More specific, yet general information...

Here is some general information about Botswana….I took most of this from my information packet…And these will probably be my longest posts

History of the Program- Peace Corps entered Botswana in 1966, two months after it achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Botswana’s emergence as an independent nation and the coinciding need for trained human resources led the Peace Corps to initiate a program geared toward enhancing the country’s workforce. During the next 31 years, over 2,000 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Botswana. From 1966 to 1997, Peace Corps Volunteers worked in projects that touched nearly all aspects of Botswana’s development.

Since independence, Botswana has experienced remarkable growth. It has gone from one of the world’s poorest nations to achieving the statues of a middle-income country. As its per capita income grew, life expectancy grew from 48 to over 60. At the same time, formal sector employment grew from 14,000 to 120,000. In light of Botswana’s success, Peace Corps made a decision to pull out in 1997.

In 2000, the idea of a return to Botswana was brought about by the severity of the AIDS epidemic in the region, and most significantly, the potential of the epidemic to reverse the prolific development gain made in Botswana. Botswana has the 2nd highest prevalence rates of HIV in the world. Peace Corps sent in an assessment team out to the country in April 2002. And in March 2003, the first set of volunteers arrived and completed their service in 2005.

Several project initiatives were added including a Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program and a Home Based Care and Orphan Care Program (HBC/OC). These programs have been combined into the Community Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS program. Another initiative was added in 2005, with volunteers assigned to work in the area of Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) building. And in 2007-2008, a Life Skills program was introduced, where volunteers work in three districts with the Ministry of Education to introduce this program to primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools.

Living Conditions-
Food: Basic food can be bought in all communities, with a wide variety of shopping available in the larger town centers. Access to fruits, vegetables, chocolate, even Betty Crocker cake mix will be easy for most DAC-office volunteers. (My information packet really stated that.) Like I said…I’ll be cooking gourmet meals on a hot plate, in no time! Traditional diet usually consists of meat and staples of millet, sorghum, maize and beans; and combined with tomato, greens, potato, cabbage, etc.

Housing: Housing conditions will vary according to the village, but most volunteers in the DAC program will be provided with a small one or two bedroom house with modest furnishings, often with other government workers in a compound but sometimes, private quarters on a private family compound. Most, but not all houses have electricity and running water. In cases where water is not piped into the house, a water tap will be within walking distance. I will receive a small settling-in allowance that will allow me to purchase necessary house ware materials like kitchenware and cleaning materials.

Climate: The summer months (Nov-April) are HOT. The winters tend to get cold for up to 3 months (except in the North). In many areas of the country, you will need a warm coat, sweater, or sweatshirts to keep you warm on winter days and nights-as houses are not insulated. As long as there aren’t three blizzards in a row, I think I’ll survive their winters!!! Rainfall is moderate from Nov-March with occasional June and July drizzles. The remainder of the year is dry and rarely rains.

Transportation: Common forms of public transportation include buses and private taxis. Buses run to all major points in Botswana and are fairly regular and reliable. In conducting your job your transportation will usually be by foot or local public transport.

Medical Care: Health conditions in Botswana are quite good. The most common health problems amongst volunteers are related to the climate, that at times is very hot and dry.
Most villages have health posts or clinics, with hospitals in districts and sub-district centers. Hospitals in the capital city have good facilities Peace Corps Botswana maintains two full-time Peace Corps Medical Officers who serve to keep you healthy.

Safety and Security: You must be prepared to take responsibility for your own safety. You are the best person to make yourself less of a target, to ensure your house is secure, and to develop relations in your community that will make you an unlikely victim of crime. These relationships are based on respect and integration with the Batswana culture. In coming to Botswana, do what you would do if you moved to a new place in the States: be cautious, check things out, ask questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more risky locations are, use common sense, and be aware. You will reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your community, learning the language, acting responsibly, and abiding by PC policies and procedures. Serving safely will require you to accept some restrictions to your current lifestyle.
Your safety is a key focus for PC Botswana staff. We’re committed to helping you develop and implementing strategies that will reduce the likelihood of injury to yourself. However, please note: It will be your responsibility to practice preventative measures and by agreeing to serve in Botswana, you are accepting higher safety and security risk than you would be exposed to at home.

Diversity Issues: The people of Botswana have a good understanding of the United States as a diverse society. Yet, in many areas it may be common for Americans to be viewed as a homogeneous group.
Asian Americans may be assumed to be Chinese and asked if they know Kung-Fu. This is a result of the ninja/kung fu movies. Many Botswana have no knowledge of any other Asian nationality or ethic group than Chinese. Explanation may be difficult at times.

Working Conditions-
Location: I will most likely be placed in a small town, or village; with a few volunteers in larger towns. Sites range in distance from the capitol, Gaborone, running from being in Gaborone to being more than 10 hours away.
The PC staff will make the final decision about my particular DAC placement after reviewing my skills and corresponding needs of our Batswana partners-during my Pre-Service Training.

Work Hours: Peace Corps is 24/7. As a cultural ambassador, my off-hours are free time still carry with them the burden and blessing of your commitment to service. I will be expected to work the formal hours of my institution, which is generally 7;30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. However the most important community work occurs after hours and outside the formal working structure.

Dress Code: The people of Botswana are generally conservative in professional and casual attire. The way you dress is seen as an expression of the respect you have for those around you. It will be important to dress in a manner appropriate to the community in which you work and live if you want to be accepted. Because of this, the following are not recommended: shorts and short skirts, dirt clothes or clothes in disrepair, and provocative or strategically slit or zippered clothing. It should be noted that strappy and spaghetti strap tops are unacceptable for women in most public places.
Women should wear pants only as dictated by the norms of their host country (usually ok in urban areas, but not rural). It is recommended that woman wear clothes that are loose fitting and not provocative. Longer skirts and dresses for women are often shown as examples set by co-workers.

Training-
Im about to embark on a 81/2 weeks of Pre-Service Training in Botswana. It is very much community based, and during this time I will live with a host family and begin immersion in Batswana culture.

Language: I will be provided with a solid foundation in the grammar and structure of Setswana!! There will be a focus on oral communication skills and I will have an opportunity to discuss my individual needs and language learning style with the Cross-Cultural instructors.

Cross-Culture: The idea behind this training is to provide information from Botswana informants, as well as an opportunity for the trainee to practice appropriate behaviors and to develop the necessary coping skills.

Technical: This training will provide me with country specific information and skills related to my job assignment. In addition to providing me with the latest information concerning the HIV/AIDS epidemic, you will be introduced to potential resources, monitoring and evaluation methods, evidence based planning, behavior change and life skill models, tools of participatory development, facilitation skills, and PC approaches to development.

Ok I think that’s it for now…I am expecting another whole packet of information on Botswana and details about my staging event. I hope to keep you all posted, and please feel free to comment or email me if you have any questions!!!