Kirstie Cadger
Kirstie Cadger
Kirstie Cadger
Hi everyone! As most of you know, I am studying International Development and Environmental Science at the University of Toronto. Now, as a fourth year student, I am about to begin my 10 month CO-OP term and I am excited to say that it will take place in Botswana. Botswana is a landlocked country, bordering South Africa to the North. It is considered a middle-income country and is currently, politically stable. English and Setswana are the national languages but there are many more local languages.
In Botswana I will be working with the Trust for Okavango Cultural and Development Initiatives (TOCADI). TOCADI is an NGO which is a partner organization of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and so it is through WUSC that my placement will take place. TOCADI works to facilitate and mobilize marginalized communities in the Okavango region to plan and implement their own programmes. The increase in tourism in this area (for safari activities) has forced such groups out of the land that has sustained them for generations. This has also caused conflicts between the different groups. The underlying goal of TOCADI is to assist these communities to get access to land and the resources needed for their survival. At the same time, there is a strong focus on the sustainable use of the available resources.
As part of TOCADI's health initiative, I will be involved with health education in Shakawe and the surrounding area. Shakawe is a rural town, located in North-Western Botswana, with a population of about 4000. As taken from my mandate, my specific objectives will include:
- Under the Field coordinator facilitate the resuscitation of the community garden in a nearby settlement by ensuring that the garden fence is mended as well as the reconnection of water.
- In collaboration with Permaculture train community members on organic methods of growing vegetables.
- Together with the Field coordinator facilitate the equal distribution of vegetable plots/beds amongst community members for growing vegetables.
- In collaboration with the TOCaDI health staff teach and advise community members on healthy eating.
A lot of my work will take place in smaller villages outside of Shakawe. In these villages, I will most likely be working with translators.
My work relates to what I have been studying for the past few years and I am very excited to get some hands on experience. I will also be doing research while I am in Botswana, which I will use to write my thesis when I return to UofT. My communication in the field will be limited so when I do have internet I will post pictures and other stories about my adventures. So here it is, the beginning of my travel blog (I know my name is written twice at the top but I can't change it or it will change the address of my blog). I am going to miss a lot of people when I am away so feel free to write to me through this blog anytime and enjoy your next year, wherever you are!