Community mobilization a la theatre

Theatre, song, dance and oral traditions have always been a powerful way to convey a message. In a country where at least 1 in 4 adults are HIV positive, HIV education is very common place. Everyone knows the ABCs--Abstain, Be-faithful, Correct and Consistent Condom use. As the HIV rates continue to stay consistent, new ways of educating and reaching out to the community is needed. Theatre, song and dance are being utilized as educational tools. Theatre groups throughout the country travel around gathering the village for a performance. 

Theatre groups are funded by government grants and international NGOs and work closely with the Ministry of Health in carrying out their messages. 

 Ditlhabahatshe Threatre Group at a performance

Condom demonstration after the performance

 The village gathering for an afternoon of entertainment

Its never too young! Children watching performance.

Theatre groups also present at schools, YOHO came to my JSS for a SMC performance

Ode to Culinary Adventures

Every day is an adventure....especially in the kitchen. Having no electricity has its joys and challenges, during the summer it is more challenges than joys. Dining on a limited menu week after week you learn to savor the amazing culinary experiences. 

For Christmas Katy, Amanda and I chose to slaughter our own dinner. It was an experience in its self, I have to admit there was a point where I didn't actually think that I could eat and enjoy dinner. It was very tasty! 

Not having an oven...sigh. Thats how I feel most of the time, Maggie and I made stove top cookies! These were a lemon sugar cookie that you cook a-la-pancake style! 

Mags puts her culinary skills to work--you have to flatten the cookies down-we used the bottom of the peanut jar. Truthfully, the cookies were okay-they were good, they fulfilled the cookie craving. But, nothing compares to a fresh from the oven cookie. 

Mug and Bean is a coffee shop...its a little slice of heaven. For Maggie's birthday we met up before a training to treat ourself to coffee, assorted slices of cake and good conversations! New York Style Cheesecake? Yum yum yum. 

Katy, KR (not pictured) and I enjoying a "picnic" dinner outside of KR's home--a selection of meat, cheeses and guacamole. 

"Ain't Your Mommas Étouffée" on a cozy winters night

Sarah and I made our own ginger spiced pancakes complete with homemade whipped cream! Sarah got her daily workout shaking the cream! 

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

Donkey Carts Rule

A few weeks ago, Maggie and I took a little jaunt on a Donkey Cart! Donkey Carts rule! As were were trekking through the bush on the back of the cart, Maggie and I decided. We. Have. To. Drive.This Bad. Boy.

We spent a long time convincing the owners of the donkey cart, we need to drive it! 

So we did. 

Maggie, holding the reins!  

 Donkeys need some....encouragement to keep on trekking...

Hey! We are off! 

Yup, thats me! Holding the reins! 

Just hanging! 

Part of our trusty team! 

As you can tell! We are pumped to be driving!!! 

The owner of the donkey cart! 

Just For Boys

A few weeks ago, Sarah and I did a mini-workshop for a few boys at my school. We called it "Just for Boys" we had a smashing time! We talked about Gender Based Violence, showed a STEPS Film and had a wonder powerpoint (with pictures) of STDs.

Gender Based Violence (GBV) is unfortunately pretty common in Botswana and very under reported. Most women truthfully, don't realize that they are experiencing GBV. We had a pretty interesting discussion surrounding the "roles" of men and women. The boys came to the conclusion, that in Botswana, it is a women's job to do the laundry. Then sighed heavily when Sarah and I broke the bad news that, no, we would not be marrying them b/c we expect our future husbands to do their own (shock! shock!). Apparently it is bad ju-ju for a man to do his ladies laundry on a regular basis (where do they get these things?) but, then the boys quickly said, that if their wife was sick they would help them out....

STEPS Films, STEPS films are amazing. Please go to www.steps.co.za for more information. We showed "Three and a Half Lives of Philip Wutu" an interactive film where you can pick Philip's fate as he navigates the tricky world of MCP and HIV....It was such a hit, I am showing it again in a few weeks!

Then we concluded the day with a Powerpoint on STIs...it was a big hit. I like to call it "shock and awe" because we included pictures on STIs gone bad....It brought up a great discussion, because the boy didn't know that some STIs are transmitted through skin to skin contact (HPV, Herpes). As we turned the lights on, Sarah and I noticed that many of the boys had cold sores on their lips. We specifically talked about cold sores and how one is at an increased risk for transmission of STIs and HIV...It was one of those humbling moments, because, most likely those boys with cold sores are HIV positive. We had to have a frank discussion with the boys about risks, but you don't want to point something out. These boys already face enough stigma.

Several times throughout the day, we emptied our Question Box and did a brief Q and A. One of the questions was "when am I ready for sex?" If this question was brought up to a teacher, the kid would have been shouted at "you are too young" but the reality of the situation is, these are 16 and 17 year old boys. So lets have a real discussion. Can you deal with the consequences-in Botswana HIV is a biggie (one of the many consequences) The boys were silent after our discussion, I think that this was the first time in their lives they heard a real answer to their questions.

A few days later,  a few of the boys came up to me and asked when our next talk was going to be! Something must have been hitting home...

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

Ode to Chocolate...

This one is for you KG.

I like Chocolate. I will now admit it.

Some time in Missoula, my dear friend KG offered me some chocolate-Dove squares, her favorite. I decline, stating that I really didn't like chocolate. She looked at me...like I was a ghost. I have to say...I was shocked that we still remained friends (love you KG).

Ever since I have been in Botswana, I have had sweet cravings. CRAVINGS I tell you. So, chocolate has been in my care package ever since (Dove Dark Chocolate Squares thank you!)

But, recently...I have been having a chocolate consumption issue. I can't stop eating it. Recently my dinners have a spoonful of peanut butter, handful of dried fruit and chocolate squares. In bed, all of this is consumed in bed. I was sweeping my floor the other day and found a distributing amount of chocolate wrappers. I thought to myself...hm, Ashley-How old are you? And I might have also woke up with a chocolate wrapper stuck to my face one morning.... (again, how old am I?)

The other night, I was "making my dinner" busy scooping peanut butter and opening a can of green beans for variety, I said "Ashley-only two squares tonight" then this cold chill came over me...TWO SQUARES! My God, it was only 6pm, I had hours before I slept....

So its official.
I like Chocolate.
Thank you very much.

Only in Botswana...

They say that the Peace Corps changes you, it does. I am only a few months shy of being in country for one year, but months ago I was already able to recognize some of the ways I have changed....

Humor:
I live next to a cattle kraal, where cattle are placed when they are being inspected for bride prices, children or other cattle selling activities. I have spent many many many an hour watching and laughing at men attempting to load cattle up a ramp onto the back of their trucks. Cattle are unwilling to venture up the ramp when there is a truck at the other end (its like they know...) On Sunday, instead of watching tv. I watched with great joy as cattle escaped from the kraal, they climbed up the ramp and jumped off it--yes, cows can fly. The escaped cows then waited around till every cow escaped from the kraal. Then they fled into the darkness.

Germs:
Living without electricity is a daily adventure. So is testing the bounds of food science. I think that in America...we are ninnies when it comes to germs...we are also ninnies when it comes to "food safety" Stateside, I would never never never dream of eating milk or any food for that matter past the expiration date. Mo Botswana--I paid for it. I am eating it damn-it. My potatoes are a little moldy, no biggie, just heat it up. Your milk smell? Nah-you will just have the runs for a few hours. Have I given myself food poisoning, you bet. I have I learned from it...sure ain't.

At Jwaneng bus rank you can buy "Russians" aka foot long hot dogs. They are worth the 12 Pula you pay for them! I always treat myself to Russian to make it through a bus ride. I was sitting, getting ready to bite into my spicy Russian when a man sneezes on it. Yes, sneezes on my Russian. At first I was repulsed. I even gave the man a death glare. However, after careful inspection of my prize-worthy Russian, I decided it was safe to eat. So I ate it.

Free time:
What do I do for fun in the bush? Why a lot of things, mostly, my weekend activities surround me sitting under a tree or on my stoop watching goats. Its really a good way to pass the time.

What annoys me:
Public transport fare. Within the time I have been in Botswana, the prices were raised 5%, thats noting really. But a combi ride is now P3.50...not P3.30! Out rage!

What doesn't annoy me:
Water shortages. Its an excuse for me not to bathe (especially in the winter....)
The fact that it takes about an hour to get 15 kilometers.

Fire and Floods....

Several weeks ago, I had a small house fire. No, nothing that major...but a candle tipped over ruining some important items. Luckily I caught it in time and was able to put it out with water. Needless to say, I was heart broken when I discovered I burnt some pictures and a quote bag my dear friend Amanda made me. I was determined to salvage what I could. I set out the remains of photos and quotes to dry on my flood and went about my life.

The next day I left....only to return many many hours later and my house was flooded. I am still not sure how my tap was on...but it was. Water stood inches and inches in my kitchen and had spread into my bedroom and living room. Again, it could have been a lot worse....

As I was cleaning up I noticed that a quote was burnt on a picture from masters cohort it was "The world is full of a number of things. I am sure we should all be as happy as kings" -Robert Stevenson

I had paused to reflect on that poetic irony...treasures were lost, my house flooded all in a matter of hours. Not to mention my patiences and will was tried. But the world is full of many things. And I am as happy as a king.

I have found one of the greatest things Peace Corps can teach me, is the ability to reflect. My day to day life seems mundane at times. I can't count relationships I am building on my VRF...but I can count my daily treasures.

So here is to being here and living in the moment.