Week 111: Kindness

The past two years have been filled with many challenges, misunderstandings, and heartbreak as I tried to work in an arguably broken education system. However, I cannot begin to count all of the moments of laughter, love, and kindness that I was a part of and that were shown to me. Grading papers and looking at end of term test results can make me want to throw my hands up and admit defeat. Then I go home to find my landlady in her beautiful garden insisting that I take some fresh greens. Her definition of ‘some’ turns out to be enough greens to have me eating Merogo (Setswana vegetable) all week and I am reminded again why I am not ready to give up. I want to do the best I can for her children and her grandchildren. I want to repay the kindnesses shown to me in the best way I know how, through reading. The end of term test results may not show the work I have done but I know my time in Moshana has been beneficial to those around me and most significantly myself. 

The 'greens' my landlady shared with me, and Lefa being sassy in the back.

Week 110: Lefa, Lungile, Tetlo, and Kate to Name a Few

It was not until I arrived in Botswana that I came to the realization that I am not a kid person. I have babysat for many families and always loved the kids and translated those specific relationships to broad statements about how I like kids. However, I have had the privilege of forming close relationships with a few kids here that will make it incredibly hard to say goodbye. Lungile and Kate have both been born since my arrival and now I cannot imagine my days without their smiling giggling faces. We have full conversations with only noises that always end in giggles. Tetlo has lived in the house behind mine but only recently started to trust me and Lefa has been my friend longer than I have been hers. These four children always make me smile, laugh, and of course drive me a little crazy but they are a part of my day and I do not know what I will do without them. 

Lungile on a regular Monday afternoon, hanging out in my doorway while I do the dishes and surreptitiously take his photo.

Week 109: A New Baby

In so many ways I will always be an outsider here and yet this is my community. I am accepted and I am loved. On my run today a few neighborhood kids ran after me telling me about a woman who had a baby. Between their English and my Setswana there were a few holes in the story. It wasn’t until I was on my way home from the run that the story came together and I paid a visit to my friend who just had a baby and who sent the kids to find me. As I sat in her home holding her new baby and hearing about her first reactions to motherhood I felt like I had been invited into an intimate moment. Her accommodation may be modest but her priorities are seen in the new fuzzy cloths for her baby and her smart phone. I left feeling grateful to the people who have let me into their hearts.

Week 108: Village Pictures

My House!

The Clinic

The Kgotla (Traditional Meeting Place)

Week 107: Weddings

This week I had the privilege of attending a friend's wedding and here is a photo of me in a traditional skirt that married women wear to weddings. It was made as a gift for me, even though everyone is aware that I am not actually married.

Week 106: Sister Visit No. 3!

I am extremely lucky to have had each of my family member's visit me at various times in my service. This week brought the last of my sisters!