Dumela! (Hello in Setswana)

I have tried to upload photos for the past 45 minutes and for some reason I am not succeeding! I might try quickly through facebook now as know that you are all keen to see some pics!

I have lots to update on so here goes.... 16/10/10

I sleep lots better - think because the cat has slept in wih me and frightened away all the bugs! I sleep past my alarm again and wake up at 7.40am although we are supposed to be leaving at 8! I think I will learn that the Botswana time is different to UK time though. I am excited to learn that the board meeting will be held at TOP banana - so this will be my first visit there. Its only about a 10 minute drive through the village (over fairly bumpy terrain) and its achance for me to see hwo the villagers live. I am surprised at the difference in buildings - some looking rather fancy and decorative and others simply mud huts. I learn later that the Govern,emt give each family a piece of land to do whatever they want with, but also loan money in which to build a house (I suppose a bit like a mortgage) and they pay it back at 200 pula a month (equating to 20gbp - although Rick tells me not to think of the currency translation in terms of GBP... he says to think of Pula as Pula!!)

We arrive at TOP Banana and it feels slightly surreal to find myself standing in front of the sign explaining the rules of TOP Banana, as I have only seen this on photos and a dvd before. Denise shows me around the grounds, consisting of; the gym, youth centre, pre-school, sewing room, HIV block, toilet block, office, netball court, volleyball court and overgrown playground. Denise explains that some volunteers had built the playground and I am very impressed - I am also a little daunted by their accomplishment and am unsure whether I will measure up at all...I really hope so.

The meeting is due to start at 09.00 but at half past we are still aiting for people. Eventually everyone arrives and we start. I am now feeling a little unwell as I almost fainted eralier when Denise was showing me round. I am given firm instructions that I need to eat more than a banana for my breakfast and also that I will soon get used to the altituse which will also have added to me feeling unwell.... SO the meeting begins and we complete introductions, Lovemore (the manager) welcomes everyone to the meeting and one of the villagers says a prayer. There is an agenda to follow and this takes some time - as has to be transalted from Setswana to English and back again by Stella, the treasuer. I manage to pick up a few words but other than that I am in the dark! However it is a really hypnotic language to listen to. The meeting is long - over 4 hours and without a break - and I am quite exhausted by the end of it. I am looking forward to coming back on Monday. The plan is just for me to join in and be led on what I can do with more of a plan being created later in my stay.

Arriving back at home, Sally greets us all with a big wag of her tail and I collapse int the arm chair. Denise makes us a snack and after this, we all drift off into the land of nod for a couple of hours. When I wake up it is getting dark and I worry that I will not be able to sleep later(although I will learn that this will not be a problem). Once again we have no water so no shower or bath tonight! Due to the water situation, I also have a routine for filling the toilet bowl up, otherwise it will not flush.

As yet there has been no particular diet and perhaps this is contributing tpowards my rather unsettled stomache! No mpore details required at this stage as I do want you to continue reading my blog!!!

17/10/10

I wake up with Muse and Em (they came from the 'museum' and were named as such!) on my bed between my legs. Managining to get up I decide to take Sally for a walk - although it is 1.30 the temperature is quite cool.... Shortly after we set off I notice that she is limping quite badly, but just turns out to be a thorn in her foot which I pull out. She seems to smile at me gratefully and trots on. Getting into my stride (I have to walk pretty quickly to keep up with her) I notice that she has begun to slow down and is beginning to look quite hesitant... I soon realise why when a dog starts barking a couple of meteres away - if it were not tied up it would definitely have gone for both sally and I and so I am very relieved. But then another dog! and another! and another! all begin to bark and oull at their chains. And THEN a family started shouting at me in Setswana and waving their arms! Ahhhhhh!! What should I do??? Well, that was pretty easy! I'm not a risk taker and a total scaredy cat so i just turned back.... In the opposite direction we encounter a loose dog but apart from barking, get no jip so a very pleased and relieved Sally and Laura return to the safety of their home.

Tonight the water came back on to our applause and Denise encouraged me to take a deep hot bath while I could. I am quickly beginning to appreciate the 'simple' andbasic needs that are met so easily in England. I wouldnt have imagined that having a shower or bath would so quickly become a highlight of the day!

OK got to dash..... will update more when I can!

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I really appreciate it!! x x x