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.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
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!
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