CIB (Cait in Botswana)

It’s the middle of February. While many of my friends and family are seeing tons of snow – here in Mahalapye, Botswana its hot as…well you can fill in the blanks. Yesterday the rumor was that it reached 38C, that’s 100F…with a sun that literally makes you feel like you are living in an oven. I came home and the heat inside my house was so overwhelming I went and stood back outside.

Beyond the heat though, February is definitely a month of transition. For months, many of the Peace Corps Volunteers have been counting down…but now the number is something very tangible, very real. Next month we will have our Close of Service (COS) conference. It’s the last time that all of us (minus the 13 who’ve left along the way) will be together before we leave Botswana and head off to the next chapter of our lives. After COS we are on lockdown again, not supposed to leave our sites until we leave country so that we say “good-bye” in our communities properly.

Wait, I’m supposed to say good-bye?! Part of me is so excited that my Peace Corps service is coming to an end. These 2 years have been long and hard…and awesome. I’ve had some of the best (and worst) moments in life here.

The kid pushing a wheelbarrow with 3 toddlers in it yelling at me and trying to catch up with me as I walked home…little Dudu as she puts her face against the burglar bars on my door with big puppy dog eyes and asks for a cookie…the teens at my teen club as they tell their stories or share a laugh…laying on the bed in my room wearing a wet t-shirt with the fan blowing on me and still sweating…hearing stories about why I shouldn’t play with the wild chameleon I found outside…the stars in the sky…welcoming the new volunteers as they arrived in country…saying goodbyes to the ones who have left…and that doesn’t even begin to cover it…

I’m not sure what’s next…but I think I will figure it out. For now, I am preparing to say good bye, but not before I get a few more projects finished up.

At the end of the month our Teen Club is going to Mokolodi Nature Reserve for a weekend trip! The planning has been crazy intense, but I think it’s going to be a ton of fun! We will be doing leadership activities, health sessions and, of course, a game drive. Hopefully the weather won’t be too tortuous…ha.

Still trying to finish up some work with an NGO in a neighboring village – gotta love those projects that end up being a much bigger undertaking than you anticipated.

So, for now, that February and that’s life. We’re allowed to begin leaving country May 18th…still haven’t picked the date I will leave yet – but I know the time to make that choice is rapidly approaching. Until then I will keep living

the Peace Corps life.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Today I came home and decided to clean my house.  Between just coming in last weekend and planning on being gone this weekend I figured now was as good as time as any.  I got to the bathroom, squeezed the Handy Andy into the sink and the bathtub and armed myself with a giant sponge.  As I scrubbed the sink I turned on the faucet and felt a little zap.  Thinking I was just a little crazy I tried again, zap.  Bathtub? Zap.  Ok, that’s not normal.  Went to talk to my landlady, apparently she was having the same problem.  Electrician comes in the morning.  Meanwhile I’m using a potholder to do any mandatory tap turning.

Funny thing.  This is not the first time I’ve had this happen.  I can think of at least 3 other residences I have been in where I’ve had this happen to me.  Shocking.

Yesterday I was walking from the office to meet another Peace Corps Volunteer in town for lunch.  Up ahead of me is a man walking with a large object on his shoulder. As I focused in on the object I realized what it was.  A cow leg.  A skinned, rather mangled looking, cow leg.  The funniest part?  I didn’t even think twice about it.  I just processed the sight and walked ahead of him…the leg kinda smelled when you stood downwind.

The day before that I had a friend over.  This is the friend who has no problem telling me how my approach to keeping my house is, in their mind, incorrect.  Awhile back they were over and I was filling a bucket from my bathroom in my kitchen sink.  I was promptly scolded.  Items from the bathroom do not cross over into the kitchen.  Kitchen items do not go into the bathroom.  Who knew?  For example, you wash your kitchen towels in the kitchen sink not with the rest of the laundry.

Sothe day before yesterday remembering my previous “lesson” inhousekeeping when my friend was over and I decided to wash my kitchenfloor I did NOT take the bucket out to put my mopping water into.  I plugged up the kitchen sink and put my mopping water in there.  (Now my rationale is that I’m going to clean my sink after I mop the floor…;)  So I finish mopping the floor and start to let out the water when I hear my friend over my shoulder, “Gorata, did you put your mopping water into the sink where you put your dirty dishes?”  Well….yes.

Then came the explanation that mopping water is allowed to be emptied out in the bathroom.  And why would I even want my mop and my dishes to take up the same space (even though not at the same time….)?  I could only laugh…in my attempt to prove that I learned my lesson I find out that I’ve erred just as much this go around.  Sigh.  This is not uncommon.

Life in Botswana may be a lot of things but rarely is it without a story or two.

Without too much fan fare 2009 has exited and 2010 entered.

2009 marked a full year of life in Botswana. Like all years it contained a year full of ups and downs. Some really high ups and some rather low downs...but nothing that couldn't be handled. Looking back I have a list of things to proud of - helping to coordinate 2 huge HIV testing events, helping to start Teen Club, welcoming new Peace Corps volunteers, being a camp counselor at Camp Hope, being a pen-pal with a middle-school class in the U.S., painting murals, working with Peace Corps staff and volunteers to rewrite the Peace Corps Botswana project framework, and transferring skills to co-workers were some of the highlights.

For fun I went camping twice (which I had never really done), went to Kasane (where a lot of wildlife is), had and went to random parties with other volunteers and generally tried to keep myself entertained.

All that being said and done, in November I decided that it was time for a serious break. As much I tend to enjoy my experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer - life became a little overwhelming and so my mom, being awesome, bought me a ticket home.

On December 23rd I found myself on a plane for the first time since getting on a plane in New York City to come to Botswana. After a quick flight from Gaborone to Johnannesburg, South Africa I embarked on a 16 hour flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta. I spent 3 amazing weeks back in the United States surrounded my family members and friends who showered me with even more love and support than when I am here. It was so emotionally satisfying. The thing you don't always think about with Peace Corps is just how lonely it can be here (and I'm not even that remote). You are often in the presence of other great volunteers, but no one knows you like the people back home ... and I miss that more than anything else.

3 weeks went by way too fast and I quickly found myself back on a plane to Africa. This is where I am now. I have a long layover in Johannesburg, South Africa and then it’s back to Botswana in the morning.

2010 in Botswana begins tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about it. On the plus side I am really grateful that my time left in service is limited. No doubt about it, given another chance, I would do it all again. It’s been a fabulous journey - but I am definitely ready for the next chapter - whatever that might be.

Being home reminded me that living overseas is an awesome, life changing experience - but being somewhere where my heart and soul are happy is crucial. Family and friends are crucial to the previously mentioned happiness.

I want to do my best to make my last few months here worth something (and to keep myself busy!). I have projects that need to be wrapped up, things to be packed up and plans to be made (though they will be tentative I'm sure.)

So here is to a new year. No doubt for me it will be filled with many more ups and downs, changes, laughter and love. I hope that you find what you are looking for in the new year as well.

Happy 2010.

Today President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I saw the news online in what would be the wee hours of American time. At first I was pleasantly surprised. Then I was amazed (really, appalled) as numerous news sites (from CNN to People) and the wise ones of facebook (e.g. my friends on facebook) decided to post a litany of commentary  to his award.

I find it amusing because I think the one of the real reasons that it is so controversial (among other reasons) is that he is a current figure well known by Americans and the rest of the world. Had any of the other people who had been considered top contenders won the news probably would have gone relatively under the wire. I’m sure the response by many to this statement would be that there would be no commentary because the “top contenders” actually deserved it. Whatever.

I argue this. While people across the globe argue for a day or two about whether Obama should have won the Nobel Peace Prize…I challenge you to take the higher road. There are two paths on this higher road:

1. Go out and volunteer. Volunteer with your church, a soup kitchen, a refugee center, the library – just go out and help! Take it one step further and make a commitment to volunteer! Sign up for once month or once a week – just get out there.

2. My other suggestion is take a minute to think about all of those who have gone out and tried to make a difference. Maybe this is someone in your community. Maybe it’s someone you have read about it a book or in the news, maybe it’s the ton of anonymous people who did it just

because. Try reading Three Cups of Tea or Nine Hills to Nambonkaha for inspiration.

I try to avoid using my blog as a soapbox, but I can’t avoid it today. In an era stupid politics, name calling, and entirely too much hatred and negativity I urge you to take the higher road. Make a commitment to help others, not just yourself. I promise you it will have benefits you can not anticipate.

Caitlin

Well my blog entries do seem to be a feast or famine type deal – I either post a couple of blog entries back to back or I post nothing at all. Ah well.

With the great adventure of Camp Hope barely behind me it was time again for our Mahalapye Teen Club. Waking up Friday morning I knew that the task of the day would be to make sure that we had everything ready for Saturday…our third Teen Club.

The previous two Teen Clubs have really been about the teens and the adults getting to know each other and all of us trying to find our groove for our how we want our Teen Club to run. At a meeting last week however, we decide it was time to put our game faces on. Teen Clubs are supposed to be part social but are also supposed to be part life skills – teaching the kids about different topics that should help them as they grow up.

This month we decided to do “Feelings & Emotions”. Another Teen Club had actually created this lesson and so the lesson plan already existed. I am still in the process of getting a lot of my volunteers to actively participate in creating lesson ideas and the activities that would support them…it’s a little tougher than I anticipated but I am hoping that as the process continues more will come on board.

So, “Feelings & Emotions” it was. Saturday as we arrived at our Teen Club location we set up for the day. We play music during the beginning of every session to try and get the kids warmed up a little bit. So with Rihanna, T.I. and various other artists blasting at top volume we got it started. After warm ups and tea the first activity was “getting to know your emotions”.

The teens all sat around a table and folded a piece of paper into six sections. In the first square they were told to write “happy” or “boitumelo” in Setswana. Then they were told to draw what they thought a happy face looked like. This process was repeated for “sad”, “angry”, “scared”, “peaceful”, and “powerful”. This activity broke the feelings and emotions ice a little bit and made sure that the teens knew what all of the emotions were.

The next step was to take the “Feelings & Emotions” die and give it a roll. Whatever emotion it landed on you had to talk about that emotion. For instance, if you rolled “angry” you had to make the statement, “At time when I felt angry was when ____________”. We went around the table repeating the process with the various teens telling us when they were scared, angry, happy, etc. The second activity allowed the teens to delve a little deeper into exploring their own personal feelings which allowed us transition into the next segment.

Moving out from the table, we all formed a circle with our chairs. Tony, our lead nurse volunteer began the session by telling the teens to close their eyes and think about the time they found out that they were HIV+. As the kids bowed their heads and closed their eyes a very still silence settled over the room. As heads raised and eyes opened you could tell that this next part was either going to go really well or not at all.

Tony led off by asking if any of the teens wanted to share their story….no one volunteered. We sat in silence for a couple of minutes until one teen stood up and told her story. She spoke mostly in Setswana so I got only bits and pieces, but those bits and pieces were enough to make me want to cry. She told of living with her sister and going to get HIV tested. She told of how when she found out the news she couldn’t believe it. She continued on with her story but managed to stay pretty composed. She was a picture of stoicism that I hadn’t anticipated. She finished her story and sat down.

Tony asked if anyone else wanted to share. No one did. He called on another girl. She looked around, took a deep breath and stood up. She began to tell her story in English and this time I really had to actively fight tears from streaming down my face. She told of how she had been hospitalized twice as a child before she knew she was HIV+, how her mother had died and her father had “found a new woman” and because of the new woman left to go live with her aunt…and during that time is when she found out that she was HIV+. That was about as far as she got before she burst into tears, crying so hard that she couldn’t talk and had to sit down. I didn’t know what to do. My heart felt like it had exploded into my chest. I knew Teen Club would bring tough moments but watching a child cry over something that really, in my mind, is just so unfair was almost too much. I scooted a child over and let her cry on my shoulder – not knowing what else to do. She let the tears run and then faced the rest of the group; she had said all she could say.

Understandably, after that, no one really wanted to tell their story – I think many were afraid that they would react the same way, some not quite ready to articulate their stories. After a very heavy pause I ventured to take the discussion in a slightly different direction. With the help of a translator I spoke of how we all know that these stories are really hard to discuss because they hurt. However, the chances were that many of the teens had experienced the same feelings. I asked anyone who had felt sad when they found out their status to raise their hand, many did. I asked anyone who had felt angry when they found out their status to raise their hand, a good number did. I asked anyone who didn’t know what to feel when they found out to raise their hands, a few did. From there I was able to ask specific teens why they had felt angry, sad or confused.

One boy said that he felt angry at his mother for giving him HIV. I told them that was understandable and to not feel ashamed of that. One girl said that she wondered why her parents had her if they knew they were HIV+. I wondered to myself, “How do I really respond to that?” Some kids talked about sadness because they thought they would be different or alone. Some said that they were fine with it and meant it. Some said they were ok with being HIV+, but seemed reluctant to really express anything more. Some expressed hope and optimism due to their medications and support from others…some were still trying to get to that point.

We then transitioned to coping mechanisms. We talked about what we all did to handle our feelings when they got to be too much. One girl said she went to bed and cried, one said that she listened to her favorite music. One boy said he played sports, an adult volunteer said she ate food. We talked about the fact that being angry and sad is just not about being HIV+; it’s about life in general.

Having had all our emotions wrung out for the day we wrapped up the discussion and took a walk outside. It was meant as a time to clear heads and take some deep breaths. Then it was time for lunch.

We wrapped up Teen Club a little subdued but with everyone seemingly having put themselves back together. We wished one teen good luck since she was moving to another village at the end of the month and we parted ways.

I felt a little bad about having such a tough Teen Club but I knew in the long run that it would likely help a lot of these teens. One teen told me on Sunday that Teen Club had been hard, but it had been good. Very good. In the end, if the teens come out on top that’s all that matters and so through the tears and laughter Teen Club will continue one month at a time.

*My apologies this entry is a bitlong – but camp was jam packed and I wanted to share the experience!

Camp Hope YaChesa! (Campe Hope Rocks!) Hello to all! I have just returned from an amazing week at Camp Hope!  A 5 day camp for kids aged 10-12 who are HIV+, Camp Hope is designed to provide a week of fun for kids who could use a little more support in their lives. It was an awesome week full of activities, food, friendship and so much more.

I felt really lucky when I was told that I had been chosen to be a camp counselor for Camp Hope! I knew I was in for a great experience.  I was also fortunate to go along with 2 greatfriends from the area, Jonathan (a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer) and Tony (a nurse from Mahalapye Hospital).  Both ofthese guys are people I work closely with on Teen Club. 

On Saturday, August 8th we headed down to Baylor Clinic in Gaborone for lunch andan orientation session.  We were briefed on what we would be doing at the camp, issues we might face, etc.  Children at the camp were going to vary frombeing fully disclosed (knowing that they are HIV+ positive) to being partially disclosed (knowing that they are sick, that they take medication, but notnecessarily knowing they have HIV) and as a result the camps focus was not about HIV, but rather on social support and having fun.  We then headed over to the school where wewould be having the camp and set up a little bit.  We all knew it would be our last calm andquiet moments until camp was over on Thursday.

Sunday morning we woke up, showered and prepared for the campers to arrive.  We set up stations for the campers to checkin at.  They had to drop off their medications with the doctors, have parents/guardians sign some forms, and thenget their name tags and bandannas.  All the kids were divided into color groups. My color group was green, 7 girls ranging from 11-12.  Whew! 

After theychecked in the kids all got settled into their rooms and then it was time for energizers and getting to know you games. Then it was time for lunch!  After lunch we went to our first session –Character Development.  It was a sessionthat talked about characteristics that build character; trustworthiness,respect, responsibility, friendship, caring, citizenship.  I think the girls were looking for something a little more exciting – but it was a good lesson that sent out some important messages.  Sunday was also where we had to come with our team cheer.  Ha.  It was fun watching the girls try to come upwith something. Sunday night was the bonfire! We made s’mores for the kids and the kids performed their team cheersand told jokes and stories.  Finally the day was over and we all headed back to the dorms for much needed rest!

Monday started bright and early as the campers were eager to go to breakfast and havetheir first full day of camp!  It alsostarted with trying to coordinate 30 girl campers to get showered anddressed!  Oh my goodness what aprocess!!!  30 girls running around intowels and underwear – soap, toothbrushes and various other body care products tightly held in hand and plastic bags or shower caps around the heads of girlswith more elaborate hairstyles that shouldn’t get wet.  HIALARIOUS! Begging the girls not to run, to not blast water all over the showerroom…I’m sure you can imagine the chaos that ensued.  

After breakfast we headed to our first session of the day – Feelings andEmotions.  Many times here kid’s emotions and feelings are not necessarily accounted for and kids many times aren’t encouraged to express how they are feeling. Additionally, many of the kids attending Camp Hope have gone throughsome really tough situations (aside from being HIV+).  Many girls in my groups expressed sadnessover unhappy home situations.  I know from talking to other counselors that similar things came out within theirgroups.  The woman who led the session was fabulous and really supportive of the kids and the things they expressed.  After Feelings and Emotions everyone loaded into a bus to head to Mokolodi Game Park for a game drive!  The kids were really excited about theprospect of seeing the animals.  Once wegot to the game park we loaded into safari cars and headed off for a long gamedrive.  We saw a ton of animals –elephants, wildebeests, impala, a cheetah, an ostrich, warthogs, and more!  It was a lot of fun! We then headed back tothe school for lunch!  After lunch our group played board games and then mingled with the other girl groups.  Monday night was movie night!  The school had a really nice AV Centre andthe kids LOVED being able to watch a movie on a big screen.  Then, THANKFULLY, it was time for bed again!

Tuesday morning greeted me way too early with the sounds of the girls slamming thedoors and getting ready to bathe.  The crazy bath process was repeated all over again and then we headed to breakfast.  Tuesday was the green group’sactive day.  We began with dance whichwas led by an awesome guy who taught the girls hip-hop and break dancingmoves!  I even managed a fewmoves…including the “freeze” which included me having my entire body balance onmy arms….needless to say that didn’t last for long.  Then it was time for practice for the talent show …. At first the group was going to do a “drama” but it was quickly (and thankfully) changed to a group dance. Then it was time for lunch.  After lunch we moved to Cooking & Nutrition – the girls were taught how to make and decorate cupcakes and then also given a session on eating healthy and having a balanced diet….don’t think it changed too many of my girls minds….most still hated vegetables. J   As if we hadn’t done enough after cooking & nutrition it was then time for sports!  We headed out to the netball court and playeda game of netball (much like basketball). It was a lot of fun because a lot of the adult men from Baylor came toplay with them along with 2 Zebras (the national football team) players!  The guys were great sports and reallyencouraged all the girls to play!  Thenoff to the showers and dinner!  After dinner it was time for the Talent Show. It was really cute to see the kids singing and dancing.  It was also funny because 5 different groupsall chose the same song to dance to – a South African house song….we were all humming it as we left! 

Wednesday morning was the last full day of camp...but it didn’t mean we slowed down at all.  After showering and breakfast itwas time for the green group to go to Arts & Crafts.  In Arts & Crafts we made Hope Dolls…the girls had a lot of fun making them. After they finished those they moved on to friendship bracelets whichwere also a hit!  They then joined all the campers to write thank-you notes to the sponsors of the camp and to puttheir handprints on the Camp Hope poster. After lunch the kids all gathered on the rugby pitch for the Camp Hope Olympics!  Complete with face painting, a sack race, egg race and other fun games the kids seemed to have a lot of fun being outside.  Then it was time for showering and dinner.  After dinner it was time for the graduation ceremony for those who will be 13 before the nextCamp Hope.  Those who turn 13 are now eligible for Teen Club – the monthly support group for those aged 13-19.  When bedtime rolled around you could tell that kids were a little sad that next day would be the last day of camp.

Thursday morning rolled around and while I was sad that camp was ending – I was really glad that the next time I woke up would be in my own bed.  We all ate breakfast and then headed back to the dorms to pack up andclean.  Then we headed back to the AV centrefor the closing ceremony and slideshow. Baylor had put together a long slideshow of photos from the week which the kids and parents/guardians really enjoyed. Then it was time to go home! 

Throughout the morning there were quite a few kids who upset about camp being over…and it was hard because you knew a lot them had been able to escape for a bit and now had to go back to reality….but overall the kids left havinghad a really great time!

As for me, I left Camp Hope having had a great adventure. While many of the moments were trying – they were simultaneously hilarious and fun.  I left exhausted but glowing.  It’s an adventure I wouldundertake again in a heartbeat.  I not only got to meet great campers but great counselors, great Teen Leaders and othergreat people who all gave to the camp. Camp Hope Ya Chesa!

For pictures from Camp Hope see my photo album at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2325799&id=23909850&l=afef1b5b6f -- I will be posting more over the weekend!  Enjoy!

Greetings once again! I am currently in Gabs (Gaborone – the capitol) for a workshop that we had yesterday. The workshop was on the sentinel surveillance that will be conducted this year. One of the main ways that Botswana tracks HIV/AIDS prevalence is through pregnant women because they are the main ones who consistently go to the clinic for care. So July through September we will be conducting a sentinel surveillance of pregnant women which should be pretty interesting. We will be monitoring their HIV status, number of pregnancies, and other basic demographic stuff. I love surveillance and assessments so it’s interesting to me. We will be conducting workshops at the end of June to educate clinic staff and lab technicians on the procedures that will be involved.

The Mosadi Mogolo Football Cup wrapped up on May 9th which was great. Overall the tournament was relatively successful. I think more importantly, there was a large feeling of relief when it was all said and done. The week after the tournament I took a few days off from the office to get a little R&R.

I went up to Serowe which is the home village of the first president of Botswana, Seretse Khama. Khama also met and married a White British woman while living and studying abroad in the late 40’s. The interracial marriage created a controversy among both the apartheid government of South Africa and the tribal elders of the Bamangwato (his tribe). On being informed of the marriage, Khama's uncle Tshekedi Khama demanded his return to Bechuanaland and the annulment of the marriage. Khama did return to Serowe but after a series of kgotlas (public meetings), was re-affirmed by the elders in his role as the kgosi in 1949. Ruth Williams Khama, traveling with her new husband, proved similarly popular. Khama led country when it gained independence and is hailed for helping to transition Botswana into the economically strong country that it is today.

The graves on a hillside overlooking the village of Serowe. It was really neat because you could see some of great early leaders of this country.

Last week we completed another world map mural at a local primary school. Which was a lot of fun. This month our goal is to get one at a local clinic done – this one will focus on HIV/AIDS prevention message.

So all that leads me to here, in Gabs. It is 8:30 in the morning and I think I’m going to go enjoy a hot shower while I still have the option!

Happy June to All!

Caitlin

April 20th marked my one year anniversary in Botswana.  How time does fly!  While there are some days that go by agonizingly slow ? overall thisyear has blown by.  This week it will be May! Half of 2009 is almost out the door!  Where is it all going?

Aside from inability to figure out where time is exactly going my year in Botswana has been marked with incredible highs, serious lows, and a lot of time in thehigher end of the middle.  I have met numerous people who have influenced my life, become closer to people from backhome and learned a million things about myself. 

The new volunteers arrived last week Monday.  I was there to greet them asthey stepped off the bus from Johannesburg, travel weary and anxious about whatwas to come.  Oh how I remember that moment!  A small group ofcurrent volunteers spent 4 days with the newbies answering questions, talkinglogistics, and providing comforting words where we could.  I was sothankful not be at that stage again!  It was also funny because I don't think I have ever talked about myself and my experience so much!  Interesting to be on the "senior" level of volunteers now. 

My mom mentioned that it might be time to start doing a countdown of time left versus the count up of my time here. I don't know that I am quite at that point yet.  I am still quite unsure ofwhat awaits me when my Peace Corps service is done but I'm sure it will work itself out.  Life tends to do that. 

In the village world life has been busy with the Mosadi Mogolo (Old Woman?s)Football Tournament and getting the Teen Club off the ground.  I think Mosadi Mogolo will be my last "big" event for awhile ? they are truly exhausting and I feel like I am putting in alot more work than those who want to do the events originally and that's just not how it's supposed to go.  The realityis that sometimes that is the way it goes but for now its time for me to takea step back and focus on projects that members of my community are truly committedto and that I think might have a bigger impact - even if they aren't bigevents.

So, I guess no super deep reflections a year in -  but I can say that I am happy and blessed to be where I am.  I learn somuch everyday and for that I am very lucky.

A special thank you to all of you who read my blog, send the occasional commentor email, etc.  I appreciate you keepingup.  Without the support of you guys I doubt I could do this.

Love to all.

This week's entry is by guest author Kate Nigro who came to visit me at the beginning of March. I thought it might be fun for her to write a blog entry on her trip to Botswana.  Here is what she had to say:

While I’m fairly certain any American foray into the Heart of Darkness is a unique experience, I feel lucky my first African adventure was this particular brand of unique. Due to the fact that Ericka and I were visiting none other than Peace Corps Volunteer Extraordinaire Caitlin McSweeny, I had the opportunity to narrowly avoid hitting an elephant as I rode on a bus, witnessed hippos out of water (rarely observed), repair mosquito netting, eat dinner at the beautiful abode of a British Ex-Pat (and enjoy his company), and much, much more. Ericka and I were fortunate enough to get a glimpse of what it might be like to be  Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), while simultaneously learning about local culture. The Peace Corps network is extensive, and McSweeny is fortunate to know some very cool volunteers (who were also very helpful, fun and kind, and who knew MORE cool people). Also, McSweeny has done a great job of connecting with the locals, so we were able to meet and speak with many Motswana, which I’m very certain would have been paralyzing intimidating without Caitlin.

For the first time in memory, I truly felt like a foreigner. I’ve felt out of place before, especially in other countries, but being one of very few white people (or lacoa as Caitlin has mentioned before) in fairly rural parts of Botswana was met with lots of attention: positive, negative and so-positive-it-turned-negative (as in the multiple requests we received from men who wanted to return with us to the States).   

While we certainly encountered a fair number of people who seemed less than thrilled with our presence, many were very friendly. On multiple occasions, after being introduced, women would ask us to come and visit them in their homes. One woman was kind enough to invite us horseback riding, but we were unable to join her due to our schedule. I gave everyone who offered these invitations grateful but noncommittal responses until I could ask Caitlin about this gesture. She explained these invites were truly genuine, but they came with no sense of obligation. If we had shown up at their homes (or as the Motswana say “checked” them), we would have been very welcome! However, if we never showed up, it would not be considered an affront.

Of the local food we ate, my favorite was boiled bread (Madombe). If you are familiar with the steamed pork buns you can eat for Dim Sum, then you can imagine what this surprisingly dense, sweet bread tastes like. Delicious! I was surprised to learn that traditional cuisine is typically unavailable in restaurants. It is available for purchase as take away in grocery stores (much like we are able to get fried chicken and potato salad at deli counters at the grocery in the US), and we had the good fortune to purchase fantastic food from a woman who cooks at home and vends at Caitlin’s workplace.

On one of our last days in the country, we stopped to eat in a fast food restaurant in Caitlin’s village that served  fried chicken and chips (very popular there). The couple that owned the restaurant were Indian immigrants, and I was amazed at the sense of instant camaraderie they felt toward us. The man made us promise to return and repeatedly let us know that we were welcome at any time. We were friends. I found this astounding, as I have never before experienced this type of reaction, especially by a person from a minority population. The couple felt a connection to us because we were minorities. Caitlin seemed unfazed by this, as I’m sure it happens to her frequently. For me, that is one of the moments of culture shock that I think of often. The earnestness of his invitation. 

In all, I am thrilled to have made it back State Side without any evidence of Fleash-Eating DysAIDSlaria. More importantly, I am utterly grateful to Caitlin, Tony and all the PCVs who we hung with for their tireless efforts to help Ericka and me navigate the amazingly beautiful Botswana.

Its always funny when my mom tells me I need to update my blog…the one person I talk to every week is telling me that the online synopsis of my Botswana life is lacking. Ha.

So – April  – the month of my one year anniversary.  Pretty amazing.
 
February wrapped up quite well – with a sigh of relief we finished the Family Fun Days and had really good numbers to show from it.  Overall we tested 722 people and  70% of those people were couples – a success by my standards for sure.

Last time I wrote I mentioned an activity I was trying to get off the ground – Teen Club. We have made significant progress from it being just an idea to a reality.  I have gotten an NGO partner on board (yay!) and we have met with Baylor and the NGO to further discuss the planning.  We are shooting to have our first Teen Club meeting the 3rd Saturday of May.

Many of you have asked if there is any way you can support me and/or the projects I am working on here in Botswana and Teen Club will be the perfect opportunity.  Baylor Clinic has just launched a website for their Teen Club as a way to not only provide more information to people at large, but also as a way for individual Teen Clubs to raise funds! Yay!

What might those funds be used for?  Good question. 

Mahalapye (My Village) Teen Club will have lunch and transportation costs covered by the Baylor  Clinic…which is great.  It will allow HIV+ teens from all over my village to come together to discuss their status, their adherence to their medications, and life overall.

Funds would help pay for special outings (pool parties, field trips, for example) and for smaller things that might be needed for activities during Teen Club.

If you'd like to start donating - which would be awesome - you can go to the donation section of the webpage...just put Mahalapye Teen Club in the notes to specify where you would like the money to go....

So, check out the website…http://botswanateenclub.wordpress.com. It will give you good insight as to what I’m doing.  I’m really excited about this project and think it has a lot of potential.  I am also really excited because I feel like I have a good team of community members who are really interested in seeing Teen Club succeed.

More on life in general later...

~Caitlin

P.S. The more clinks on the link I have - the better - I can get a free dinner out of it. ;-)