About 6 hours after the picture above...
Sunday, 8 September 2013
BB2. Riding in the back of a truck.
I've lost count of how many times I've done this now. Not a whole lot to say about it apart from the fact that it's pretty freaking cool (minus the sunburn and the occasional bit of dust in the eye).
Botswana Byte 1. Magwinya.
These are going to be mini posts about small things which really tickle my pickle in Botswana. Enjoy!
BB1. Magwinya (ma-guin-ya).
(Also known as fat cakes). These are Sugarless chewy doughnutty things sold at little road side stalls out of cool boxes. They are AMAZING and costing 50 thebe each (about 4p) I'm sure mannnny more will be consumed this year.
BB1. Magwinya (ma-guin-ya).
(Also known as fat cakes). These are Sugarless chewy doughnutty things sold at little road side stalls out of cool boxes. They are AMAZING and costing 50 thebe each (about 4p) I'm sure mannnny more will be consumed this year.
Saturday, 7 September 2013
A School Day
There are 3 classes in the school, Standard 5, Standard 6 and Standard 7, only the S7's take the leaving exam at the end of the year then new S5's arrive the following January.
We've just moved onto the summer timetable which means lesson start at 7.30am, and that's even after registration and assembly so it's an early start. There are then 4 lessons before break and 4 after each lasting 35minutes and finishing at around 12.45. It's then lunch until 3pm when the meeting starts followed by manual work until 5.30. Sports and swimming are slotted into the timetable on various days as well.
So what are we actually doing?
We're both teaching a subject to S5 (Jack maths and me science), this involves teaching one period each day with one double period a week. It doesn't seem that much but it can be pretty hard work when you're trying to teach the solar system to boys that are more interested in throwing things across the classroom and constantly wanting go to the toilet. When a lesson goes well though it feels amaaazing and keeps you in a good mood for the rest of the day.
After our lessons we've got free time in the morning to help out somewhere in the school or just chill out. We then have a group during manual work, so far this has involved going to collect firewood (this is really quite fun especially as we get to drive the Toyota cabstar), collecting river sand, bush clearing, painting the classrooms, fixing the lockers and a few other things. There are maybe 6 groups during manual and most jobs involve improving the school in some way. After manual we've free to chill out by ourselves...wait ..that never happens, it's usually time to try and entertain the boys through playing games, music, going to the computer lab, the TV tent and anything else that's remotely interesting.
After cooking our evening meal using our complex culinary skills, a favourite being chakalaka sauce and rice with corned beef if we're lucky, we're usually pretty knackered.
We've just moved onto the summer timetable which means lesson start at 7.30am, and that's even after registration and assembly so it's an early start. There are then 4 lessons before break and 4 after each lasting 35minutes and finishing at around 12.45. It's then lunch until 3pm when the meeting starts followed by manual work until 5.30. Sports and swimming are slotted into the timetable on various days as well.
So what are we actually doing?
We're both teaching a subject to S5 (Jack maths and me science), this involves teaching one period each day with one double period a week. It doesn't seem that much but it can be pretty hard work when you're trying to teach the solar system to boys that are more interested in throwing things across the classroom and constantly wanting go to the toilet. When a lesson goes well though it feels amaaazing and keeps you in a good mood for the rest of the day.
After our lessons we've got free time in the morning to help out somewhere in the school or just chill out. We then have a group during manual work, so far this has involved going to collect firewood (this is really quite fun especially as we get to drive the Toyota cabstar), collecting river sand, bush clearing, painting the classrooms, fixing the lockers and a few other things. There are maybe 6 groups during manual and most jobs involve improving the school in some way. After manual we've free to chill out by ourselves...wait ..that never happens, it's usually time to try and entertain the boys through playing games, music, going to the computer lab, the TV tent and anything else that's remotely interesting.
After cooking our evening meal using our complex culinary skills, a favourite being chakalaka sauce and rice with corned beef if we're lucky, we're usually pretty knackered.
Bana ba Metsi
The school we're at is called Bana ba metsi and is located near the village of Ngrange on the east side of the Okavango panhandle...in other words....the middle of nowhere. The nearest proper town is called Shakawe which is 50km down a dirt road and a ferry crossing away. The school is then 1km from the road down a slightly more bumpy dirt road and is surrounded by a perimeter fence. Being in the middle of nowhere makes it all the more special though (untill you run out of nice fresh food that is).
The school targets 'boys at risk' throughout Botswana. These boys come for a variety of reasons, through poverty, lack of positive role models, criminal behaviour......you get the picture. The age of the boys ranges from 12 to 19. The school then tries to teach them as many manual skills as possible and aims for them to pass their Primary School Leaving Certificate. Sounds like a pretty sweet plan...
Thursday, 5 September 2013
'Mister, mister, borrow me your ipod?'
If somebody gave me 1 pula every time one of the boys asked me this then I still wouldn't be a very rich man...I'd be getting close though.
It's already been a month! Soooooo much has happened and I still haven't written a blog post yet so brace yourselves, they're gonna come thick and fast. (hopefully)
We're currently in Maun eating unbelievably nice food and using internet that works (WOOO!) on our long weekend break, its amazing! (every month staff are entitled to a long weekend off and most come to Maun - it's only 6 hours away on a good day). Also, Peter (Bana ba metsi director) is letting us stay in his place for free which is a massive help.
Speak soon!
It's already been a month! Soooooo much has happened and I still haven't written a blog post yet so brace yourselves, they're gonna come thick and fast. (hopefully)
We're currently in Maun eating unbelievably nice food and using internet that works (WOOO!) on our long weekend break, its amazing! (every month staff are entitled to a long weekend off and most come to Maun - it's only 6 hours away on a good day). Also, Peter (Bana ba metsi director) is letting us stay in his place for free which is a massive help.
Speak soon!
Friday, 19 July 2013
GET READY FOR DA COUNTDOWN
It's getting closer...
I'm sure it'll be an interesting day 2 weeks from now... It's also starting to become VERY real. Clothes have been bought, equipment ordered (just about) and more importantly it was my final 'The Sportsman' pub quiz last night (hence the title) and guess what? -we didn't win.
The plan for the next 14 days then. Help Helen celebrate her graduation tonight, recovery on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon the Europe trips begins, only 8 days for me however, to end on Monday the 29th giving me 3 days to pack and try not to think about what important thing I've no doubt forgotten about. Then when Friday the second arrives it means there'll be a drive down to London with a final stop at the Aunties to consume an unbelievably good last supper....oh... and to say some goodbyes. Boom
Speak soon.
Matthew
Friday, 10 May 2013
BOTSWANA TIME!
Ok this may take some explaining...(apologies Guyana fans)
If you're in a rush this post summarised in 4 words is - I'M GOING TO BOTSWANA!
So basically when I was on selection back in September I had to choose the countries I'd consider volunteering in and then Project Trust would match up volunteer to project. However some countries only have very few volunteers so PT only select these at the end of all selection courses (about March time). There's only two of us going to the project in Botswana so when I chose it on selection I knew I'd be pooled and told whether I was successful many months later....
NOW is that time and earlier in the week a phone call from Ingrid (desk officer for Botswana and CEO of Project Trust!) confirmed I'll be going to Botswana. Wow. The project looks amazing and I cannot wait! - More info to come.
If you're in a rush this post summarised in 4 words is - I'M GOING TO BOTSWANA!
So basically when I was on selection back in September I had to choose the countries I'd consider volunteering in and then Project Trust would match up volunteer to project. However some countries only have very few volunteers so PT only select these at the end of all selection courses (about March time). There's only two of us going to the project in Botswana so when I chose it on selection I knew I'd be pooled and told whether I was successful many months later....
NOW is that time and earlier in the week a phone call from Ingrid (desk officer for Botswana and CEO of Project Trust!) confirmed I'll be going to Botswana. Wow. The project looks amazing and I cannot wait! - More info to come.
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