in a big circle in the front of the complex. There was a ball being tossed around. The exercise was to state your name, where you were from, and what your CCS placement was once the ball was tossed to you. After we all went, Paulina and Edna, two of the housekeepers, were asked to teach us a song. After a little apprehension, they sang the following with the help of the previous volunteers and other staff.

Jambo, Jambo Bwana ( Hello, Hello Mister)

Habari Gani (What’s the new? or How are you?)

Nzuri Sana! (Very Fine!)

Wageni (Visitors),

Mwakaribishwa (You are all welcome!)

Tanzania Yetu (Our Tanzania)

Hakuna Matata! (No Worries!)

The song is fun and simple and I just can’t help but sing it all the time.

After the song, we all congregated to the back of the main house where all our meals are served. This is also the space used for meetings, lectures, and language lessons. The next activity/meeting was to discuss our expectations in Tanzania and our programs and to write them down on paper. Mine are to understand the differences between my and Tanzania’s cultures, learn the beautiful language of Kiswahili, and to make as many Tanzanian friends as possible.

We were also to discuss our worries or fears of being in Tanzania. Of course I was the first to jump up and say BUIBUI (SPIDERS). Some others from the volunteers were not being able to appropriately communicate with the locals, and not being successful or being overwhelmed at our placements. The papers we wrote on were posted on a board so that we can refer to them as our program progresses. Our facilitator for many of the meetings and group discussions is Zik Alula. Zik is a great, smart, and very funny man. His spoken English is wonderful. He even uses some of the cliché phrases we use in the US.

One of the activities during our orientation period was to go out into the community, follow specific instructions on a slip of paper, and return with the item or information that was asked for. Our mission was to turn left from the CCS exit, go down the road and pass two junctions, make a right and find a market area. In the market area we were to find an English language newspaper called “The Guardian”, purchase it, and bring it back to the CCS community. Then, we had to come back to the main road, find the Bagamoyo View Hotel, ask how much was a room per night, then look at the menu and take note of what was on it, and report all the information back to the group. There were only two rules: we couldn’t take a piki piki or a taxi, and we couldn’t ask anyone in CCS for help. We only had an hour and a half to do both task with a group of 4 people. My team members were Hollie from Seattle, Alli whom I mentioned before from Santa Barbara California, Peter with the pretty eyes from New Jersey, and me. We figured we had more than enough time to do both tasks and get back in time.

So, we set off to find the newpaper first. Holli whipped out her Swahili phrasebook and figured out how to say Ico wapi gazeti kingereza? (Where is the English Newpaper?) Funny thing is we are all a bunch of characters in our group. We were just laughing and greeting our neighbors and having a good time. We finally got to a right turn that Peter swore was the turn we had to make. I told him that it wasn’t a junction and that a junction is usually a 4-way intersection. All of a sudden Alli laughs and, like a 12 year old boy says, “You said 4-way!” Mind you, she’s a 30 year old woman. We were all just cackling. Of course our neighbors were staring at the laughing mzungus. They were enjoying the sight of us trying to figure this out.

So, after discussing what a junction was we decided to make the right turn anyway. We walked for a good 5 minutes and noticed a couple of shops. We went up to a few of them and asked about the newspaper. None of them sold the paper, but pointed us toward a place that might have it. Every time we stop at a shop and asked about the newspaper, they’d point us in a different direction than the last shop keeper. We made it to a bus depot. At this point we were getting a bit frustrated that we couldn’t find this English newspaper. We finally asked inside the bus depot if anyone new about this newspaper and the guy pointed us to the outside of bus depot a man sold it. We made sure to ask him a second time if it was “The Guardian” that he sold. The gentleman assured us that he sold that specific newspaper.

Low and behold we made it to the man that sold the English newspaper and of course he was fresh out of them. Forty-five minutes of searching for this paper and nothing! We were all frustrated, but took it in stride. We only had a few minutes left to find our second destination and get back to the Main House. My other team members were giving up on trying to look for the second items. I wanted to keep going and told them that I don’t want to fail our mission. Allison assured me that it wasn’t failed, we just couldn’t buy a sold out newspaper. Still, I wanted to go to the hotel and see what the deal was. We made a compromise and only walked passed a few junctions, but to no avail. We had 5 minutes left on the clock. Just enough time to walk back to the main house. Suffice to say, I was disappointed. We had no items to report on, however, the experience was invaluable. Still, I went back later on in the day, during my free time, and found the Bagamoyo View Hotel and asked for the price of the rooms and looked at the menu, all in my very broken Swahili. I was proud of myself.

Another activity during orientation was to break up into groups, again, and take a walking tour of the neighborhood. Abid is one of the passed volunteers. He took us on the tour. His intention was to check out all the local artist studios/stores. This was heaven for me. We hit up about 4 or 5 studios. They were all amazing. We saw pieces from paintings to wood carvings, all done by the studio owners/resident artists. It was just amazing. Some of the pieces were absolutely breathtaking! I started to realize what a huge artist community Bagamoyo was and is. Moreover, not only were some of these artists just visual; some were also drummers and dancers. On this walking tour, I was invited, twice, to come back alone and dance with them. I was elated!

After visiting all the art studios, we ended the tour on the beach. It was so wonderful to see the Indian Ocean up close and personal like this. It is just beautiful! We hung out at the beach for a few minutes, took some pictures, and then headed back to the home-base to talk about the policies and procedures of the program.

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*Swahili: Dictionary & Phrasebook, Nicholas Awde. Hippocrene Books Inc. New York, 2002

Getting to CCS

Arriving at CCS – Saturday, 26/7/08 (That’s right…Tanzanian format!!!)

After finally arriving to CCS, we were all greeted with a warm Karibu and a hot meal. The staff members here are incredibly welcoming. We were also greeted by some of the older volunteers who were staying longer than 3 weeks.
After dinner we were broken up into two groups. The groups were defined by what house we were staying in. In Bagamoyo there are three houses. The main house is compiled of two buildings: the main house and the Annex. One is right across the road from the other. The summer house (which will close in Mid-August) is a five minute walk from the main house. Those of us who were staying in the main house had been separated from those staying in the summer house when we boarded the different buses at the airport. Anyway, so we were split up into the Annex group and the Main House group.
I’m staying in the Annex, in a room with two bunk beds. (BTW, I haven’t slept in a bunk bed since I was a kid!) My roommates are Robbie from Connecticut, Brandon from North Carolina, and Abid (a left over volunteer) from somewhere in Canada. They’re all very cool guys, however, significantly younger than me.
After finally settling in, the volunteers and the staff did a little more “getting to know you” stuff. We were all asking questions about each other and so on. Funny thing is that, usually in the US, the questions asked are “What’s your name?”, “How old are you?”, and “What do you do?” However, the Tanzanians ask, “Habari za jioni?” (“How are you this evening?”), “Umeoa?” (”Are you married?”), and “Una watoto wangapi?” (“How many children do you have?”). If you’re local you may also be asked “Una wake wangapi?” (“How many wives do you have?”). It was definitely fun meeting everyone.

Seeing the Indian Ocean

Lots of stuff has happened since I left London. Leaving London Bridge was an excursion in itself. Because of the police activity the main entrance to the LB Tube Station was closed off. So, I had to finagle another way to get in. After dodging some po-po and ducking the yellow tape, I got into the station, got back on to the Tube, and went off to the airport to get my “checked” luggage, check-in, and get on my plain to Nairobi, Kenya.

I started my Heathrow experience on a low note having problems checking-in with Kenya Airways. They had given my seat to someone else, so I didn’t have the aisle seat I reserved; they gave me a window seat instead. I was burnt, but too tired to bitch and moan about it.

My saving grace was meeting a really wonderful woman from Cameroon, West Africa. Her name is Bernadette Fonge. While on the plane, Bernadette and I joked and laughed, watched “Vantage Point”, talked politics and social development, and bullshitted the whole way. It was an over-night flight, but unfortunately she and I couldn’t sleep. We got some wine (South African Chardonnay) and talk more about her life as well as mine. She’s a brilliant woman with some real need and want for social change in her country and is acting on and for it. She is a real inspiration.

After a crazy long flight, we finally touched down in Nairobi at 6:45am Saturday (11:45pm EST, Friday). Bernadette was sweet enough to walk me to my terminal and gate for my next flight to Dar Es Salaam. She had a 6 hour layover in Nairobi, before going to Cameroon. While in Nairobi, I noticed that there was a shower and a place to sleep (for purchase of course) right by my gate. After checking-in AGAIN, I went back and took a shower. I was a little freaked out, though. The place looked like a bath house. Well, it had been almost 2 days since I had taken a shower and I was feeling really grimy, so I went in and took one.

After my shower and changing into a new outfit, I waited for my flight to Dar. While waiting I realized I was finally in Africa. I couldn’t believe it; I WAS IN AFRICA!!! All I could think was I’ve waited my whole life for this. It smelled different. It looked different. It even felt different. I was excited to know that I was in the Motherland; the center of human existence. WOW!!!

While in the cabin, waiting for my flight to taxi and take-off, I met 2 of the volunteers from CCS: Melanie and Allison. Melanie is from Canada and is very down to earth and cool. Allison is from California and is super funny, loves to have a good time and full of personality. We hit if off right away. Melanie is more laid back and Allison is very exuberant. I also met a really nice guy from London. Well, he was actually from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, but had moved to London. He was on his way back to Dar on business. He is a tech geek, and is super cool, smart, and charismatic. He is a consultant for a computer networking firm. We shot the shit on our flight. We talked about ourselves, he filled me in on Tanzania, and just chilled. It was great!

An hour had passed as did Mt. Kilimanjaro (I missed it because I fell asleep) we landed in Dar Es Salaam. FINALLY, I HAD MADE IT TO TANZANIA!!! After a day and a half of traveling I made it to my final destination. However, the fact that I was in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania still didn’t hit me! It wasn’t until much later that it would.

I hooked up with Allison and Melanie at the place where you show your visa, just before baggage claim. (I want to say Customs, but the word is escaping me) CCS was due to pick us up at 3:30pm and it was 10am. We had a lot of time to kill. After much lollygagging and checking our emails, we decided to take a tour of Dar Es Salaam. We hooked up with a tour guide named Saidi (Sah-ee-dee). He was incredibly chill. As a matter of fact I realized that everyone we came in contact with was incredibly chill. The pace in Tanzania was much slower than that of NYC. And the people actually greet you with a warm and welcoming “Mambo?!” (What’s up?!). Hence the name of the city Dar Es Salaam; it means “City of Peace”.

In a small and beaten up Honda Camry with the driver side on the right (like London), Saidi took us around town for a couple of hours. We passed the City Center (kind of like a downtown, market place area), passed a couple of big hotels, and passed the local towns people, all whom were staring at the mzungus (white people). Funny thing is in America, I am not white. But here, I am considered to be one. I’m assuming that word also means foreigner. Anyway, we told Saidi that sisi tu njaa (we were hungry). He took us over to the fish market. This was my first experience of culture shock. The fish market looked like a giant flea market where the mwuzaji (sellers) were under a huge concrete shed. It smelled pretty horrible, but the sights were super interesting. It finally hit me: This was Tanzania! Everyone was trying to sell us something. From raw fish to cooked; from hand-made jewelry to beautiful seashells. I made my first purchase here. I was too afraid to eat anything here, so I opted to buy the seashells. I couldn’t help it, the mwuzaji ran after me to greet me and show me these absolutely gorgeous seashells. They were also a bargain at 10,000 shillings (equivalent to $8.70 USD). BTW, the exchange rate is 1150 shillings to $1. So freaking ridiculous!!! The fish market was just off the beach so we got to see the men fishing in the boats and even swimming with snorkel goggles trying to fish with their bare hands. The beach was beautiful; the water crystal blue and green. This was my first time seeing the Indian Ocean.

Mel, Alli, Saidi, and I decided we’d go get a bia baridi (cold beer) at another beach. So we drove passed a bunch of Embassies and the President’s house to Coco Beach. I asked for Tatu Bia Baridi, (3 cold beers. Yes they drink warm beer hear!) and a Coke for Allison. She doesn’t drink bia. Saidi order grilled goat. It was a little gamy, but satisfying for the moment. While sitting on the beach, we witnessed a birthday Sherehe (party). They sang a happy birthday song with a completely different tune than that of the one we sing. It was joyous and so wonderful to watch. We headed back to the airport after our bia baridi. We had an hour left before CCS was to show up. We engaged in conversation with Saidi in our broken Swahili and his broken English on the ride back. We talked about his family and how he likes to go clubbing once in a while. He even asked me if I’d join him for a weekend. He gave me his phone number. LOL

When we made it to the airport, a group of mzungus were grouped together. I saw some with the CCS t-shirts, so we made our way over to them. We also ran into some volunteers who were on their way out. There were about 15 of them waiting. Alli, Mel, and I were greeted by Didase, one of the driver for CCS. With a giant smile and a warm Karibuni sana (Welcome All!) we greeted by this wonderful man.

I seemed to be the life of the party in our party. I greeted the whole group with a HAMJAMBO CCS which seemed to get everyone cheering!!! We were all huddled together introducing ourselves to each other. I escape the little mzungu crowd and went over to talk to Didase. We waited for some other flights from Dubai and Nairobi to arrive with some more volunteers.

At about 4:30, all the CCS volunteers were all accounted for and ready to head to Bagamoyo. We all packed into 3 small buses (2 for volunteers, 1 for our luggage). We were finally on our way. This is where we met Tuma. Tuma is one of the guards at CCS. He is a beautiful man with a Taye Diggs smile that just lights up his face. (Sorry baby!) He seems to be the popular one with the girls here. It's funny to see him surrounded by the girls here. Tuma is poa sana (very cool) and just safi (great)! Anyway, our ride was a long ass ride on a long unlit, paved road.

After almost 2 hours and a very sore ass, we made it to the home-base in Bagamoyo. We were greeted with a Habari za jioni (Good evening! Literally translated: What's the new this evening?) and chakula za jioni (dinner). Of course I was famished being that I didn't really eat anything because we were urged not to eat anything uncooked or peeled. At this point I had only put a bia and grilled goat in my stomach.

My time is up at the internet cafe. More to come soon!

World Traveller at your service...

Funny thing is I really felt like one. I had the opportunity to spend a few hours in London before my next flight. After sobbing like a fool on the Metro North to NYC and then on the E-train to the Airtrain to JFK, I finally got to JFK in one piece with 1 giant piece of luggage, one carry-on, and a backpack. Unfortunately, my luggage was too heavy; fortunately, I have the smartest boyfriend in the world that suggested I take a fold-up duffle back in case my luggage is over weight so I can split it, because, little did I know, I was allowed to check in 2 pieces of luggage. I also didn't know that I could check myself in. I scanned my passport into some machine, punched in some numbers, and I was done! Technology kills me; actually it's taking peoples' jobs away therefore actually killing some, but I won't really go there.
So my first stop on my trip to Tanzania was London's Heathrow Int. Airport. After 7 hours, watching Horton Hears a Who (which I absolutely loved!) and trying to sleep in a seat that barely fits a tween, I arrived in London on Friday morning about 11:30am. I checked my bags into a business that holds bags for days at a time that you have to pay for. This was my first experience paying in pounds. It was so cool!
Although audacious and a bit aprehensive, I took the "Tube" or the "Underground" to Central London where all the "touristie" things are. The Tube was an experience. It reminded me a lot of the Long Island Railroad or the Metro North: cushioned seats, colorful decor, and clean. I had to take 2 trains to Westminster. I took the Pickadilly line (which btw, the last stop was Cockfosters! Imagine hearing that in an English accent!) and then the Jubilee line to the Westminster stop. I wanted to check out the Abbey and perhaps Big Ben. Little did I know that as soon as I got out of the station my friend Mr. Big Ben would be towering over me. I didn't know it was part of the Houses of Parliament. It was such a great site. After enough picture taking I walked across the street to Westminster Abbey. The architecture is beautiful, the detailed carving, AMAZING!!! I only got to see the cathedral from outside, but it was lovely! I had to pay a fee to go inside and see the cloisters. I was cool with not having to see it, plus I was on a time constraint.
Then I walked over to Buckingham Palace (again, just beautiful) and took some photos there. After BHP I jumped back on the Tube to the London Bridge. I had asked a citizen if the London Bridge was the same as the Tower Bridge. I've always wanted to see the Tower Bridge of London, but didn't have time. I learned that London Bridge and the Tower Bridge are not the same bridge and opted to visit the London Bridge because if was closer. I literally had to look at it and leave because I was due back at the airport for my flight. Well, fortunately, the Tower Bridge is visible from the London Bridge. I took some pictures and tried to jump right back on the train.
Here is where Cabbie starts to panic a bit. Supposedly, in the very large London Bridge train station, there was an incident happening. The exit from which I came out of was blocked off. I had to go all the way around to another entrance. Mind you, I was running a few minutes behind schedule already. After finally getting back on the Tube I made it to the Airport with more than enough time to spare to buy a munchie and coffee. I was off to gate 14 for my flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
I really enjoyed London. It was my first time in Europe. I had a great time!
You can check out my picture on my myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cabbiecabberson.

Going, Going, Gone...

So, the last huge step besides getting my visa and immunizations (it is mandatory to get a yellow fever vaccine in order to entire into Tanzania) was to purchase my airfare. Finally, 2 weeks ago I purchased it from vayama.com. I couldn't believe how much cheaper the airfares were on this website compared to some of the other sites Carlton and I were researching. I was thinking the flights would be booked or uber expensive, but I was pleasantly surprised, especially considering I had to wait 2 weeks before I was to leave to make the purchase.
I'm flying tonight, July 24th, 2008 at 11:35pm. I arrive in London at 11:25am on Friday (London time) and have an 8 hour layover. I'm hoping to escape the airport for a couple of hours to go checkout Westminster Abbey and maybe even Big Ben. (I know I'm a typical tourist. I can't help it; it'll be my first time in Europe!)
After, checking London out briefly, I'll be getting on another plane at 8pm and arriving in Nairobi, Kenya, the next morning (Saturday). Then I have to get on one more plane to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania where I will picked up with the rest of the volunteers arriving on Saturday. Yes, that's right, I'll be traveling for 2 days. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
As many of you know, I'll be staying in Tanzania for 6 weeks working with local NGO's, particularly a CBO that works towards youth empowerment called the Chivane Cultural Group. Their mission is to perpetuate African traditional music, by dancing and composing. They address the issues currently relevant and sensitive to the community by using theater arts to educate and sensitize. By volunteering with this CBO I'll be immersed in the culture of Bagamoyo, Tanzania and learning and enjoying it as best I can.
I will have access to the internet at a local internet cafe. I will be checking my email as often as I can.
My contact information in-country is as follows.
Mailing address:
Attn: Michael "Cabbie" Caban
Cross-Cultural Solutions, Bagamoyo Office
c/o Zik Kundy
P.O. Box 312
Bagamoyo, Tanzania

The volunteer phone line is (011) 255-753-429-068. Just remember that Bagamoyo is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The best time to call the home-base is between 6:30am and 1:30pm E.S.T. In case of an emergency, you can call Cross-Cultural Solutions NY office at 800-380-4777; or 24-hour CCS Emergency Hotline: 888-772-9336; or the Home-Base Office: (011)255-232-440-185.

I'm excited and nervous to go to Tanzania. I will miss you all dearly.
I'll be leaving Tanzania on Saturday, September 6th and will be back in NYC/JFK on Sunday, September 7th. I can't wait to come back and share my experiences with you over coffee or wine!
Nakupenda Sana!!!

Sherehe Wakaa - Party Time

On June 22nd, 2008 starting at 6pm and ending at 9:30pm I had a little fundraiser at the LGBT Center in the West Village, NYC. The evening was filled with music by DJ One Mic and DJ Hectah. I also had a silent auctions with Jewelry, bath set, and artwork donated by Sandra Alley (my mother-in-law); snow globes and cookbooks donated by my friend Jennifer Medina; Starbucks Gift Baskets donated by my friend Shannon Fleishman; dinner dates from Michael Darnel and Quinn Sidon; and theater tickets donated by my 'manito Mario Robles for Latin American Theater Ensemble.

Throughout the evening there were theater performances by Improv Theater Troupe Bad Luck Rising and an excerpt from my friend Piper's one woman show In Her Memory; stand up comedy by Fish; and singing by the piano with pianist Franca Vercelloni. As the party unraveled, my friend and co-worker Crystal Clarity composed a live painting to be auctioned off at the end of the evening.

Many of my friends and family attended the event. Everyone had a great time and I raised a good amount of money from the door and the auctions. It was a wonderful evening! The support both emotionally and financially was more than I could ask for.

The following is a special thanks for those who have supported me through this journey:

Robert & Sandra Alley
Piper Anderson
Brooks Ashmanskas
Bad Luck Rising
Brooke Barnum
Alex Brandt
Drew Burke
Angelo & Claribel Caban
Jahaira Caban
Joshua Caban
Cable Positive
Brandon Caplan
Elizabeth Caplan
Crystal Clarity
Alika Crew
Michael Darnell
Alison Dembe
Sasha Dobos-Czarnocha
Kathryn Dunn
Jocelyn K. Ellams
Heleen Ellmore-Walzer
Fish
Shannon Fleishman
Michael J. Foster
Jessica Fraser
Amanda Gurung
Tante Anna Hacker
DJ Hectah
Miranda Kaplan
Roberta & Lilly Kyle
David Labahn
The LGBT Center
Katie Lindebeck
Lottie & Mary
Katherine Mask
Jennifer Medina
Elizabeth Moore
Marco & Crystal
Natalie Novak
Mike Pace
Elaine Rodriquez
DJ One Mic Rivera
Mario-Francisco Robles for Latin American Theater Ensemble
Steve Rosenthal
Alison Schwab
Quinn Sidon
Ian C. Signer
Peter Simba
Libby Stanton
Orie Urami
Franca Vercelloni
Kara Walsh
Beth Wehner
Barbara Zahorodny
Kristin Zahorodny

To anyone else I might have forgotten. Thank you for your support!!!

And last, but certainly not least, my partner Carlton L. Rounds. Thanks you baby for helping me, pushing and encouraging me, and dealing with me when times got stressful and I didn't think this was going to happen. Thank you Papi; I love you!!!