We developed a Calendar of Events for all activities happening at the center for both adults and children. We thought this would not only benefit the center but also help future volunteers so they would be informed about the areas we have worked on and activities that regularly happen. Not all the recreational equipment has been received yet that the other intern ordered but we are hoping to have it all in the next couple weeks. The recreational equipment is important because presently there are few activities for the children and play is a vital piece of child development

          Meetings I regularly attend are the Wellness Committee, prayer meeting and house mother meetings. I like to participate as much as possible because there are always new learning opportunities that arise. It’s also a way to build relationships with the house mothers. This past week we did some team building exercises with the staff and house mothers after the Prayer meeting. Overall, the activities went well but next time we will choose activities with basic English because the language barrier played a part in the deliverability of the activities. It was pleasurable to observe everyone laughing with one another in a relaxed manner.

I went to my first Full Town Council meeting last week where the mayor, deputy mayor and all councillors meet to discuss municipal issues. The meeting was similar to court in Canada. There was a bang at the door and this was the cue for everyone to stand up for the mayor’s entrance. The mayor wore a long, thick gold chain and the deputy mayor followed wearing a thinner version of the mayor’s chain. The mayor mostly spoke in English while the councillors spoke in Setswana. Social services seemed to be brushed over, as well as, health services. One of the areas that interested me was the expected population increase in Jwaneng because of more mining jobs becoming available. There is concern about getting more ARVs because it is expected the rate of HIV will increase because of the population increase. I wasn’t clear on whether the mayor was saying that because of the expected population increase it is expected HIV will increase, or whether because of the population increase more ARVs will need to be available for those already infected with HIV. Whatever the case I think this is an example of the poor band aid solutions that have been made in regard to HIV. More money could be put towards prevention with people becoming accountable for themselves.

          Something we finally started this week was study time in the library. Many of the children could be doing better in school and need extra support. Approximately 20-30 children came for study time and it was time well spent. I am hoping that this will assist in building relationships with the children because I seem to be doing mostly administrative duties. For the rest of my time here I am going to try spending my afternoons with the house mothers and children. The challenge is that the children are not home until later in the afternoon and our work day ends at 4:30. We have stayed until 6:00 pm some nights but do not want to bank up our hours. I am hoping to start coming in a bit later some days so I can work later in order to work more with the children. It is difficult to build relationships with the younger children because of the language barrier. With the older children it is difficult to build relationships because they stay later for sports and study after school, as well as, the language barrier. I would recommend future students to focus on spending time with the children and not to get caught up in some of the administrative duties.

          A woman has started donating birthday cakes at the end of each month. Last month was the first time this happened and almost every child was able to attend the birthday celebration. Birthdays are seldom celebrated so this was exciting for many of the children, especially the young ones. I was astonished by the patience of the children who sat patiently while one house mother cut pieces of cake for each person (approximately 60 people). I think these gatherings are positive for the center because it brings everyone in the center together.

          WUSC had funds available for students to submit proposals for their host placement. I submitted a proposal for funds for art supplies for the center. I mainly wanted to do this so that the children can have the opportunity to engage in play therapy. Like the recreational equipment, there are no art supplies for the children, not even crayons. The proposal was approved so I am very excited to purchase the supplies and start different activities with the children. I think the art supplies will assist future students in building relationships with especially the smaller children.

          A couple weekends ago a bunch of the WUSC volunteers travelled to Chobe and Victoria Falls for the weekend. The weekend was short but absolutely amazing. I particularly enjoyed Victoria Falls. We travelled on the overnight bus to Kasane and camped in Chobe with two guides. It was a weird feeling knowing you were sleeping with all the animals! The second week in March is WUSC’s Learning Day for all the volunteers. We are travelling to Ghanzi, D’kar and Maun so I am anticipating the trip. It’ll be great to see everyone again and hear about everyone’s placements. I am so happy WUSC made the decision to travel to the chosen locations because I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to go there on my own. Anyways, bye for now!

I arrived to Jwaneng, Botswana last Thursday where I will be residing until the beginning of April. I was in Gaborone for a week completing orientation at WUSC and the University of Botswana. We did a variety of activities: hiking, game-drive, language lesson, history lesson, and a variety of educational workshops. I was one of the last people to arrive and stayed at a Skill Share house because the WUSC student housing was full. It wasn’t as nice as the WUSC house but we had a washing machine and shower. My luggage didn’t arrive for 3 days and I had absolutely nothing! It was awful but the girls here were super nice and helped me out. The WUSC staff was helpful during my time in Gaborone and answered any question that was asked. They definitely had their hands full with us.

Jwaneng is a small town built around DEBSWANA the diamond mine company. There isn’t much here other than your basic needs. Internet has been an issue but I finally got connected. The internet cafe I went to here works sporadically. I purchased an internet stick from Orange in Gabs (no Orange or Mascom stores here) and have had issues installing it because I have Windows Vista. If you plan on buying an internet stick, bring your computer to the store and have them install it so you don’t have to make two bus trips to Gaborone like me. Also, I advise to bring your laptop if you own one because there are few computers within the workplace.

The buses here run every half hour to Gaborone and are jammed packed with seats which make them a bit uncomfortable. They will have them so full that people will be standing the whole trip. In Jwaneng there are no combis like in Gaborone, so I will have to take a cab to or from work some days. It’s a half hour walk from my house so most days I will probably walk. I make sure to watch out for snakes because my house mom told me there are lots here in Jwaneng.

It is common to see donkeys, cows, goats and chickens running around in the ditches and sides of the road when you are travelling on the highway. Donkeys especially like to stand in the middle of the highway so you are often slowing down for wild life. On our way here we saw a bunch of baboons in the ditch. You are advised not to drive at night because of the wildlife on the roads and for intoxicated drivers. Most social gatherings are over early here and I think that has something to do with it.

It’s important to attempt to learn Setswana while you are here and saying ‘Dumela mma/rra’ (female/male) is custom. The locals brighten up when you greet them and are usually curious to know who you are and what you are doing here. Setswana is difficult for me but even if you attempt it the Batswana laugh because they are happy you are trying. The language is going to be a barrier for me fully working with the children at the center because we were told some of them don’t know English that well – especially that small ones. I am hoping the kids can teach me a thing or twoJ.

My placement is at Mpule Kwelagobe and it is a children’s center under the Ministry of Local Government – Department of Social Services and I am one of the two Assistant Social Workers. I have met with the Coordinator, 2 social workers, psychology intern, other staff members and children. There are approximately 20 house mothers (don’t all work at once) so I will meet them as my days go on. My official start day is tomorrow and I can’t wait! The staff are open to suggestions and are so thankful for our arrival because they are short-handed. Some of the tasks I will be completing are assisting some of the 54 children with their homework (which will be a challenge because of the language barrier), planning recreational activities for the children, planning team building workshops for staff, individual and group counselling, attending case management meetings, conducting home visits, meeting with stakeholders to hopefully build ties, and preparing workshops for both housemothers and staff. Some other ideas discussed were developing a Volunteer Manual, trying to recruit youth to volunteer with the children (community building and help us with the language barriers), and fundraising money for activities with local businesses. Since I am only here for a short while I hope to being some projects so other students can pick up where I leave off. It is important to note that this is the first time WUSC has sent anyone to Mpule Kwelaboge. There is lots of learning and opportunities there so I encourage others to seek out this opportunity. Anyways, bye for now! Go siame! (Farewell, goodbye).