Khutse Staff Retreat – October 24 – October 29, 2007

Posted by melissa1 on November 8th, 2007

A staff retreat means different things to different people. However, the greatest change in atmosphere I’ve ever seen in a workplace, took shape at my staff retreat last week. The Holy Cross Director identified the need for a working staff retreat that would include building on our outdated strategic plan, developing a mission statement and vision, and a focus on team building and developing some cohesiveness between staff members and departments. This definitely was a working staff retreat! The days were long and full, much was accomplished, and I saw many people being empowered and taking ownership of their jobs and responsibilities.

Things required : 24 staff members

•     3 Canadian volunteer
•     2 female volunteer facilitators
•     5 volunteer cooks
•     1 camp director
•     1 seven-tonne truck
•     tents, mattresses, a flip chart
•     an extreme excess of food, particularly meat
•     anti-venom
•     enthusiasm, willingness to learn, adapt and grow
•     4 cameras

As with many things I’ve experienced here, the trip began late. We all arrived to work at 7:30am, planning to depart at 9ish. However, the truck we had hired to drive us all to the Khutse Game Reserve did not arrive until dark. In typical Batswana style, there were very few complaints and people waited the 12 hours with patience – taking naps, snacking, reading the paper.

Upon the truck’s arrival we loaded everything we had – tents, mattresses, food, bags, blankets, more food, water tanks, stove etc – on the truck and then piled ourselves on top of it all. There were about 30 people in the truck and the other few men travelled in a smaller vehicle.

The smaller vehicle was necessary (we were informed) to take us on night toilet trips, as a lioness with cubs is said to often grace the area with her presence.

This was a very interesting, albeit a risky, journey to the game reserve. We were all piled above the tope of the 7 tonne truck. The driver was speedy. The roads were bad. We had to cuddle very close together to stay warm as we were exposed to the elements, and had to protect ourselves from the wind and dust. The first 200km were pretty much paved. But after that we travelled on sand: Kalahari sand.

We arrived to the camp at about 1am. The smaller vehicle had arrived earlier and set up a few tents. We camped at the main gate of the game reserve, as it was too dangerous to travel any further. The majority of the ladies slept in the back of the truck, while some of us opted for tents.

We got up before 6 and relocated to what was to be our camp for the next few nights. Unfortunately we did not travel too far from the gate, to the camp we were originally supposed to go to. I heard this was because we did not have enough water tanks, so we had to stay where there was a tap for water. It was disappointing; however, the two cold showers and flush toilets were pleasant, and our safety was pretty much ensured.

What followed were several days of building mission statements, departmental goals, objectives for the Hospice and so on. Of course, regular breaking into songs praising the lord etc occurred, with everyone on their feet and dancing. I’ve learned this happens regularly at all meetings, workshops, etc. Although sometimes it is fairly awkward for me on a personal level, workshops at home are certainly going to feel a little stuffy and extremely quiet when I return home.

The primary focus was on team building. The Hospice has had a history of high staff turnover, and bad relationship between both individuals and departments. However, the director, a brilliant and strong woman, has made a commitment to the Hospice and a conscious decision to work to improve staff relations.

One ongoing activity was participation in a simulated wedding. We were divided into three groups, by department, and each group had a role to play. The social department was the family of the groom, the nursing department was the family of the bride, and the admin personnel were other key community members. Weddings are a lengthy process in
Botswana. Each morning at 6am a particular role-play took place, indicating key moments in a very traditional wedding. Myself I was married to a cousin of the groom! Role-plays and skits are a Big hit here, even at 6am in the middle of the desert.

The Kalahari was stunning. We had some exceptionally cold days and saw only a few animals due to the loudness of our truck. It stormed every night, and our tent rocked back and forth as the rain pounded down. However, the weather warmed up the last two days and us white folk were sunburnt, much to the amusement of our coworkers, on our trip back to
Gaborone. That truck felt like a giant frying pan to me!

As beautiful as the scenery was, it was also harsh. Dangerous scorpions, snakes and spiders call the area home. Simple tasks such as washing dishes take a lot of effort. This contributed to the team-building atmosphere. For many of the ladies at my workplace, this was one of or the very first camping trip they’ve ever been on.

On that note, I say ladies because there are only a few men at our workplace. I think there are 5 plus the camp director, who is from SOS Children’s Village. I feel so fortunate to be getting to know so many strong, gutsy and charming African women. But I also worry about the future: the overwhelming HIV/AIDS crisis and increase of strains of HIV that are ARV resistant – the clearly defined gender roles and complete lack of monogamy, and the prevalence of violence to women, rape and domestic violence.        

The ride home was equally as uncomfortable as the ride to the Khutse Game Reserve and we worked the rest of the week. Everyone was tired but the work environment was cheerful, cooperative and productive. I have a lot of work to do before I complete my placement at Christmas and I feel it’s important that whatever I do I have to work to maintain this kind of cooperative attitude. There is nothing more challenging then trying to do emotionally challenging, difficult work, in a hostile, uncooperative workplace.

What a job, what a learning experience, what incredible people.

Posted in Botswana, SWB