Just wanted to write a quick note to let friends/family know that I will be in Peace Corps training for the next 2 weeks, and I'm unsure of whether or not I'll have internet access during that time. Big news in Mochudi this week, Kgosi (chief) Linchwe II, one of the most renowned and well-regarded chiefs in the country, passed away yesterday. I'll try to include some history on him in an upcoming blog entry just to give an idea of the interesting life he led.
Other than that, things are going well overall. I'll post a more in-depth update soon.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tarantula, New friends, and speaking French
This weekend brought a surprise guest to my house- as I was cleaning the kitchen I discovered an enormous spider (which I later determined was most likely a tarantula) just hanging out on the floor. I screamed and bolted from the room like a little kid, and when I went back in hours later it was gone. I was hoping that would be the last of it, but later when I returned home it had resurfaced, this time right in front of the door to my hallway. I was so irrationally jumpy around it that I couldn’t summon up the courage to either kill or get rid of it otherwise. So I left the house again and when I returned it was once again gone. It hasn’t resurfaced since Saturday, so I’m hoping it found its way back outside after its few interactions with that crazy screaming person that is me.
It’s been difficult to adjust to being in such a different cultural environment, but I’ve been lucky enough to meet some very nice people who have helped to keep me from becoming a total hermit. My neighbor’s daughter, Shathani, is a very kind girl- she is a bit younger than me, but she’s been very nice to have tea with since we’re both learning a lot from each other. I’m learning a lot from her about what it’s like for youth in Botswana, and she’s learning about America from me. She may even teach me to be a better cook, which is quite exciting. I also randomly met a girl at the post office named Tebby- she is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Botswana and also lives on her own in Mochudi. She’s really friendly and intelligent- so there’s hope for me to have a social life here :)
This week I’ve noticed some definite differences in the kids at our center- some of the normally very shy and reserved kids have opened up a lot just in the short time that I’ve been working here. I was so excited to see everyone participating in activities such as a game where everyone in the group had to introduce themselves in French- we’re planning to teach the kids a bit about a different country/language each week to expose them to other cultures. These kids have so much potential, and after talking with many of them this week I’ve seen that it’s clear they’re excited to come to the center because there’s just not much else to do in the community for youth. It’s good to be reminded that our center is potentially keeping kids out of trouble and hopefully helping them develop themselves and eventually impact their community.
It’s been difficult to adjust to being in such a different cultural environment, but I’ve been lucky enough to meet some very nice people who have helped to keep me from becoming a total hermit. My neighbor’s daughter, Shathani, is a very kind girl- she is a bit younger than me, but she’s been very nice to have tea with since we’re both learning a lot from each other. I’m learning a lot from her about what it’s like for youth in Botswana, and she’s learning about America from me. She may even teach me to be a better cook, which is quite exciting. I also randomly met a girl at the post office named Tebby- she is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Botswana and also lives on her own in Mochudi. She’s really friendly and intelligent- so there’s hope for me to have a social life here :)
This week I’ve noticed some definite differences in the kids at our center- some of the normally very shy and reserved kids have opened up a lot just in the short time that I’ve been working here. I was so excited to see everyone participating in activities such as a game where everyone in the group had to introduce themselves in French- we’re planning to teach the kids a bit about a different country/language each week to expose them to other cultures. These kids have so much potential, and after talking with many of them this week I’ve seen that it’s clear they’re excited to come to the center because there’s just not much else to do in the community for youth. It’s good to be reminded that our center is potentially keeping kids out of trouble and hopefully helping them develop themselves and eventually impact their community.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Some pictures from training
Here are a few pics from my two months away from internet :)Top Left: Huge boulders in Thamaga
Top Right: Dana and Chandni, two of my good friends from training
Bottom Left: My host sister and brother (looking very serious), Lone and Bofelo
Bottom Right: My host mother and her handwoven baskets (and her mother in the background)
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