13.12.10

Couldn't muster the energy to walk Sally this morning and felt bad.

It was an odd day. Without the gala to focus on this morning I felt like a spare part!

In the afternoon I asked Wada if she would mind drawing a picture for my mum and she jumped at the chance, seeing her draw, others then wanted to join in so I got out all the stuff and we did that for a few hours. It was lovely.

In the midst of this a bit of a fight broke out and Thande handled it well. She is a very strong woman!

This evening it was raining and I watched Desperate Housewives - it was like home from home!

14.12.10

Happy Birthday Eva! I hope she likes her present. (Gillian - that is the present where you got the book signed for me!!)

This morning I continued with my report and at lunch I walked back to the house. Cecil was not in as he had been feeling unwell for the past few days and Petros had taken the truck to collect firewood - and ended up getting stuck in some mud! He was gone for hours. They had to organize a vehicle to pull him out, and then find out exactly where he was in the bush (lots of bushes here!!) and then actually get him out. I think they all ended up getting back at 3pm, having left at around 10.00 that morning. So in the UK it's annoying and frustrating when our computer doesn't start up quick enough or needs fixing so we lose a couple of hours….. Here what causes the delays that lose hours are the power cuts, getting vehicles stuck in mud, collecting firewood, killing snakes or going to the clinic....!

It had turned into a HOT afternoon. After grabbing a quick lunch, I set off again back to TOP Banana. I had not been walking long when I had the shock of my life! I was minding my own business walking past the Headman's son's house, when a dog came charging out from underneath one of the donkey carts that was by the side of the fence. It ran up to within about 1 foot of me, barking, growling and baring its teeth. It was a little bit scary! It looked like it was about to bite me and I stood completely still, hoping it would back off. It began to do so, and as it moved to a safe enough distance, I began moving again - but it did exactly the same thing! I let out a shout and luckily drew the attention of the owner who was plowing inside the grounds of the son's house. One of the men came over and called the dog off me, to which I thanked him and moved quickly on my way.

I continued the walk through the bush and was busy texting away to Tracey. We were in conversation about my return and at the same time I was trying to negotiate a river crossing (which since all the rain that had fallen since my departure was much fuller than I had seen before).I found a spot which had sand and gravel in the middle - ideal to hop onto before reaching the opposite bank…. Or so I thought! Stepping down into the sand, phone in my right hand and my concentration more on the words I was texting than on my stability, my foot suddenly starting disappearing through the sand and into water, finding myself very soon ankle deep in water! To rectify the situation I quickly put my left foot down, only to find that too begin to disappear! Ahhhh!!!!! Struggling to make sure I didn't drop my phone I suddenly realized how steep the bank was on the other side, so had to sort of scramble up on my hands and knees. By that time I was in absolute stitches - how ridiculous I must look! So with sand, grit and mud all over me, and rain having started, chuckling to myself I squelched the rest of the way to TOP Banana. I was quite literally soaked from top to toe by the time I arrived. Unfortunately for Thande these were the trainers that I was going to be giving her so I would need to wash them for her, probably not such a bad thing though!

This afternoon there was only Thande and me to look after the youth centre as I was told that Kedi had gone to the clinic. There were fewer children than in previous weeks (perhaps around 30) and as it was raining outside they were all in the centre. Some were happy playing pool and table football; with the others I organized colouring and drawing. Often we will get fewer children when it is raining, and also when it is about to rain - they suddenly disappear, as they know they need to get back home before they get soaked. We finished about 4.30pm and I dropped Thande back home in the truck.

It was miserable - the rain started and then the wind, as it had done at exactly the same time yesterday. I guess it's getting me ready for feeling depressed once I get back to England! Although a text from Ann stating that 4 degrees felt positively tropical, suggests that it might be a bit colder than here….. When I got back home (as I now call it), it was lovely to smell fresh bread as I walked inside. Denise was cooking! YAY!! Pita bread, and potato and leek soup. Yum. It was good to get some vegetables inside me with all the homemade cake I had been eating….I put on a few episodes of Desperate Housewives in the living room, Cecil popping in every now and then for a drink or cigarette. I spoke to Rick which was great, although did not discuss anything in too much detail, I will do when I get back.

Living away from home so long has made me think about whether I could do this more permanently. I used to think that I would be able to move to another country and live there, either on my own or as part of a couple. But I have seen first hand how lonely you can get if there are only two of you, and has made me value 'family' (in all senses of the word) much more. I am looking forward to living in my own home again and hope it won't be too much of a shock for Chad and Trace when I get back!

15.12.10

Got a text when I woke up from dad saying that Eva loved her present - phew! I slept poorly and got bitten a few times. I WILL NOT miss the mosquitoes! They are around all the time now and I have to have my wits about me at all times…. Walked Sal.

I gave out the ENGLAND vests I had brought over from the UK donated by DENS (the homeless shelter I work at). There had been much debate over whom to give these to, as we do not yet have a netball team set up and the football team has shirts already. All the staff was really appreciative, and I had some left over which will be used as prizes for the children (thanks Paul).

I went into Francistown with Cecil and Denise as Cecil needed to go to the doctors. When we got there, there were 25 people waiting, and the receptionist said that the doctor would not finish until that evening. So we went to a different one and he was able to be seen. He had to have some tests so they dropped me at the Gallo centre, where I was able to pick up a thank you gift for them, get some shopping (I bought marshmallows to take to Emily's and toast on the fire on Christmas Day) and have a coffee. When they eventually turned up, they told me that the doctor thought he had malaria! (And here was I thinking that he just had man flu….). Ted (an expat who was sat with us) said that Malaria mimics other illnesses and because of this it can be difficult to spot. So it could be that the doctor was just playing on the safe side in giving Cecil the Malaria medication.

I went round the shops with Denise to buy a few decorations for the party and I found a plastic table football game which would be perfect for the little ones. A lot of the really young ones cannot reach the big adult table and use chairs to do so, but this is quite dangerous and you have to watch them closely. So I bought this with some of the money that mum donated (thanks mum) and am really looking forward to giving it to the children!

Its Josie's birthday tomorrow and she has already put her tree up. Growing up we were only alowed to put the tree up after the 16th so she could celebrate her birthday properly and not be overshadowed too much by Crimbo - and she has put it up early!!! But that is great, so I can start to decorate the house now! Denise decorated our African tree branch with cards and lights, it looks rather alternative but lovely.

Lovemore has asked if I would like to say a few words at the staff party on Saturday, which I was fine with until I found out that they are expecting 80 people!! I will need to put in place all the hints and tips I deliver on the presentation skills course I deliver… Added to the fact there will be 80 people, I feel as though I should put in some Setswana in there too, although I have been dreadful at remembering words and phrases over here. I think it would be a little disrespectful though to omit it.

So there are only about 12 days left here in Botswana. I think I've been looking forward to my return for a while now, but don't want to be wishing my time away here as I know I will regret it when I get back to the UK. Whilst I know I have made some kind of a difference here, I'm not sure whether it will be sustainable. I plan to have a meeting with the Youth Centre staff and Office manager to review the schedule and try to encourage the planned activities continue to take place.

16.12.10

Happy Birthday Sis!

Walked Sally and she was so good J

This morning Denise and I, having been put in charge, sorted the decorations for the staff party. So it was spent wrapping toys for the gifts for the under 4 yr olds, cutting up old Christmas cards and making new ones to give out to the VIP's and other staff members. That pretty much took us up to lunch and in the afternoon I made good old paper chains (I never want to see another bit of crepe paper again in my life!). I had wanted to see the children this afternoon, but this all needed doing, so I stayed at home to do this. Through experience, anything like this needs doing in the safety of the house, as otherwise it will get damaged….

Lovemore and Petros had been into Francistown to get the food for Saturday so called by the house on their way back. They started speaking with Denise in sort of code, and I realized that I needed to vacate the room as were talking about me! Think its to do with a gift they have said they are getting me!

In the evening I spoke to Josie and so able to wish her 'Happy Birthday'!! It was nice to be able to do this.

17.12.10

11 Days to go

I now have 10 bites on my feet and ankles. And they itch like crazy.

I'm feeling a little low, as since I have been back there hasn't really been any structure around the days with the children. I perhaps could have taken more of the lead to make this happen, but I have not wanted to do that, as I am going soon - and can't do it from the UK!

So this morning first thing, Denise and I had a factory production line going cutting the material to make the chair covers - we would b making 60. It only took 1 hr 30, not bad! After we went back to the house and then down to Francistown. I had been debating in my mind whether to go or not - I needed to, but I didn't want to miss the children, but I checked with Lovemore earlier this week and he said that TOP Banana would be closed on Monday due to payday, but open on Tuesday and Wednesday so would be able to see the children then. I was glad as wanted to get them to draw me some pictures to take back with me, and I also thought it might be nice to get them to draw some for Rick.

When we got back from town I wrote the Christmas cards and wrapped the final presents. I cooked and made tuna pasta (African style -which means using whatever is in the cupboard!). It seemed to go down well as Cecil and Denise both had seconds. I was being picked up at 06.30 in the morning to go to a funeral (one of the neighbours' husbands had passed away and I was told that I should experience a Setswana funeral), so had an early night.

18.12.10

I woke before my alarm so got up at 5.30 -a good job I did as I got a call from Lovemore at 5.50 to say he was waiting at the gate for me! We were only travelling up the track and when we arrived about 5 minutes later, there were already around 150 people there. A green marquis had been set up (which I believe the open coffin was inside), it was very quiet and someone was speaking from inside the tent.

I had only been standing for maybe 15 minutes, when I came across all faint. I felt pressure in my head, a ringing in my ears and my sight beginning to disappear - I knew I was about to blackout. I thought it might be due to the 'spirits' as you see so often on Botswana television, but Petros said it was simply due to the heat, so not very exciting at all. I was taken by Tapiwa who had now joined us, to her yard where she got me a chair. I felt truly awful! What a wuss. I waited there until all the guests began moving and was told that we now needed to go to the cemetery.

As we walked the last bit to the cemetery, I was very conscious that all the women had their arms covered, with skirts on. I did not have a skirt here so was wearing dark trousers and a dark short sleeved shirt - but it seemed that you could be as colourful as you wanted to be!I grabbed my waterproof from the truck so that my arms were covered, which made me even hotter than before. When we got to where the burial would take place, Petros told me that he would now leave me as the men would stand around the other side, with women on this one. I did not have the chance to ask him why. There was quite a lot of talking as the people gathered around the grave and then the coffin (a very large one which had to be specially made as he was such a big man) was lifted from the car and taken to the grave. I was quite near the back so did not see exactly what was happening, although could see some of the men's faces straining with the weight. For the next 20 minutes there was song after song, and this was started by anyone in the crowd. The music was lovely and I wish I had understood the words. I began to feel faint again and Tapiwa told me to sit on the floor, she then told me to move to the shade which I did so happily. After more singing and talking, people started moving away and Petros who had now joined me that everyone would go back to the deceased house and eat - there would be around 300 people. Here, people went to funerals when they did not even know the deceased, as a mark of respect. However we did not, as needed to get TOP Banana ready for the party.

I got dropped back at the house and went to lie down. I had some mineral salts and paracetamol in the hope it would help, I really didn't want to be ill for the party! But I think it did. When we arrived at work, there was plenty that needed doing. Denise and I set about making the chair covers (using red and green pipe cleaners to pin the backs, making these into bows)and by the time we had finished, they looked really good. If I had known I could do this, I would have offered my services to my sister for her wedding! Denise had made a table covering and I had put up more decorations - it was the nicest I had seen the centre look! The rest of the staff were involved in the cooking and I did not envy them working away in the kitchen - as although it was outdoors it was getting even hotter outside.

We left to get changed and returned just after 2pm, not expecting things to be ready. They were not and so we began at 3pm. It was a disappointing turnout. The 80 people we had expected were more like 30, and the staff (whose party this was supposed to be) were still busy cooking when all the speeches began. The formal format for opening over here seems to be;

1.Opening Prayer

2.Introduction of VIP's

3.Welcoming Remarks

….and this is all before the content kicks off. Unfortunately the Keynote address (content) which was supposed to be delivered by Stella had to be given as a last minute change by Cecil - as her car had broken down on the way from Francistown. People that were not planned to deliver speeches delivered speeches, but all had positive things to say which was great e.g. the Sub Chief of the village said that the community needed to support TOP Banana and make an effort towards what was trying to be achieved. At one point while the Sub Chief was talking, the gardener (who I learned later was a little merry) stood up and started talking passionately in Setswana. This caused a bit of a commotion and a few other people joined in….turns out he wanted to thank Cecil for something! In between the speeches the DJ put music on and everyone danced. It's lovely to see all generations dancing together over here, without a need for alcohol (bar the gardener!). All the movement pretty much happens from the waist down, lots of bum and leg movement, feet generally remaining on the ground.

Cecil said a few words about my stay in Tshesebe - how I had quickly adapted and worked hard with the Youth Centre staff. It was lovely as there was lots of cheering and clapping. I was then given a gift which was a Botswana sarong printed with all the different tribes on it, and a book of historic buildings in Botswana. I was touched, especially as Cecil had said that they hoped I would be able to look at these gifts and remember Tshesebe and TOP Banana until the day I died.

Then it was my turn! AHHHH!! But it ended up being fine. I said a few words in Setswana -to which I got claps and cheering (noise made here through waving your tongue from side to side in your mouth, which creates a sound a little like a Red Indian). I thanked Cecil, Denise (for being my surrogate mother over here), Lovemore, Petros, Tapiwa, Thande and Kedi. I then read out a message from Rick. All of this was translated into Setswana by Lovemore. Definitely a technique for slowing yourself down when you give presentations!

Next the food was brought in - pap, chemolier (not sure if spelt right but grown in the vegetable garden and cooked especially for me as vegetarian!), spicy chutney, chicken necks (yes, you heard me right) and some other meat which I think was some kind of steak? I found the food lovely, and I know that others were also tucking in. The chicken necks went down especially well and I have a photo of Tapiwas' daughter eating one. She loved them!

Cecil and Denise went home shortly after and I stayed until the end - it didn't finish much later, which I was surprised at considering how late the beauty pageant weekend went on for! I dropped off various people, filled the tank with petrol (had a conversation with a drunk man at my window - the only words I could make out were coke, kiss and TOP Banana) and then went home, it was now around 7pm. That evening we had three power cuts, which interrupted our viewing of Friends - rock and roll! J

19.12.10

I was originally being picked up at 05.30 to go to a funeral, but as I went yesterday no longer needed to. That meant I could have a lie in!

Today was a really laid back one in the sense I didn't need to go anywhere if I didn't want. I did however spend 5 hours on Cecil's computer typing up some (yes, only some of it!) of my blog updates. By the end of that time I was getting sick to the back teeth of it, and only hope that I will appreciate all the time I have put into capturing the memories! I know I will as my memory, (as I am sure I have said before but can't remember), is so poor….

I walked Sally later that day. She was fascinated by a dead goat that had started to smell rather grim. I had to drag her away. Yuk.