Settling In To My New Home In Kanye Botswana

Dear Friends,

Barbara has asked me to bring you up to date on her arrival in Botswana and put up a few pictures. (Jim)

Barbara left Nashville on the 11th and flew to Philidelphia where she met her new Peace Corps co-workers and received her new Peace Corps passport.

Arriving at Ramada Inn Philadelphia

After an afternoon of meetings and orientation, they all turned in early in order to rise at 2:30 am for their bus trip to JFK airport.

Waiting in line at South African Airways

After their check-in they moved to the boarding gate where their plane was waiting to carry them off to Johannesburg in South Africa.

Barbara arrived safely in Gaborone where they received a warm welcome from the staff.

Welcome To Botswana!

Our long time friend, Pam Workman met Barbara and took this picture.  Amazing how fresh She looks after the long 14 hour flight to Johannesburg and then the short flight to Gaborone.

How many pockets in that vest?

After arrival at the airport the group was taken to a very nice Lodge, the Big Five Hotel, outside of Gaborone for some well deserved rest. After a day of recovery at the Lodge and a chance to freshen up, Barbara's "batch" had their first group picture taken.

Barbara is up on the balcony on the left!

Next, the group was bused down to the town of Kanye, Southwest from Gaborone, to the Education Center campus where their three month orientation and language training takes place.

The Kanye Education Center

The Red arrow points to the Center and the Blue arrow points to the home of Barbara's host family.

Education Center in Kanye

All of the volunteers were given a brief orientation and then introduced to the Botswana families that are hosting them in their homes.

Host Families meet their American guests

The next morning Barbara walked from her host family's home to start classes at 8 a.m. !

First day of School?

The language classes take place in area homes with a small group of students.

Peace Corps volunteers learn Tsewana

Barbara's language teacher

Basics of Tsewana are taught daily

Last Saturday Barbara and several PCVs walked down to the center of Kanye to shop at the Shopping center.

Choppies is a Supermarket chain found in South Africa and Botswana

Barbara has a Peace Corps issued phone that has a built in flash light and FM radio.  I have been able to call her often and the reception is as clear as calling any other cell phone.  She is able to receive International calls but cannot place them.  She is able to call within Botswana as well as send SMS messages.  She is delighted to be in Botswana and is really enjoying her host family and their children.  Barbara has taken pictures of her home and family but does not have permission yet to post them.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Jim for Barbara