Jermaine Chargualaf, GUAHAN Project Administrative Assistant
Hafa Adai, everyone . Well first of all It is an honor to be part of GUAHAN Project an HIV/AIDS organization that changes lives not only on our island of Guam, but also around the world. I started at GUAHAN Project as a volunteer in November 2007 and now I am officially a part time staff with the organization as of April 2008.” 

I am the third of six children from my mom and the youngest of three from my dad. I was born on Guam, but was raised at various locations around the world. As a child I was very curious about what goes on around the world, and was interested in helping everyone out to best of my abilities. So that is why I joined the United States Army Reserves in 2006. While in the army my first duty station was at Ft. Benning Georgia for basic training then to Ft. Gordon also in Georgia for my advance individual training. My military occupational specialty (MOS) is a 25U, also known as a signal system support specialist in the communications field.  

Then I came back to Guam in 2007 and signed up for a program called Troops-to-Teachers. This is a program in which we soldiers/reservist are a full time college student and also a full time employee for a public school system, but unfortunately this program was only introduced to Saipan a neighboring island of Guam. So therefore I had to travel to Saipan to further pursue my goals. I worked and schooled for about a year in Saipan then came back to Guam to take a break. While on Guam I was introduced to GUAHAN Project by a friend of mine and from there on I became a volunteer and stayed with them till this day.

While at GUAHAN Project I’ve acquired so much knowledge about what the organization does to better our everyday lives, from preventing to assisting those in need of medical attention dealing with HIV and STD’s.

I’m scheduled to deploy to Iraq in the month of July 2008 for a one-year tour. I’m really excited, and at the same time scared, but then again I am United States Army soldier and once again must face such a great obstacle in life. With the support and prayers of friends and family not only on Guam, but around the world I’m going to fulfill my duty and obligation as a soldier and make it home safely.

Director’s Notes:  The Normal Heart
“The human contribution is the essential ingredient.  It is only the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.”  These are the words of Ethel Perry Andrus.  Words that truly represent the work you are about to witness tonight.  The Normal Heart was just another job I auditioned for as a professional actor.  I played the role of Mickey Marcus.  But I did not realize the impact and the importance of this work as a theatre piece and a message piece.  We learn a great deal about each other based on our histories and actions.  This play is a history on the plague we know as AIDS and is one of most important examples of getting to know what we are up against as activists and people living in the age of this disease. 

The presentation of this play is not as unorthodox as you might think.  Plays go through processes of evolution known as staged readings.  The directors, producers, and playwrights need to see the play “on its feet” and more importantly the actors giving the characters a voice.  We as actors kindly and graciously give you this work as an expression of our dedication to educating the public about AIDS and the prejudice that surrounds it.  The work itself is presented in the simplest form possible – bare stage, uniformed costumes, and basic lighting.  It is now your job to use your imagination to create the scenarios and situations.  We hope to help you in the images you create. 

Now we ask you to contribute and to give of yourself for this cause we feel so strongly. 

Ricky Vergara, Director, The Normal Heart (Read More)