IECD and LS Technical Working Retreat

Much of my work at PCI has been focused on integrated early childhood development (IECD) and life skills (LS). I have been working very hard to improve the lives of young children and adolescents in Botswana by creating better systems and resources and enhancing the access to and understanding of programs for the most rural and vulnerable communities. As part of this effort, I have conducted focus groups on effective facilitation of LS material (LS topics include communication, self-esteem and awareness, critical thinking, and so on), lead workshops for single teenage mothers, met with stakeholders and partners from across the country, providing technical assistance to civil society organizations working in these areas, and drafted and compiled concept notes and resource books set for publication on both IECD and LS.

This last project is of particular note because it was a catalyst for a workshop eleven years in the making. Yes, eleven.

In 2003, the Botswana Government partnered with UNICEF to analyze the IECD and LS programs. They found both to be lacking and called for a technical team to be constructed and a way forward agreed upon. To date, nothing of substance has been done to address this mandate. They have, however, created "frameworks", which essentially are merely outlines, of what the desired outcomes would be for IECD and LS programs for children and adolescents. There were many MANY gaps left to be filled in and the right players had not stepped up to the plate.

Our week-long "technical working retreat", as we called it, brought heads of Government Ministries and stakeholders together to accomplish a handful of very important objectives. Of note: finally addressing the challenges and gaps with IECD and LS in Botswana; determining who is responsible for various components of these programs; reviewing the documents PCI and I proposed (which should act as the "filler" for the frameworks); and making technical, policy, and advocacy recommendations for national program revisions. We wanted people to understand what was going on, to take ownership over the situation and their roles, and to create a plan for what our ideal "model" would be for IECD and LS. This was an invariable who's who of leaders in their fields and they were poised and ready to tackle these hard issues. After eleven years of waiting, we made it happen.

Without going into too much detail about the five days (for fear of boring you with jargon and nitty gritty), I want to say that the retreat was an overwhelming success. The background was given, the studies were read, and a greater understanding was reached. The people became instantly motivated to make a change. We were able to have the conversations with all the right parties present and really hash out the intricacies of what works, what doesn't, and what we would like to see in IECD and LS education, especially for those most marginalized populations. And we did it in front of each other, meaning there should be accountability as we move forward. Basically, the environment was right. We now have task forces set up to deal with smaller issues and we have a larger plan for tackling the entire project. We are on the same page.

In the months before I close my service and finish my time with PCI, I will be packaging the ideas for our model program into something that can be discussed, marketed, and implemented, as well as meeting with all of the task forces to monitor their progress in addressing the key issues agreed upon at the retreat and finalizing the documents I have been working on and beginning to train partners and stakeholders on how to use them. There is still so much to be done but we are on the right track.

And what a beautiful place to be doing this all in...

In The Field: Single Teen Mothers Workshop Series

Last week, PCI was asked to go to a small settlement called Olifants Drift to conduct a workshop for single teen mothers. The workshop was in response to the high rates of teen pregnancies, including a 12-year-old "falling pregnant" and a 14-year-old who had recently murdered her infant baby. In settlement communities like this one, where opportunities are few, this is a fairly common occurrence.

When PCI asked me to attend and help facilitate the workshop, I was overwhelmed and excited for the invitation. It would be my first official activity since starting with them and it would be my first workshop addressing this topic. We planned to discuss challenges of rural living and then train the teen moms on long-term planning (and the value of education), critical thinking, healthy relationships, risk reduction, and women's empowerment.

Seventeen single teenage mothers were in attendance. Their giggles and coy eye glances gave away the fact that they were nervous to be there. Introductions told me that the average age of the girls was eighteen and their highest schooling was the American equivalent of seventh grade. Most were mothers of more than one child.

As they warmed up to us (myself and the two other staff facilitators from PCI), they told us of their struggles - about being tricked into sex, about their perception of gender roles, about poor rainfall leading to few crops and less food, about the men who promised to marry them and feed them and care for them before running to the next girl, about the difficulties getting to villages with schools to continue their education, and about a mine coming into a nearby village (potentially creating even more problems). In between stories, they made jokes to cut the tension of the subject. They were coping the best they knew how.

After some time, the team of facilitators began working through the challenges one by one. Our team, made up of the Education and Gender Advisors, were a dynamic duo and the girls were soaking up the information. They were engaged in role playing and dialogue, utilizing PCI's GROW Model, which is geared at empowering them and helping them see their own value and strength.

One of the activities the facilitators had the girls do was to tell the room the one thing in their life they wished they could have. Saying it aloud was a form of personal commitment but also a way for their small community of teen moms to help each other achieve it. Almost all of the girls wanted to go back and finish school. Together they discussed the realities of that dream and how to make it happen. The girls seemed to be getting the information and were excited about the potential for the futures.

The two hours each way in the car through almost impassable earthen roads and the ten hour workshop seemed extremely valuable. If we could only reach a few of those girls, it would be worth it.

On our way out of the village, we watched as some of the girls rushed home to be with their children while others made their way to the local shebeen for a drink and to see what "their men" were up to. Behavior change takes time.

The one-day workshop will not be enough on its own. But at least someone had started the ball rolling - someone had taken the time to show they care about them and believe in them and want them to live better and more fulfilled lives. That was PCI, that was me, and that was the community who called to bring us there. In time maybe they will see it too. It requires a commitment from those girls and the support of the community. PCI has committed to doing more of these workshops to drive home the information and to empower these girls. I cannot wait to see it happen.

Students Learn About Life In The Village

A local friend of mine, who is a teacher at an international school in Gaborone, came to me a few weeks back and told me about a unit her class was doing on "children around the world". The aim of the unit was to teach her students about difference and similarities among children in the far reaches of the globe. This lesson was exceptionally pertinent to this class, as her students hail from many continents (all, however, seeming to come from some privilege). She expressed that she wanted her class to learn more about the children in Botswana, of which many had no direct knowledge, and to gain some sense of civil responsibility. We decided that the best way forward was for her class to come to the OVC Pre-School at my NGO and spend a day playing and interacting with the children.

In the weeks leading up to the event, my friend explained to her class about "orphan and vulnerable children status", what life was like in the village as compared to the capital city, the nature of giving back, and the magnitude of even small efforts for those who have so little. In this spirit, her class put on a bake sale to raise money to donate to my NGO and held a drive for clothes, games, toys, and other sundries.

When the day of the event came, the students arrived in a combi followed by a truck full of their collections. It was like Christmas morning for our center! They brought so many things that the staff and children both burst into tears. One by one, the visiting students took giant packages from the truck and laid them before us. It was unmatched by any other donation. In all the time I have been here, I haven't seen such a display of love and generosity. And, I have to state, that since the gifts were brought to our center, the children have been playing with them and learning so much (they have even learned how to do puzzles!). It's been so exciting for all of us.

After some opening remarks by our Coordinator, the children were free to interact and get to know one another.

The visiting students and our children buddied up to either play on the gym equipment outside, to color pictures, or to play soccer or other games in the yard. It was a day full of insurmountable laughter and one that I imagine will not soon be forgotten by anyone present.

Here are pictures from the day's festivities:

Ultimately, this day of fun was one that expanded the hearts and minds of everyone involved. It ended up being more than just a day within a unit for the visiting classroom but encompassed a world of giving of time, resources, things, and of love. Both sets of students learned about gratitude. And we learned that, despite circumstance, we really aren't all that different. After all, everyone likes a good time!

Mirror, Mirror

Mma Leburu:  "Kamogelo, will you please bring your camera to the center tomorrow?"

Me:  "Of course. But why? What are we taking pictures of?"

Mma Leburu:  "I want to show the kids what they look like. They need to learn how to identify themselves."

Me:  "Ooooook? Explain..."

And this is how I learned that most of the orphans that attend my NGO's pre-school don't know what they, themselves, look like. The walls of their homes don't have mirrors to look into and having a personal camera is something they could never imagine. Outside of a fluke reflection of themselves in a passing window, the children have never seen themselves before.

When I took their individual pictures the following day and showed them, their faces lit up in awe and amazement. They would look at me and then look at the picture and then smile huge smiles as they pointed at themselves and called their friends over to see too. Afterwards, I took a series of group pictures of all the kids in the classroom. When it came to the group pictures, the kids had an easier time pointing out their friends than finding themselves. It was like a "Where's Waldo" game but only this time the ever-hiding Waldo was them.

Knowing what you look like is something we all take for granted. At least I did. Like many of my friends, I had floor-length mirrors growing up and could easily nit-pick on the details of my physique, which I knew all too well. Coming to Botswana, this changed drastically. It took a while to adjust to having only a small face-sized mirror and rarely knowing how I looked. But I gave up worrying about a lot of things and I adapted to a simpler life. I now know that even my small mirror is more than what most have here. Oh the things we take for granted...

I told this story and my recent realization to a generous man who stopped by my NGO today. He has agreed to donate mirrors (among other things) to hang at the center so the children can see themselves and begin to recognize who they are. I'll be honest, I can't wait to watch them the first time they witness their own movements. It's going to be a big biiiiiiig day!

Teddy Bear Day

On November 23rd, I held an event at my NGO to honor and show love to 147 orphans in my village. The cornerstone of the event was to give hope to these children and let them know that people care about them. To do this, the event included games and activities for the children, snacks, entertainment put on by former students from my OVC pre-school, speeches by orphans that have gone on to accomplish great things, and a very special teddy bear for each of the kids. This special gift was donated by The Mother Bear Project, a nonprofit organization based in the United States whose mission is to provide "comfort an hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear".

I have to say, being able to do this for the children in my village was something that will stay with me for my entire life. They were so thrilled to have something specifically for them and to be put on a pedestal for a day. Popping 5kg of popcorn during a storm and a power outage for hours the evening before makes for a good story but nothing would compare to the look on the children's faces as they watched me unpacking teddy bears onto the table in front of them. They were literally "awwwing" and jumped up and down with giddiness. But the true beauty of this event is in this story:

One of the little girls, who is around four-years-old, that is an orphan at my center and who has a very difficult home life, arrived in the morning thoroughly worn out. I can only imagine that she came to the center without breakfast and likely without much sleep, as this was customary for her. When she was called up to receive her teddy bear, she skipped over with excitement and then hesitantly took the bear from me. I believe her hesitation was because she is rarely given anything to call her own, like I alluded, barely even food. She held on to her teddy bear and hugged it and hugged it all the way back to her seat among the antsy children. A few minutes later, I looked over at her and she was fast asleep sitting up in her chair, clutching tightly to her teddy bear. It gave her such comfort int he moments after receiving it that she was able to sleep, even surrounded by noisy children. It did exactly as it was intended - it soothed her soul. In turn, it instantly put me at ease because I knew she had something that would provide her comfort and love, even when she doesn't get it at home.

I will forever be grateful to The Mother Bear Project for giving me moments like this one. And I will always hold dear all of the exuberance in their sweet faces. What a truly joyous event it was.

Pictures of the rest of the children with their teddy bears:

Eat Your Veggies

Yesterday afternoon we were doing an English lesson at my NGO for the "older kids" (5- and 6-years-old) where we showed them common vegetables - onions, butternut squash, tomatoes, green peppers, carrots, potatoes - with the intention of teaching them the English words. What we discovered instead was that the children did not even know the Setswana words for the vegetables. I asked the Head Teacher in charge of the lesson about this and she said that she expected this and that it is a big problem, especially for this demographic (orphans and vulnerable children), because no one has ever told them or, in some instances, they have never seen these vegetables before so they just don't know. It struck me as very sad that these children cannot identify the foods they eat (at least when fed at my NGO). How could a parent or caregiver never tell them what they are eating? Or, worse yet, how could they have never seen these very common vegetables? I am not sure if it is because so many of them are orphaned or because the parents/caregivers are too busy or preoccupied to spend the time to teach them but there is obviously a disconnect and the children are suffering as a result. I mean, growing up I remember my mother telling me to "eat your veggies" and who could forget the "Veggie Tales" with their goofy animated vegetables. It is a part of growing up in America and something we obviously take for granted - at least I did. I was truly struck by this. There is a moral in here and something bigger to be learned but, for now, I am just going to try and help these children learn... and maybe give them some extra veggies.

Kumakwane Community Football Event

Today I had the opportunity to host my second event in one week (and potentially make the US Embassy in Gaborone's website again)! This was an extra special event for me in that it was a collaborative effort of Peace Corps Volunteers and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and took place in my old village of Kumakwane. The event was, essentially, a community football game but it was so much more than that...

You may recall from an earlier post but, a few weeks ago, a friend (and RPCV from Botswana, 2005-2008) called me and said that some friends of hers were coming through Southern Africa and wanted to donate football (aka "soccer") kits. She wanted to know if I knew of any teams that would be in need. I immediately thought of Kumakwane and my friend Fila, who coaches youth teams and plays on a team in the village. I had often gone with the other PCV in the village to watch his games and had recently seen a picture of a new team, the "New Town Ballers", that they started (picture above). I hoped to give back to the community that I love so much so I pitched the idea and she loved it! As we continued discussing the potential plans for the event, it morphed into something much bigger (and better)!

In the end, the plan would include a visit to my NGO in Gabane to talk with my staff about orphans and vulnerable children in Botswana and programs around the country that work with this population, a visit to Pellegano Village Industries to show a community project and to watch pottery being made (and for them to buy some pretty gorgeous pieces), and then to hold a "community event" in Kumakwane. We arranged for the Kgosana (ward chief), Rre Modise Thebe, to be present at the New Town Ward Kgotla, along with other New Town community members, especially children. There was a short introduction, complete with speeches made by the Kgosi and our benefactors and a presentation of the donations to the football teams. The culmination of the event was the football game, where everyone - regardless of age or gender - could play together. To us, this symbolized unity, civic responsibility, and caring for your neighbor. Together we can have a healthy life and a healthy community (and a little bit of fun!).

The wonderful and generous donations were made by Christina and Mark Sloop, along with their teenage sons, Ian and Nico.

The event was everything we could have hoped for and more. It truly was a community effort and something that brought people from all walks of life together. We had the generous support of our new friends and benefactors from Sonoma Village (who traveled all this way to hand deliver sporting equipment), Peace Corps Volunteers (old and new), and we had village members of varying strata. It was a seamless event that everyone enjoyed! Now, for your viewing pleasure, the highlights of today's event:

Kumakwane Community Football Event

"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." 

Another glorious day in this life. More smiles and more happiness shared. Success in the form of giving back. Perfection. ♥

"Trending 100": Video Goes Viral!!!

About a month ago, when I found out that I was selected to put on an event at my NGO to host Former President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush, I started doing a lot of prep work. In doing that, I learned that the following day was President Bush's birthday. To celebrate (and because I thought it would be really sweet), I taught the children at the preschool the "Happy Birthday Song". They sang it at the event, it was precious, and the video went viral! It was even broadcasted on the likes of CNN and NBC Nightly News! (WOW WOW WOW!) Now 50 million people have seen my 41 orphans and vulnerable children on television! My children, my little OVC who have hardly been noticed for anything before in their lives, have been seen (and cherished) by millions of people! Singing a song that I taught them! I cannot believe that, from my little village in Botswana, something of this magnitude could happen! It blows my mind and literally makes my heart skip a beat! I couldn't possibly feel more blessed and happy for these 41 adorable children! This has been a gift that keeps on giving. ♥

And now, for your viewing pleasure, the adorable video that has been seen the world over...

GWB Visits Botswana

Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Former First Lady Laura Bush, visited Botswana on July 5th. They were here to promote an expanded cancer treatment program to specifically address cervical cancer prevention. Included in his trips were visits to Princess Marina Hospital, a number of clinics, the UPenn Partnership, the US Ambassador's house, and MY NGO. What was the only thing that "made the cut" for the official video of his visit? That's right, MY EVENT at MY NGO! I kid you not! Watch the video below and you will see! My event starts at the traditional dancers (Nare tsa Pina dance group who graciously donated their time) and continues on to a discussion with members of Peace Corps, and finishes with the precious children from my OVC Preschool. Yes, that means there's six minutes of my event broadcasted online as the main attraction of President and Mrs. Bush's visit!

GWB Event!!!

I had the honor and privilege of planning and hosting an event for Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush. For those of you who were unaware of this happening, let me give you a brief history of its evolution:

On my birthday, I received a telephone call from my Country Director (while in a very busy workshop for a SADC project that I am overseeing at my NGO) asking me if I would be interested in planning an event and hosting for a "high level visitor". Inquiring further, I learned that it would be the former president and his wife.  I replied in the affirmative, as this was the type of opportunity that I could not pass up. (Lack of specificity as to who and when at the beginning was for security reasons. I was told straight away that I could not discuss who was coming or any potential for my center to host. This secrecy proved difficult during all the long hours of planning and immense excitement.) He then told me that it would require an application, which would include information on my center, a proposed agenda of what the event might look like if we were to receive the privilege of hosting, and rationale behind our application. The caveat to this request being that it had to be submitted to the US Embassy within 24 hours. It being my birthday, I had plans for that evening but I quickly amended them and set to work planning out the proposal. This involved a number of phone calls with my Country Director as we finalized the plan and numerous revisions.

A week went by and I received another phone call from my Country Director. His tone was excited when I answered the phone and he informed me that they liked the proposal and were entertaining the idea of having us be the event chosen. We had to meet with staff from the US Embassy first, however, to walk through the agenda, look at the center, and discuss a number of other things. Later that same week, the visitors came to assess me, my center, and what we had in mind for the event. The Embassy staff that came to discuss everything told us, as they were packing up their things, that they loved the ideas we proposed and were excited about what we had to offer. They were sending us through to Bush's Advance Team!

No more than a few days later, I received the phone call that we were selected by the Advance Team and we were going to host the event! This was a huge deal for my center and for Peace Corps in that we beat out many high level international organizations. We were all extremely proud and excited.

From there came the tireless hours and seemingly endless weeks of preparing for the event. The staff rallied together and we made the preparations as fun as possible. This meant doing arts and crafts projects with the kids (we made USA and Botswana flags and also handprints to go on the wall in the room the children would be in during the event), organizing our children's caregivers to help clean up the grounds, having sing-a-longs and teaching the children the "happy birthday song" and others to perform, and singing and dancing as we accomplished even the smallest of tasks. There were also many meetings with the Bush Advance Team and Secret Service, both of whom were so warm and welcoming and instilled confidence in us that our event would be a success. They were such a joy to meet and to work with.

Here are some of the highlights of the event preparation:

The morning of the actual event, I woke up extra early to do finishing touches. This also meant fetching water since I am at week fourteen without and I wanted to look as good as I could (at least bathed) for the event since a lot of media was scheduled to be there. Other last minute details that needed to be done included setting up the tables, bringing the ten dozen baked goods I had made the day before to the center, going over talking points with the staff, telling the traditional dancers we hired about their formation and what we needed from them, preparing snacks for the children and guests who would be arriving two hours before the event, talking to media, prepping the Kgosi for his welcome address, and sorting out any final things. Phew!

The event's itinerary would go as follows: President and Mrs. Bush would arrive at our center and exit their vehicles outside the gate. They would be greeted upon entering by Peace Corps' Country Director, the Co-Founder of my NGO, and the Village Kgosi/Chief. They would then enter the center's compound to traditional dancers performing (thank you to the Nare tsa Pina dance group for donating their time). After posing for pictures, they would be escorted to meet me in the center of the compound, where I would introduce the visitors to Mma Leburu, our Head Teacher and Co-Founder, and to Sebina Koti, our Administrative Manager. We would then take a tour and I would share with them about HIV programs in Botswana, in particular my center and the community we work with. From there, we would go meet with other Peace Corps Volunteers to discuss our work, President Bush's new efforts in Botswana, and how we could work together towards a better future here. Then, finally, we would go and be with the 41 OVC from my preschool. There, they would sing a few songs that they had been practicing, President Bush would read them a story, and then we would surprise him with the "Happy Birthday Song" and handmade treats. The President and Mrs. Bush would then leave the same way they came in - walking through traditional dancers that would bid them a farewell through song and dance. The whole program would take just over one hour. This, I learned, is A LOT when referring to time spent with people of this level.

Now that the nitty gritty of the event has been explained, I want to share some of the more intimate moments that really touched me and I will carry with me forever...

First, when President and Mrs. Bush started walking towards me, I felt as if I was in a movie (or a dream at the very least). It was so surreal to see such figures before me. And then to know that they were there because of me filled me with such a sense of pride (and also terrified me - because I wanted to present myself, my center, and Peace Corps so well - to the point that sweat dripped down the back of my legs despite it being somewhat cold). I took a deep breath and braced myself for the next 70 minutes, holding onto the hope that Bush's Advance Team was sincere when they said that "President Bush is going to love you" and "He is so easy to talk to and you will immediately feel at ease". So I straightened myself out and took three streps forward to shake his hand and introduce myself. And now I am happy to report that they were, in fact, true to their word.

Next, after introducing myself and the team of ladies that I work with, I started in on my monologue. But first, I wanted to welcome our visitors to the center and let them know how truly humbled we were to have them there. In saying this, I also thanked President Bush for his dedication to HIV/AIDS work in Africa and told him that I was eternally grateful for him because, without his efforts and without PEPFAR, I would not be in Botswana and not doing the work that I am able to do today. I also told him that I work with patients that are HIV+ and his work in this vein has improved their lives and, in turn, mine. My Peace Corps service - my time in Botswana - has been one of the biggest blessings in my life and I was so grateful that I could thank him personally for this opportunity. And then, on top of that, to be able to share with him my center and the fruit of his labor was something that only happens once in a lifetime. I then noticed that tears were literally welling up in his eyes and starting to run down his face. He gave me a huge hug and a kiss on the forehead and thanked me for my kind words and for sharing them with him. Seeing how much my words meant to him, and genuinely feeling so blessed myself, I also teared up. It was a very special moment that we were able to share. Mutual admiration and appreciation.

After I thanked him, I went on to share the facts about the center: 41 OVC, 26 HIV+ patients enrolled in our home-based care program, over 18000 meals served annually, and my hopes to revive the Kids Club to help fill a void for care in transitioning children. He discussed all of these things compassionately and looked me straight in the eye, responding with rumination and concern and questions about resources and so on. He genuinely cared about the work we are doing and what can be done and he thanked the staff individually for their continued efforts.

When we met with the other Peace Corps Volunteers, President and Mrs. Bush joked casually and listened thoughtfully to the work we are doing across the country. They wanted to know personal information about each of us - who we are, where we come from, our background, and our primary projects. They then shared about the work they are doing here now. President Bush spoke. He said that he is out of politics and that he went into politics hoping to do policy work like what he is finally able to do now that he is out of office. He told us that helping people in this capacity has always been his goal. (In fact, the week prior he had spent in Zambia building a clinic alongside community members from that village.) He explained that HIV has been a pandemic in this country for years but that, now, it is under control with the ARV program and people are living longer lives, only to die of cervical cancer that is preventable. He challenged us to go into the clinics and help people learn technology and to enhance their capacity to address these other issues. He asked us how we can work together to achieve better health and a better life for the people we live amongst. He was so passionate as he discussed the issues and genuinely cared about these global health issues. For me, it was amazing to see this side of him and to know there is a development worker in him and that his aspirations are in line with my own.

After, I was able to bring the visitors in to interact with our 41 orphans and vulnerable children that are enrolled in the preschool program. This was among the most precious moments. Before the event, the Advance Team had told me that Mrs. Bush would be reading a story to the children and that President Bush would likely go back to converse with the Peace Corps Volunteers and other guests during that time. But, after seeing the children waving their flags at his arrival, he decided that he needed to read the story himself. So he pulled his chair really close to the children and read to them "From Head to Toe". He interacted with the children and literally acted out all the motions depicted in the book. And afterwards, the children sang him "Happy Birthday". I watched as tears filled up his eyes again. He was moved by their little rendition of the song and thanked them by personally handing out cookies, hugs, and high fives to all of the children. One of the kids even got a frosting-covered hand on President Bush's pants. I was mortified. President Bush, however, was not even phased and, as I rushed for a napkin, told me not to worry and that he had children and didn't care if his pants had a few handprints on them for the Ambassador's dinner (which was where he was headed after the event) because they would only make him smile every time he saw them. It was such a real moment.

Finally, as the event was coming to a close, President Bush put his arm around me and we got another few minutes to talk as we walked towards the vehicles. He thanked me again for putting the event together, for my work in Botswana, and for the things I had shared with him that day. I was able to thank him again for this opportunity.

To me, that final thank you was about so many things - about the event, about PEPFAR and being able to serve in Botswana, and about showing me the kind of person that he is. Actually experiencing all of this and realizing the disparity between Bush the politician I knew and Bush the person, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders that was there for many years. He is a great man and someone that I now admire.

Here are some highlights from the event:

This event was not only something that my NGO and the Gabane community can be proud of, but also became the sort of experience that opened us all up to new realities. It gave us the opportunity to meet President Bush and learn the type of man (not politician) that he is. He is passionate and compassionate and deeply motivated to help people around the world. It was so good for me (and for those volunteers that were able to attend) to see that in him and to be touched by it.

This has been the most remarkable experience. All of it - from applying to host to meeting the Advance Team and Secret Service Staff to preparing with the children and then the actual event. It has been a dream come true in so many ways, including getting my soul rocked. I am so blessed to have experienced it and am so grateful that I can share it with you. This Peace Corps life has been so full of glorious ups and downs and this has been the culminating effort and something I can be eternally and deeply proud of for the rest of my life.

Pictures courtesy of myself, Virginia Fall, and members of the Bush Advance Team, and Shealah Craighead/The Bush Center.

A Month Worth of Updates

I realized last night that I have been very one-tracked in my updates lately and that I have been missing the opportunity to share a lot of great experiences and memories. This post is going to be all about catching up on some of those for you...

A Peace Corps Wedding

Two friends from my group, Dan and Theresa, fell in love during our pre-service training and decided to spend the rest of their lives together. Recently, in front of a few of their closest friends, in a country far away from home, the two tied the knot and became Mr. and Mrs. We had the opportunity to share their union by throwing them a wedding reception. Although our party was quaint and very "PCV", we went all out with the traditions - cutting the cake, the first dance, a champagne toast. This day and their marriage is special to everyone in the Bots 10 group because we have become family over the passed year. It is truly special when two people can find love and, for us, it's even more special because our "family" actually became family. So, for all of us in the group, this was a night that we will remember forever.

"Cultural Exchange": Wedding Style

There was recently another Peace Corps wedding that was truly special to me. Two dear friends from my old village of Kumakwane joined names on the 5th of May.

Mary, the other PCV from my beloved village, and Fila, my neighbor, became Mr. and Mrs. Konege, in front of family, friends, and fellow PCVs, showing the other side of finding the love of your life in the most unexpected of places.

Mary and Fila met when Mary first arrived at site in June 2010 and it didn't take long for them to fall in love. And I had the great honor and privilege of spending nearly eight months watching them, laughing with them, and sharing experiences with them. They are among the two best people that I have ever met. Mary, with her humor and wit, and Fila with his huge smile are a match made in heaven.

Their wedding day was every bit as special as they are. A number of other PCVs and I gathered in Kumakwane to share the day. The ceremony took place in Fila's church and was one of the more fun experiences I have ever had. The entirety of the service was dancing and singing - it felt like a giant party! Afterwards, we all went back to Fila's family's house and had a meal and listened to speeches and danced! Although the entire day was amazing and so much fun, I have to say that the biggest blessing of it all was that Mary's parents were able to make the journey to be here for it! This is so heartwarming because Mary's parents had not been on a vacation in thirty years and Mary's mom had never been on an airplane before! Having them there made a truly wonderful day all the more exceptional!

Goodbyes

The Bots 9 group is getting ready to leave the country next week. This is a truly bittersweet time for all of us. Watching them pack their things is emotional for those of us left behind, as they have become our friends and support system over the passed year (and forces us to examine our own service and what time we have left). It is even more bittersweet for them, as they have to say goodbye to their villages, their homes, and the people they have lived with, worked alongside, and grown to love.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to my friend Paco's very rural village called Medie to be part of his going away party. It was so touching to watch him interact with his village and to see how much they cherished him.

The event started out at the kgotla, with a huge agenda planned. It looked as if they entire village came out to share in the festivities! There were speeches made; entertainment and performances by the students at the school he worked at, the local support group, and the traditional dancers; gifts given; and tears shed. After the program, everyone went to the school for a meal and then continued well into the night (and, for some, the early hours of the morning) with a bonfire, music, dancing, and a braai. For me, being able to see how other PCVs live and witness how much they care about my friend, was amazing. I can only hope that my village(s) will care about me as much. It was beautiful to watch.

Goodbye Hello

My Bots 10 family recently lost another PCV. This is a happy goodbye, however, as our dear friend Maggie accepted an amazing job offer (and career opportunity) in her home town. Maggie has been an amazing volunteer, working with the disabled and disadvantaged population in Botswana and making a significant difference in her time here. While we are sad to see her go and realize what an asset Botswana will be missing, we are also excited for her and what this means for her future. Plus, we're family now so we'll always always always be close!

Sadly, Maggie had three cats that she had to leave behind in Botswana. They were her buddies and, I think, made leaving even more difficult. She has found them loving new homes with new PCVs from Bots 12 (to be sworn-in in two weeks!!!). These new homes, however, are not available until the Bots 12s go to their sites sooooooooo the three kitties are living at my house until then. Their names are Sisi (black mama cat), Pudi (colorful critter), and Mokibikibi (fluffy guy). They have been a handful, especially since I've never been much of a cat person, but we're getting along well and are starting to figure each other out. And, I have to admit, it's been kind of fun having animals in my life again, even for a while, because they really do give you all sorts of love.

My NGO

This, specifically, is not an update. It is more of an "I have the best NGO and the kids are super cute" portion. These are a few of my favorite kids from the "older group", meaning they are 5 and 6-years-old. From left to right, you will see: Boitumelo, Shamiso, Abigail, Refilwe, and Kamogelo. They are HYSTERICAL and I am really having fun playing with them and helping them along.

Also, yesterday, a friend of mine came to the NGO to see the kids and learn more about what life is like in the village (he is from Mauritius and living in Gaborone). He spent the day playing with the kids, learning about orphans and vulnerable children in the community (including what he can do to help), and getting the village experience. I was grateful to have him come because it made the day so special for the kids. They don't often get visitors  and part of my mission here is to show the kids that they are loved and that people care to know about them. His coming and being so hands-on with the kids did exactly that. The staff and children welcomed him with open arms and it was a wonderful time for all of us. I hope to have more people come and have a similar experience.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr It's Cold Out Here: Winter Clothes for All!

Another wonderful thing happened at my NGO yesterday... They got winter clothes!

My friend and fellow PCV, Carolynn, is working with a highly developed Scout troop in Gaborone. As part of their mission, they have been collecting winter clothing to donate to orphans and vulnerable children around their community. Carolynn called me a week ago and asked if we were in need and I said yes and explained the harsh reality for the children at our center. After our talk, I sat with the women from my NGO and explained that we might get a donation of winter clothes and the women literally started crying tears of joy. A week later, the children of Gabane Community Home-Based Care were among those that benefited from the Scout troop's generosity! We can now all sleep soundly at night knowing that these wonderful children will be warm and cozy and safe from the cold cold winter! What a blessing! These kids' lives were made infinitely better because of the kindness of otheres! Ke a leboga thata thata!

...... And there you have it folks! Just a few of my many updates on some of the wonderful things happening in my life!

By the way, still no water, still no house... And the house we thought we had identified is a bust. We're back to scouring the village for houses without curtains (the "sure sign" that it's vacant and for rent)! Wish me luck!