IFYE Program Newsletter

The last newsletter feels as though it is the hardest one to write, mainly because I want to attempt to describe some of the culture. It will probably be much easier for you to come to one of my presen-tations. That way, you can see pictures and ask questions rather than just read a newsletter. It would be even better if you were able to come to Botswana and experience it for yourself! But I guess that is one of the purposes of the exchange - so you can learn from my experiences.

I have lived in Botswana for almost six months. I can say with conviction that I know much about the country, the people, and their way of life. Botswana is a developing nation. At independence in 1966 they had only three miles of paved road. The government is working very hard to improve the infrastructure for the country, but in Africa, especially in Botswana, change does not come quickly. Everything operates at a much slower pace.

They are building new roads, and although the government currently owns more than 50% of all registered vehicles, that too will change. Villages are slowly being provided with the use of a public telephone. Private lines are increasing, but for now they are still able to have a single telephone directory for the entire country. Electricity will eventually come as well. Only one of my twelve families had electricity. The potential for solar power in this country is amazing, and virtually untapped. I hope Botswana can capitalize on that to provide more electricity.

Being here has been like stepping back in time. But people are still people, and Botswana has a culture all its own. Botswana has never experienced war, although war is all around Botswana. It has one of the strongest money units in Africa, even though those of its neighboring countries are faltering.

The people here are extremely welcoming. They will never turn someone away from their homes, and they always offer a newcomer food, even if it is from their own plate. They consider it an honor to have a guest. I have been a symbol of status for some of my host families.

The extended family is extremely important. It reminds me of the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." In this culture, that is definitely true. If a parent has to leave the village to work in another (which is quite frequent), their children will be left to grandparents, parents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and even friends. Their families are traditionally large, so most of the children will be split up to go to different family members. The people of this country are extremely dependent on one another.

Men and women carry very different roles in this society. Few mothers get married until later in life, if they marry at all. They are surprised that I am 23 years old and don't have any children yet. The women are normally solely responsible for the upbringing of their children. However, it is rare that they raise all of their children themselves, meaning that another family member usually helps.

There is very little variety in terms of food, clothing, furniture, architecture, etc. This is a result of the people here being so cautious of change.

t of their products are imported. They manufacture very few of their own goods.

Thankfully, as they develop, they are simultaneously preserving some of their traditions. Most all the primary and secondary schools have traditional dance groups.

The selling of traditional crafts has become popular and will prevent those arts from being lost. It is still easier and cheaper to build a hut rather than a house, so that will take a while to change as well.

The striking thing about Botswana is how much the government cares for its citizens. There is no sales tax and no income tax. The government provides unending service to its people. Children are given free food from the clinics every month. The food includes a bag each of millet meal (ground maize), beans and powdered milk. This continues until the child is six years old.

Anyone working for the government is provided a house in the village of their placement for ridicu-lously low rent, usually less than $30.00 per month. Health care is practically free. They pay 45¢ for a month of care. If necessary, that 45¢ will even take them to a specialized surgeon. A person who can't pay will still be provided with care. There are no real destitutes in this country. If a person demon-strates that they cannot provide for themselves, the government will give them food, clothing and even a house to stay in.

There are many more examples, but all of this makes one wonder why a country as wealthy as ours can't do more for its people. We have several kinds of taxes and our government has plenty of money, yet we have millions of people with no access to health care and homeless people living on the streets of our cities. I've heard it said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link; likewise, a nation can be judged by its poorest citizen. In that case, Botswana, a developing nation, is better off than ours.

Now please don't think that I went off to Botswana and learned to hate my government and my country--quite the contrary. I simply cannot wait to go home. It is always good to be around people who understand where you are coming from, and of course, who speak your own language. I'm also looking forward to indulging in all of those first world conveniences and variety - especially of food.

Being here has also made me realize just how diverse our country is. In every village but one, I was the only white person. People stared at me everywhere I went, mainly because I was one of the only whites they had ever seen in person. I didn't mind being the only white; that was fine, but I never got used to their staring.

I've also realized how many choices you have to determine the path of your own life. We have such a variety of careers, climates, everything. And we, as a people, are constantly busy trying to improve our situation. Here they don't seem to care as much, or want to work as hard to improve their own lives.

Yes, the pace of everything is definitely slower. Most people don't own a watch and few homes have clocks. It is mind-boggling and sometimes incredibly frustrating how slow and inefficient some of the people are. But I have enjoyed the slow pace. It has been the longest period of relaxation of my life.

Let me quickly report on my last four families. My ninth and tenth families were in the Central Region. The ninth family was fairly uneventful; my tenth family was so much fun. They threw a traditional party so that I could see what one was like. The District 4-B office took us to a rhino reserve and to a museum of the first president's family.

We left the Central Region a day early and went to the Gaborone Region. The Regional 4-B coordin-ator for Gaborone felt we needed the weekend to run errands and such in Gaborone. It was the per-fect break! We did run some errands in the capital city, but actually spent most of our time with the U.S. Marines who worked at the U.S. Embassy. They took us to a movie theater. Botswana only has one movie theater in the whole country. Can't tell you how strange it was to actually be sitting in a theater with a bunch of people from the U.S. watching an American movie!

My eleventh family was one person, a teacher. She was only one year older than me and was more like a sister than a mother. The Regional 4-B office came and took us to a couple of 4-B projects in the area. The 4-B program has three main divisions: agriculture, beekeeping, and traditional dance. The projects were not very active because the schools closed Nov. 26 for Christmas vacation. They will reopen Jan. 18.I did get to participate as their guest of honor at their National Tree Planting Day. The government is trying to encourage everyone, but especially the farmers, to plant trees to try and stop desertification. Most people use firewood and do almost all of their cooking outside. They are also encouraging people to plant trees to combat the problem of a lack of fuel.

When the National 4-B office told me that I would have twelve host families, I assumed that I would have at least one or two that would be bad, but that has not been my experience. Even my last host family has been good. I feel that I have been very lucky.

I've been fairly occupied with trying to get some last minute things accomplished and figuring out how everything will fit in my bag. I can't finish without giving credit and thanks to the people who made this possible. First, to the state committee for selecting me and feeling I was capable of the challenge, and to the West Virginia University Extension Service and all the donors to the West Virginia IFYE fund for paying the program costs. Next, to the Randolph County Extension office for all the support and suggestions, and to the Randolph County 4-H Foundation and Randolph County 4-H leaders who made the biggest financial contributions. I also received donations from H.W. Daniels American Legion Post 29 Ladies Auxiliary, H.W. Daniels American Legion Post 29, Randolph County Community Education Outreach Service, Emma Scott Garden Club, and private donors.

One of my biggest concerns before coming was what I would give as gifts to the host families and 4B coordinators. The gifts were a great hit and I owe most of that to Randolph County's Delegate, Joe Martin for donating West Virginia State Legislature items. I also received gift donations from the Elkins Lioness Club, Wal-Mart, Davis Trust Company, Elkins EconoLodge and Quality Farm and Fleet.

And last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank my friend who took care of things at home and to everyone else who took the time to write. Mail was a true blessing. Ke a leboga (Thank you). I'm looking forward to coming home and hope that many of you can come to a presentation to be able to share a little more of the experience. And thanks for reading this newsletter. At least it wasn't written in vain.
Go Siame!

Beth Kleckner

It is great to be back home! Hope to see many of you throughout the state.