Dumelang, (hello all)
Posted by Kathryn T on November 6th, 2008
As I begin the 2nd half of my journey here in Gaborone Botswana I start to look back on what I’ve accomplished and what I have yet to do with my last few weeks here. Time is starting to fly and I don’t want to see it pass by any faster. Living in Gabs City has been a phenomenal experience. Between my placement at the Cancer Association of Botswana (CAB), the people I’ve met, the sweltering heat, and the everyday life of the Botswana culture I can’t help but wish I had a few more months. Writing a blog on my experiences is a really tough task because there are so many aspects of my experience that I can’t even put in to words, but I will do my best.
Life in Gaborone – I currently live with a local Botswana family in Marapula and so happy I chose this route. I was living with other Canadians for the first month and then we were put up in different homes. I chose to live with the family because I wanted to experience the culture; language, food, travels, and so much more. I combi (bus) to and from work everyday and still get looks when I ask for the next stop in Setswana. One thing to keep in mind, be prepared to receive a lot of attention from people around you. The best thing for you to do is to learn as much Setswana as you can. As soon as you speak to a local in their language their faces beam with a smile and become so welcoming to your presence.
Work – The Cancer Association of Botswana (CAB) is an NGO operating since 1998. We have a 22 bed Interim Care Home (11 males, 11 females) where patients come from villages afar to receive treatments at the hospitals in the city. These patients are here for about 6 weeks at a time. Our role at CAB is to provide various services for these people and for the community. For the patients here, we have transport services to and from hospitals, accommodation, support groups and counseling services, meals, and recreational programs. Currently, we just had our busiest month of the year in October. It was Cancer Awareness month where we implemented a Psychosocial Challenges of Cancer conference, Stiletto Walk for Breast Cancer, Golf Tournament for cancer, and other various sessions promoting wellness at the University of Botswana, local companies, and the list goes on.
My role with CAB has been a mesh of different tasks. Originally I came to Botswana to develop recreational programs for the patients, write proposals for funding, and begin implementation of programs. But as some of you may know, we are on “Botswana time”, which means the pace of work and everyday life is very slow. I accepted very early in my placement that the way things are done and accomplished here in Gaborone is very different from back home in Canada and flexibility is key in this country. But thus far I have began the development of a Horticulture Therapy group where we have a professor from the College of Agriculture come in weekly to teach the patients organic gardening techniques so once they are discharged from CAB they can transfer their skills to their home villages and develop income-generating projects. As well, I’m in the process of starting an art group, where we have an instructor teach basket weaving and bead work. Other projects I am developing is a Cancer WellFit program which offers exercises and education on healthy living for the patients, as well as monthly guest speakers and entertainment. As for now, my goal is to have the proposals and structure of the programs developed so when the new student arrives in January, she can help with the implementation and facilitation of the projects. Unfortunately the biggest barrier to success of these programs for myself as a Canadian student is that I do not speak Setswana (local language) fluently. The majority of the patients do come from rural villages and know little to no English. The remainder of my time with CAB is spent with the revamping of the facility. We are working on the esthetic appeal of the home as it is not very home-like.
Overall, life in Botswana has been a very rewarding and enriching experience. I think the most significant aspect of my placement and time in Gaborone has been the people I have met. It is so warming when you walk down the street and people actually acknowledge your presence, saying hello and make eye contact with you. My biggest word of advice I could provide is accept all the offers you can to experience anything and everything you can. If you get invited to a braai (bbq)…go, if you get invited to a wedding or funeral…go. These are where you meet the people who will have one of the biggest influences on your cultural experience here in this country. Speaking from personal experience, I have seen some of the most interesting ways of life and unimaginable feelings from going to such gatherings. Talk to people and spend the time to get to know them. This lifestyle in Gabs city is something I am really going to miss, as slow as it is at times, I have never felt so relaxed and at ease. Soak it all up because before you know it, it will be over.
Ciao for now,
Kate Tippett
aka Lorato (Setswana name given to me)
