tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35896751799016254632024-03-19T03:00:00.717-07:00DLA in the LTKThe contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect the position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-18730356059992529402012-06-29T10:37:00.002-07:002012-06-29T10:37:53.167-07:00Now-nowI just saw another volunteer post this comment to her blog:<br />
<br />
"Living in Botswana you have a different sense of time. For instance,
if someone says we are leaving “soon”, that means we are leaving in the
next 3 hours. If we are leaving “now”, it means at least a 45-minute
wait. If we are leaving “now now” we are leaving in the next 10 minutes,
and you better be in the vehicle because they will leave without you. This whole “now now” business drives me crazy. I want to shout “But
now means now!” I hate people saying we should meet at 2, and then not
showing up until 2:45"<br />
<br />
Reading this made me laugh, and reflect on how many times I've been frustrated with the difference between the cultures in how we view time. Everything runs a little slower here, but as a chronically late person even in the US, I have come to enjoy knowing that no matter how late I am here, someone else will be even later than me. It is NOT fun to attend meetings at 8am only to have them begin at 9am, or 10am (or 11am... or later) -- but this far in I know what to expect and I am no longer surprised. I also love saying the phrase "now-now", which used to mean just "now" in the US, but here in Bots you need extra emphasis to show you <i>really</i> mean NOW!<br />
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Here's a shout out to someone if they are reading... </div>
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Congratulations to my mom’s friend Forrest at Klahowya on his
graduation, and happy belated 21st birthday! Way to go Forrest!</div>Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-89642890501297175222012-06-05T11:45:00.000-07:002012-06-05T11:46:33.381-07:00Handing Over a HouseThis past weekend I attended a very moving ceremony in a village about 45 km from mine. In this village called Maboane there was a Peace Corps Volunteer, Jeanne Davey, for 2 years - in fact, she ended service and left her village today. The ceremony taking place was a "Handing Over of a House" event -- and it was, quite literally, opening the doors and handing over a newly constructed house to a local family. The building of this home began with Jeanne. She wrote a grant to pull in funding from the US and from community members for construction, and from start to finish the project took about 1 year.<br />
<br />
This whole event was extremely touching for all attending. Not only was this house created for a very impoverished family -- a blind grandmother, 3 daughters, and at least 15 grandchildren (some orphaned) that actually had no shelter and were sleeping and living outdoors -- it was pushed thru to completion by community members working together despite many difficult circumstances. And so, this was truly a wonderful story about a community here in Botswana.<br />
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Seeing this was also a big deal for me personally, from a Peace Corps Volunteer perspective. I'd met Jeanne only recently, and at that time she told me about trying to raise money to hopefully complete a house before leaving. The next time I saw her she informed me, still shocked herself, that the money was raised and the house was built (and the building only began in early April!). She invited me to the ceremony and I knew I couldn't miss it. To everyone this is a community success story, but to me, it is also a Peace Corps success story. It really is remarkable that Jeanne got this going after seeing the basic need of a local family (which by the way is still heartbreaking to think about), and more importantly, was able to come thru for them. I'm so happy to have met Jeanne, to have seen what she accomplished, and to have been able to celebrate in her community with her. It was one of those days where I felt pride being part of Peace Corps, because despite what I may be feeling about my own service and accomplishments, there are Volunteers around the globe struggling to get things done but still doing amazing things. These successes often feel like my own in some way, and so it is great to see and share those moments with other Volunteers.<br />
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Congrats again, Jeanne, if you're reading! And thanks for all the inspiration you've given me.<br />
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Here's some photos from the event!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JTht-JP_-8KrPTPxlVkenztQgKuoyPoL9r17AaJ2FjqX_2h3JYFYDNt6VhVdcRE-PmxvlsTiTDAnzW3CKIkoRk2z2uEbkQxJQLfirIyw8LICdvnFet_dpXc08xIsHSxoQC9K4cK7FHo0/s1600/_DSC0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JTht-JP_-8KrPTPxlVkenztQgKuoyPoL9r17AaJ2FjqX_2h3JYFYDNt6VhVdcRE-PmxvlsTiTDAnzW3CKIkoRk2z2uEbkQxJQLfirIyw8LICdvnFet_dpXc08xIsHSxoQC9K4cK7FHo0/s320/_DSC0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jeanne speaking at the ceremony, thanking all the contributing community partners</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg9oBIcB4bn40JDGrfI_FZX2-Tvuwad2Gii_T2irvC52CzoKROR6az3mxN1hYbELPejAo8nNGI_gazY8sZCoYJLK5cbmnZU7_aQX-HN012hD6z3VO0mInWe4JrdE9q8OyuWcoz6PAuKhm/s1600/_DSC0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg9oBIcB4bn40JDGrfI_FZX2-Tvuwad2Gii_T2irvC52CzoKROR6az3mxN1hYbELPejAo8nNGI_gazY8sZCoYJLK5cbmnZU7_aQX-HN012hD6z3VO0mInWe4JrdE9q8OyuWcoz6PAuKhm/s320/_DSC0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Community members gathered around the house for the ribbon cutting part of the ceremony.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqz0LA_F45XTz-1dkuTzteGbw6aYVElyFmHRepPzV-dlD9fYTLXckIxDkIqVL0opPbz1PcmGHZqA4PU8XQ3nd2Bqw0kr01NJevXW12L6-_F4KNHQ0xkW9t7T8QGluuq5YXDBvsGXU_rKX1/s1600/_DSC0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqz0LA_F45XTz-1dkuTzteGbw6aYVElyFmHRepPzV-dlD9fYTLXckIxDkIqVL0opPbz1PcmGHZqA4PU8XQ3nd2Bqw0kr01NJevXW12L6-_F4KNHQ0xkW9t7T8QGluuq5YXDBvsGXU_rKX1/s320/_DSC0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tents set up on the compound next to the house, where everyone was seated for the speeches</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpbLw1I8HkaMzlhvjdCOWQYnizMyHR8N03GRVFnOuHWp3d_08QT5oIxABa0UbaOk3EZ9oM7qRd7lV0q0n1Up9R3D7PbXbYiv-iEMcGkDZ0dUQLQZOydIqukqpEwExAlKRGXcsY7Dy3W2L/s1600/_DSC0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpbLw1I8HkaMzlhvjdCOWQYnizMyHR8N03GRVFnOuHWp3d_08QT5oIxABa0UbaOk3EZ9oM7qRd7lV0q0n1Up9R3D7PbXbYiv-iEMcGkDZ0dUQLQZOydIqukqpEwExAlKRGXcsY7Dy3W2L/s320/_DSC0083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One area where the family 19+ members used to sleep outside</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZNJ-sdi5vyQ37Z5AmOk-4_o4AaFU7tA61FnWEr3FgW079evDI-wos8svxFKIAD0NTQG2iv_wysZg7Rk2PWl5giEZFDwff5PvHU1hePlAQHbtfiq5d9G33bf4xWeBDiRrP0i31-Qg88db/s1600/_DSC0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZNJ-sdi5vyQ37Z5AmOk-4_o4AaFU7tA61FnWEr3FgW079evDI-wos8svxFKIAD0NTQG2iv_wysZg7Rk2PWl5giEZFDwff5PvHU1hePlAQHbtfiq5d9G33bf4xWeBDiRrP0i31-Qg88db/s320/_DSC0084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another structure used for shelter by the family</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTcztsKTe3pzzhLvCkqJNzRe4D_aRnKlWgVA2pTbtJh_97SnVl513vBBElgoz_KG6wmV4sqn2BpdFZkzuepDYyfGGHzAQM_3nKlGz2_TmjpHgLYDeH8ofKxIQLiFyF2gYH-axqOohD84E/s1600/_DSC0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTcztsKTe3pzzhLvCkqJNzRe4D_aRnKlWgVA2pTbtJh_97SnVl513vBBElgoz_KG6wmV4sqn2BpdFZkzuepDYyfGGHzAQM_3nKlGz2_TmjpHgLYDeH8ofKxIQLiFyF2gYH-axqOohD84E/s320/_DSC0088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The family's new home!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOqyrqkUPXYgSIb-rbd5yjEDdxA-2CsJ3aEYgXsTNzi3DBexl_HnrgH0DMjN6COf0TSrwyahofCDMU9pM62BVOGN0kZPbBcLzja0O2gXN3hUaFPVSgauBot8Qli2PyjTiu7PPc8QU4WMP/s1600/_DSC0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOqyrqkUPXYgSIb-rbd5yjEDdxA-2CsJ3aEYgXsTNzi3DBexl_HnrgH0DMjN6COf0TSrwyahofCDMU9pM62BVOGN0kZPbBcLzja0O2gXN3hUaFPVSgauBot8Qli2PyjTiu7PPc8QU4WMP/s320/_DSC0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jeanne and one of the family members in front of the new house</span></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_379514083"></span><span id="goog_379514084"></span><br />
Also, our Country Director sent us a link to the US Embassy in Botswana Facebook page (who knew they had a Facebook page??) highlighting Jeanne's project -- there are more photos there as well -- this is the webpage: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/U.S.EmbassyGaborone" target="_blank">US Embassy, Gaborone</a><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-37333630027279727632012-05-28T03:41:00.003-07:002012-05-28T03:48:12.127-07:00Memorial DayJust posting an article about veterans currently serving as Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana (a Huffington Post piece, written by another volunteer). Some things I found interesting were the similarities and differences between serving in Peace Corps and the military, as noted by the veterans during interviews.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ross-szabo/peace-corps_b_1542138.html" target="_blank">The Few, The Proud: Military Veterans in the Peace Corps</a><br />
<br />Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-13907632397396353972012-05-22T11:04:00.000-07:002012-05-22T11:04:19.941-07:00Phakela le Bosigo (Morning and Night)<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just adding some sunrise and sunset photos from my village - I thought they were too nice not to share...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBGp8c6kRq7F9AhVYjM0AsT_PshN1FZYXk5xcip0A0RzOY1xddmqLA_FZAf-HExQTCOyHzJJl_N-Q_raXPXXt3gHmnnVWM6hWr6ffNuHWPOGNpYMYl_yOtQ4apmgxTaBMWtVaeXqFG-uW/s1600/_DSC0001+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBGp8c6kRq7F9AhVYjM0AsT_PshN1FZYXk5xcip0A0RzOY1xddmqLA_FZAf-HExQTCOyHzJJl_N-Q_raXPXXt3gHmnnVWM6hWr6ffNuHWPOGNpYMYl_yOtQ4apmgxTaBMWtVaeXqFG-uW/s1600/_DSC0001+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunrise - the view from inside my compound looking out.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IFPDhx3lOfZnRnwp5lX9rCHRrJgMwM4nRdpVzPnS78TjdreVeINdr9VyP_v6uSyo07eihKXkiZ_jVOgzqI40vjiuOnlgzlFBMBkRqzhMMQU5RtiEAqGleAQAlbQfUb-lHOD-b2CtRqG9/s1600/DSCN2285+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IFPDhx3lOfZnRnwp5lX9rCHRrJgMwM4nRdpVzPnS78TjdreVeINdr9VyP_v6uSyo07eihKXkiZ_jVOgzqI40vjiuOnlgzlFBMBkRqzhMMQU5RtiEAqGleAQAlbQfUb-lHOD-b2CtRqG9/s1600/DSCN2285+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Almost sunset - this is walking on the road towards my house.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-45942715457737885922012-05-07T12:04:00.000-07:002012-05-07T12:15:31.058-07:00Baithaopi ba dira eng? (What are volunteers doing?)I can hardly believe I haven't written an update in 2 months already! The
time is really passing here. I've been meaning to write something
about what volunteers do in Botswana, so I think I'll start there...<br />
<br />
First, let me list the 3 goals of Peace Corps:<br />
<br />
1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for
trained men and women.<br />
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the
peoples served.<br />
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of
Americans.<br />
<br />
This is very broad, which is why what Peace Corps Volunteers do in one
country is not necessarily what they would do in another - the program is designed around each countries' needs. The Peace Corps-Botswana program is a good example of this. Volunteers first entered the country in 1966 (shortly after independence) and
continued coming until 1997, at which time Peace Corps withdrew based on
Botswana's economic success. At the request of the president, the program re-opened
in 2003 and volunteers began to serve with the specific focus in HIV/AIDS. This
is the goal of Peace Corps in Botswana to-date, though volunteers serve in
different roles, e.g.:<br />
<br />
1. Life-Skills Volunteers - these volunteers are placed in schools<br />
2. Community Capacity Building Volunteers - these volunteers are placed with
a clinic or a social work office<br />
3. District-Level Volunteers - these volunteers are placed with a District
AIDS Coordinating Office (DAC Volunteers) or a District Health Management Team
(DHMT Volunteers).<br />
<br />
For those that don't know, I've been placed with the DHMT for my
sub-district, Kweneng West. This office currently oversees 25 rural health
facilities (clinics and health posts) and reports directly to the Ministry of
Health every month. This is called my "primary assignment" and it is
where I spend 3-4 full days working each week.<br />
<br />
So you probably want to know what I <i>really </i>do? As a Peace Corps
Volunteer in Botswana, my role is not to do a 'job' (i.e. I am not fulfilling a
position a host-country national could have); rather the intent is to assist
with work and train where possible. For the DHMT as a whole I try to improve
organization and management, and I assist individual members with using the
computers, improving presentations, writing reports, compiling monthly data
from the facilities, etc. - whatever I feel I can help with.<br />
<br />
To be honest, this is not the role I expected to have - I don't think any
volunteer imagined working in a government office when they signed up for Peace
Corps! But I have a good opportunity here -- a greater opportunity to learn
than to teach, really, because 11 months into service I still feel like I'm
trying to figure out the way things work! And I cannot fix the systemic problems
I see but simply focus on the small-scale help I think I can offer.<br />
<br />
<br />
In case you're interested...<br />
<br />
Here is more about what volunteers do globally -<br />
<a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatvol" target="_blank">What do volunteers do - Peace Corps website</a><br />
<br />
And here is more about volunteering in Botswana -<br />
<a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.wherepc.africa&cntry=botswana" target="_blank">PC Botswana Program</a><br />
<a href="http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Botswana" target="_blank">PC Botswana
WIKI</a><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-76574628956865450422012-03-08T09:06:00.000-08:002012-03-08T09:14:46.386-08:00Ngwana wa Obama (Child of Obama)<span style="font-size: small;">In many foreign countries Americans are not always well received, but in
Botswana it’s different. People here generally have a very positive view of
Americans, which is great news for us! One little detail that’s helped us out
has been good ol’ Barack being President. Since he has roots in Africa, many
Africans claim him as their own, or at least display a great deal of fondness towards him. I saw this in Kenya (intensely so, as
this was his father’s country of origin) and have experienced this several times in
Botswana. Just today I was given a lift in my village by a man who asked where I was from. When I replied, “The U.S.”, he said to me “Ohhh. Ngwana wa Obama" with an approving nod and smile.
Then we carried on with small talk and I answered a few questions he had about the U.S. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Many people in Botswana know a ton about America, especially
in urban areas. It’s common to hear about people having studied at a
university (for instance, many high ranking government officials) and lived or
traveled there. But even in smaller places, bits of American culture permeate
the everyday lives of people: American shows will show up on late night
television; American news is often on the radio; and American music artists are constantly being played (I can hear
American R&B and rap music every day on the radio…and the family I live on the compound with
LOVE to blast Dolly Parton from their cars). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It’s in the smaller areas, however, where
misconceptions of the U.S. can thrive (many are quite hilarious). There is little known or understood about its’ diversity and complexity, or the fact that not <i>everyone </i>has as much money as Jay-Z, etc. Sometimes I find myself frustrated, falling into thinking, “Why don’t they GET me?” But really, how could they? They cannot possibly understand where I come from - they are
processing the information they are given. And while most people in America think
Africa is a country and not a continent and/or can't name 1 country in the continent, at least people in a tiny village
called Letlhakeng will name our President. So it’s our opportunity as Peace
Corps volunteers to fill in the gaps in knowledge about our country as best we can… and I guess what I’m
saying is… thanks Obama for the conversation starter!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">ALSO, I tried to find some information on US-Botswana relations... all I could easily find was a tiny bit on Wikipedia: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana%E2%80%93United_States_relations" target="_blank">US-Botswana information</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And there is this piece about our Ambassador to Botswana, written by a Peace Corps Volunteer who had the opportunity to shadow one of her trips in-country: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ross-szabo/us-ambassador-michelle-gavin_b_1212294.html" target="_blank">Huffington Post - Michelle Gavin</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lastly, some Peace Corps-Botswana info: <a href="http://botswana.usembassy.gov/peace-corps.html" target="_blank">US Embassy- Peace Corps</a> </span></div>Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-71142178077287551412012-02-29T03:35:00.003-08:002012-02-29T08:43:02.067-08:00Dikwalo (Letters)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Do YOU like writing letters? Do you like ME? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If
you answered YES to either of the questions above, you should send me a
letter! Really, just a letter! I have everything I need in
Botswana, but I love to hear from people back home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here is my address: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Diana Arper, PCV</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">District Health Management Team, RAC</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Private Bag 003</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Letlhakeng, Botswana</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is where it all comes ... it's the happiest place in town.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1bFj2KrEdjcASAXEHpPdluoA01DpYEnXM1qGqA0YSPa7CChiRErxSe_qaijOjWH0NBJt3WZp4ptvxP_yBiCuJ79j-slUBECIHtfFcz9eXT939UsJm-8w78MFDJpbNA2NBMvAEET7nQ2L/s1600/_DSC0116.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1bFj2KrEdjcASAXEHpPdluoA01DpYEnXM1qGqA0YSPa7CChiRErxSe_qaijOjWH0NBJt3WZp4ptvxP_yBiCuJ79j-slUBECIHtfFcz9eXT939UsJm-8w78MFDJpbNA2NBMvAEET7nQ2L/s1600/_DSC0116.JPG" /></a></div>
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I love getting a parcel notification. See how happy it makes me!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Gqcq7TTW49U2E95Ng0ayMTnzC828rR32j6d_hsY9RHIbSnhXb_Qnycknf7QcM_jbyS2a_YqPwM9PPs7P1QA3HRds2GjhXQgn0m5Hupv2y0ZzOsUG4t0N1h2K8XtfShLu9i7e8uc-MCl/s1600/_DSC0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Gqcq7TTW49U2E95Ng0ayMTnzC828rR32j6d_hsY9RHIbSnhXb_Qnycknf7QcM_jbyS2a_YqPwM9PPs7P1QA3HRds2GjhXQgn0m5Hupv2y0ZzOsUG4t0N1h2K8XtfShLu9i7e8uc-MCl/s1600/_DSC0118.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">By the way, my sister sent treats for my dog Bert in her last package. I needed to post some pictures for her to see how much he enjoyed them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here's what happened...</span><br />
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Sniff sniff...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJASEx29diz55B7POWLyW4SU0wmxaWj4I7DAOFzRTgzvFWaSZg4KDe2hjm-XpKqUOP2OT_ogrAl3J-9vYojPE9WQRV0czWXIyp09zsRKF3s9X_SXJ31Q-1GQVpOCWYKV82yXBq71wiuC0/s1600/_DSC0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJASEx29diz55B7POWLyW4SU0wmxaWj4I7DAOFzRTgzvFWaSZg4KDe2hjm-XpKqUOP2OT_ogrAl3J-9vYojPE9WQRV0czWXIyp09zsRKF3s9X_SXJ31Q-1GQVpOCWYKV82yXBq71wiuC0/s400/_DSC0122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Still sniffing...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB9A5oGNMSC5gbWIgsYT698oA_bMc-NFxaLKj75oVCghPO9Ik-sYDYNR0oDAhZr7FdcAfldGAFMbruhJ_rH1WgEdTIuquk90IkVV32mpB-wcq_DGkRLI6RtoxuUuKdYG0GnhQD2ZDm30a/s1600/_DSC0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB9A5oGNMSC5gbWIgsYT698oA_bMc-NFxaLKj75oVCghPO9Ik-sYDYNR0oDAhZr7FdcAfldGAFMbruhJ_rH1WgEdTIuquk90IkVV32mpB-wcq_DGkRLI6RtoxuUuKdYG0GnhQD2ZDm30a/s400/_DSC0123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Got it.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LqjC3uCuzk/T04E7LeBESI/AAAAAAAAAWw/JSVICHFbDCo/s1600/_DSC01212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LqjC3uCuzk/T04E7LeBESI/AAAAAAAAAWw/JSVICHFbDCo/s320/_DSC01212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So happy. Thanks Alicia! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVjX-EUYS3E/T031NV36uhI/AAAAAAAACEY/lLW6GpO2AuA/s448/Dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVjX-EUYS3E/T031NV36uhI/AAAAAAAACEY/lLW6GpO2AuA/s400/Dog.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-46985096080425589572012-02-22T11:50:00.002-08:002012-02-29T08:31:59.924-08:00Tokolosi<span style="font-size: small;">Despite the wide practice of Christianity in Botswana, traditional practices are common throughout the country. In
more rural areas of the country, like my sub-district, you don’t have to look
too far or listen too long before seeing or hearing something about traditional
healers. People will often consult a traditional healer regarding illness before attending the
health facility, or consult both a doctor and a traditional healer at the same
time. There is hardly anything secretive about
this either – health promotion teams in my sub-district sometimes host
workshops for traditional healers to enhance their understanding of
health issues and encourage them to send people to clinics for medical help. </span><br />
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Aside from seeking help for health
purposes, people of Botswana will go to traditional doctors to improve life circumstances…
basically, they want “good luck”. But not everyone is looking to better
their own life; some will see witch doctors to place a curse on someone they
have a grievance with. Although I don’t know the full extent of all that can result from being cursed, one consequence I’ve
come to know A LOT about is… the Tokolosi. I've become fascinated with this creature and bring it up at random. I've been told that if I keep asking about Tokolosi and writing its’ name it will bring me bad luck...
I think I’ll take my chances.</div>
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So here's the deal - people have different ideas of what a Tokolosi looks like.
Some have told me it is elf-like (think Dobbie from Harry Potter<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">).</i> Some have said it is part animal,
part human. In any case, they agree it is a small creature that brings bad luck
to a person until they consult a traditional healer or witch doctor to make it
go away.<br />
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Here's what I believe to be an incredibly accurate sketch of a Tokolosi taking into account all things I've heard. I've been criticized because my creature is wearing pants, but I don't see why it can't have a bit of common decency in photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG__6PeCXQwAZ0w1auPsZ4WfiB5YeNM_MC80LzxbOKjfHVt3DfODtaDVSQ0cISWySZEjSEV_UhRupwQEFo1Lkzq_6QIpTigtmpzkNJnT8VUdyMtILAiAyNkoWzDCMkvJiOhWYOlZKPHKq-/s1600/DSCN2883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG__6PeCXQwAZ0w1auPsZ4WfiB5YeNM_MC80LzxbOKjfHVt3DfODtaDVSQ0cISWySZEjSEV_UhRupwQEFo1Lkzq_6QIpTigtmpzkNJnT8VUdyMtILAiAyNkoWzDCMkvJiOhWYOlZKPHKq-/s320/DSCN2883.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I’ve heard a variety of stories from people in my office
about these little guys. Here are some examples:<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<ul>
<li>One man in a local town was thought to have been
possessed by a Tokolosi. He had frequent outbursts in public and spoke in many languages.</li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>After one local man’s father passed away, a Tokolosi
appeared to him saying she belonged to his late father. The father had seen a
witch doctor to become wealthy, and received a lifetime Tokolosi who made him have sex with
it in return for financial gain.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A local woman's sister was being troubled during sleep, right before she woke. She felt as if someone or something was
strangling her while she slept and believed it could be a Tokolosi.</li>
</ul>
The tales go on and on and I giggle at all of them. People ask, since I don't believe, what my logical explanation is. I reply that there may be medical explanations… and also, that Africans just really love stories.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
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And actually, it would be great if the Tokolosi were real. This would explain all the problems I've been having in Botswana with breaking my headphones...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2eTSm_i2dUxELGN7lCK3Nt2_NpEO92axYGpKuI56VuVR-AiOdD5HP1ndGP5N86fhi4YKjsh4wU9Sz9KLW7C7RFn6OdpCT7373_2Cos5t1DSCJpAJrlv0ByiiZM0VuU3lpFKafkxddkFv/s1600/DSCN2889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2eTSm_i2dUxELGN7lCK3Nt2_NpEO92axYGpKuI56VuVR-AiOdD5HP1ndGP5N86fhi4YKjsh4wU9Sz9KLW7C7RFn6OdpCT7373_2Cos5t1DSCJpAJrlv0ByiiZM0VuU3lpFKafkxddkFv/s320/DSCN2889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-31584081782989968822012-02-14T11:09:00.000-08:002012-02-14T11:18:14.016-08:00The Compound<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My parents encouraged me to post more pictures of my compound .. so here they are. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can thank my parents for them!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR3GQ2lBiy7ahGzCcOqUYNFTwt3A49WvYZQW5bwq94UPHiN9mvaqbSB8JCprf49op5c25U3OYBcGkwex54TQaTPLJZ3tDa8VpJfJrfSkXqaYyxus-A8BReznIr5NufzrfKUvPS46ahHav/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOR3GQ2lBiy7ahGzCcOqUYNFTwt3A49WvYZQW5bwq94UPHiN9mvaqbSB8JCprf49op5c25U3OYBcGkwex54TQaTPLJZ3tDa8VpJfJrfSkXqaYyxus-A8BReznIr5NufzrfKUvPS46ahHav/s1600/1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the walk up to my gated compound. This is the left half where the main, large gateway is.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0NUNQrHY0FmarZoEp7Ef4P6Zxc2j_SfnBawIrjEVGQKCU5Pw3Cm3oq5_2F8ElMYkuwbCjBijMEsbIdelqq2ejsQWy7Utq-QgH6J-_Tp7DGnRxYUn1dbmpgftfpu8dpQnGMfmzu-v1-bd/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0NUNQrHY0FmarZoEp7Ef4P6Zxc2j_SfnBawIrjEVGQKCU5Pw3Cm3oq5_2F8ElMYkuwbCjBijMEsbIdelqq2ejsQWy7Utq-QgH6J-_Tp7DGnRxYUn1dbmpgftfpu8dpQnGMfmzu-v1-bd/s1600/3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a photo of my main walkway. The main house is on the left, second house on the right, and my house is in the back (the edge of my house is just to the left of the car in the background).</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErJmbtrOgQSlcwU1Ul_pm6UX3vgDMfGGKTIqJDdd0Nv_l682Fu4szbrimGraNhvS5nWudlt2YEYBxja7hi5upqRnFuQuvzX1zF1ZRF15ZnOGo0zOYRGFdG4t6MP1y-CJRTx0J8TkVgOlU/s1600/5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErJmbtrOgQSlcwU1Ul_pm6UX3vgDMfGGKTIqJDdd0Nv_l682Fu4szbrimGraNhvS5nWudlt2YEYBxja7hi5upqRnFuQuvzX1zF1ZRF15ZnOGo0zOYRGFdG4t6MP1y-CJRTx0J8TkVgOlU/s1600/5.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A view of the front of the main house.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs36WHqDwNOgWp53-4LBzgpqZoVJxAyHNaP3fHo4LmF8QauetcXVqFmnRxpOghgs4v0fxd0bTX5FDdXzUPh-5nVDbQTetoqGxOKcfhcQG_UpRmNGA3iOYVSw-lkqRlQgpf4Nx_qevvdblY/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs36WHqDwNOgWp53-4LBzgpqZoVJxAyHNaP3fHo4LmF8QauetcXVqFmnRxpOghgs4v0fxd0bTX5FDdXzUPh-5nVDbQTetoqGxOKcfhcQG_UpRmNGA3iOYVSw-lkqRlQgpf4Nx_qevvdblY/s1600/4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The front of the second house.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiW9ESYRahI36zt_o9tH5EVBhbjljHZ__aZk3nnSQvxUinhApznuRy4BmukwihLm-fzeFqjpVLssmuvYzLLxNJTLYbT2IA_6pGGkHSCY26WUIOlhIiJfkKdBs1Cl3Ez7La_fHz5IQnnKr/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiW9ESYRahI36zt_o9tH5EVBhbjljHZ__aZk3nnSQvxUinhApznuRy4BmukwihLm-fzeFqjpVLssmuvYzLLxNJTLYbT2IA_6pGGkHSCY26WUIOlhIiJfkKdBs1Cl3Ez7La_fHz5IQnnKr/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from that car right next to my house.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFlgrRRSWE07OWcdhTMii57_KQqKZFD6Q7Re7D4NolcAOBfZ1nJsiU0H_NC7Fovjelr1vPo_aTzDYQOQ47OpvsKnFoX9fCIZ8YBT33j8iKgCwctmRn9SMBFzP_eFH0qgy99JnBHIO7YiR/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFlgrRRSWE07OWcdhTMii57_KQqKZFD6Q7Re7D4NolcAOBfZ1nJsiU0H_NC7Fovjelr1vPo_aTzDYQOQ47OpvsKnFoX9fCIZ8YBT33j8iKgCwctmRn9SMBFzP_eFH0qgy99JnBHIO7YiR/s1600/9.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's my house again!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TmdIJF8O_yYw6cdZWLRvKPCLK1KiiM3SALNn1ULY5DmruxQqY290hTymtAWQsDylY7Kn8hYY2ZD9df1PetXr6P_9eBarwmVXWOe9x6QQHSHmm3xYmNXgAnRO3Lq5SMRbSMuw56LSr-VM/s1600/10.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TmdIJF8O_yYw6cdZWLRvKPCLK1KiiM3SALNn1ULY5DmruxQqY290hTymtAWQsDylY7Kn8hYY2ZD9df1PetXr6P_9eBarwmVXWOe9x6QQHSHmm3xYmNXgAnRO3Lq5SMRbSMuw56LSr-VM/s400/10.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Garage attached to the main house (left), my house (center), traditional round-house (right).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR04HQ8hHiUxAz5QLrXr0Nlpct_dGPk26-hrzNYTe7z7RrZh4k_QIdyYdmANzxMPGzITEtcfDmbSfEg_p73V2zkB_96VRXE3R_eZ1EeXsG5NFU3bLvKnaU2c8BoEtpy1vs2AkRXXxjPlfx/s1600/DSCN2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR04HQ8hHiUxAz5QLrXr0Nlpct_dGPk26-hrzNYTe7z7RrZh4k_QIdyYdmANzxMPGzITEtcfDmbSfEg_p73V2zkB_96VRXE3R_eZ1EeXsG5NFU3bLvKnaU2c8BoEtpy1vs2AkRXXxjPlfx/s1600/DSCN2835.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is what's behind the houses - there's a shed and near the large tree (left) is a chicken coop with no chickens at the moment... actually there's geese there.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the geese (ha). I have no idea why the family on my compound keeps them!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the back of the compound, by the random geese.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOWpt4a8eOPhEmNosfCWslcf0yikcWHVsez97EkmhxVOSJuSAmZs8O_vlMfpFT3Th-_7TWCYUr08dm2KmVdREHSztPWtWMnK3_YeDvJR6FvfZSq_6RoAfKOVfczzmng4jCMS93kkxqnYN/s1600/11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Setswana house -- this is the traditional round house. It's used for storage, and it's where the housekeepers sleep.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The family has a lot of trucks... how American of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Behind my house, another storage shed...may have been a garage at some point?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sun sets right behind my compound.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWimgLARjwNDms2ki1OAIeljHyDcKEHeuRlVvD47bEJhBObHYd_-aKp5pUMqs5KvHm4hqnQ6FwSA0vQeoZ_KuA84FGKOcu_wBIdhV6apLK0r88oTTY9gSgyx0Lr2M4O7MUBMFIGS-om7ao/s1600/DSCN2840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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</div>Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-85382887922263648152012-02-01T10:13:00.000-08:002012-02-01T10:13:27.743-08:00Lwapeng (Home)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is dedicated to all my oh-so-patient friends and family who have been waiting for me to post these photos (especially Traci!). And a shout out to my mom's class at Klahowya High School... if you've been reading I hope you enjoy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Here's a little background:</b></span></div>
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I live on a family compound, meaning there are a few other homes on the plot owned and occupied by the same family. The "compound" style of living is common in Botswana and many volunteers end up being placed in this situation. In the beginning, it's a bit bizarre to imagine living 2 years in such close proximity to others, but there are benefits to having people closeby - it provides respite from loneliness we feel from time to time; it's extremely safe; and it's an easy opportunity to have cross-culture experiences (what we're all here for!).</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here is my little pink house! You can see how close I live to the family on my compound -- the building to the right is the main house. It's just 10 ft away!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Living room, view from the entrance to my home. The sink in the back corner is essentially my kitchen sink since there isn't one in my actual kitchen (very strange setup).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Living room, view from the entrance to my kitchen. The doorway in the background opens to my bedroom. Main entrance to the house is to the right.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Living room, view from the back by the "kitchen sink".</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Living room, view from the entrance to my bedroom. The door in the background opens to the kitchen.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kitchen. Cabinets and fridge.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kitchen. Gas stove and gas tank.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bathroom. I even have a shower! -- it's just to the right, the blue colored object is my shower curtain. The bathroom is connected to the kitchen.... again, very strange setup.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Entrance to my bedroom. Closet straight ahead....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My opened closet. I fit everything I brought with me here into this - I just shove it in there or on top!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUzvtQAaYmmWy2TP1yPQgUcKi0m9TBBhuUx8MvBlq_F39hbTDbYczoyxi_ktnXLtBuSZDZsufcV35g4UG98ulNQDN1V2vuEO5uv6d_Wz0-pY_XR6T-Jvrg3RO5v3n799ZdUCvu_Xc9Ose/s1600/DSCN2784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUzvtQAaYmmWy2TP1yPQgUcKi0m9TBBhuUx8MvBlq_F39hbTDbYczoyxi_ktnXLtBuSZDZsufcV35g4UG98ulNQDN1V2vuEO5uv6d_Wz0-pY_XR6T-Jvrg3RO5v3n799ZdUCvu_Xc9Ose/s400/DSCN2784.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My house has way too much furniture for its' size...this chair hardly fits in my bedroom. I feel like yelling the line from <i>Knocked Up</i>... "There are 5 different kinds of chairs in this hotel room!" </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My mock aerial view, standing on the unnecessary chair in my bedroom. Admittedly, I can't blame just the chair - the mosquito netting over my bed also takes up quite a bit of space.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickCWr3DyES9VrtlXPRlNArSuBFB1U_FjWvI_aox8P6Hs01Iy1P4G_sOa6DG3-5CFbDxx0xXcmPx9nOYT37KbxqY6bsBz0rDPy2P7cZabJ_gjk_hVwGlgR1u-j_MuuqyUqet4GL30PuqXO/s1600/DSCN2787.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickCWr3DyES9VrtlXPRlNArSuBFB1U_FjWvI_aox8P6Hs01Iy1P4G_sOa6DG3-5CFbDxx0xXcmPx9nOYT37KbxqY6bsBz0rDPy2P7cZabJ_gjk_hVwGlgR1u-j_MuuqyUqet4GL30PuqXO/s320/DSCN2787.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you pull away the mosquito netting, you'll find a very big bed for a small girl. Yay!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-6875795915772467372012-01-11T12:47:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:47:15.267-08:00R.I.P. El MestizoDear Mestizos,<br />
<br />
I just heard the news today all the way across the world and in a different time zone, months out from living in Seattle. But the news of your closing still shook me to my core. How did this happen? Where do the people of First Hill go to find reprieve during their work days and to enjoy delicious Mexican dishes?<br />
<br />
I remember the first time I noticed you -- you replaced that sketchy pizza place whose name I never remember. You were like a beacon of light and we thought, for a while, that First Hill might be "up and coming". It wasn't. But nonetheless, you remained for a long time and I enjoyed so many memories in the restaurant. I remember May 5, 2010 camping out for hours after work and listening to the deafening sounds of the mariachi band playing whilst I ate my carne asada burrito laden with guacomole. Many times I've dreamed of that food here in Botswana, dreamed of having it again one day when I come home to visit. And now with this news my dream dies.<br />
<br />
<span class="st">¡</span><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Descanse en paz, El Mestizo!</span></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-10019979303770914042012-01-06T12:22:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:52:49.510-08:00Holidays<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="color: black;">Being away from home during the holidays can be difficult so it's a huge blessing to be able to gather with fellow
volunteers to celebrate in familiar ways. Now having more time and knowledge
of Botswana, friends and I adeptly traveled all over the
country, sometimes enduring long,
hot bus rides to visit each other. I've gained so many great memories
in just the past 6 weeks or so celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and
Hanukkah, and New Years. Here's where I spent the occasions...</span></div>
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<b>Thanksgiving in Shakawe, on the Okovango Delta</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0sZjsE2CwXbMsMfgEQqC-uYrwcJk6lyDWk1RoGVNeXg2-ufZfvkIJVfsIX8mcpESFz98zQRlD9pLDFgXLa69ImCrcRf-_wA4X8n0hg-yRVW0CICL21nrbJF93sRoe-dpYudYTHqissi1/s1600/_DSC0519.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0sZjsE2CwXbMsMfgEQqC-uYrwcJk6lyDWk1RoGVNeXg2-ufZfvkIJVfsIX8mcpESFz98zQRlD9pLDFgXLa69ImCrcRf-_wA4X8n0hg-yRVW0CICL21nrbJF93sRoe-dpYudYTHqissi1/s400/_DSC0519.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were accommodated by a person with a farm in Shakawe. This is the cabin we stayed in.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the view from that farm, right on the water!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were also right next to a Crocodile Farm with a catchy name.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our group of Americans and 1 Canadian hosted a big Thanksgiving dinner for locals at the Croc Farm.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone waiting patiently to eat the food we'd cooked all day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-VKfORFnYrGw5U-HdmQqxlF9zOkQtRMcuRC9Yu1hOFZrPxi9SYdHlHXC2U7DZOx2YrHnwc__9uhgb-ZsO2Se0cFigXNIRppyLWkww7H-Hy09QFlBeReQlh2es0_KjlSgWoyaWIyTScQW/s1600/_DSC0567.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-VKfORFnYrGw5U-HdmQqxlF9zOkQtRMcuRC9Yu1hOFZrPxi9SYdHlHXC2U7DZOx2YrHnwc__9uhgb-ZsO2Se0cFigXNIRppyLWkww7H-Hy09QFlBeReQlh2es0_KjlSgWoyaWIyTScQW/s400/_DSC0567.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happily dining together!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglhxXWSxxocR7QT_tfBdxf_rGFGT7ipM5lVa3mak73AJqDsJ-0UPBc8daYTklrVvYWM2ektpn-s5VXC4fi0NsjmZCyT4KJjS13J07Qari-i-lnk-dRtKFfCRvMuLRffeXEZzEvfty6L3N/s1600/_DSC0570.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglhxXWSxxocR7QT_tfBdxf_rGFGT7ipM5lVa3mak73AJqDsJ-0UPBc8daYTklrVvYWM2ektpn-s5VXC4fi0NsjmZCyT4KJjS13J07Qari-i-lnk-dRtKFfCRvMuLRffeXEZzEvfty6L3N/s400/_DSC0570.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanksgiving plate before...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU6pNk6HMqS7xfgZpMG3K27SY9jRlWjhbLakY_CkJw_DwfFqFL8aebzoLwillRv3Gs-gApni49fffTDd3WQeVxZkO4nO24-XlosnoMOXga_1VLya8OG3BPdRKaJykge9iHBoMn4QytBGB/s1600/_DSC0571.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU6pNk6HMqS7xfgZpMG3K27SY9jRlWjhbLakY_CkJw_DwfFqFL8aebzoLwillRv3Gs-gApni49fffTDd3WQeVxZkO4nO24-XlosnoMOXga_1VLya8OG3BPdRKaJykge9iHBoMn4QytBGB/s400/_DSC0571.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And AFTER.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONDA05fabsablOgrXdiK56PdAEStgncs7iH7WXSt13Q4bVQ_pm8Bb_ZQ4GUZKbEDqh8MMQjzM8pOftsZZ0O2tdZs5VJVI7AvajU2ti25tPJaW7LrfBDelQXW8aq0IxOmKUPT1tTFTTQBC/s1600/_DSC0661.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONDA05fabsablOgrXdiK56PdAEStgncs7iH7WXSt13Q4bVQ_pm8Bb_ZQ4GUZKbEDqh8MMQjzM8pOftsZZ0O2tdZs5VJVI7AvajU2ti25tPJaW7LrfBDelQXW8aq0IxOmKUPT1tTFTTQBC/s400/_DSC0661.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had to get a funny photo right before we left...</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<b>Christmas in Mochudi</b><br />
<b> </b> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiOESyq4btbWHja_JTNTKnjgtvbGYwRISmb5gdvjVvWnQAKYCtvED4GPSNvHewBwZZCmLewkvOd77Q0y82YL_NIneOG6i5pTE7rBnTTQ6gPsOrGSLTHsXKDTrnfl-QsVXdV5FTrzKyjqV/s1600/_DSC0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiOESyq4btbWHja_JTNTKnjgtvbGYwRISmb5gdvjVvWnQAKYCtvED4GPSNvHewBwZZCmLewkvOd77Q0y82YL_NIneOG6i5pTE7rBnTTQ6gPsOrGSLTHsXKDTrnfl-QsVXdV5FTrzKyjqV/s400/_DSC0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We got photos with Santa in Gaborone on our way to Mochudi</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71Goo_tgvVKEtJtHLMFm_HAk3CkaCU71vu-__mpd4l-q-HkBVeHgmdALpfVscEKmT_PwlIU6tTqF9DbQFiGp8A23HtuQfX0_GCQJdhC4BXcpjawb2RfBL9egUUpi-JDmEQ7snm9Z8875R/s1600/_DSC0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71Goo_tgvVKEtJtHLMFm_HAk3CkaCU71vu-__mpd4l-q-HkBVeHgmdALpfVscEKmT_PwlIU6tTqF9DbQFiGp8A23HtuQfX0_GCQJdhC4BXcpjawb2RfBL9egUUpi-JDmEQ7snm9Z8875R/s400/_DSC0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We spent several days just playing games, watching movies, and visiting. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp7bE4JV4DVTR4iko2hesjDlKsS4ovAulDbrPHbIymfoR7c9gLvcs5Jf2U-ehR4pF0idXdUxZV9clxb958p9w1vjQYziXwASVUlt1A1wSmI49oZ3wr5T8EMnklbS8_yKN3QS2mXjVu8Az/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp7bE4JV4DVTR4iko2hesjDlKsS4ovAulDbrPHbIymfoR7c9gLvcs5Jf2U-ehR4pF0idXdUxZV9clxb958p9w1vjQYziXwASVUlt1A1wSmI49oZ3wr5T8EMnklbS8_yKN3QS2mXjVu8Az/s400/DSC_0242.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our hosts were very sweet and hung up "stockings" for everyone coming.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvu2eL9-c-wXzUBM7GnVB-FDeutbXiW1qJy8P_n5GV9MLfyiqWouCfXxlXXYybNCWKHA9dCBfFdBnuuLlofP92E7TxyfgtNYgNIqu1qYqvh68_SjB1al-j_2uyH_nBh_x8w8ygjoSHCeJ/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvu2eL9-c-wXzUBM7GnVB-FDeutbXiW1qJy8P_n5GV9MLfyiqWouCfXxlXXYybNCWKHA9dCBfFdBnuuLlofP92E7TxyfgtNYgNIqu1qYqvh68_SjB1al-j_2uyH_nBh_x8w8ygjoSHCeJ/s400/DSC_0252.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We even had a little Charlie Brown tree! We forgot about the voltage difference and accidentally plugged this in -- it didn't light up after that :0(</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALUxAlz1rM2hk7RA_HIIPrPnmPuIX0hlD_BmSJXNqqNhuLSUtF4bnLLU-mRRnZGwsIm-LF3SMlLqeB8sL36T6TNNQhTAMsW8KwtyezAaOBalTV6P-JbIIlp3uzndaE1wwHYTw49rxPpB_/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALUxAlz1rM2hk7RA_HIIPrPnmPuIX0hlD_BmSJXNqqNhuLSUtF4bnLLU-mRRnZGwsIm-LF3SMlLqeB8sL36T6TNNQhTAMsW8KwtyezAaOBalTV6P-JbIIlp3uzndaE1wwHYTw49rxPpB_/s400/DSC_0259.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My volunteer friend Britt near the table where dinner settings were being prepared</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4Nf3tMXtsPKyGlMjZ8_Zx1jzrZbftwBvkcSilZGVfAM3knGXgD-lgWd4A6Ayikb32OxeNHOVvnR6b7Y4jALiwxZfMFxLil7Xef1ngeSpGuniQUvSe5tcIxHI5Pt-IJfCwJWB9B_Xjuxb/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4Nf3tMXtsPKyGlMjZ8_Zx1jzrZbftwBvkcSilZGVfAM3knGXgD-lgWd4A6Ayikb32OxeNHOVvnR6b7Y4jALiwxZfMFxLil7Xef1ngeSpGuniQUvSe5tcIxHI5Pt-IJfCwJWB9B_Xjuxb/s400/DSC_0261.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's our Christmas feast!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYAoChWWqk8k0rMUQ1TxDKcMB-KFC6wAFnZ49La1LVpM3mxPmd6jNY5IQulgFInfGFut3FdJ3IqgrzSei5Naec2y20E_kSYxDCFfh8QDkzjCd6zSj0pHe_H_iPNTodCch1xwVk5FYKx4e/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYAoChWWqk8k0rMUQ1TxDKcMB-KFC6wAFnZ49La1LVpM3mxPmd6jNY5IQulgFInfGFut3FdJ3IqgrzSei5Naec2y20E_kSYxDCFfh8QDkzjCd6zSj0pHe_H_iPNTodCch1xwVk5FYKx4e/s400/DSC_0264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The group shot (and a great group I must say!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnPvEWC2ff5m2sumVFUPatGZjjGcByjBm6Bt5I4uWLK-VvkAcvC_Up9qP8Vi2z0y8shQghweCPYl_XbYJOe_e88ki-IXnlyEMTnQ7umonYnUTOeYZxatOzh1VKmfBv8Cir6WchOr2LnN6/s1600/_DSC0041.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnPvEWC2ff5m2sumVFUPatGZjjGcByjBm6Bt5I4uWLK-VvkAcvC_Up9qP8Vi2z0y8shQghweCPYl_XbYJOe_e88ki-IXnlyEMTnQ7umonYnUTOeYZxatOzh1VKmfBv8Cir6WchOr2LnN6/s320/_DSC0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Later we enjoyed lighting sparklers and a few enjoyed cigars. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And one managed to enjoy both at the same time.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEuOxtuzoWyneJqmdwqIe9jJQNdD9Vdi5eIY72yHU-mx3_uuq8uzv9RjeYiGRMjm9l0Zl9i-q9innWvyZv0K197Fa-iGuhDz_f3jtN9Vua2YrGICPBQUv9K-tFM507FEbRQeJm8uE1Wsl/s1600/_DSC0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEuOxtuzoWyneJqmdwqIe9jJQNdD9Vdi5eIY72yHU-mx3_uuq8uzv9RjeYiGRMjm9l0Zl9i-q9innWvyZv0K197Fa-iGuhDz_f3jtN9Vua2YrGICPBQUv9K-tFM507FEbRQeJm8uE1Wsl/s400/_DSC0042.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some sort of 'Saved by the Bell' moment I captured after sparklers all went out - </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"Gooooo CHRISTMAS!"</span></td></tr>
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Stay tuned for my New Year's photos!<br />
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<br />Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-55364176448583345932011-12-01T10:06:00.001-08:002011-12-16T12:31:26.662-08:00World AIDS DayOn December 1st the world commemorated World AIDS Day. But ceremonies have been held even throughout this week in some areas in Botswana, for instance villages in my sub-district. The devastation of the HIV and AIDS epidemic is a significant part of Botswana's past (particularly in the 90's and early 2000's), and sadly, it will continue to be a large part of its future. With still the 2nd highest prevalence rate of HIV in the world, the people of Botswana have serious issues to address, like gender-based violence/stigma, low male testing turnout, and multiple concurrent partnerships. At the same time, they've accomplished a lot working together; Botswana has the best ARV (antiretrovirals) and PMTCT (prevention of mother-to-child transmission) programs in Africa - things I might not know at all unless I were here. Botswana has much potential and I'm grateful for my Peace Corps placement because of that.<br />
<br />
I just want to post links to a couple articles written around World AIDS Day:<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-blumenthal/world-aids-day-2011_b_1122377.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-blumenthal/world-aids-day-2011_b_1122377.html</a><br />
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2. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ross-szabo/what-overeating-americans_b_1120055.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ross-szabo/what-overeating-americans_b_1120055.html</a><br />
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The first is written by an expert discussing the roadmap for ending the AIDS epidemic, and I found it very inspiring. The second is an article written by a current Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana with an interesting take on behavior change. Hope you have the chance to read both!Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-76862231460319299552011-11-08T03:59:00.000-08:002011-11-15T13:15:18.527-08:00Go nna sentle mo LTK (Living well in LTK)You ask: "What's DLA in the LTK"?<br />
<br />
DLA are my initials, and "LTK" is the shorthand name for my village, Letlhakeng. I'm located in the Kweneng District which is just below the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (see map below - I actually found one with my town listed!). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSPgLhAkCeBipSAU86UaZSAjGY3aaFbQuYaPfang82bKY1ZWo_47vttwiMtWqTpGMmVTyGPAucnP7amqDH2dKGEVTmlMCBO3ZDXV-PqwB2nyzuFcFo08s3OUNQ0ozl19vupk7XTVohaAb/s1600/Botswana_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSPgLhAkCeBipSAU86UaZSAjGY3aaFbQuYaPfang82bKY1ZWo_47vttwiMtWqTpGMmVTyGPAucnP7amqDH2dKGEVTmlMCBO3ZDXV-PqwB2nyzuFcFo08s3OUNQ0ozl19vupk7XTVohaAb/s320/Botswana_map.jpg" width="299" /></a> </div>
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The LTK has a population of somewhere around 7,000 (we just had a 2011 census but I haven't been able to find the updated results). Some would say that for American standards this is the size of some secluded cult town. But you have to keep in mind that the entire population of Botswana is just over 2 million, and many volunteers are staying in areas with much lower population size (starting from around population 500). So for Botswana standards my site is not incredibly small.<br />
<br />
Let's lay out what is here. It's not a lot, but what we have includes the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>2 primary schools, 1 middle school</li>
<li>1 small library</li>
<li>2.5 paved roads.... (1 isn't paved very far) </li>
<li>3 small shopping complexes (4-8 shops each)</li>
</ul>
Other than that...there are lots of small 'Mom & Pop' type businesses and a plethora of churches scattered about town. Last but not least, we have 4 bars, and at each you can buy a cold beer for about 1 USD and a game of pool for about 20 cents (!)<br />
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Although it has a small population the LTK could probably support more businesses. However, businesses rarely open here because of a much larger town, Molepolole, located 60 km away. This bustling place has several large supermarkets, as well as a variety of many other stores, so it's where I do the bulk of my shopping.When I first arrived, the thought of taking public transport 1 hour both ways to get most of my groceries in Molepolole seemed nuts. Now that thought doesn't even cross my mind. It's amazing how our perceptions can change...<br />
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<br />Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-85431852110518230602011-10-16T13:42:00.000-07:002011-10-16T14:16:34.170-07:00Dunes, wena o fentse (Dunes, you are the winner... aka Dunes FTW)<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
One
of the perks of Peace Corps service is the potential travel. 2 weeks
ago I returned from about 5 days in Namibia, and it was a great
vacation. Since living in the southern part of land-locked Botswana the
largest body of water I'd seen was in my laundry bucket, so I was
looking forward to meeting with an oceanic coast. We drove all the way
out to Swakopmund, Namibia and got some great R&R on the beach. But
really, even more fun than seeing salt water again was getting to see
some dunes. They were ridiculously fun to play around on, like a big sand box for big kids. And they were beautiful! Posted some of my photos below (shout out to my Dad for telling me how to compress!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me, attempting the jumping shot in sand. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My Volunteer friend, Britt. (REI called, they want their photo back)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Awkward jumping shot at sunset.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The little kid at the bottom right was one of many sliding down the dunes on pieces of cardboard.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589675179901625463.post-41858518614382199092011-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:002011-10-17T03:57:28.387-07:00Ke nale dikgwedi di le thataro (I have 6 months)<blockquote>
</blockquote>
So it's about time I begin this blog, right?<br />
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The end of September is a time for celebration for both Botswana and me. For Botswana, September 30th is Independence Day (happy 45th birthday Bots!). For me, it will mark 6 months of being in Botswana (about 4 months of official Peace Corps service). And what do I have to say 6 months in? Well, I dunno. I can't describe this experience, or Botswana. But my hope is that through blogging I can share stories, photos, etc. with friends and family back home and that over time they can gain some sort of understanding of life here.<br />
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Additional reasons for creating this blog:<br />
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1. Provide my sister with something entertaining to read.<br />
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2. Help me understand my own experience. (You know when you buy that moleskin notebook right before travel and you think to yourself "I'm gonna write down ALL my thoughts and feelings and it will be brilliant documentation of my experience to reflect on later in life (!)" - you know that? I did and thought that (OK no moleskin notebook here but I got another trendy journal with me). And yet so far I have no brilliant documentation... I think the blog will help.<br />
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3. Creative outlet. People who know me well know that I love to create ridiculous drawings illustrating moments out of my life. I kinda wanna do that and post them here!<br />
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Jaanong, ke ya kwa Namibia (now, I'm going to Namibia)!Diana Arperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04284150929107182811noreply@blogger.com0