The history of every country begins in the heart of a man or a woman.
–Willa Cather in ‘O Pioneers!’
I thought reading Willa Cather’s ‘O Pioneers!’ would make me nostalgic for home, but I am finding that it is actually very germane to living in a young, developing country such as Botswana. While Batswana are not pioneering new geographic territory, they are pioneering a new democracy— writing the history of their country which started in their hearts. Indeed, my experience in Botswana has opened my eyes to the struggles of many African nations and people groups, from South Africans adjusting to post-Apartheid life to the ongoing sagas of politics and corruption that plague many African nations.
Some of the key themes of ‘O Pioneers!’ are shaped by the intense struggles and hardships that the families had to endure in order to survive on the plains of Nebraska. They didn’t have anything handed to them, but rather, they had to work for every success. Sometimes even hard work yielded failure due to conditions that were beyond their control. On several occasions, I have listened to people in Botswana describe the successes and failures of various African nations and people groups. The common theme of these testimonies is that those people groups who have had to struggle the hardest are the ones who continue to work the hardest to achieve success in their various pursuits.
My favorite example of this is the way one of my friends described the consistent narrative that, because of the extreme trials they have faced and overcome, Zimbabweans are exceptionally hard workers. This friend, after lamenting that some other people groups are constantly looking for handouts, Zimbabweans are always ready to ‘make a plan’ to solve a problem, seal a deal and move ahead. That is precisely what helped the pioneers— in every trial they were ready to ‘make a plan’ and see it to fulfillment.
Who would have thought that my 'home girl' (we're both from Nebraska), Willa Cather's work would be so relevant to my life and experiences in Botswana!?!?
On another note, when I spoke with my Grandpa (who lives in Nebraska) this weekend, I mentioned that I was reading ‘O Pioneers!’ He responded that he first read the novel while he was stationed in Guam during WWII. How amazing that two Nebraskans first read this wonderful work when they were as far away from home as they have ever been.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
M-I-C... K-E-Y... M-O-U-S-E!
Shortly after I get home from Botswana, I will be speaking at a conference in Orlando... but I don't even have to wait until I get home to see Mickey!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Lessons from Botswana
I have been reflecting on some of the 'lessons' I've learned during my time in Botswana and thought I'd share a few with you:
1. Patience.
2. Dependence on God and my community of friends.
3. An expanded definition of the ‘right way’ to do things.
4. A greater appreciation for the journey of life in contrast to the destinations marked by specific accomplishments.
5. Gratitude for others making up for my linguistic shortcomings. (I am one of the only people I can think of in my immediate circle who only speaks one language and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of the people in world who make my life easier by speaking English in addition to their native language(s). I am also thankful that, since I only speak one language, the language I DO speak is English).
1. Patience.
2. Dependence on God and my community of friends.
3. An expanded definition of the ‘right way’ to do things.
4. A greater appreciation for the journey of life in contrast to the destinations marked by specific accomplishments.
5. Gratitude for others making up for my linguistic shortcomings. (I am one of the only people I can think of in my immediate circle who only speaks one language and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of the people in world who make my life easier by speaking English in addition to their native language(s). I am also thankful that, since I only speak one language, the language I DO speak is English).
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
If you're considering a holiday trip to Botswana, Cinco de Mayo might be the holiday to aim for. They don't actually celebrate Cinco de Mayo here (which isn't surprising, since it is a Mexican holiday and Botswana has very little Mexican influence) but the weather so far this month has been amazing! It's been sunny and 75 degrees Fahrenheit everyday. The evenings are long, cool and pleasant-- perfect for getting lots of sleep.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Fashion faux pas
According to Wikipedia, a fashion faux pas is defined as 'an unfortunate error in fashion etiquette.' With the weather getting cooler (some nights it gets below 50 degrees Fahrenheit), the fashion scene in Gaborone is definitely changing. However, it seems that I am the one who has been committing the most offending fashion faux pas recently.
First, I broke out some of my long-sleeved shirts to wear to work. One day, I arrived wearing a bright orange one (which happens to be one of my favorites). Upon entering the office, I was informed that bright orange is the color of the opposition party and that people likely think that, by wearing this shirt, I am making a statement against the President.
Next, I often wear short socks with my Keen (sandal-like) shoes while I walk to work. It is miraculous how a simple pair of socks can prevent sand and rocks from entering the shoes. During the summer, I took the socks off when I arrived at work-- because even I know that socks and sandal-type shoes are NOT okay. But, with the cooler weather, it seems I have failed to remove my socks in a timely manner and a male coworker informed me that this was... as I already stated NOT okay.
Finally, my worst offense seems to be parading around with 'clothes pegs' on my person. In order to make it easier to take big steps during my walk to work, I used clothes pins (aka clothes pegs) to raise the hemline of one of my long skirts to just below my knees. When I arrived at work, I pinned the clothes pins to the straps of my backpack. Seeing the clothes pins on my backpack, one of my co-workers asked what the pins were for. I told her that I had used them to pin up my skirt during my walk to work. Her jaw dropped (literally) and she and all of the other people in the office began an exasperated flow of conversation in Setswana punctuated my the word pegs (aka pins). They asked if the pegs were EXPOSED during my walk and if anyone SAW them. I explained that by pinning up my skirt I was able to take longer, more comfortable steps and that YES, people had likely seen the pegs. My co-workers were shocked. I had to leave the office- but they were STILL talking about it when I left. So, note to self: don't wear pegs on your clothing.
I didn't, however, remove the clothes pins from my backpack and I continue to get questions and comments about them from strangers and acquaintances alike. It occurred to me that the clothes pins might symbolize something that I was unaware of- maybe, by sporting these pegs, I was projecting to the world that I am possessed by demons or 'available for hire.' But, alas, I've asked around about this and it seems that the only offense I make by having the pegs on my person is a simple fashion faux pas.
First, I broke out some of my long-sleeved shirts to wear to work. One day, I arrived wearing a bright orange one (which happens to be one of my favorites). Upon entering the office, I was informed that bright orange is the color of the opposition party and that people likely think that, by wearing this shirt, I am making a statement against the President.
Next, I often wear short socks with my Keen (sandal-like) shoes while I walk to work. It is miraculous how a simple pair of socks can prevent sand and rocks from entering the shoes. During the summer, I took the socks off when I arrived at work-- because even I know that socks and sandal-type shoes are NOT okay. But, with the cooler weather, it seems I have failed to remove my socks in a timely manner and a male coworker informed me that this was... as I already stated NOT okay.
Finally, my worst offense seems to be parading around with 'clothes pegs' on my person. In order to make it easier to take big steps during my walk to work, I used clothes pins (aka clothes pegs) to raise the hemline of one of my long skirts to just below my knees. When I arrived at work, I pinned the clothes pins to the straps of my backpack. Seeing the clothes pins on my backpack, one of my co-workers asked what the pins were for. I told her that I had used them to pin up my skirt during my walk to work. Her jaw dropped (literally) and she and all of the other people in the office began an exasperated flow of conversation in Setswana punctuated my the word pegs (aka pins). They asked if the pegs were EXPOSED during my walk and if anyone SAW them. I explained that by pinning up my skirt I was able to take longer, more comfortable steps and that YES, people had likely seen the pegs. My co-workers were shocked. I had to leave the office- but they were STILL talking about it when I left. So, note to self: don't wear pegs on your clothing.
I didn't, however, remove the clothes pins from my backpack and I continue to get questions and comments about them from strangers and acquaintances alike. It occurred to me that the clothes pins might symbolize something that I was unaware of- maybe, by sporting these pegs, I was projecting to the world that I am possessed by demons or 'available for hire.' But, alas, I've asked around about this and it seems that the only offense I make by having the pegs on my person is a simple fashion faux pas.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Check this out on YouTube or iTunes
My family sent me this link to a fantastic (short) presentation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVhWqwnZ1eM
For those of us in 'low-band-width' locations, you can also download it on iTunes by searching all or part of the title:
Debunking third-world myths with the best stats you've ever seen - Hans Rosling
It's kind of old (2006) but the messages are still relevant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVhWqwnZ1eM
For those of us in 'low-band-width' locations, you can also download it on iTunes by searching all or part of the title:
Debunking third-world myths with the best stats you've ever seen - Hans Rosling
It's kind of old (2006) but the messages are still relevant.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!
He is risen... He is risen, indeed!
This week I attended two (of the nine) Holy Week services at my church. Even with the blustery, wet weather, people turned out in their fanciest garb including beautiful African dresses, saris and springy western Easter apparel (which is funny because the season is fall here). I hope you are enjoying a lovely Easter weekend!
Blessings,
Katie
This week I attended two (of the nine) Holy Week services at my church. Even with the blustery, wet weather, people turned out in their fanciest garb including beautiful African dresses, saris and springy western Easter apparel (which is funny because the season is fall here). I hope you are enjoying a lovely Easter weekend!
Blessings,
Katie
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