Botswana

After weeks of searching on the web and developing a wide network of contacts who work with orphans and vulnerable children (OVC’s), Jac and I, along with two World Service Corps (WSC) volunteers, Ashley Guinan and Rachael Zimmerman, arrived in Africa the first of June. We first visited Botswana which is known for its support system for OVC’s. Thanks to the internet, we had developed a number of collegial relationships and finally had the opportunity to meet our email friends. Our first stop was St. Peter’s where we were warmly greeted by Father Andrew, his wife Gladys – and 92 preschoolers who ran to give us knee hugs, smiles, and laughter as we approached! They have an attractive school-type facility with Disney characters painted on the walls. Their program primarily centers around preschool activities with two meals plus two snacks a day. In the afternoon 20 teenagers join the little ones for after-school tutoring programs. Most of the children live with grandmothers.

Our next stop was SOS Village which is composed of sixteen homes for 300 children. Each “home” has two women assigned to cook and supervise the 12 children in their care. SOS does not run a school itself but instead sends the children to public schools. Their biggest challenge has been the inability to grow fast enough to house the huge number of children needing care. Realizing they needed to adjust their program, they recently established an outreach program to strengthen the extended family and keep the kids in the community rather than moving them into the Village.

Flying Mission was our next visit. Saralee was our hostess and provided very helpful information. Flying Mission’s original goal was to provide air transport for seriously ill patients. Over the years the mission has changed and they now concentrate on working with like-minded organizations that focus on HIV/AIDS. They partner and mentor other groups in tasks such as getting registered, handling money, home based care and prevention programs. A highlight of our visit was the impromptu appearance of Malcolm McArthur, the founder of Flying Mission. He wasted no time in trying to recruit us to be long-term volunteers (two to five years at least!) for his program.

Stepping Stones was our next destination. Housed in a new multi-building facility, the program provides after-school programs for 60 teenagers aged 11 to 18. Our energetic hostess, Lisa Jamu, founded Stepping Stones in 2006. Her original plan had been to provide a program for young girls but she soon decided to add boys as well and concentrate on teenagers which are often the most challenging. They had a party the day we visited for a Peace Corps volunteer who had been with them for two years. During the going away party we were treated to the Obama Call which goes like this: Clap, clap, clap. Clap, clap, clap. YES WE CAN!