The End.

Posted by Shawna on July 1st, 2008

This experience has been an incredible one. I feel as though we didn’t spend enough time in Botswana and wish we had just 2 weeks more (even though I know I would want the trip extended just two more weeks after those two weeks has finished). It was hard to say goodbye. We became attached on both sides, and we’ve become a part of each others’ lives. I have learned so much though, about the people in Botswana; the members of our organization who we traveled with, Rachael and Megan; and myself.
I could never say it enough; the people in Botswana are so amazing. We had so many great experiences with the most caring, generous, welcoming, friendly, and optimistic people. I mean, obviously we’re all human, and especially in Gabarone, we encountered a less-than-nice individual, but overall we had positive experiences with the majority of the people we met.
The two months flew by. I think this was in part, due to the fact that Megan, Rachael and I got along so well. Our ‘home-life’ wasn’t extensive because we were usually at our home only for a late dinner and bed; however, we really clicked and have such similar views and goals that living together was easy. It was great getting to know them on a more personal level. We will be working closely together in the future and understand each other better now. Traveling in a group was so beneficial to our experience and I really couldn’t imagine it any other way. We learned, cried and grew together over the past two months. If I could give any advice about traveling with others, it would be to give each other a chance – get to know one another. We told our ‘life stories’ throughout the trip (one night each with popcorn and a long summary of each others hardships and accomplishments that made us who we are today). Another thing that really helped us cope, was our ‘positives/negatives’. Each night we would explain our best and worst part of the day. This really allowed s a time to share how we were feeling and kept us on the same page.
As I said in my previous blogs, I believe I’ve grown as a person in many ways. I’ve really analyzed my life and have realized what’s really important in my life. My life isn’t just mine; it affects the closest people to me and could even affect someone I’ve never met. I’ve learned to be more open and understanding and to prioritize. My priority is the people in my life. Relationships are really what matters most in my life. I’ve also reassessed my faith. I have faith, in people, myself, my future and many other things. I do not have religious beliefs anymore. I won’t go into depth, but I’ll just say that I’ve realized I do not believe in one religion, or that on religion is ‘correct’. I believe we make our own choices, but that everything happens for a reason.

We accomplished so many things during this trip. The relationships we built are so important to me and these helped us accomplish all of our goals. We obtained so many resources from various organizations for our Educational Outreach Program, which will help us be as up-to-date and accurate as possible. We donated all of our ‘material donations’ that were brought form Canada to credible, trustworthy organizations and people. We donated funds to Melissa Godwaldt, an employee of the Ministry of Education in Gabarone. The funds will help with a garden program to help keep students healthy, which is a big concern for those who are HIV positive. The funds will help purchase tools and seeds for the program. We created a manual to help keep the educational outreach program sustainable at the centre we worked at. We also worked very hard over the two months in Botswana filming for our documentary. We filmed a lot and interviewed many people with great stories and opinions about the AIDS pandemic. We will be using the finished documentary for Project Empathy’s Educational Outreach Program and will be submitting it to the 2010 International AIDS Conference. We will use the stories and materials to educate high schools and universities in Southern Ontario. The last thing we did was helped create more contacts for a local high school’s pen pal program. This will assist in writing skills in Botswana, as well as Cambridge, Ontario students.

Summary:

1. Position/Placement:
The members of Project Empathy worked at Emmanuel Counseling Centre in Ramotswa, Botswana for 6 weeks in May and June 2008. We worked as Peer Educators, which was similar to the work we do in Canada with our organization. We traveled to Kagiso Senior Secondary School to teach Form 4s and 5s Monday to Friday from 8:30-13:00. We taught Baitlotli Junior Secondary School Form 1s on Tuesday afternoons. At both, we taught their guidance lessons, which included HIV/AIDS, ECC services, social relationships, career choices and life skills.

2. Contributions:
-Completed many guidance lessons with over 2000 students
-Created a manual for ECC’s education program
-Helped ECC run a car wash and beauty pageant
-Is editing footage to create a documentary

3. Future Plans:
-Finish documentary for education in Botswana and Canada
-Educate Canadian’s about HIV/AIDS, specifically in Botswana
-Continue to educate myself about HIV/AIDS and other world issues

4. Tips for Future Volunteers:
-Build relationships with everyone, wherever you are and spend time with them
-Fill your time with cultural activities (i.e. Mogwana dance group, Kagle Hill, etc.)
-Be open to new experiences
-Travel with local transit
-Get to know the people you travel with and talk about your issues together
-Journal and think about your experience while it’s happening
-Keep your relationships when you’re in Canada
-Go to Milky Lane at Game City (the ice cream is sooo good – triple mousse sundae!)
-Bring pins from your city (you can get them at your city hall/travel agency)
-Learn as much as you can about the culture before and while you are there
-Make something that the people will remember you by (Ex. Hemp bracelets)
-If you invite people out for dinner, expect to pay for anyone there
-Bring lots of sweaters and mittens, scarf and hat (it gets down to 3*C at night!)
-Don’t judge or have expectations
-Try a caterpillar (they have them at RiverWalk)
-Be yourself and have fun

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