Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A Few More Thoughts

I am sitting in a meeting room in the capitol, Gabs at a training.  All the 'Life Skills' volunteers are together so Katie and I are apart. :-(  We are apart for 2 weeks then together for 3 days then she has training for 2 weeks and I go back to the village.  Time apart is nice but 4 weeks in too much.  Here are some more thoughts:
  1. Kids and computers-wow, ground zero.  Its like the first man and fire.
  2. I was going to make a cup from a cow skull-the brain cavity, I heard it could be done.  But when I checked the first skull, a mouse ran out. Then I thought, I'll save this for another day...my walk to work is like a bone yard.
  3. Motswana people point with their eyes.
  4. I just watched Paco piss on a toy I made him right in front of me in my front lawn then go on playing with it. (this happened twice, marking his toys?)
  5. A 16 year old girl would sneak out of the school hostels to meet with her boyfriend in the village.  She said he would be waiting with a cup of hot tea (it was winter time) for her.  That was her reason for sneaking out. This is called 'transactional sex'
  6. Hearing about rape of 15 year old girls and boys, its a hard pill to swallow.
  7. Animals; horses and donkeys have their front legs tied together.  I guess this keeps them from wandering too far?
Until next time. We love the comments... 

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Salajwe Clinic

I have been assigned to work at the Salajwe Clinic. The nurse that requested a Peace Corps Volunteer no longer works at the clinic so the staff was unsure of what to make of me when I showed up. I don’t think they knew I was coming. The head nurse Rra Thokwane has worked with several PCVs when he was working in Kopong. At first I was excited but then heard through the grapevine that the last PCV was asked to leave because she was “trying to take over the clinic.” Thankfully it was a different clinic but I will have to find out more details when he gets back from leave.

My clinic has three nurses: two are midwives that assist in maternity, one is a general nurse. Our clinic has no doctor but we do delivery babies. If it is the mother’s first pregnancy or after her 5th pregnancy, she is taken to Molepolole to the hospital. There are nurse’s aids that weight babies and work the dispensary (meds). Botswana has a wonderful system for all children: from the moment they are born, every month for 5 years, they are weighed and given nutritional supplements in the form of food. Any and all meds (from aspirin to Vitamin C to penicillin) are all free. All immunizations, tests, TB meds, HIV testing and counseling, everything. There is a P5 charge for consultation but most are waved.

Our clinic doesn’t have an official PMTCT (Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission of HIV) center but there is a lay counselor who is very hard working. She distributes formula to HIV positive mothers and provides HIV tests and counseling. Her name is Mmantlhogo which means Mrs Head.

Lucas and I have been introduced to the kgosi or chief of the village a few times. His wife is a cleaning lady at the clinic. She has a great sense of humor. She says she wants me to teach her English. I told her I need to learn Segkalegadi if I am gonna try and teach her English. Quite a few people tell me that Setswana and Segkalegadi are just a like and I shouldn’t have trouble communicating. I know for a fact that they are not the same and I am having LOTS of trouble communicating ( not that I can understand their Setswana all that great either).

The gardener is called Lesedilame which means My Light (my name is Lesedi which means light. Lame is the possessive pronoun, it’s complicated…). Thankfully she goes by Sedilame. I plan on doing some work with her. The Home Base Care is a group of volunteers that go to the homes of those patients who are too weak to travel to the clinic (a lot are PLWHA [people living with HIV AIDS]) . HBC provides care and nutrition to these people until they recover. There is a plot of land that is designated for the HBC to grow vegetables to take to the patients. But the plot has been neglected and needs attention. I am hoping to team with Sedilame and start a garden using compost and planting seeds of both summer and winter vegetables so that HBC has food to take to patients all year long.

For those of you who are thinking, I didn’t think Africa got cold enough for winter, you are mistaken. Since we got to Salajwe I have been freezing! And our concrete house keeps in the cold really well. I sleep in wool socks, sweat pants, sweatshirt, in my 45F sleeping bag, under the covers. I eat breakfast in sweats and another down jacket on top of my sweatshirt. And I have to wear a skirt to work! I don’t think the winter lasts very long but it’s pretty brutal while its here.
Thus far I have been shadowing staff and started learning simple things like how to clean medical tools, filling vitamin packs, and weighing babies. My Setswana is still so poor, I think it will be a while before I can communicate with patients. But I’m making my way forward. I have started bringing up condom use when Birth Control Pills are distributed. Women are reluctant to use them because their partners don’t like them. Men are defiantly going to be a big focus group for me here. Only I don’t think they will listen to a foreign white girl so I need to find a male counterpart to be my leader.

Lesedi’s Shadowing Trip-Werda







Yet another make up entry. Sorry this has taken me so long to get together. You have most likely read Lucas (Kabo) shadowing trip in Maitengwe. Here is the account of my trip to Werda.
I traveled with fellow PC trainee Katia (Maine) to Werda where we met with Nichole from Bots 6. Because she is from Bots 6, she is just 13 days short of going back to the US. Nichole works in the clinic as part of the S&CD office (social work office). The first day we sat in on a meeting in Setswana that we did not understand in the least. And it was long. It was all we could do to stay awake (our day started at 4 am). We are taken on a tour of the clinic. Werda is a small village, only about 3000 people but the clinic is very nice. Complete with working computer (no internet, but still…).
Nichole introduces us to her dog Calvin. She got Calvin during training so he’s been with her the whole time. Nichole lives in a small duplex but it’s new so everything is real clean. She was moved to the house after she had to be removed from her clinic staff compound as it was infested with bats. Nichole was very helpful in sharing her knowledge that she had learned since arriving in Botswana. Werda is a very sandy village. It is located on the South African border in the south Kalahari Desert. Because sand has the ability to get into the water system, Nichole suggested we filter our water as she was diagnosed with kidney stones within 6 months of moving to site. Katia and I picked her brain about budgeting and travels. And she taught us how to make pizza!
The next day was ARV day (HIV meds distributed). Apparently it is a hectic day so we took a ride (or two via back of a truck) down to Dry Hook where a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) from Bots 6 had built a library at the primary school with donations and grant requests. With her was fellow Peace Corps trainee Alex (WashDC). Together we helped wrap books for the library. On Saturday Alex and PCV traveled down to Werda were Nichole took us to an amazing campground that served us coffee and scones. Everything at the campsite was hand built by a retired couple. That night, Nichole took us to a going away party for a clinic staff member. The party was at a house (reminded me of an old college house party) but was layed out very professionally. There was a handout, speakers, prayer, the whole bit. Thanks were given to the leaving staff member then food was served. Afterwards the real party started. There was a DJ and dancing in the sand in front of the house. It was like nothing I’d experienced before.

Washington DC (Make Up)

For those of you just joining our blog, I made the mistake of deleting the Washington DC entry. Here is an attempt to catch everyone up on what happened at the onset of our 27 months in Botswana.

April 17 Lucas and I get up early to head to the GSO airport. We have not had much sleep as we were up late saying last minute goodbyes to family and friends. We land in DC before 8 am and haul 80 lbs (each) of luggage to the hotel. As people start piling into the lobby, we begin to introduce ourselves to other PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers). About four hours later, we started the paperwork, meet and greet part of the show. I am well outside of my comfort zone (Lucas is indulging in it) as we go through ice breakers and Peace Corps policy for about 7 hours. Our group is very diverse with 9 couples and 1/3 is over the age of 50. There are 5 of us from NC and 3 from MN, 3 nurses, 3 teachers and a lawyer (who, it turned out tried her first murder case on court TV).

We hit up DC for dinner for our last night in the US for over two years! Unfortunately, service is bad the food is worse. We repack our things and Lucas notices his camera is broken. And we haven’t even started…So the next morning we rush to a FedEx and mail his camera (to be fixed) and my cell phone (won’t need it where I’m going) to parents.

Five hours before our flight takes off, we load up to head for the airport (minus Peace Corps staff mind you, we are on our own). Hope nothing goes wrong…

Well besides security taking my toothpaste (yet they leave the hair cutting scissors…Why?), all 60 of us make it through. We fill up on pizza and ice cream before heading off to Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 15 hour flight is not so bad (longest Lucas has ever spent in an airplane). I was on Quantas flight for 16 hrs from L.A. to Sydney, Australia. Believe it or not, South African Airlines is better. In a row of 4 seats, only 3 passengers were assigned so everyone has a little extra room. Every passenger has their own TV where they can operate music, movies, games (including poker), and travel (in flight time, ETA, live feed cameras from under, in front and above the plane and satellite shots of where the sun/dark is on the earth…cool, etc). Once we land, we are herded through customs and meet up with Peace Corps staff once more. After a quick meal (there is Subway and KFC but we opted for something we’ve never had before), and money exchange, we move to hotel to recuperate. Next morning we eat breakfast (lots of questions about food and drinks but everything was sooo good) and load the bus to drive to Gaborone, Botswana. We had to de-board, and physically walk across the S. Africa/Botswana boarder and get our past ports stamped. We are finally in host country! Peace Corps puts us up in a beautiful, yet touristy Safari Lodge just outside of Gaborone. There are paintings and sculpture of safari animals everywhere (complete with testicles). Here we begin our Setswana and Peace Corps training.

Nonyane (Setswana for Bird)

This is a basket that one of Katies work friends gave to her for free. Its made from plastic bags wraped around reeds. It's so cool. Katie plans to learn the traid!!









So Lucas caught a bird and we named it Nonyane. This is an older story. Lucas ran home at lunch one day when he came upon a gathering of 5 dead birds on the ground. They were a group of immature beautiful birds. Each bird had its long tail feathers pulled out (for jewelry we are assuming). He saw the 5 one was alive and tried to catch it but it hopped throught a fench and out of his reach. He couldn’t get the though of that cruelty out of his head. So on the way back form the host family he say a 6th bird that was alive and managed to capture it. Lucas took him back to training that day and held him for the next few house until class was over then brought him home.
At first I was unsure about keeping a live bird but it soon grew on me. He never chirped. There’s a good chance he would have been eaten by all the stray dogs if Lucas had left him (the next day all the others were gone). So we made him a cozy little shoebox nest to live in. At first we thought his legs were broken because he never could stand up well. I think missing tail feathers was a balance problem. Anything that was in his box (sticks, sock, bottle cap w/ water in it) he would climb and crap all over.
Everyday after training we would check to make sure he was still alive and in the box. Each time Nonyane would pull a disappearing act and escape from his box. It took us a few minutes to find him each time too. We chose to keep out little pet a secret from our host family. I have heard stories of other trainees sharing pictures of pet cats and dogs. Its culturally very unusual to let cats and dogs (not to mention birds) inside the house, in the bed, hugging and holding them. I don’t think they pet their animals ever.
One day after school, we found him on the concrete floor near dead. Even though it was warm outside, these concrete floors stay cold. Even if I’m sweating, our host mother will make me put on shoes when I’m inside the house. Anyway, Lucas carried him around inside his shirt to bring his temperature back up while I made pizza for the host family.
He started to warm up but wasn’t going to make another night unless he ate and drank something. Lucas broke down an ink pen and used the casing as a bottle to feed Nonyane a mixture of bogobe (dry sorghum porridge) and water. He devoured it. It looked like he was going to make it just fine. Lucas decided to sleep with the bird in his sleeping bag so he wouldn’t get cold.
Lucas: I was doing great with him by my side at the start. Then I put him on my belly. Then I put him back by my side. Then I set him out away from my body but still in my bag so I could move a little bit to sleep. When I woke the next time I moved him to my belly because he felt cold. As I moved him my thoughts wondered why he felt like he did. After a bit I shined my head lamp on him and found he had died. One leg was sprawled out and his head was turned and his mouth was open. There is a good chance I squashed him…I’m just acting like it was his time to go. The next day I packed him in his box, careful not to let Katie see and put him under the bathwater pot to be cremated. Katie almost cried, I felt awful. ;(
In the middle of the night Lucas woke me up to let me know Nonyane had died =( There might be a slight chance Lucas squashed him in his sleep. We only had him a few days but I took his death kinda hard. I think somewhere there is a lesson learned but I’m not sure what it is. I think we want another bird…In loving memory of Nonyane R.I.P.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You







A huge thanks to all you guys who sent packages. This is a little premature as we have just started getting boxes but I couldn't wait to send out our gratitude (updates to be expected).

Chris and Cameron (mom and dad)

Thank you so much for all the food and seasoning mixes. You obviously had our interest in mind when picking out food and recipes. I am so excited for the choc chip cookies. And the muffins. We don't have a muffin tins but are going to get some just for the occasion. I almost teared up when I saw the smore stuff. Brownie mix, bread mix, alfredo, OMG! Thanks for finding my kilt pins and always, thank you for the tampons!!!! Oh, the chip clips were genius.

Amy and Bryson

We were so happy that you got the seeds through customs. I can't wait to plant tomatoes. The magazine is perfect for keeping up with American gossip, movies, news. The gum was great. We are so jacked for the soup mixes and seasonings (I think taco is the best. But I do love white chicken chili). And of course, the tampons!!!

Miranda, Andy, Charlotte

We finally got the box. Mac & Cheese, genius! Fruit snacks, genius! Thank you so much for the gum, pictures, and letter. I was too happy to see the Ranch packet mixes. You are too sweet. Thank you for all your consideration and support.

Latest Updates: We got more boxes....=)

Amy and Bryson

You guys are too much. Pictures, candy, the fun never stops. We went through the licorice already. You scored big points with Lucas for the Werther's candy. Thank you so much for the eye liner pens. I totally for got where I was when I ate the 3 Musketeers bar. Thank you so much for all your generocity!

Joyce and Peterson Family

Thank you very much for all the toys. I can't wait to see how the kids handle the beach ball. Old Maid, Uno, and paddle ball are great. Thanks for all the candy. We triedto pace ourselves but it's hard in the desert. We loved hearing updates from everyone. Hope Sarah and the baby are doing well!

quick pics

The toy wire cars that the kids make here.
I'm going to learn how to make them, kid teaching teacher!
This Donkey has his legs tied together so he won't go to far. :(
Us at some pictographs.
A bee hive in a pit toilet...cool.
Huge spider in our lodge room.
Tortes outside

Millipede as long as my foot and as big as a hotdog!!
Little lizard I caught in my yard

First time online in weeks...and

So we are in Moleps for the first time in weeks and I'm ready to put all this stuff online. All these pre-typed blog entries and pictures and it was going to be sweet. Well, over here there are viruses on like every computer so I couldn't even open my flash drive to get the stuff so i'm a little angry. Any way thats life. I have to reformat and start over ;{ NOt all bad. I'll tell you a few little anticdotes from Salajwe that I have been joting down as I go throught the day. Straight from my little note book:
  1. If you have dead mosquitos in your bath water you are a Botswana PCV.
  2. Some kids wear soccer cleats to shcool, it's their only shoes.
  3. I showed Onkometse how to drill with a hand drill and had him hang 3 hook on the cealing from my shoulders.
  4. Bring hand sanatizer when working with 63 small kids that love to touch you.
  5. "If you don't give the little kids a bath room break they urinate on the floor." -teacher
  6. Every kid has a razor blade or some sharp piece of metal to sharpen their pencil.
  7. Katie was cleaning wax out of her ear and pulled out a dead mosquito. They are every where here.
  8. Laughing and carrying on when Paco (3) whips it out and pisses off our porch right where everyone walk. No need to be shy, I think he took it hard when I scolded him and told him trees where better for peeing on.
  9. In the states you can get by with not knowing your eating an animal but here you see the chicken you're eating every day, you see what they eat and how they move and what they do. There isn't many steps between seeing something eating...and eating that something.
  10. Many more Americans would be vegetarian if they had to kill their own meat...fact.
This is just a taste of what I have pondered in my time here. More to come.
Lucas...we love the coments, we read them and know that people are reading what we write. Thanks.