Hard to believe that the ten weeks is coming to an end. We spent the last day at the library going to Anne Stine, the center for mentally disabled children. It was nice. The kids are always so excited to see us! We played with the learning toys for a bit and then watched a video of traditional Botswana dancing and music, a lot of the kids really like dancing. Unfortunately, Max wasn't around during the morning, and there was no special event to mark our leave. There wasn't even electricity today so we couldn't enjoy tea time with the staff. Yesterday we bought some plastic chairs as a gift to the staff for the break trailer. They are always sitting on little wooden chairs from the children's room, so we thought it would be a nice gift that everyone could use.
Also yesterday Professor Mnjama came to give us our final evaluation. We had a nice opportunity to review what we had accomplished during our time here, and also our thoughts and suggestions for future internship programs.
Tomorrow BNLS is having a party for us and our host families. We've finally received confirmation of our travel plans up north, so we've also got to stop by the travel agent and pay for our trip. I am so happy that after two weeks of uncertainty the trip is going to work out.
Tonight I'll just spend packing up my stuff and saying my goodbyes to Molepolole.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
wrapping up in Molepolole
Just one week left of the internship! Times flies. Today at work we were visited by the head of Public Libraries at BNLS who offered an apology to us for now being in touch with us over the course of our time here. It seems that management at BNLS is undergoing a lot of changes, but she made sure to say that there was no excuse for their negligence. That was nice to hear; although I think we ended up managing okay in the end, support and guidance from BNLS would have greatly improved our work. We always went with her to meet with Kgosi and Mma Kgosi where she continued to offer apologies to them. BNLS is supposedly having a good-bye party for us next week, so then we'll be able to make our final rounds there and finish the internship on a positive note.
Our northern travels are still not secure! We still have to hear confirmation of our plans and pay for the trip. This is slightly stressful, as we're supposed to be leaving a week from today. In the end I decided to drop out of the Okavango Delta trip due to lack of funds. I'll still be heading to Kasane and Victoria Falls though, so hopefully I'll get a good dose of wild animals and luxury lodges there. Then I'll be back to Gaborone for a couple of days before starting my adventure in South Africa!
Our northern travels are still not secure! We still have to hear confirmation of our plans and pay for the trip. This is slightly stressful, as we're supposed to be leaving a week from today. In the end I decided to drop out of the Okavango Delta trip due to lack of funds. I'll still be heading to Kasane and Victoria Falls though, so hopefully I'll get a good dose of wild animals and luxury lodges there. Then I'll be back to Gaborone for a couple of days before starting my adventure in South Africa!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
It's been a couple of days since I last updated, so I'll try and remember what happended over the weekend.
Last Friday turned out to be a very enjoyable day spent with Ethelene at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve right outside of Gaborone. We went on a little mini safari, and were lucky enough to see some kudu, impala, wildebeasts, warthogs, ostriches, giraffes and cheetahs! We were sad to see Ethelene go, but we had a wonderful time with her and it was nice that it provided a much needed break from our routine, just in time to refresh us for our last two weeks here!
It's hard to believe that we're getting ready to leave Moleps next week already. Just as I was really getting used to things. The library staff was chatting today about what they were going to do for us before we leave, and I tried to discourage any gifts. Still, the taller cleaning lady (still never got her name, I'm so bad) gave us each a wooden statue today, which was very, very sweet and unnecessary. Rachel and I are thinking that getting the staff some chairs for the break trailer and some tea and sugar might be a good farwell present.
We still haven't solidified our travel plans for the north. We've gone full circle after trying to find affordable alternatives (which don't really exist, it being the high season) and are now back to forking over our money for the whole tour of Vic Falls, Chobe and the Okavango.
At work we are finishing up our projects, like writing the analysis and report for our user survey. I've also started making some notes/outlines for my final reflection.
Last Friday turned out to be a very enjoyable day spent with Ethelene at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve right outside of Gaborone. We went on a little mini safari, and were lucky enough to see some kudu, impala, wildebeasts, warthogs, ostriches, giraffes and cheetahs! We were sad to see Ethelene go, but we had a wonderful time with her and it was nice that it provided a much needed break from our routine, just in time to refresh us for our last two weeks here!
It's hard to believe that we're getting ready to leave Moleps next week already. Just as I was really getting used to things. The library staff was chatting today about what they were going to do for us before we leave, and I tried to discourage any gifts. Still, the taller cleaning lady (still never got her name, I'm so bad) gave us each a wooden statue today, which was very, very sweet and unnecessary. Rachel and I are thinking that getting the staff some chairs for the break trailer and some tea and sugar might be a good farwell present.
We still haven't solidified our travel plans for the north. We've gone full circle after trying to find affordable alternatives (which don't really exist, it being the high season) and are now back to forking over our money for the whole tour of Vic Falls, Chobe and the Okavango.
At work we are finishing up our projects, like writing the analysis and report for our user survey. I've also started making some notes/outlines for my final reflection.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
busy as a bumble bee
This week has been very busy with Ethelene's presence, full of meetings and outings and discussions concerning the internship and the libraries here.
Yesterday we headed into Gaborone to try to plan our trip up north at the end of our stay. Angelina had recommended a travel agent that we went to see, and it looks as if we've got most of the important details ironed out. Now we're just waiting for some confirmation emails and then we can go purchase our flight tickets and pay for our accommodations, yay! On account of our financial situations we've decided to skip the Okavango Delta and instead just visit the Chobe district and do a day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. I think it will make for a much more affordable and relaxing trip. Going to the Okavango would have been very expensive and would have required a lot of additional travel.
Then we met up with Ethelene, Angelina and her husband at Botswana Craft for lunch and souvenir shopping. Always very pleasant at the outdoor courtyard at Botswana Craft, and I had a delicious chicken and vegetable wrap. Cara is the adventurous eater and tried an Impala stew that I had a bite of, very good! (although I think it gave her an upset stomach that was not pleasant, so I'm glad I only had a bite) Also dining at Botswana Craft was the former President of Botswana! That's what happens in a small country, I guess.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in hot, crowded combis getting from Botswana Craft over to Riverwalk Mall in order to meet Ethelene and Angelina after a meeting they thought they had, but was canceled. (Funny because we actually saw the man they were supposed to be meeting with at lunch and his wife came over and said hello to us...but then there was supposedly a "family emergency"). Teehee!
We picked up some ingredients at the grocery store for a stir-fry and made that for dinner. Another successful meal. We spent the night at Angelina's because we had an early morning meeting this morning with the director of BNLS.
We didn't know exactly what was expected to happen at this meeting, but I think we did a decent job overall of explaining what we have been up to the past 9 weeks and also presenting some of the challenges we've encountered at home and at the libraries. I made sure to mention that it's really important they keep on pushing for the new building to be finished, and also that Internet and computer training will be available in the new building. We found from our user survey that something like 93% of patrons wanted free Internet and training, so it's crucial if the library is retain their users. We also mentioned the lack of relevant materials in the collection and the adverse affect of the current lack of periodical subscriptions.
Tomorrow is our last day with Ethelene and we're going to a small game reserve right outside of Gaborone. I'm hoping that we'll get to see some wild animals.
Yesterday we headed into Gaborone to try to plan our trip up north at the end of our stay. Angelina had recommended a travel agent that we went to see, and it looks as if we've got most of the important details ironed out. Now we're just waiting for some confirmation emails and then we can go purchase our flight tickets and pay for our accommodations, yay! On account of our financial situations we've decided to skip the Okavango Delta and instead just visit the Chobe district and do a day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. I think it will make for a much more affordable and relaxing trip. Going to the Okavango would have been very expensive and would have required a lot of additional travel.
Then we met up with Ethelene, Angelina and her husband at Botswana Craft for lunch and souvenir shopping. Always very pleasant at the outdoor courtyard at Botswana Craft, and I had a delicious chicken and vegetable wrap. Cara is the adventurous eater and tried an Impala stew that I had a bite of, very good! (although I think it gave her an upset stomach that was not pleasant, so I'm glad I only had a bite) Also dining at Botswana Craft was the former President of Botswana! That's what happens in a small country, I guess.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in hot, crowded combis getting from Botswana Craft over to Riverwalk Mall in order to meet Ethelene and Angelina after a meeting they thought they had, but was canceled. (Funny because we actually saw the man they were supposed to be meeting with at lunch and his wife came over and said hello to us...but then there was supposedly a "family emergency"). Teehee!
We picked up some ingredients at the grocery store for a stir-fry and made that for dinner. Another successful meal. We spent the night at Angelina's because we had an early morning meeting this morning with the director of BNLS.
We didn't know exactly what was expected to happen at this meeting, but I think we did a decent job overall of explaining what we have been up to the past 9 weeks and also presenting some of the challenges we've encountered at home and at the libraries. I made sure to mention that it's really important they keep on pushing for the new building to be finished, and also that Internet and computer training will be available in the new building. We found from our user survey that something like 93% of patrons wanted free Internet and training, so it's crucial if the library is retain their users. We also mentioned the lack of relevant materials in the collection and the adverse affect of the current lack of periodical subscriptions.
Tomorrow is our last day with Ethelene and we're going to a small game reserve right outside of Gaborone. I'm hoping that we'll get to see some wild animals.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Day with Ethelene
Today our professor from the UW came - Ethelene! She and Angelina first came to our house to meet and visit with the Kgosi and MmaKgosi. The Kgosi got to air some grievances regarding the expectations of the host families in regards to food and housing and the monetary support (or lack of) that they receive from the program, and the general lack of explanation and understanding that they had concerning us. Fair enough, everyone is learning.
Then we took them to the library, where they got to meet Max, some of the other staff members, and a quick overview of what we've been working on the past 8 weeks. Then we went to the new library, which is always quite impressive - if only they could speed the process of moving in!
We went back to Gaborone with them and had lunch with Ethelene. It was great to hear some of the news going on around Madison and SLIS. Unfortunately, it seems like Ethelene is going to be tied up during the middle of the week with other responsibilities, so we will only see her one more time on Friday.
Over the weekend I caught a bit of a head cold, so that hasn't been fun. But, we did finally go grocery shopping with Malebogo and stocked up the groceries for the family. Rachel and Cara had bought me some airtime for my birthday, so I was able to call my parents and speak with them for about 10 minutes, which was very nice. It's so comforting to hear their voices! Also, today I was at the library when the mail came and I received a card from my parents and a package from one of my aunts and cousins. It's so exciting to get mail here! It's miraculous every time.
Then we took them to the library, where they got to meet Max, some of the other staff members, and a quick overview of what we've been working on the past 8 weeks. Then we went to the new library, which is always quite impressive - if only they could speed the process of moving in!
We went back to Gaborone with them and had lunch with Ethelene. It was great to hear some of the news going on around Madison and SLIS. Unfortunately, it seems like Ethelene is going to be tied up during the middle of the week with other responsibilities, so we will only see her one more time on Friday.
Over the weekend I caught a bit of a head cold, so that hasn't been fun. But, we did finally go grocery shopping with Malebogo and stocked up the groceries for the family. Rachel and Cara had bought me some airtime for my birthday, so I was able to call my parents and speak with them for about 10 minutes, which was very nice. It's so comforting to hear their voices! Also, today I was at the library when the mail came and I received a card from my parents and a package from one of my aunts and cousins. It's so exciting to get mail here! It's miraculous every time.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Grandma Love in Botswana
Today at tea time I got two birthday cards from my grandmothers! So sweet. It was such a pleasant surprise. My grandma Bieber included a nice letter detailing the usual goings-on in Omro, and I was happy to hear that the crops are growing nicely. My grandma Hubing sent a nice picture of all of my aunts and uncles and it was wonderful to see a current photo of their smiling faces.
Professor Mnjama came to visit us, finally, after not seeing or hearing from him after the first week we were here! He went home to Kenya for a couple of weeks, and then I guess he went to Zimbabwe and South Africa, too. We told him what we had been working on, but the whole meeting was pretty short. He was pretty matter-of-fact and straight to the point about things. He asked a question about children taking out materials, which they don't really. Children need to have a parent come in a sign for them which I think deters a lot of kids from getting library cards. Mnjama thought that parents really need to be encouraged to promote reading with their child, which is true. So I sort of half started putting together an idea for a pamphlet on the benefits of reading to and encouraging your child to read. I didn't get very far, though, because it got me to thinking about way too big of ideas surrounding how different cultures think about childhood and how they relate to their children. I was reading this book we have at the library "Culture Shock: USA," and it had a section on how we treat our children, how we give them a lot of say about what they do and how they think. It gave a scenario of a parent sitting in a park with a tired and crabby child, and asking them "Should we go home now?" and the child replying "No," so they just continue to sit there. The book was saying that some parents from different culture just don't understand an exchange like that...they think that children so young can't possibly know what's good for them, and can't be trusted with all decisions. Anyways, that's too big a thought to tackle in the remainder of the time I have left here, but I think I might go ahead with the pamphlet just in case it might be useful. We'll see, I might get wrapped up in something else.
Last night while Ray and I were fixing dinner for the family, I heard the Kgosi say "Ashley!" so I went into the living room to find that the coverage from the Sesigo launch 2 weeks ago finally made it onto the nightly news! There I was in a shot of the audience! This morning when I got to the library Lebogang immediately said "I saw you on the news!" So, I actually made it onto Btv, oh yeah.
This weekend we don't have any major plans. Next week Ethelene from the UW is coming for her site visit, so we're meeting with her on Monday morning at our house. We're going to spend time with the Kgosi and Mma first, then onto the library to meet with Max. I'm looking forward to seeing a friendly Madisonian face and getting to share our experiences so far with her in person!
Professor Mnjama came to visit us, finally, after not seeing or hearing from him after the first week we were here! He went home to Kenya for a couple of weeks, and then I guess he went to Zimbabwe and South Africa, too. We told him what we had been working on, but the whole meeting was pretty short. He was pretty matter-of-fact and straight to the point about things. He asked a question about children taking out materials, which they don't really. Children need to have a parent come in a sign for them which I think deters a lot of kids from getting library cards. Mnjama thought that parents really need to be encouraged to promote reading with their child, which is true. So I sort of half started putting together an idea for a pamphlet on the benefits of reading to and encouraging your child to read. I didn't get very far, though, because it got me to thinking about way too big of ideas surrounding how different cultures think about childhood and how they relate to their children. I was reading this book we have at the library "Culture Shock: USA," and it had a section on how we treat our children, how we give them a lot of say about what they do and how they think. It gave a scenario of a parent sitting in a park with a tired and crabby child, and asking them "Should we go home now?" and the child replying "No," so they just continue to sit there. The book was saying that some parents from different culture just don't understand an exchange like that...they think that children so young can't possibly know what's good for them, and can't be trusted with all decisions. Anyways, that's too big a thought to tackle in the remainder of the time I have left here, but I think I might go ahead with the pamphlet just in case it might be useful. We'll see, I might get wrapped up in something else.
Last night while Ray and I were fixing dinner for the family, I heard the Kgosi say "Ashley!" so I went into the living room to find that the coverage from the Sesigo launch 2 weeks ago finally made it onto the nightly news! There I was in a shot of the audience! This morning when I got to the library Lebogang immediately said "I saw you on the news!" So, I actually made it onto Btv, oh yeah.
This weekend we don't have any major plans. Next week Ethelene from the UW is coming for her site visit, so we're meeting with her on Monday morning at our house. We're going to spend time with the Kgosi and Mma first, then onto the library to meet with Max. I'm looking forward to seeing a friendly Madisonian face and getting to share our experiences so far with her in person!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
ahh...that was a nice weekend to turn 26.
I am very well rested and mostly content after our weekend getaway. After lunch at Linga Longa, I finally succeeded in finding a decent pair jeans, yay!
Then we picked up some fancy snacks at Woolworth's, including my beloved dried mango rolls, Brie cheese, and some chocolate-caramel-peppermints cupcakes. Mmmmm...
We snuck Cara into the hotel no-prob, and we got a discount on our room because they made a mistake with our reservation. We watched The Incredibles and Finding Nemo on TV, and then I took at hot shower! Rachel and Cara treated me to an international buffet, at which I had four plates of food and then desert! It was amazing.
Sunday Ray and I hung out a Riverwalk again and I picked up a few souvenirs while Cara attended church. Angelina came to pick us up during the afternoon and we went to her house for a relaxing afternoon. I did my laundry in a washing machine which was extremely nice, my clothes never felt so clean. I'm afraid my patience for hand-washing clothes is little, so they never feel completely unsoiled.
Monday we made it back to Molepolole easily on the bus and even got real seats. How luxurious life has been. Yesterday was very relaxed, we didn't go grocery shopping again, so now we've made tentative plans to go with Malebogo on Friday. Hopefully that works out-it's stressful doing so much worrying about the family situation. But, we bought some cake at the store and I got a phone call from by best friend, so I'm considering my birthday a huge success!
Back to the library today. The kids are on vacation so we don't have WordWorks this week, but the place was hopping with students! Ray and I compiled the data from our user surveys which was interesting, and I put up a poster about the stars from a new book we got. I think I'm officially done decorating the children's section, and I think it looks a lot better. That's all for now.
Then we picked up some fancy snacks at Woolworth's, including my beloved dried mango rolls, Brie cheese, and some chocolate-caramel-peppermints cupcakes. Mmmmm...
We snuck Cara into the hotel no-prob, and we got a discount on our room because they made a mistake with our reservation. We watched The Incredibles and Finding Nemo on TV, and then I took at hot shower! Rachel and Cara treated me to an international buffet, at which I had four plates of food and then desert! It was amazing.
Sunday Ray and I hung out a Riverwalk again and I picked up a few souvenirs while Cara attended church. Angelina came to pick us up during the afternoon and we went to her house for a relaxing afternoon. I did my laundry in a washing machine which was extremely nice, my clothes never felt so clean. I'm afraid my patience for hand-washing clothes is little, so they never feel completely unsoiled.
Monday we made it back to Molepolole easily on the bus and even got real seats. How luxurious life has been. Yesterday was very relaxed, we didn't go grocery shopping again, so now we've made tentative plans to go with Malebogo on Friday. Hopefully that works out-it's stressful doing so much worrying about the family situation. But, we bought some cake at the store and I got a phone call from by best friend, so I'm considering my birthday a huge success!
Back to the library today. The kids are on vacation so we don't have WordWorks this week, but the place was hopping with students! Ray and I compiled the data from our user surveys which was interesting, and I put up a poster about the stars from a new book we got. I think I'm officially done decorating the children's section, and I think it looks a lot better. That's all for now.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Long weekend after a long week, yay!
I've only got 11 minutes left on this computer so I'm gonna try to type fast!
The rest of the week was alright. We didn't have any electricity on Thursday night, so Rachel and I went over to the house to eat by candlelight and then came back to our apartment to eat chocolate and sit in the dark. Surprisingly, it was enjoyable and relaxing in a way.
We were supposed to go grocery shopping with Malebogo yesterday evening, to finally resolve the food/money issue, but when we went over there we found that the family had went to the farm and Malebogo suggested we go on Tuesday. Ugh. Figures.
Friday I put up my "Children Celebrate Botswana" display and the staff seemed to like it. It definately looks better than the blank wall that there before.
Today we are in Gaborone! We got on the bus at 7am, and sat for an hour before we left. It was very cold! There was also a lady a couple of seats up that got on the bus with a real live chicken in her coat! It's didn't really make a fuss the whole way into town - amazing. So we're giving ourselves a break and staying at a hotel tonight. First hot shower in six weeks, I'm so excited. There's supposed to be a cinema in the hotel complex so I'm crossing my fingers we can catch a flick. Then tomorrow we're going to stay at Angelina's.
We were hoping to be able to meet with a travel agent about planning our trip up north, but I'm not sure what's going to be open on Monday because of the holiday.
Now we're going to get some fancy foodstuffs at Woolworths, and I'm going to continue my hunt for a pair of jeans. Then lunch now at Linga Longa before we head to the hotel. It's a beautiful day here in Botswana.
The rest of the week was alright. We didn't have any electricity on Thursday night, so Rachel and I went over to the house to eat by candlelight and then came back to our apartment to eat chocolate and sit in the dark. Surprisingly, it was enjoyable and relaxing in a way.
We were supposed to go grocery shopping with Malebogo yesterday evening, to finally resolve the food/money issue, but when we went over there we found that the family had went to the farm and Malebogo suggested we go on Tuesday. Ugh. Figures.
Friday I put up my "Children Celebrate Botswana" display and the staff seemed to like it. It definately looks better than the blank wall that there before.
Today we are in Gaborone! We got on the bus at 7am, and sat for an hour before we left. It was very cold! There was also a lady a couple of seats up that got on the bus with a real live chicken in her coat! It's didn't really make a fuss the whole way into town - amazing. So we're giving ourselves a break and staying at a hotel tonight. First hot shower in six weeks, I'm so excited. There's supposed to be a cinema in the hotel complex so I'm crossing my fingers we can catch a flick. Then tomorrow we're going to stay at Angelina's.
We were hoping to be able to meet with a travel agent about planning our trip up north, but I'm not sure what's going to be open on Monday because of the holiday.
Now we're going to get some fancy foodstuffs at Woolworths, and I'm going to continue my hunt for a pair of jeans. Then lunch now at Linga Longa before we head to the hotel. It's a beautiful day here in Botswana.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
It's been an interesting week. On Wednesday Angelina came for a site visit and we had a meeting with the Kgosi, Mma Kgosi and Max about how things are going, specifically things at home. I was thinking that everything was fine, so I was a little shocked when Mma Kgosi aired some of her grievances about groceries. I was under the impression that we tried to resolve that situation about 4 weeks ago, but it seems that entire attempt to sort things out and offer our financial assistance in regards to our meals was lost in translation. So it was a frustrating meeting because it felt like we were being seen as these greedy, ungrateful Americans, when in fact we tried several ways and times to offer money and/or food. I guess it's resolved now though, so hopefully things will continue to go smoothly on the home front.
The WordWorks club didn't show today, so that was sad. I finished creating all the letters for my newest children's display, so I think I'll try to get that up tomorrow.
I am very much looking forward to our four-day weekend. Monday is President's Day and Tuesday is a Public Service Holiday, so yay for a short next week!
The WordWorks club didn't show today, so that was sad. I finished creating all the letters for my newest children's display, so I think I'll try to get that up tomorrow.
I am very much looking forward to our four-day weekend. Monday is President's Day and Tuesday is a Public Service Holiday, so yay for a short next week!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Another Tuesday for this Water Soul in the Desert
Dumela, good people!
It is very cold again here! For the past couple of weeks it was a bit warmer, and now it's back to the cold that we found here in the beginning.
This morning I finally finished shelving all the new books in the children's section. Now I'm just going to pull a couple of more titles that are either old, outdated, or duplicates to fill up this last box and then get them out to the trailer. I've also started a project to fill up on the last open walls in the children's section. It's going to be "Children Celebrate Botswana" to contribute to the cultural month events. I can't but want to keep trying to brighten up the children's area and make it look and feel more welcoming. I'm a visual person, so it makes sense for me to focus on that. Especially since they will be in this building at least until December, maybe longer!
We had WordWorks today but it ran short. Now that we're having the classes come twice a week we have to have another lesson. We were planning on doing verbs on Wednesday and Thursday, and Thabo suggested we also add adjectives, so hopefully she comes up with an activity. Teaching is hard and it makes me pretty nervous. I'm sure it will be a rewarding experience in the end, though.
It is very cold again here! For the past couple of weeks it was a bit warmer, and now it's back to the cold that we found here in the beginning.
This morning I finally finished shelving all the new books in the children's section. Now I'm just going to pull a couple of more titles that are either old, outdated, or duplicates to fill up this last box and then get them out to the trailer. I've also started a project to fill up on the last open walls in the children's section. It's going to be "Children Celebrate Botswana" to contribute to the cultural month events. I can't but want to keep trying to brighten up the children's area and make it look and feel more welcoming. I'm a visual person, so it makes sense for me to focus on that. Especially since they will be in this building at least until December, maybe longer!
We had WordWorks today but it ran short. Now that we're having the classes come twice a week we have to have another lesson. We were planning on doing verbs on Wednesday and Thursday, and Thabo suggested we also add adjectives, so hopefully she comes up with an activity. Teaching is hard and it makes me pretty nervous. I'm sure it will be a rewarding experience in the end, though.
Monday, July 12, 2010
So much dust here! Have I mentioned that there is nothing but dust here? Dust gets everywhere - every time I hand wash my clothes nothing but sand comes out in the water. My nose is constantly inflamed and red from all the particles, it's crazy. For a water lover, this sure is difficult.
Also, did I mention that next weekend we're staying a night in a hotel to treat ourselves, and to celebrate my birthday on the 20th? We are! I am already very excited and it's only Monday! Unfortunately, there is no pool, so it's beginning to look like I may go this summer without a swim, very sad. It's really freaking me out that it's July, but also winter and cold and windy.
Today was exhausting! The WordWorks Club can be draining, even though it's only an hour. It's hard to tell what the kids are really learning or getting out of our lessons, and it's hard to collaborate with the other staff members about the club. During the day when we are working they don't really talk to us about it, but then they show up and watch the class, participating only when they have a criticism about something we or one of the students is doing. I really wish that Max could have forced collaboration between us in the beginning, instead of leaving Rachel and I to do it alone, because now I'm concerned about the sustainability of the club and the differences in how Rachel and I are doing things and how they staff members may have envisioned and executed the project.
The weekend was good, Cara came and we had a nice time eating and chatting. On Sunday Rachel and I went on a 3 hour walk to what we think was the ancient aloe forest and had a nice picnic. Last night we went to the main house with some 'crisps' and watched the game with the family.
Also, did I mention that next weekend we're staying a night in a hotel to treat ourselves, and to celebrate my birthday on the 20th? We are! I am already very excited and it's only Monday! Unfortunately, there is no pool, so it's beginning to look like I may go this summer without a swim, very sad. It's really freaking me out that it's July, but also winter and cold and windy.
Today was exhausting! The WordWorks Club can be draining, even though it's only an hour. It's hard to tell what the kids are really learning or getting out of our lessons, and it's hard to collaborate with the other staff members about the club. During the day when we are working they don't really talk to us about it, but then they show up and watch the class, participating only when they have a criticism about something we or one of the students is doing. I really wish that Max could have forced collaboration between us in the beginning, instead of leaving Rachel and I to do it alone, because now I'm concerned about the sustainability of the club and the differences in how Rachel and I are doing things and how they staff members may have envisioned and executed the project.
The weekend was good, Cara came and we had a nice time eating and chatting. On Sunday Rachel and I went on a 3 hour walk to what we think was the ancient aloe forest and had a nice picnic. Last night we went to the main house with some 'crisps' and watched the game with the family.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Today was a super long day! Our trip to Kanye for the Sesigo Launch was really great, even though it was a two hour long ceremony in the cold, in Setswana! There was a choir, and seeing song and dance always makes me happy. Also, Btv was there filming, so I'm thinking we might make the news tonight! Everyone there was really excited and so thankful for the project. The choir even sang a song in English saying how thankful they were for the Internet and Bill and Melinda Gates. We also stopped and toured the libraries in Thamaga and Moshupa. They both have benefited from the Sesigo Project, and sure enough the people we saw in the library appeared to be enjoying the Internet greatly. I wish Moleps had it, but there probably waiting until the new building is ready. Someone at the event today told Max that it wouldn't be finished until December! Yikes, that's too far away!
Our WordWorks club came today, but there were several people that had already been this week, so we had to come up with an activity on the fly. We had them write a composition like before but on their family instead of themselves. It was a group of all girls today, and we ended up walking home with them. They were chatting with us the whole way in English! I asked them how they can be so chatty with us then, but during class they are silent! I think they are freaked out because it is a "class," but hopefully they will get more comfortable as time goes on, especially now that they've talked with us outside the library. They told me my skirt was too high, and insisted on touching both Rachel and I's hair. They also remembered from my composition that I liked to dance, even though I'm not good at it, so they had me dance a bit which was pretty embarrassing.
Tomorrow Cara is coming and we're gonna try to find this ancient aloe forest that we've been hearing about. Supposedly, back in the day, a group was coming to attack the Batswana but saw the aloe trees from afar, thought they were a huge army, and retreated!
After today I am very, very ready for the weekend. Max is picking us up on Sunday for the World Cup finale, yay!
Our WordWorks club came today, but there were several people that had already been this week, so we had to come up with an activity on the fly. We had them write a composition like before but on their family instead of themselves. It was a group of all girls today, and we ended up walking home with them. They were chatting with us the whole way in English! I asked them how they can be so chatty with us then, but during class they are silent! I think they are freaked out because it is a "class," but hopefully they will get more comfortable as time goes on, especially now that they've talked with us outside the library. They told me my skirt was too high, and insisted on touching both Rachel and I's hair. They also remembered from my composition that I liked to dance, even though I'm not good at it, so they had me dance a bit which was pretty embarrassing.
Tomorrow Cara is coming and we're gonna try to find this ancient aloe forest that we've been hearing about. Supposedly, back in the day, a group was coming to attack the Batswana but saw the aloe trees from afar, thought they were a huge army, and retreated!
After today I am very, very ready for the weekend. Max is picking us up on Sunday for the World Cup finale, yay!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
No show today!
Well, after 3 successful days of the WordWorks Program, the Orange Team pulled a no-show today. Bummer. But it gave us some time to work out our plan for next week. I was talking to Max about the tentative schedule for the club for the remainder of the time that Rachel and I will be here, and it seems that the week after next is a holiday, and then they may have to be practicing for their exams, so it's unclear when the club will be meeting past next week. Hmpf.
Tomorrow we are getting up bright and early to visit Kanye, a village where the Sesigo Project is kicking off. The Sesigo Project is funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with the government of Botswana to get Internet available throughout the country. I'm excited to see more Botswana countryside and be present for this ceremony. Should be positive and hopeful, and I'm all about that!
I got on the Internet late today, and I want to go home and enjoy my sparkling water with lemon (complements of the Kgosi) before dinner.
Tomorrow we are getting up bright and early to visit Kanye, a village where the Sesigo Project is kicking off. The Sesigo Project is funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with the government of Botswana to get Internet available throughout the country. I'm excited to see more Botswana countryside and be present for this ceremony. Should be positive and hopeful, and I'm all about that!
I got on the Internet late today, and I want to go home and enjoy my sparkling water with lemon (complements of the Kgosi) before dinner.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Today we visited a Primary School in the morning and I just can't help but think that all the little kids in their uniforms are just about the most adorable sight one could ever see. They are very well behaved (although I think that it unfortunately has something to do with a practice they employ here called "caning") and interested in what we have to tell them. As they were younger, Max had to do a lot of the speaking in Setswana, but I tried to read them a story about an elephant riding a skateboard. I used a lot of hand motions, and they appeared interested, so hopefully they were. Then we had tea, which is a tradition in Botswana I am really getting used to. I'm going to come back to the states and be demanding tea times at work!
I also started to have the littler kids color some pictures from a Botswana coloring book that I made copies of. I'm hoping I can get a bunch together and put up a little "Children Celebrate Cultural Month Display." July is cultural appreciation month, so we had a display right now of traditional foods and baskets.
Rachel and I also created a display about the US for the 4th of July! I don't think anyone has checked a book out yet, though:( We made a sign that says "Learn about Rachel and Ashley's Home Country!" Drawing a hamburger on our display made me very very hungry and really miss an American barbecue, though!
I also started to have the littler kids color some pictures from a Botswana coloring book that I made copies of. I'm hoping I can get a bunch together and put up a little "Children Celebrate Cultural Month Display." July is cultural appreciation month, so we had a display right now of traditional foods and baskets.
Rachel and I also created a display about the US for the 4th of July! I don't think anyone has checked a book out yet, though:( We made a sign that says "Learn about Rachel and Ashley's Home Country!" Drawing a hamburger on our display made me very very hungry and really miss an American barbecue, though!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
WordWorks
Well, yesterday marked the beginning of our WordWorks Program with the Bakwena Primary school, Standard 7s. We will be getting a group of twelve 13 year olds every afternoon for an hour to do some English Language activities. Yesterday was alright, I think, considering it was the first day. The kids were a little shy and nervous, and so was I! I was happy that Max was there because he really lightened the mood and got the kids to relax a bit. We made name tags (it's going to be really difficult to keep all their names straight!) and had everyone do a short composition about themselves. They talked about their favorite foods, a lot of rice, porridge, and meat; what subjects they like in school, mostly English, Math, and Setswana; and what their place in the is - first born, second born, etc. Then they paired up with a partner, read their compositions and then we all introduced our partners to the group. It was a good way to see what level most of them are at with their English language skills and a little bit about who they are.
I'm a little nervous about all of a sudden basically being an ESL teacher for the rest of the summer, and also about the sustainability of the program. Right now Rachel and I seem to be the main people in charge of the programming, and I'm hoping that we can start to switch some of the responsibility of the planning and execution of activities over to library staff so that when we leave they can easily continue on. One of the library workers is actually trained as a teacher, so I'm hoping that perhaps we can get some of her input and/or advice.
Yesterday I had the littler kids finish with the alphabet so I will put the rest of the letters on the wall today and then I'll have to think of another project they might be able to work on for a bit. The other thing about the WordWorks club is that is takes up the time that I was using to do activities with the younger school children, so I'll am going to concentrate on WordWorks for a bit but then maybe find a way to still spend time with the other children.
Tonight we are making dinner for our family, which makes me a little nervous, but hopefully we can prepare something that they will like. The communication with our host mother is rather difficult. We can often tell that she is unhappy with something and that we are not doing something right, but she refuses to tell us what it is exactly we are doing wrong or what we should be doing instead. The woman we met at Tayla's dinner party said something interesting that was "In my culture I cannot tell you what you are doing wrong." So, it seems to be a cultural thing not to criticize, but it makes it hard to know what you should be doing differently.
Oh, cultural exchange, how interesting you are.
I'm a little nervous about all of a sudden basically being an ESL teacher for the rest of the summer, and also about the sustainability of the program. Right now Rachel and I seem to be the main people in charge of the programming, and I'm hoping that we can start to switch some of the responsibility of the planning and execution of activities over to library staff so that when we leave they can easily continue on. One of the library workers is actually trained as a teacher, so I'm hoping that perhaps we can get some of her input and/or advice.
Yesterday I had the littler kids finish with the alphabet so I will put the rest of the letters on the wall today and then I'll have to think of another project they might be able to work on for a bit. The other thing about the WordWorks club is that is takes up the time that I was using to do activities with the younger school children, so I'll am going to concentrate on WordWorks for a bit but then maybe find a way to still spend time with the other children.
Tonight we are making dinner for our family, which makes me a little nervous, but hopefully we can prepare something that they will like. The communication with our host mother is rather difficult. We can often tell that she is unhappy with something and that we are not doing something right, but she refuses to tell us what it is exactly we are doing wrong or what we should be doing instead. The woman we met at Tayla's dinner party said something interesting that was "In my culture I cannot tell you what you are doing wrong." So, it seems to be a cultural thing not to criticize, but it makes it hard to know what you should be doing differently.
Oh, cultural exchange, how interesting you are.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
dinner party splendor
Last night's dinner party at Tayla's was quite enjoyable. There were a variety of people there, including: another Peace Corps volunteer, Aaron, stationed about six hours away in a place with no electricity and no grocery store (yikes), Yes (sp?, a former German Peace Corps volunteer) and his wife, Kelone, a Motswana and their daughter Siamo, who currently goes to graduate school in South Africa for Applied Theatre. Siamo had some great recommendations for theatre in Joburg when I go in August. Great family! Also in attendance were Peter, a Peace Corps volunteer that came here in the 1970's, left for a bit and lived a bunch of places before settling down back here in Botswana and had a son, John Promise.
The food was amazing and we even managed to keep a small fire going and roasted marshmallows! I was so happy to have some resemblance of an American summer with a fire and s'mores, so yay! Also, Peter pointed out some stars to me, which I had been wondering about since I got here. I'm confirmed the location of the Southern Cross and he also showed me Scorpio, which has it's tail wrapped around the Milky Way. I was very happy.
We got home at about 11pm, the latest we've stayed up the entire time we've been here! The evening made me very happy to be in such good company and happy to be here in Botswana. It's always a learning experience, too, to be able to talk to others about their experiences and the knowledge they have accumulated while being here.
The food was amazing and we even managed to keep a small fire going and roasted marshmallows! I was so happy to have some resemblance of an American summer with a fire and s'mores, so yay! Also, Peter pointed out some stars to me, which I had been wondering about since I got here. I'm confirmed the location of the Southern Cross and he also showed me Scorpio, which has it's tail wrapped around the Milky Way. I was very happy.
We got home at about 11pm, the latest we've stayed up the entire time we've been here! The evening made me very happy to be in such good company and happy to be here in Botswana. It's always a learning experience, too, to be able to talk to others about their experiences and the knowledge they have accumulated while being here.
Friday, July 2, 2010
crazy cattle post
Yesterday was exhausting! But good, very good. We awoke before dawn to make the trek into the bush (about 40 minutes at the end of driving on sand "roads") stopping along the way so that the Kgosi could shoot out the window at guinea fowl, but he didn't get one this time. Once we got to the post, which was merely 4 tin shacks that the workers sleep, eat and store everything for the farm in, we check out the cattle. We went right in the kraal amidst many mooing cows. There was one cow laying down, and was starting to go into labor, so we got to witness the birth of a calf, which was pretty amazing. I also got to try the traditional brew, which sort of tasted like lite beer and milk - not terrible but not exactly tasty. We had a nice breakfast of bread and "coffee" (milk with a touch a coffee taste) and bread, and then we this porridge that they eat a lot of here, called bogobe, I think, that is made with milk. They also slaughtered a chicken there in the morning for us and we ate that for lunch! Lots of eating - I was very full! I'm glad I got to experience the "bush," and see jackals and bushboks and some kitties, too! It's strange here because no one really likes cats, because they can be used by witches!
I was so tired by the time we got home that I went to bed at 7:30 and slept until 6:30 when I got up to go to work.
Max called the school today and they reported that they will a group of students ready for us next week, so Ray and I wrote a lesson plan to do with the students for the first week. I am excited that this is happening, because it will surely keep us busy.
Tonight we are headed to a dinner party at the house of a Peace Corps volunteer we have made friends with. It will be nice to relax and socialize!
I was so tired by the time we got home that I went to bed at 7:30 and slept until 6:30 when I got up to go to work.
Max called the school today and they reported that they will a group of students ready for us next week, so Ray and I wrote a lesson plan to do with the students for the first week. I am excited that this is happening, because it will surely keep us busy.
Tonight we are headed to a dinner party at the house of a Peace Corps volunteer we have made friends with. It will be nice to relax and socialize!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Holiday tomorrow!
So, tomorrow is Sir Seretse Khama Day, the first president of Botswana and one of the famed "3 Chiefs" that went to Britain to dissuade them from making a colony out of Botswana along with South Africa. So I have off work! We had been planning on visiting the Kgosi's cattle ranch about 2.5 hrs from Molepolole on Saturday, but now we are going to go tomorrow. We are leaving at 5am, and the Kgosi said that I should be ready to milk! That should be interesting...
Today was exhausting at work. It started with a meeting with Angelina, during which we discussed how things were going so far at the library and at home. She and Max seemed pleased with the work done so far, and both are happy that the children's section is looking a bit more chipper with some of the projects I've been having the kids work on. The kids seem to really like the Moncure "letter" books, so I thought it might be a good idea to print out papers with the alphabet letters on them so they could draw things that start with the letter, and then I could put them up as a banner in the children's section. Yesterday we got all the way to "R" so we just have a couple left to go. I think they really like seeing their work displayed in the library and helps them feel ownership of the space.
Then, we came in on the tail end of a staff bible study. I guess they have a pastor come to the library every couple of weeks to read parts of the bible and have a short discussion. So, that's strange coming from the U.S., where religion is strictly prohibited at work! Then, the pastor asked that I lead the closing prayer! It was really hard and I did not know what to say, but I said what I could think of off the top of my head. When I was done Max said to me, "I will teach you how to pray." Mmm...not sure how I feel about that...hopefully that's the last time I'll have to lead a prayer.
After that we went to the Anne Stine Center with Lebogang which turned out to be a rather challenging experience. It is a center for children with developmental disabilities, and the children that go there are on a wide spectrum of mental capacities, so it was hard to interact with all of them together, as they were each on very levels of mental capacities. Lebogang read a story in Setswana, and then we played with some toys we had brought with us. They were all incredible eager to play with the toys and us! Immediately upon entering I had children in my arms. They were very interested in my glasses, so I had to keep a close eye out for hands reaching towards them.
I'll be looking forward to a day off and the visit to the cattle ranch!
Today was exhausting at work. It started with a meeting with Angelina, during which we discussed how things were going so far at the library and at home. She and Max seemed pleased with the work done so far, and both are happy that the children's section is looking a bit more chipper with some of the projects I've been having the kids work on. The kids seem to really like the Moncure "letter" books, so I thought it might be a good idea to print out papers with the alphabet letters on them so they could draw things that start with the letter, and then I could put them up as a banner in the children's section. Yesterday we got all the way to "R" so we just have a couple left to go. I think they really like seeing their work displayed in the library and helps them feel ownership of the space.
Then, we came in on the tail end of a staff bible study. I guess they have a pastor come to the library every couple of weeks to read parts of the bible and have a short discussion. So, that's strange coming from the U.S., where religion is strictly prohibited at work! Then, the pastor asked that I lead the closing prayer! It was really hard and I did not know what to say, but I said what I could think of off the top of my head. When I was done Max said to me, "I will teach you how to pray." Mmm...not sure how I feel about that...hopefully that's the last time I'll have to lead a prayer.
After that we went to the Anne Stine Center with Lebogang which turned out to be a rather challenging experience. It is a center for children with developmental disabilities, and the children that go there are on a wide spectrum of mental capacities, so it was hard to interact with all of them together, as they were each on very levels of mental capacities. Lebogang read a story in Setswana, and then we played with some toys we had brought with us. They were all incredible eager to play with the toys and us! Immediately upon entering I had children in my arms. They were very interested in my glasses, so I had to keep a close eye out for hands reaching towards them.
I'll be looking forward to a day off and the visit to the cattle ranch!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Gaborone-Molepolole Bus Ride and Village Reading Room!
Well, we had a very pleasant Saturday in Gaborone. We had perfect timing catching the bus at 7 am, then a very pleasant ride into the city. I love to ride in vehicles and look out the window. Sometimes I feel I could do it forever.
We enjoyed a fresh-brewed cup of coffee and caught with very Cara- it's really interesting and comforting to hear about how things are going in Mmankgodi. Then we did some shopping- I'm on the look-out for a pair of jeans here, I only brought one pair of pants (what was I thinking?) but I didn't find any:( But, we did find the fancy, expensive, organic food section in Woolworth's - Awesome! It's all too expensive for me, but I'm planning on treating myself around July for my big 2-6.
We also ate a delicious meal at Linga Longa before getting on the bus ride back to Moleps. And it was a good thing I was happily fed and watered, too, as we ended up being crammed onto the bus, standing in the aisle for the whole ride! At one quick stop, a guy got out to go to the bathroom, and while he was mid-stream the bus took off! HA! Hopefully he was able to hitch the rest of the way back to Moleps. Very entertaining.
We were exhausted from standing on a bus going down a bumpy road for an hour, so when we got back we relaxed and then made some dinner before going to sleep- for a long time. Then on Sunday Max came and got us and we went over to his house to watch the England vs. Germany game.
Today, once we got transportation (I still haven't figured out why we need a driver to take us places when Max has a car, but whatever) we went with Max to a meeting he had with a Kgosi in a nearby village about their reading room. See, when the village is too small for a full library, BNLS makes a "reading room" which is a very small collection available to the community there. There is a campaign going on right now called the Sesigo project, funded by Bill and Melinda Gates (I think) that is offering money to different library projects, and Max wanted this village reading room to get in on some of that and establish a larger space so more people could enjoy the resources. Max said that the Kgosi seems into the project, so that's exciting. That took all morning, and then we were dropped off at our house for lunch, so I didn't get to see the kids this afternoon. I feel guilty when I don't see them, but I can't do everything, and eventually I'll be gone anyways:(
Long day, and another one tomorrow!
We enjoyed a fresh-brewed cup of coffee and caught with very Cara- it's really interesting and comforting to hear about how things are going in Mmankgodi. Then we did some shopping- I'm on the look-out for a pair of jeans here, I only brought one pair of pants (what was I thinking?) but I didn't find any:( But, we did find the fancy, expensive, organic food section in Woolworth's - Awesome! It's all too expensive for me, but I'm planning on treating myself around July for my big 2-6.
We also ate a delicious meal at Linga Longa before getting on the bus ride back to Moleps. And it was a good thing I was happily fed and watered, too, as we ended up being crammed onto the bus, standing in the aisle for the whole ride! At one quick stop, a guy got out to go to the bathroom, and while he was mid-stream the bus took off! HA! Hopefully he was able to hitch the rest of the way back to Moleps. Very entertaining.
We were exhausted from standing on a bus going down a bumpy road for an hour, so when we got back we relaxed and then made some dinner before going to sleep- for a long time. Then on Sunday Max came and got us and we went over to his house to watch the England vs. Germany game.
Today, once we got transportation (I still haven't figured out why we need a driver to take us places when Max has a car, but whatever) we went with Max to a meeting he had with a Kgosi in a nearby village about their reading room. See, when the village is too small for a full library, BNLS makes a "reading room" which is a very small collection available to the community there. There is a campaign going on right now called the Sesigo project, funded by Bill and Melinda Gates (I think) that is offering money to different library projects, and Max wanted this village reading room to get in on some of that and establish a larger space so more people could enjoy the resources. Max said that the Kgosi seems into the project, so that's exciting. That took all morning, and then we were dropped off at our house for lunch, so I didn't get to see the kids this afternoon. I feel guilty when I don't see them, but I can't do everything, and eventually I'll be gone anyways:(
Long day, and another one tomorrow!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Staff meeting!
This morning I attended my first staff meeting. It was all in Setswana, but it was nice to pick out words here and there, and also to watch body language and pick up on the tone of things. It seemed from my perspective to be really good for staff communication and invigoration. Max was mainly briefing them on a conference he had last week at BNLS. They just got a new director a couple of months ago and it seems she has started to flex her muscles and get things moving with the organization.
They are sponsoring a competition between the library branches over collection of overdues, programs held, and teamwork within the library. So, Moleps is getting on the train and trying to work on all those areas. Programming is looking pretty good, as we've the schools coming in next week hopefully, and might be doing programs with one school in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Max has got me working on activities for English language learning. We got some playbooks in the batch of new books from BNLS, so I thought play reading might be a good activity. Also compiling passages from books, news stories, etc for reading comprehension. I've also got a fantasy about me and Rachel acting out little scenes and having the students answer questions about what was said between us.
Max had me try cow liver today at lunch! Yikes, I'm really racking up points on my "crazy foods I've eaten" list.
Yesterday Lobogang gave me a scarf-wrapping lesson, and she's on a mission to get me my very own scarf. I guess she buys them at church? So, I gave her 10 pula to get me one. Yay. She also has an outreach program going on with an organization that takes care of children with mental disabilities and is going to take Rachel and I with her next week.
Tomorrow we're going to Gaborone for the day, which I am very excited about. A fresh-brewed cup of coffee and lunch at restaurant? Yes, please!
They are sponsoring a competition between the library branches over collection of overdues, programs held, and teamwork within the library. So, Moleps is getting on the train and trying to work on all those areas. Programming is looking pretty good, as we've the schools coming in next week hopefully, and might be doing programs with one school in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Max has got me working on activities for English language learning. We got some playbooks in the batch of new books from BNLS, so I thought play reading might be a good activity. Also compiling passages from books, news stories, etc for reading comprehension. I've also got a fantasy about me and Rachel acting out little scenes and having the students answer questions about what was said between us.
Max had me try cow liver today at lunch! Yikes, I'm really racking up points on my "crazy foods I've eaten" list.
Yesterday Lobogang gave me a scarf-wrapping lesson, and she's on a mission to get me my very own scarf. I guess she buys them at church? So, I gave her 10 pula to get me one. Yay. She also has an outreach program going on with an organization that takes care of children with mental disabilities and is going to take Rachel and I with her next week.
Tomorrow we're going to Gaborone for the day, which I am very excited about. A fresh-brewed cup of coffee and lunch at restaurant? Yes, please!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Well, today was slightly disappointing as Dr. Totolo couldn't make her appointment with us, as Lucia, the librarian working with Cara in Mmankgodi is not at work this week. So we have rescheduled for next week.
Today I continued on my weeding project (or more exactly, removal of all duplicate books) in the children's section. For some reason, BNLS thinks it useful to order several copies of books that are already of questionable quality. So, I'm going through and taking out the duplicates in order to make more room for the new books, and just to clean up the collection.
We went to a primary school today with Max and had a meeting with a Standard 7 teacher and the guidance counselor/English teacher, to pitch our ideas for the homework clubs. It's been interesting to learn about the school system here. It seems that the biggest problem is the lack of parent involvement in their children's education. She also pointed out that many of their students are orphans, or living with their grandparents while their parents work in Gaborone. She also noted that she was worried about how the kids would get to and from the library. Max said that they might be able to provide transportation, although I'm not sure how that would work. The secondary school from yesterday contacted Max and told him that they want to send their entire Standard 7 class, 58 students! So Max proposed having a group of 12 come in every day of the week for one hour. Whoa! That's a handful. I'm not sure where he's thinking of holding the club, as to be in the library would take up the whole space, but we'll see.
The teachers seem eager at the opportunity to provide additional help to their students, so that's great. Hopefully Rachel and I can help here in the beginning to really get these clubs off the ground. Molepolole is in dire need of that new library building!
When we got back from the meeting, I was happy to see that Margaret, the head clerk and another library worker were having children's programming outside (I'd like to think I was partly inspiration for that, as I hadn't seen them do that since I'd gotten here, so I'll go ahead and toot my own horn). I sat with them for a little bit, just to see how they responded to programming in their own language. They were much more rambunctious, much more like the children I am used to working with in the US, so it was helpful to realize how much more timid they had been with me, at least while we were reading stories. Then Margaret showed me a bunch of old games they have in a cabinet, so it was good to see her interested in children's activities again. She also made copies of coloring pictures, which seems to be the favorite activity among the kids.
Well, the computer is acting funny so I better publish this while I can. Ray and I are having dinner by ourselves tonight, because last night after we made a nice soup for the family, they brought home KFC! Little rude, I dare say.
Today I continued on my weeding project (or more exactly, removal of all duplicate books) in the children's section. For some reason, BNLS thinks it useful to order several copies of books that are already of questionable quality. So, I'm going through and taking out the duplicates in order to make more room for the new books, and just to clean up the collection.
We went to a primary school today with Max and had a meeting with a Standard 7 teacher and the guidance counselor/English teacher, to pitch our ideas for the homework clubs. It's been interesting to learn about the school system here. It seems that the biggest problem is the lack of parent involvement in their children's education. She also pointed out that many of their students are orphans, or living with their grandparents while their parents work in Gaborone. She also noted that she was worried about how the kids would get to and from the library. Max said that they might be able to provide transportation, although I'm not sure how that would work. The secondary school from yesterday contacted Max and told him that they want to send their entire Standard 7 class, 58 students! So Max proposed having a group of 12 come in every day of the week for one hour. Whoa! That's a handful. I'm not sure where he's thinking of holding the club, as to be in the library would take up the whole space, but we'll see.
The teachers seem eager at the opportunity to provide additional help to their students, so that's great. Hopefully Rachel and I can help here in the beginning to really get these clubs off the ground. Molepolole is in dire need of that new library building!
When we got back from the meeting, I was happy to see that Margaret, the head clerk and another library worker were having children's programming outside (I'd like to think I was partly inspiration for that, as I hadn't seen them do that since I'd gotten here, so I'll go ahead and toot my own horn). I sat with them for a little bit, just to see how they responded to programming in their own language. They were much more rambunctious, much more like the children I am used to working with in the US, so it was helpful to realize how much more timid they had been with me, at least while we were reading stories. Then Margaret showed me a bunch of old games they have in a cabinet, so it was good to see her interested in children's activities again. She also made copies of coloring pictures, which seems to be the favorite activity among the kids.
Well, the computer is acting funny so I better publish this while I can. Ray and I are having dinner by ourselves tonight, because last night after we made a nice soup for the family, they brought home KFC! Little rude, I dare say.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Breakthrough!
So, yesterday was a great day at the library, mainly because I got the go-ahead from Max to box up some of the terribly old materials and put those in the trailer instead of the new books. It felt SO good to take two sets of old Encyclopedia Britannica from the early 1980's in a box and replace them with some newer, more appealing, kid-friendly reference tools. I can hardly wait to weep through the rest of the collection.
Also, yesterday I had a successful afternoon of childrens programming. I had them start by talking about things that could fly, and looking at different books for birds, planes, etc. Then I taught them all how to make a paper airplane, a useful skill for any kid! After we were done folding and decorating our planes, we took them outside for an eagerly awaiting take-off. It was awesome, beautiful, really to see the barren courtyard filled with screaming children and flying paper airplanes. I got that feeling that I get every once in a while that is: Yes, I love to be a children's librarian.
Then, as if that wasn't great enough, I also got them to sit outside while I read them two stories! I had just grabbed them from the display of new children's books Rachel had made that morning, so I didn't know exactly what they were about, I chose them merely because they featured African children and looked about the right level and length for the children. One of them was called "Brave Rosie" and I didn't realize until I had started the story that it was about a young girl whose mother dies...oops. Fortunately it didn't seem to upset any of the children. The other story was called "Looking After Chickens," about, well, just that - a boy looking after a neighbors chickens. It was good though because when I asked the children if they had any chickens at home, they all said yes!
Then we went back in the library, and they colored and I hung up their paper airplanes on a shelf for a display which seemed to please them. It's hard to keep them quiet, though. I try to explain that although I would love to have them make as much noise as they want, the other library users and staff would not be happy with that. I assure them that in the new library they will have their own room to be noisy in.
After the day I went home to a dinner of chicken gizzards and bread, a first for me. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I managed to eat it without much of a reaction. After dinner Rachel and I did go back to our little house and make some plain pasta:)
Today we are finally going to the schools with Max to have a meeting about the homework clubs that Max is trying to get going. Hopefully it won't be ALL in Setswana, and I can get some words in. It would be nice to arrange a date that I could come in and talk to the classes about the library and read a story or something.
Also, yesterday I had a successful afternoon of childrens programming. I had them start by talking about things that could fly, and looking at different books for birds, planes, etc. Then I taught them all how to make a paper airplane, a useful skill for any kid! After we were done folding and decorating our planes, we took them outside for an eagerly awaiting take-off. It was awesome, beautiful, really to see the barren courtyard filled with screaming children and flying paper airplanes. I got that feeling that I get every once in a while that is: Yes, I love to be a children's librarian.
Then, as if that wasn't great enough, I also got them to sit outside while I read them two stories! I had just grabbed them from the display of new children's books Rachel had made that morning, so I didn't know exactly what they were about, I chose them merely because they featured African children and looked about the right level and length for the children. One of them was called "Brave Rosie" and I didn't realize until I had started the story that it was about a young girl whose mother dies...oops. Fortunately it didn't seem to upset any of the children. The other story was called "Looking After Chickens," about, well, just that - a boy looking after a neighbors chickens. It was good though because when I asked the children if they had any chickens at home, they all said yes!
Then we went back in the library, and they colored and I hung up their paper airplanes on a shelf for a display which seemed to please them. It's hard to keep them quiet, though. I try to explain that although I would love to have them make as much noise as they want, the other library users and staff would not be happy with that. I assure them that in the new library they will have their own room to be noisy in.
After the day I went home to a dinner of chicken gizzards and bread, a first for me. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I managed to eat it without much of a reaction. After dinner Rachel and I did go back to our little house and make some plain pasta:)
Today we are finally going to the schools with Max to have a meeting about the homework clubs that Max is trying to get going. Hopefully it won't be ALL in Setswana, and I can get some words in. It would be nice to arrange a date that I could come in and talk to the classes about the library and read a story or something.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Well, today presented an interesting situation at the library. Once I got there in the morning, I noticed some of the library workers doing stuff with all of our boxes of new books, and asked what was going on and if I could be of any help. They said they were sorting the boxes by class (call number), which we have done three times now, in order to choose a handful of books to be added to the collection, and the rest being put back in boxes and into storage, as there is not enough room on the shelves for all of them! I thought about it for awhile, and then decided to gently suggest that perhaps we should go through the older books on the shelves now and put some of the older ones in storage, making room for the new books. Margaret, the head clerk, explained that the new books are being saved for the new library. This I would understand if I had any faith that the new library is actually going to be finished anytime soon. As I see it, it could be months or even another year before that library is ready to be used. So, I tried to reason that we should not put things off for the new library, and that we should go ahead and do what we can in our current space. Lobogang said she thought my idea was a good one and that I should run it by Max.
So...I did, later that morning after he had gotten back from a meeting. He told me that all the books should be shelved, that there was no use waiting for the new building, and that there was plenty of room on the shelves. "Yay" I thought. I couldn't stand to see all these new books we just processed be put back in the trailer, it was so nonsensical.
But of course now I feel that I may have ruffled the feathers of a few of the library workers. It's very hard here to communicate with the staff about their vision, or what they want for the library, and yet I'm supposed to be here being innovative and modeling "best practices." I don't want to override any of the library workers styles or quickly dismiss the way they do things...but it's hard to collaborate, and I'm not being given much direction or support.
Dr. Totolo is coming later this week with feedback on my proposed ideas for the internship, and hopefully we can have a discussion with Max about what I should be spending my time on.
So...I did, later that morning after he had gotten back from a meeting. He told me that all the books should be shelved, that there was no use waiting for the new building, and that there was plenty of room on the shelves. "Yay" I thought. I couldn't stand to see all these new books we just processed be put back in the trailer, it was so nonsensical.
But of course now I feel that I may have ruffled the feathers of a few of the library workers. It's very hard here to communicate with the staff about their vision, or what they want for the library, and yet I'm supposed to be here being innovative and modeling "best practices." I don't want to override any of the library workers styles or quickly dismiss the way they do things...but it's hard to collaborate, and I'm not being given much direction or support.
Dr. Totolo is coming later this week with feedback on my proposed ideas for the internship, and hopefully we can have a discussion with Max about what I should be spending my time on.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Football early on a Saturday morning
Last night as we watched the World Cup game Rachel got a text from Talia, a US Peace Corps volunteer about a football tournament today put together by the "Be Mobile" campaign (a sports and HIV/AIDS awareness group) and a couple of other organizations such as the Kasigo Women's Shelter to promote HIV/AIDS testing and create awareness around domestic violence. We showed up early and it felt good to be put to some use with folding pamphlets, hanging up posters, and distributing condoms.
Also, it somehow got communicated that the library was a sponsor, so I ended up giving an impromtu speech in front of the crowd about library services. Yikes! I think it went alright though, and I was able to say everything that I wanted to about the current and future library and its services. Afterward a man approached from the community college and was interested in computer programs the library offered--in terms of learning from them and also eventually teaching some workshops. I told him that I'd only be here through the winter, but that he should stay in touch with Mr. Mazunga about programs at the new library.
I am beginning to think that just our mere presence here is helpful for promoting the library, because people ask us all the time what we're doing here, and we get to put a plug in for the library and help community members realize and/or remember that the library is a place to go within the village to gather information, and also to distribute information.
Talia is a really great person and it was nice to talk to her about her experiences here with the people and culture and know that some of our perceptions, frustrations, hopes and thoughts are similar.
As for the rest of the day, we've been waiting for our avocado to ripen so we can make some tuna, avocado and tomato sandwiches. Yum! It's hard to find good cheese here, so that's one thing that I've been missing. Good thing I ate about 5 pounds of fried cheese curds before I came here.
Also, it somehow got communicated that the library was a sponsor, so I ended up giving an impromtu speech in front of the crowd about library services. Yikes! I think it went alright though, and I was able to say everything that I wanted to about the current and future library and its services. Afterward a man approached from the community college and was interested in computer programs the library offered--in terms of learning from them and also eventually teaching some workshops. I told him that I'd only be here through the winter, but that he should stay in touch with Mr. Mazunga about programs at the new library.
I am beginning to think that just our mere presence here is helpful for promoting the library, because people ask us all the time what we're doing here, and we get to put a plug in for the library and help community members realize and/or remember that the library is a place to go within the village to gather information, and also to distribute information.
Talia is a really great person and it was nice to talk to her about her experiences here with the people and culture and know that some of our perceptions, frustrations, hopes and thoughts are similar.
As for the rest of the day, we've been waiting for our avocado to ripen so we can make some tuna, avocado and tomato sandwiches. Yum! It's hard to find good cheese here, so that's one thing that I've been missing. Good thing I ate about 5 pounds of fried cheese curds before I came here.
Friday, June 18, 2010
TGIF
Yay for the weekend! This morning at the library was spent tattle-taping our new books, something I'm not yet convinced is cost-efficient in this environment, but it seemed just as useless to try to convince the workers otherwise.
Rachel and I worked on a draft user survey that we will show to Max next week and see what he thinks of it. I also talked with a library worker, Lobogang, about going with her to visit a school for the (dis)abled that she visits occasionally and studies what library services could benefit them. It guess the next couple of weeks she is not visiting due to their preparation for the special olympics, but after that we're on! That makes me extremely excited, as disability rights are one of my passions next to library advocacy.
Seswaa again for lunch today! It's kinda-sorta not really growing on me.
This weekend Rachel and I are going to spend furthering our explorations of Molepolole. We might seek out a KFC, the only American fast food chain that has made it here! This might be the only country I have ever been to without a McDonalds! Joy!
Rachel and I worked on a draft user survey that we will show to Max next week and see what he thinks of it. I also talked with a library worker, Lobogang, about going with her to visit a school for the (dis)abled that she visits occasionally and studies what library services could benefit them. It guess the next couple of weeks she is not visiting due to their preparation for the special olympics, but after that we're on! That makes me extremely excited, as disability rights are one of my passions next to library advocacy.
Seswaa again for lunch today! It's kinda-sorta not really growing on me.
This weekend Rachel and I are going to spend furthering our explorations of Molepolole. We might seek out a KFC, the only American fast food chain that has made it here! This might be the only country I have ever been to without a McDonalds! Joy!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Happy Day of the African Child! (Yesterday)
Yesterday I held the first successful children's programming of the summer/winter. For Day of the African Child Rachel and I bought some colored paper and crayons and some biscuits for the kids that showed up after school. There were about 5 total, but I was pleased with the crowd. They all seemed eager for attention and thoroughly enjoyed coloring, looking at books with us and chatting. It's hard because I would love to do tons of crafts with these children, and I know they would love it, but sadly enough crafts are not built into the budget within BNLS. I wish I were rich enough to buy them all the materials, but I'm not! So, I'm going to have to get creative about activities and such without any materials or resources.
Today I finally finished putting all the new books into the Accession Registry, yay! It was interesting to go through the books and become familiar with the publishing companies here, as they are different from the US. I had gotten used to a handful of children's literature publishers from my work logging multicultural books at the CCBC, and not many of the same publishers are producing things over here. It's some African publishers and then also publishers from Britain. One that remains the same though is the ever-reliable Marshall Cavendish! There are also a couple of authors that I've found make the overlap, like they have a Sandra Markle book here, and I found "Sheila Rae, the Brave," by Madison's own Kevin Henke. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem the childrens' collection here is anymore audience-appropriate in regards to cultural representation than in the US. There still seems to be a much higher rate of Caucasian children illustrated than African! Geez!
My patron from last week interested in tourism career resources failed to come in yesterday as he said, so my nice pile of books that I had collected for him had to be re-shelved today. But...yesterday another man did come in interested in our new books (still in boxes, haven't been shelved yet) and asked me when they would be ready to circulate. I checked with Max and they were fair game, and I helped him locate some autobiographies/biographies, the books he was interested in. While I was helping him he asked "Tell me what other services the library offers besides these books?" To which I replied, "I wish I could tell you there were other services, but I'm afraid I can't! What would you like the library to offer?" He of course said the Internet, and I of course said, "Yes, I know, hopefully when the new building is done there will be lots of programs and computers." So sad. I asked Lobohang, a library worker what the hold-up was with the new building, and she told me that they are waiting for the electricity to be installed, and the contractor is refusing to do it until they get the $1 million dollars still owed to them! Yikes! The new building looks like it has such great potential-I wish it could be finished up and ready to be used.
Last night the electricity went off for about 45 minutes. We went over to the main house to sit it out. I guess because of the World Cup South Africa is using much more energy to satisfy it's visitors, and the surrounding countries that get it's electricity from SA are paying the price. Our host brother and mother taught us how to make "paps," a porridge they eat a lot of there, by candlelight! It was hard, there is a lot of stirring and the porridge gets really stiff as it cooks.
We had another interesting cultural exchange the other day with our little host nephew, Atie(4 years). We noticed that he had been grabbing at our breasts, and of course we thought this was entirely inappropriate. However, it seems that it is quite normal. MmaKgosi explained that in Setswana culture breasts are not taboo and its natural for him to want to take them out. Interesting...
It's been freezing here! I'm wearing all my clothes all the time! I never realized how much I cherish indoor heating, installation and weather proof windows!
Today I finally finished putting all the new books into the Accession Registry, yay! It was interesting to go through the books and become familiar with the publishing companies here, as they are different from the US. I had gotten used to a handful of children's literature publishers from my work logging multicultural books at the CCBC, and not many of the same publishers are producing things over here. It's some African publishers and then also publishers from Britain. One that remains the same though is the ever-reliable Marshall Cavendish! There are also a couple of authors that I've found make the overlap, like they have a Sandra Markle book here, and I found "Sheila Rae, the Brave," by Madison's own Kevin Henke. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem the childrens' collection here is anymore audience-appropriate in regards to cultural representation than in the US. There still seems to be a much higher rate of Caucasian children illustrated than African! Geez!
My patron from last week interested in tourism career resources failed to come in yesterday as he said, so my nice pile of books that I had collected for him had to be re-shelved today. But...yesterday another man did come in interested in our new books (still in boxes, haven't been shelved yet) and asked me when they would be ready to circulate. I checked with Max and they were fair game, and I helped him locate some autobiographies/biographies, the books he was interested in. While I was helping him he asked "Tell me what other services the library offers besides these books?" To which I replied, "I wish I could tell you there were other services, but I'm afraid I can't! What would you like the library to offer?" He of course said the Internet, and I of course said, "Yes, I know, hopefully when the new building is done there will be lots of programs and computers." So sad. I asked Lobohang, a library worker what the hold-up was with the new building, and she told me that they are waiting for the electricity to be installed, and the contractor is refusing to do it until they get the $1 million dollars still owed to them! Yikes! The new building looks like it has such great potential-I wish it could be finished up and ready to be used.
Last night the electricity went off for about 45 minutes. We went over to the main house to sit it out. I guess because of the World Cup South Africa is using much more energy to satisfy it's visitors, and the surrounding countries that get it's electricity from SA are paying the price. Our host brother and mother taught us how to make "paps," a porridge they eat a lot of there, by candlelight! It was hard, there is a lot of stirring and the porridge gets really stiff as it cooks.
We had another interesting cultural exchange the other day with our little host nephew, Atie(4 years). We noticed that he had been grabbing at our breasts, and of course we thought this was entirely inappropriate. However, it seems that it is quite normal. MmaKgosi explained that in Setswana culture breasts are not taboo and its natural for him to want to take them out. Interesting...
It's been freezing here! I'm wearing all my clothes all the time! I never realized how much I cherish indoor heating, installation and weather proof windows!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ah, Tuesday. The days go by very slowly here. It was very cold and windy today! I'm on a mission to find a hat. Everyone here is sporting this fuzzy, beret type hat that I'm looking to acquire. The fashion here interests me incredibly. I love how off-handed it is, how people put patterns together that I wouldn't dream of. It's rubbing off...should be interesting how I start dressing when I return home, it might be crazy.
I slept alright, although the quality of my sleep has been on and off here. I find the animals to be incredibly noisy. I really want to love the rooster, but I am finding it difficult. Must you crow so early? At any rate, I'm glad I brought my earplugs.
Tomorrow is "Day of the African Child," and Rachel and I worked this morning to gather materials for a display. I'm also going to pick up some biscuits (cookies) and perhaps a coloring book or two so that we can have a program for the children. Hopefully the weather will be more pleasant, so that we can go outside and play. We have been told by Max that when the children get noisy in the library the adults just leave.
Tonight we were told that the Kgosi is having a visit from a Canadian doctor, should be interesting!
I slept alright, although the quality of my sleep has been on and off here. I find the animals to be incredibly noisy. I really want to love the rooster, but I am finding it difficult. Must you crow so early? At any rate, I'm glad I brought my earplugs.
Tomorrow is "Day of the African Child," and Rachel and I worked this morning to gather materials for a display. I'm also going to pick up some biscuits (cookies) and perhaps a coloring book or two so that we can have a program for the children. Hopefully the weather will be more pleasant, so that we can go outside and play. We have been told by Max that when the children get noisy in the library the adults just leave.
Tonight we were told that the Kgosi is having a visit from a Canadian doctor, should be interesting!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Well, I had a nice, relaxing weekend. Cara came from Mmankgodi on Saturday and stayed the night, so that was nice. We had told the Kgosi that we were anticipating a visit from Cara so we would cook for ourselves, to which he replied, "Oh, if Cara is coming, we will have dinner at the nice table," which we interpreted as them inviting us all for dinner. Well, it turns out that when we arrived for dinner, they thought we were preparing the meal! So we rushed back to our dwelling and were able to throw together a make-shift curry with beans, carrots and cous cous. The kgosi and our host brother Atie seemed to enjoy it, but Mma Kgosi was not so thrilled with the cous cous. Ah well.
The communication problems continued as last night Rachel and I thought we were being asked to go for a "pint," but alas, we were going for a drive to help a friend of our host sister's fix a "punch," meaning flat tire! It was nice just to go for a drive and see the stars out in the country, and Rachel was actually a help for the person as she knows more about changing flat tires than I!
Today at the library I made a bookmark to give to users that has core information on it such as hours, phone number, loan period, and resources available at the library. It looks pretty good! I also included a short blurb explaining the importance of returning materials, as it seems that it is a common problem.
I also started browsing the shelves in hopes to create some sort of booklists for parents and/or educators highlighting some of the resources the library offers. I'm looking forward to finally doing some school visits next week!
The communication problems continued as last night Rachel and I thought we were being asked to go for a "pint," but alas, we were going for a drive to help a friend of our host sister's fix a "punch," meaning flat tire! It was nice just to go for a drive and see the stars out in the country, and Rachel was actually a help for the person as she knows more about changing flat tires than I!
Today at the library I made a bookmark to give to users that has core information on it such as hours, phone number, loan period, and resources available at the library. It looks pretty good! I also included a short blurb explaining the importance of returning materials, as it seems that it is a common problem.
I also started browsing the shelves in hopes to create some sort of booklists for parents and/or educators highlighting some of the resources the library offers. I'm looking forward to finally doing some school visits next week!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Today was exciting because Rachel and I had our first official reference question! Rachel initially approached the man and I followed up and bit and explained who we were and what we are doing here.
His name is Kagiso, and he is currently taking a class on Travel, Tourism and Hospitality. He was looking for information along those lines. The library has a very out-of-date travel book on Botswana, so I offered to bring mine next week for him to take a look at. He also wrote down some other content from his course, mainly Business, Accounting, Communications and Hospitality. I'm hoping to round up some materials for him and create a library believer!
His name is Kagiso, and he is currently taking a class on Travel, Tourism and Hospitality. He was looking for information along those lines. The library has a very out-of-date travel book on Botswana, so I offered to bring mine next week for him to take a look at. He also wrote down some other content from his course, mainly Business, Accounting, Communications and Hospitality. I'm hoping to round up some materials for him and create a library believer!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
It's hard to write this blog on such limited time always! So excuse the fact that they are often not eloquent or proof-read!
Things this week at the library have been going well so far. Rachel and I have been going in at 7:30am the past two days so we can watch them gather and enter their daily statistics regarding issues (check-outs, browsing numbers), registrations and overdues. They have a big overdue problem. Max the librarian told us that there are some 600 books overdue from as far back as 1990! Yikes!
Otherwise we have been working on entering new books into an Accession Registry, basically their inventory. We write each entry in by hand on these huge papers. It is a very slow process and not very orderly. The work culture is very different here, as yesterday Rachel and I were made fun of for "punishing ourselves" by working for an hour and a half straight after lunch without taking a break. So we went into the nearby break room (trailer) and had tea for about an hour before "knocking off" for the day. Not something I am used to!
I asked Dr. Totolo about that this morning when she came by to check in on how we were doing at the library and how things were going at home as well. She explained that that is a slight problem here, and that we should stick to our own routine and work ethic.
I gave her a sheet of ideas that I had been brainstorming for projects to work on during my internship here, and she is going to look them over and tell me what she thinks.
Yesterday we also went to the Molepolole museum and looked at a cultural exhibit that they have there right now. There were lots of beautiful crafts and painting on display.
This morning after our meeting with Dr. Totolo we went to the swearing-in ceremony of the Peace Corps volunteers here in Botswana, about 56 total, and 5 here in Moleps. We mingled and introduced ourselves and tried to network and stick a word in for remembering the libraries and perhaps using them during their stay here. The volunteers 2 years of pledged service make our 2 1/2 months seems so short!
This afternoon we have been invited to one of our kgosi's farms nearby and I am excited about that. I love to look at the scenery around here, it's mostly flat, but always beautiful. The ant hills here are as tall as me!
Things this week at the library have been going well so far. Rachel and I have been going in at 7:30am the past two days so we can watch them gather and enter their daily statistics regarding issues (check-outs, browsing numbers), registrations and overdues. They have a big overdue problem. Max the librarian told us that there are some 600 books overdue from as far back as 1990! Yikes!
Otherwise we have been working on entering new books into an Accession Registry, basically their inventory. We write each entry in by hand on these huge papers. It is a very slow process and not very orderly. The work culture is very different here, as yesterday Rachel and I were made fun of for "punishing ourselves" by working for an hour and a half straight after lunch without taking a break. So we went into the nearby break room (trailer) and had tea for about an hour before "knocking off" for the day. Not something I am used to!
I asked Dr. Totolo about that this morning when she came by to check in on how we were doing at the library and how things were going at home as well. She explained that that is a slight problem here, and that we should stick to our own routine and work ethic.
I gave her a sheet of ideas that I had been brainstorming for projects to work on during my internship here, and she is going to look them over and tell me what she thinks.
Yesterday we also went to the Molepolole museum and looked at a cultural exhibit that they have there right now. There were lots of beautiful crafts and painting on display.
This morning after our meeting with Dr. Totolo we went to the swearing-in ceremony of the Peace Corps volunteers here in Botswana, about 56 total, and 5 here in Moleps. We mingled and introduced ourselves and tried to network and stick a word in for remembering the libraries and perhaps using them during their stay here. The volunteers 2 years of pledged service make our 2 1/2 months seems so short!
This afternoon we have been invited to one of our kgosi's farms nearby and I am excited about that. I love to look at the scenery around here, it's mostly flat, but always beautiful. The ant hills here are as tall as me!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Molepolole Library
Today we went into the library and helped sort some new books from BNLS. We also received our library cards!
I spent some time looking through the children's collection. It is in need of weeding, pronto, although I'm not sure how they will feel about getting rid of books. The newer books they are receiving from BNLS are good material, but they are impossible to find amidst the older materials. Regardless, a bunch of kids came in this afternoon after school and sat quietly reading. Amazing!
Tomorrow morning we are getting there early to see how they process their statistics in the morning from the previous day.
The apartment is fine, although there hasn't been running water, except briefly at 2am when Rachel got and flushed our toilet and filled some buckets.
Dr. Totolo will be coming Thursday afternoon, and hopefully then we can talk to her about our ideas for the library and ways we can move forward this summer.
I spent some time looking through the children's collection. It is in need of weeding, pronto, although I'm not sure how they will feel about getting rid of books. The newer books they are receiving from BNLS are good material, but they are impossible to find amidst the older materials. Regardless, a bunch of kids came in this afternoon after school and sat quietly reading. Amazing!
Tomorrow morning we are getting there early to see how they process their statistics in the morning from the previous day.
The apartment is fine, although there hasn't been running water, except briefly at 2am when Rachel got and flushed our toilet and filled some buckets.
Dr. Totolo will be coming Thursday afternoon, and hopefully then we can talk to her about our ideas for the library and ways we can move forward this summer.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Flexibility is a Virtue
I am writing to you from Molepolole, my new site placement. Last Friday upon visit to Kopong, we realized that the site was not ideal for my internship and it was decided that I should go with Rachel to Moleps for my internship. We are staying in the chief's compound in a two-bedroom apartment to ourselves! It is very comfortable and safe, as no one is going to dare enter the kgosi (chief's) property without permission. Delinquent men are subject to a public "flogging" by the chief! There are orange trees and they also keep bees there so we will have fresh honey. Awesome.
We went to the Molepolole Library this morning and familiarized ourselves a bit with the collection and materials. We helped check in a box of books sent from BNLS and then had a short meeting with Max about the expectations and goals for our time here. He gave us some of the promotional materials they have been using and an outline of programs to be implemented. Here at Moleps they are eagerly awaiting the construction of a new library building. Right now it is only one room, making it difficult to hold programs because of noise created disturbs the patrons that need the space for quiet study. The new library is almost done and features separate rooms for children (0-11), youth (12-30) and adults. Then programming will be much easier.
Right now they also discourage from taking the children outside because they want them to be using the library inside and engaging in reading or puzzles and quiet activities. I am currently trying to think of ideas for library related programs that can be quietly done inside or persuading the library to allow me to take them outside for programs. They usually come in the afternoon so I did not get to see them today. It should be interesting to see how well I will be able to communicate with them. Max is already visiting primary schools to promote library services so I'm hoping that I will be able to go along and see what is being done.
I was given my Setswana name today from a lady in the library, Naledi, meaning "star." It took her just a couple of seconds before she came up with it.
That's all for now!
We went to the Molepolole Library this morning and familiarized ourselves a bit with the collection and materials. We helped check in a box of books sent from BNLS and then had a short meeting with Max about the expectations and goals for our time here. He gave us some of the promotional materials they have been using and an outline of programs to be implemented. Here at Moleps they are eagerly awaiting the construction of a new library building. Right now it is only one room, making it difficult to hold programs because of noise created disturbs the patrons that need the space for quiet study. The new library is almost done and features separate rooms for children (0-11), youth (12-30) and adults. Then programming will be much easier.
Right now they also discourage from taking the children outside because they want them to be using the library inside and engaging in reading or puzzles and quiet activities. I am currently trying to think of ideas for library related programs that can be quietly done inside or persuading the library to allow me to take them outside for programs. They usually come in the afternoon so I did not get to see them today. It should be interesting to see how well I will be able to communicate with them. Max is already visiting primary schools to promote library services so I'm hoping that I will be able to go along and see what is being done.
I was given my Setswana name today from a lady in the library, Naledi, meaning "star." It took her just a couple of seconds before she came up with it.
That's all for now!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Dumela!
Well, there is lots to say and I have limited time at this internet cafe, but I'll see what I can fit in.
We got in Tuesday morning and Professor Mnjama and Dr. Totolo picked us up from the airport. From there they showed us to the graduate student hostel at the University of Botswana that we will be staying in for the week. It is very comfortable and accomodating. Tuesday we spent going to the Riverwalk mall and buying our cell phones and a couple of other things we wanted to pick up for our stay.
Everyone has told us that in Botswana greetings are extremely important, and it has definately proved true. We have spent the last two days meeting everyone!
Yesterday we met the head of the Library Studies department and the Dean of the University, a former librarian. Then we had a morning meeting with the Director of the International Studies Department and a couple of students about Setswana culture and what to expect when we get to our villages. In the afternoon we toured the University of Botswana library with librarian Blessing (cool name, huh?). It was very interesting. It seems that they too have a problem getting students to use their subscription databases instead of Google!
Today we spent the morning meeting EVERYONE at BNLS (Botswana National Library Services), and also me the librarians we will be working with at our village libraries. The commom consensus seems to be that the children in the villages like the libraries to play games, but it has been difficult to get the older community members to visit the libraries. One of our major goals here is to try to come up with ideas and ways to reach those people and bring them in the library.
We had a wonderful tea break and then went to Botswana Craft with Dr. Totolo, which is a huge and awesome craft store and outdoor restaurant. There is a lot of things that I would like to buy, but I'll wait until the end to go back. I tried the traditional food of Seswaa, a beef that is pounded for a long time until it is very tender. It sort of tasted like roast beef. It was delicious!
We also had a quick meeting with the U.S. Embassy representative, Dan. He gave us tons of valuable information on ways to reach the American Embassy and some useful tips for our travels.
Tomorrow we will be visiting all of the libraries we will be stationed at and meeting our host families. Exciting!
My time is running out at this internet cafe, but a quick exciting note is that we saw a monkey the other day cross the street!
Anyways, must go, more later!
We got in Tuesday morning and Professor Mnjama and Dr. Totolo picked us up from the airport. From there they showed us to the graduate student hostel at the University of Botswana that we will be staying in for the week. It is very comfortable and accomodating. Tuesday we spent going to the Riverwalk mall and buying our cell phones and a couple of other things we wanted to pick up for our stay.
Everyone has told us that in Botswana greetings are extremely important, and it has definately proved true. We have spent the last two days meeting everyone!
Yesterday we met the head of the Library Studies department and the Dean of the University, a former librarian. Then we had a morning meeting with the Director of the International Studies Department and a couple of students about Setswana culture and what to expect when we get to our villages. In the afternoon we toured the University of Botswana library with librarian Blessing (cool name, huh?). It was very interesting. It seems that they too have a problem getting students to use their subscription databases instead of Google!
Today we spent the morning meeting EVERYONE at BNLS (Botswana National Library Services), and also me the librarians we will be working with at our village libraries. The commom consensus seems to be that the children in the villages like the libraries to play games, but it has been difficult to get the older community members to visit the libraries. One of our major goals here is to try to come up with ideas and ways to reach those people and bring them in the library.
We had a wonderful tea break and then went to Botswana Craft with Dr. Totolo, which is a huge and awesome craft store and outdoor restaurant. There is a lot of things that I would like to buy, but I'll wait until the end to go back. I tried the traditional food of Seswaa, a beef that is pounded for a long time until it is very tender. It sort of tasted like roast beef. It was delicious!
We also had a quick meeting with the U.S. Embassy representative, Dan. He gave us tons of valuable information on ways to reach the American Embassy and some useful tips for our travels.
Tomorrow we will be visiting all of the libraries we will be stationed at and meeting our host families. Exciting!
My time is running out at this internet cafe, but a quick exciting note is that we saw a monkey the other day cross the street!
Anyways, must go, more later!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Librarianship in Botswana!
Hello readers!
Welcome to my blog that I will be using to relay information on my times and travels in Botswana this summer/winter. I will be working as a library intern in Kopong, Botswana.
I leave in 6 days! Eek! I'm incredibly excited and am very much looking forward to this crazy journey.
Welcome to my blog that I will be using to relay information on my times and travels in Botswana this summer/winter. I will be working as a library intern in Kopong, Botswana.
I leave in 6 days! Eek! I'm incredibly excited and am very much looking forward to this crazy journey.
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