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.
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.
all the latest posting are great and the catching up ones are good too. thanks for the postcard. we think about you all the time and hope to talk with you soon. we tried several times when amy said you would be in an area with coverage, but no luck. we are going on the creeper ride.with kimm martha dan and jodie on oct 17. should be a blast. love dad
ReplyDelete