Arriving in Botswana!
Posted by Nicole Bachynski on February 1st, 2010
January 25, 2009
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).
