Dumelang!! (SADC)
Posted by Iman on December 3rd, 2008
Hummm….On one hand it’s crazy to think that I’ve already been here for almost three months. But on the other hand it really feels like I have been living here forever. Botswana is amazing and I have really had the chance to settle in here nicely.
My first month in Bots was definitely interesting. My roommate Kate and I had to move into three different accommodations before WUSC was able to find us permanent places to live. As hectic as it was it was kind nice to be able to move around and live in different areas of the city. All Kate and I could say to each other was that it was definitely an experience! Since October I have been living with two Uniterra volunteers in a flat. The roommates are great.
Working for SADC has been great! The first month of work was very slow and it took a while for me to figure things out. I spent a lot of time reading up on the Gender Unit, its Business Plan, the SADC Gender Policy the newly sign SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and many other documents. I found this extremely helpful in giving me the background I needed to more effectively contribute. The three ladies I work with are amazing! It’s crazy to see three people do so much with so little resources and time. On my first day I was given a brief run down of what the Gender Unit does and all I could say was “Wow and its only the three of you that take care of ALL that!!!”
My job descriptions has diverted a slightly. I spent the last two months helping to produce the Gender Unit Bi – monthly Newsletter. This was a very intimidating task at first but once I got started things began to move along smoothly.
I recently completed our awareness campaign for the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women. For each of the 16 days we will be sending out an e-mail with facts about violence in the region, what SADC Member States are doing to prevent such violence and also trying to remind SADC Secretariat employees of what they can do in their day to day to help stop gender based violence. So far we have received very positive feedback; it’s been a great success!
Life in Gaborone seems pretty normal now. Now that I’ve been here for so long I’ve kinda stopped noticing those little things that made me stop and say “Woa now that’s different!” It’s been very easy to settle into the Bots lifestyle. I think what I’ll miss most about being here is how friendly people are. You meet someone and you’re bound to run into them again before the end of the week. Gabs is a very SMALL place and everyone knows everyone! I’ve made some really amazing friends here, it’s weird to think I’ve only known them for three months. Feels like it’s been forever. I’ll really miss them.
So the sad part is starting to kick in… this is my last week at SADC and in Gabs.
The girls and are off to Cape Town and then Namibia for two weeks. Should be a great time.
Promise to fill you all in on our adventures when we get back.
Ciao for now!
Iman
aka Tsepo
