I am almost ¾ of the way through my time in Botswana and this realization has prompted me to think about what ‘footprint’ I want to leave here when I return home. As a scholar, I know that meaningful research moves slowly and I will not likely be able to claim any enormous breakthroughs in HIV/ AIDS research. However, I have made numerous breakthroughs in my own professional development that will contribute to the work I do from this point forward. Living and working in Botswana, I have developed friendships with people from all over the world; while at the same time, living nearly 10,000 miles away from my friends and family has strengthened existing bonds as well.
Living day to day in Botswana, I have been able to appreciate the challenges and opportunities facing this developing nation. This has radically changed the way I understand my own country, made me thankful for the blessing of being ‘born in the USA’ and given me a deeper perspective from which to view and interact with the world. This experience has taught me that, while I came to serve and to contribute to the good work that is going on here, I have received more than I imagined. So maybe the better question is, 'what footprint will Botswana leave on me?'
By the way, this is a picture of a lion's paw print from our safari over the Christmas/ New Year holidays.
