Recent Pictures

Fun on game day, staff and volunteers, and the kids with our new vehicle.

All about the kids!

Knowing that I have just a few short monhs left in Botswana, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on my experiences here and realizing just how much of an impact working with the kids in my program has had on my life. Before coming to Botswana I'd had very little experience working with youth, especially adolescents, and when taking into consideration the differences in cultural backgrounds between the kids and myself, I was intimidated by them and the idea of trying to do anything to help them lead better lives. The first time I met the original 30 kids involved with Stepping Stones, they were completely shy and reserved, making me all the more uncertain about what to say to them and how to act around them. But as time passed and I participated in activities with the kids, they began to open up. Even getting them to answer any questions or participate in activities in the beginning was a huge challenge, but slowly the kids became more bold, especially after I allowed them many opportunities to laugh at me. I used to go on trips to go horseback riding with them- always entertaining with hip hop and house music blasting through the combi as the kids danced and chatted away- and one day I just started trying to mimic their dance moves. There was an uproar of laughter which made my day. Ever since I started making a fool of myself the kids have realized that I'm not that much different than they are- I'm not sure I'll ever forget how to be a kid- and they're more comfortable letting me in to their infinitely complex and interesting lives.
I'm amazed at all the unique personalities in our program (and I've changed the names for confidentiality purposes)- there's Odirile, the class clown who happens to be utterly brilliant and loves inventing secret handshakes; there's Tumelo, the hyperactive boy who likes to pick fights with the others but loves reading Sesame Street books; there's Rapebana, the drama queen who loves to preach the word of Jesus; "Small Boy" as the kids call him, who is brilliant and meticulous in arts and crafts; and who could forget Fortune, one of my favorite guys, who has a funny habit of smiling and then trying to hide it and always is the first to say hi when I arrive. I'm continuously impressed at how many new things these kids are willing to try- for example, we just started a sewing program which I assumed would only be popular among the girls, but when we asked for volunteers almost all the boys seemed interested. Almost all the kids have learned horseback riding, jewelry making, many different types of art, and journal writing. They're eager to learn English, and so excited when I break out a book and read to them (I recently started Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which I'm just as excited about).
Needless to say, long after I've returned to the states, I will remember all the names (which took me sooo long to learn) and faces of the now 60 kids I've worked with- it will break my heart to leave, but it will be great to keep in touch with them and see where their lives lead.

New faces, fun and frustrations

Returning from vacation was a bit of a shocker- readjusting to life in Mochudi, being alone as opposed to constantly around others, and getting back to work. Several problems arose with the kids from my program over the holidays- a few girls found out they were pregnant and another was abused- it was difficult to see the pain that they were going through and feel almost completely helpless. My coworkers and I have been doing what we can to help ease the strain, but there's only so much that can be done.
On a lighter note, it has been really nice to be back with the kids and starting the new year out with some great activities and new inspiration. Two new volunteers from Canada arrived recently- one was here for 3 weeks, and another will be here until April. Their energy and activity ideas have been really helpful and inspirational. We had a sports week with the kids, teaching them Jujitsu techniques and even floor hockey (thanks to the generous contribution of hockey supplies from the Canadian guy). We've also been getting extra help the kids during study time, since many are entering their final years of school (Form 5) in which they'll be required to take a final comprehensive exam that will determine whether they'll be able to attend tertiary school. It's a really intense process and very stressful, but we'll try to help them all to pass. I'm relearning some of my math and grammar skills in the process :)
At the beginning of March I'll be attending my COS- Close of Service- meetings for Peace Corps. My whole group of 50-something volunteers will meet to make final plans for leaving Botswana- it's so hard to believe my time here is almost over! I grow ever more excited thinking about the future, but it's also terrifying to think about how different my life in US will seem after this experience. Being here has changed me in so many ways, I hope that the culture shock going back will not be too overwhelming. And of course figuring out what to do next... always a daunting task. For now I will do my best to soak up as many great moments and experiences in Botswana, with the many friends I've made and the kids who have inspired and challenged me since my arrival.

Pictures, finally!

Some sunsets, part of Victoria Falls, view from the plane, a lovely turtle, and elephants at the river

Exciting adventures!

Here are some highlights from my recent travels- I was lucky enough to see some amazing places over my Christmas break, returning to Cape Town and getting to see the legendary Victoria Falls and Kasane, one of the most beautiful areas in Botswana.

Highlights of Cape Town: I could hardly contain my excitement arriving in Cape Town- I had already witnessed what a beautiful place it was, but the second time around was still breathtaking. Table Mountain looks completely surreal as the backdrop of a sprawling city and amazing beaches. I was surprised at how dry the areas below the mountain appeared this time around, especially since it’s the rainy season in Botswana, but the higher parts of the mountain were still a lovely green mixed with the rocky cliffs. Chandni and I met up with her cousin Jackie and her husband Jay and we drove together to the same backpacking place I’d stayed before. We went out for really nice appetizers and champagne at Wakame, a fancy restaurant/bar overlooking the ocean. Afterwards we walked along the pier to watch the sunset- amazing! We all awoke early to drive to the house in Camps Bay, one of the more upscale beachfront areas of Cape Town. The house was unbelievable: 8 bedrooms and bathrooms dispersed over 3 floors with huge windows looking out at the ocean and the 12 apostles (on the backside of Table Mountain)- the view was unbeatable. All the rooms were incredible, and the top floor had a huge deck and hot tub. We were too excited to leave the house for most of the first day.

Over the next several days we met with more of Chandni’s family and I started taking morning walks along the beach- I couldn’t resist the chance to walk in perfect weather with such breathtaking scenery! Chandni’s teenage cousin came along for some of the walks and we discovered a whole crew of rock dassies- creepy and strange groundhog-like creatures that lived in the cliffs along the beach. All of us spent time at the beach, drove down to Boulders Beach one day to see a huge gathering of African penguins, went to the top of Table Mountain by cable car and hiked around (you can see all of Cape Town and the surrounding bay areas and mountain ranges- it’s a little dizzying but unbeatable as far as views go)- there was no shortage of fun. We spent one day driving around Stellenbosch, one of the luscious wine-growing regions outside of the city. We visited Spier vineyard, where we indulged in an incredible gourmet African buffet with countless delectables to choose from. The food in Cape Town deserves mention - I didn’t have one meal that wasn’t amazing. All in all it was an incredible trip, and so much fun to get to be there with friends and Chandni’s family.

Livingstone/Victoria Falls/Kasane/Chobe National Park: It was so exciting to finally get to Livingstone in Zambia, home to part of Victoria Falls- a magnificent waterfall that spans part of the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. As we hiked along the huge gorge to the waterfall we were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of water in the spray from the falls- within minutes we were completely drenched! We rented raincoats for the rest of the walk which at least served to protect our cameras a bit. The waterfall is really a series of smaller falls cascading over a deep ravine that stretches as far as one can see- the gorge wraps around a corner when meeting the Zimbabwean border. At one point a bridge crosses another ravine, giving you a view of where the water continues into yet another parallel gorge. Rainbows could be seen on both sides of the bridge due to the spray- it was a beautiful sight.

After visiting the falls we shopped at an open-air market run by local vendors and artisans nearby. It was a little overwhelming to be confronted with the intense persuasion and sales pitches of each vendor, and bargaining with them was exhausting, but we all managed to find a few beautiful pieces of jewelry and art to take home.

We had an interesting encounter at the Zambezi Sun, a large resort not far from the falls where we attempted to have lunch. We had ordered a pizza to share and had started eating it when the umbrella over our table started to tilt- I grabbed onto in time to keep it from falling on us, only to realize the cause of the trouble- a monkey had jumped from the roof of the restaurant onto the umbrella, then onto our table to grab a piece of pizza. One of us swatted it away, but it boldly returned to the table and in the bustle knocked over a drink, gin and tonic and broken glass flying everywhere. What a mess! It was pretty ridiculous. I had always though monkeys were cute, but changed my mind after that incident.

After visiting Livingstone I returned to Kasane, the nearest town in Botswana, which is accessed by ferry across the Chobe River. Kasane borders the Chobe National Park, a huge expanse of luscious green hills and valleys surrounding the river. I went on a game drive through the park where I got to see wild dogs attacking a baby impala, hundreds of baboons, hippos, crocodiles, and countless species of birds and antelope. In the evening I went on a river cruise to see elephants and many other animals, as well as the Caprivi Strip, part of Namibia that borders much of northern Botswana. The long green grasses and setting sun were stunning to see, especially reflected in the river.

More Camp GLOW pictures

At the High Court of Botswana in Lobatse; meeting with Unity Dow (top left in the picture), girls dancing at camp, my group of girls with my co-facilitator, us with our GLOW banner, fun around the campfire.

Pictures from GLOW and SSI Christmas Party

Stepping Stones kids with their Christmas presents, some other GLOW facilitators, kids having fun with the camera on Friday, and kids acting in the drama competition