I know it's been awhile! I'm so sorry! I really wish I was better at this but in between power cuts, clinicals, classes and whatnot, I hardly have time to sleep, let alone write! I promise I'm going to try to be better, so expect some more posts in the near future!
However, I do have an excuse for my absence this last week. I was in Kanye, Botswana, a small village about an hour and a half southwest of Gabs. On Sunday, all 27 members of my program loaded up a bus and we headed out to live with individual host families for the week!
Initially, I was a bit worried about my homestay. I had picked living in the dorms over a permanent homestay for the entirety of the program so that I wouldn't impose my vegetarian diet on a family, especially since meat is such a staple in most Batswana diets. However, I ended up loving the family I was placed with!
My mom and I on my last day in Kanye!
I stayed with Florence and S.B. Koosaletse during my week in Kanye. They were a very sweet couple and I am so thankful that I was placed with them! I didn't see S.B. (his nickname, never figured out what his full name was) a ton during the week. He actually works in Gabs so he commutes every day, waking up at 5 to get ready and usually not getting back until 7 or 8. Mom was great though! They have 3 grown children who no longer live in Kanye, so she enjoyed having someone to hang out with around the house every night.
My room!
I know you're all jealous of my super cool rug ;)
Their huge kitchen! And it's not even finished yet!
The backyard - they're farmers too!
We were all assigned to work in a clinic while in Kanye. 3 other girls and I worked at Joosub and Aysha Dada Clinic. Since I have yet to really talk about my clinic experiences (I promise, it's coming), I won't say too much. These clinics were definitely smaller and nowhere near as busy as the clinics in Gabs though. They see about half the traffic of Gabs, so most of the patients are gone by noon. These clinics also suffer from severe shortages - both in staff and pharmacueticals. The doctor was only available on Wednesday for the patients - otherwise, a nurse would have to man the consultation room. They also had shortages in TB medication and other commonly prescribed drugs. The nurses would refer the patients to the other clinics, but informed us that when they have a shortage, usually the other clinics have a shortage as well. It's a rather terrifying prospect because these patients can't get their drugs, even though they've waited for hours to see the doctor.
I spent most of my time in the pharmacy - or dispensary as they call it.
Besides working in the clinics, I also got to spend a lot of time hanging out with my friends! I was lucky enough to live next door to one of my good friends in the program. When we were done for the day, we would typically go back to her place and watch movies. Since I haven't watched TV at all since arriving in Bots, having access to American TV and movies was heavenly. It may be superficial, but it was so nice to have a little piece of home!
We also spent time soaking up the village and the culture! We got to go hiking in one of the gorges there which was quite the adventure. On Friday night, I also got to go to a funeral with my mom - or the beginning of one anyways. Preparations for the funeral typically last about a week, with the burial on Saturday. On Friday, the casket is moved into the deceased house and everyone gathers for a 5 hour funeral service that ends at 3am. Everyone then has a few hours to go home and bathe, then they return to bury the body at 6 or 7. I only stayed for a few hours, but it was definitely an interesting experience!
The door at the house where the funeral was held - the craftsmanship is just incredible!
Some people taking a quick nap before the funeral service starts
Making the food!
Check out all the veggies!
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend a Seventh Day Adventist service with one of my friends and her host family. This was my first time attending a non-Catholic service and it was very interesting to see how they celebrate, preach and worship. I was not expecting it to be as long as it was though - almost 4 hours! I'm pretty sure the pastor preached for 2 hours straight. I'm just impressed he didn't lose his voice!
After church, I also got to go to two different weddings! Unlike in the States, most events don't require an invite. So my friends and I went with one of the host families to the first wedding. I didn't get any pictures, but it was a gorgeous set up! It's also a tradition that young women serve the food to all the attendees at the wedding, so we got to all line up to bring plates to the tables! It was a little bit awkward due to the language barrier, but several others were willing to help us out! Everyone was so overjoyed and happy at these weddings - they all seemed to be having the time of their lives dancing, singing, yelling and generally having a blast!
A tradition where the bride's party and the groom's party meet each other in the middle!
A better view of the bride - she's the one in the blue skirt suit next to the guy in the white suit. This was her 3rd outfit of the day!
By the end of my time in Kanye, I wasn't sure I wanted to leave! It was nice having a laid back week to truly take in all the incredible things I've seen here in Botswana. I almost wanted to cry when my mom told me she would miss me! Hopefully I'll be able to go back and visit her someday!
Looking down on Kanye!
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