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Published: November 2nd 2009
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We were at our little community library on Friday to request the use of the space for a meeting with some young people who are no longer in school and struggling to find meaningful employment. We arrived just when a "talk show" was about to begin. We saw no TV crew and had no idea what a talk show is in Botswana, but curiosity drew us to stay. We sat down in the fourth of about six rows of chairs that were there for the audience and faced a couple of tables where a panel of people sat. The programs were handed out, written entirely in Setswana, a language that Steve and I are nowhere near mastering.
A few moments into the program a woman behind us nudged me and said, "They are introducing you." I smiled, waved my hand and said my thanks, still not having a clue what was going on. The young man who was apparently the MC continued on in Setswana and then in English said, we will explain some for you in English later. The speakers at the table were getting their turns to address the group and spoke with great animation and what seemed
to me with great speed and length as well. I wasn’t catching more than one or two words in fifty and certainly not enough to give me even a vague idea of the topic. I glanced at the clock and saw my hopes for being home early on a Friday fading away. Where we sat did not allow for a smooth, unnoticed exit. I mouthed to Steve, “What in *@%$ were we thinking.”
After about another quarter hour or so, the young man sitting in front of Steve turned to me and handed me his program. He had translated the main topics and written them on the side of the program in English. I thanked him profusely and when I read what he’d written, my eyes widened and my mouth dropped open. The whole program was about the problems of alcohol abuse, particularly among the youth in Kopong. Just the day before, I’d tried my hand for the first time at co-counseling with my counterpart, a 17 year-old at the school who said he’d been drinking for two years and thinks that it is becoming a problem.
I still could understand almost nothing of the Setswana, but after
the third speaker finished talking, the young librarian, Kabo, kindly turned to address Steve and me in English, summarizing what had been said. When the time came to open the floor to the audience for questions and comments, one of the young men spoke in English, which gave me the confidence to do the same. I rose, commended the group for tackling the problem and for addressing both young adults and preteens at the meeting. I briefly explained our role as Peace Corps volunteers, told them that Steve and I want to work with the out-of-school youth in the community, and told them of my background as a substance abuse counselor.
The program ended after all the young adults there appeared to have the opportunity to speak if they wanted to and the MC requested that I offer the closing prayer, which I did somewhat awkwardly. The library staff served us orange drinks and popcorn. We shook hands with the speakers and offered to help in anyway we can. So even though I had found my self struggling against annoyance and thinking my time could be better spent, it turned out that it was probably some of the most
well spent time we have experienced in the community.
When we looked outside, the sky was filled with dark clouds and it seemed a storm was soon to arrive. Steve said that he had an umbrella in his brief case, so we stepped off the entry way and onto the library grounds just as it began to sprinkle. We conferred for a moment and decided to go back inside in hopes of waiting out the storm which was likely to pass through fairly quickly. We began helping to sweep the floor and put the furniture back in order when we heard the clatter of hail on the metal roof and looked out to see marble-size stones bouncing throughout the library grounds. Our wait saved us from being pelted with some rather painful looking hail and also gave us more time to get acquainted with some of the young people there. I had my guitar with me because I’d been helping a student at school with a song she’d written. The kids were curious so I brought it out and played a song for them. The hail storm ended before my song and we returned home dry, happy and hopeful
that we have found another avenue where we may be of service to our Botswana community.
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Jayne
non-member comment
beautiful children
The children stand so proud and beautiful. I love their huge curious smiles. It's truely amazing how big you can live with so little!! AND I miss my sis!!!!!! I love you muchly! oxoxoxooooooooooooightly, hope I didn't crumple you.Duh?