Clues for Post IST Blues

IST= In-Service training, also to signify that our in-country travel lock-down is over. Equals Hallelujuah.

For a solid 10 days, me, myself and I got to check into a lovely hotel, Tlotlo (which means respect in Setswana). At this hotel I got access to wifi (very limited when competing with 74 others to download), 18 degrees Celsius air-conditioned room, a plushy white Queen sized bed (envision a cloud), a strong jet shower-head, and unlimited availability to tea/coffee/soaps (might have gone overboard with taking some home with me).

During IST, we had sessions covering a range of topics including: Fitness 101, Recycling, Container Gardening, and Composting, First 6 weeks of service, Community Assessment reviews, Intimate Partner Violence, Maintaining Mental and Emotional Health, Grant-writing (Peace Corps Grants Online tutorial), PCV Committees Fair, HIV/AIDS online resources, Kings Pack Training, Sexual Education/HIV Educational demonstrations, Economic Empowerment opportunities, and Alcohol Abuse within communities.

My personal favorite of these sessions was the Diversity Panel, which was led by fellow PCVs. I was invited to be a guest speaker on the panel, and present my single story on my identity as an Asian American (this session was followed by a powerful session on the Ted talk on Danger of A Single Story- a must watch).

The theme of the panel was “Backlash of the Elections”. After the elections, a lot of people felt opinionated and had something to say about whose leading America, and what it means to be an American. This platform was not a means to discuss political standpoints, but to open the conversation and educate our fellow peers on diversity and how racism has impacted each marginalized group.

Unfortunately post the session, fellow PCVs expressed the need for conversation, mutual dialogue, and individual questions to be answered; however, some people have been waiting on the stands to speak their whole lives. My favorite quote from a fellow PCV, “Some people are sweating about the next 4 years, while we’ve been sweating for the past 400 years.” Needless to say this isn’t my first experience being “woke”, especially since living in New Orleans has opened my eyes to the racial and social injustices that negatively impact communities and lives, but it was my first time being active in voicing myself and my opinion to others on my own struggles with the first generation Asian American identity and growing up discriminated against. Let us begin to dig deep within and know we each have our stories, but those that don’t get spoken enough of have been suppressed for reasons beyond our lifetime and years. [Please insert Solange’s album “A Seat at the Table”, any and all lyrics].

It has been especially tough having to defend an American identity that is associated with the election of Trump as President… however, after conversing with many fellow PCVs that are known as a minority, all were not surprised at how the votes turned out. That is a depressing thought, and also a reality for multiple individuals. Continuing onward, I hope to have more open and thoughtful conversation about the danger of stereotypes, and how “fair and just” America is. Particularly I hope to engage with more Batswana, as well as, fellow Americans who just don’t realize the barriers and challenges created by a white-supremacy supported system back home.

“I have a lot to be mad about,” said Solange. I support my sister’s words and hope to continue the good work and representing American diversity despite all adversities we face.

Fantasy

Bua theme: "That time when..."

A Peace Corps Tale about Solo Bonolo (background music "Fantasy" by XX)

Once upon a time not long ago, 'twas a Queen Bonolo and she lived in a desert kingdom far away where rivers have dried and sunsets are lit.

In the past 'twas a time when Queen Bonolo had shit her undergarments. The fair yellow maiden had enjoyed festivities at Dithubaruba, wine, and laid in her quarters. Only to be awakened by the shivering of her asshole, to find a surprise. Shit got real.

'Twas a time when solo Bonolo was all about YOLO and no FOMO. However thou could not live life like that forever tho and she applied to Peace Corps and said no more.

'Twas a time when B had witnessed a miracle on surviving a ride on her iron stallion in the midst of a lightning storm. Death she thought was upon her, however, it was not this day. For what is dead may never die.

'Twas a time when B had felt fed up. She had a lot to be mad about, when the linger of a man's handshake or a question "A o batla monna wa Motswana?" and she says to them 'Boy Bye'. Only to fight another day.

Solo Bonolo had her lows, where princes were in the forms of fantasies, and she didn't wanna in Setswana. And day by day, she sometimes felt less of herself grow. However, she too knew that this too shall pas. And these feels won't last.

The queen continues to live out the rest of her days in her desert kingdom for years to come. And there will be a time where she will fondly look back and remember her Peace Corps members.

And to you all my PCV brothers and sisters. Peace. Love. And Weirdness.

The End.

 

Sandy and Dandy

To bring people into perspective on my town, outlined is my town’s history and people (something I had to write for my community needs assessment for Peace Corps- not included is the other 25 pages).

Hukuntsi a village in the Kgalagadi District (pronounced as Kalahari). There are nine wards in Hukuntsi including Goo-Thaga, Goo-Kgosi, Goo-Magobelelo, Goo-Moselebe, Goo-Thsweu, Ga-Letsepa, Ga-Motlharo, and Ga-Mhutlha. Hukuntsi is located in the Kgalagadi North Sub-District located in the Kgalagadi Desert. According to the history of Hukuntsi, before people settled permanently here, they lived in numerous other settlements in the Kgalagari District which were later abandoned. People abandoned those settlements because the water had dried up and were in search of water and good pastures for their animals. Some of these abandoned areas are now used as cattle posts and field areas. Oral history suggests that Hukuntsi and other Macheng villages were founded because there was enough water in the pans for the people and animals, and there were large herds of wild animals for food as well.

The people who live in the Kgalagari are called Bakgalagari named after the region. The name 'Bakgalagari' means 'people of the great thirst for land' and it was given to different indigenous groups of people living on the outskirts of within the region. The name 'Bakgalagari' was extrapolated onto a (Western) Sotho-Tswana group, the Bantu speaking peoples who, because of war with Batsawana, were pushed onto the area--both who inhabit the area and those who are not residents in the region due to migrations. Bakgalagari do cross-borders into Namibia and are of Ngologa origin. Bakgalagari speak Shekgalagari language, which is often used as a common language in areas inhabited by the Khoe and the San communities.

Bakgalagari comprise Banalaongwe, Bangologa, Bashaga, Bakgwatheng, Bagyegwana, Bakhena, Batjhauba, Balala, Baphalent, etc. Other groups found in Hukuntsi are the Nama which is a Khoe group also called Bakgothu (Setswana) or Bakgotyhu (Shekgalagari). There is the Batlharo who are classified as Batswanaandin Matsheng, they live mostly in Hukuntsi. There are Afrikaners who are Indo-European settlers/traders who have now been residents in Hukuntsi for a considerable period of time. There are some Asian people who have been living in Hukuntsi mostly as tradesmen. Hukuntsi is surrounded by the settlements of Zutshwa, Ukhwi, Monong, Hunhukwe, Ncaang, Magke, and Ngwatle inhabited mostly by the !Xoo (San).

Hukuntsi means “many corners” and is named for its status as one of the four major villages in its region of the Kgalagadi Desert. It’s located 114 kilometers away from the village of Kang, off of the Gabarone-Ghanzi highway.  According to 2015 Statistics Botswana, there are 4,751 residents. The majority of the Hukuntsi population are Bangologa people, a Tswana clan. Hukuntsi is the headquarters for the Kgalagadi North Sub-District, and the Rural Administration Centre is there for government offices. Also located in Hukuntsi are a hospital, clinic, 3 elementary schools, and 1 community junior secondary school. The village is supported by Hukuntsi Airport. The town has guest housing, independently owned supermarkets, two wholesalers (Trans and Shoppers), butcheries, and variety shops.

The first/past two months in my town I was observing and inquiring different community members and stakeholders about the village life, services catered to the community, type of community outreach and events conducted, the different socio-economic needs of the community, and conducting a basic situational analysis and SWOT (Strength-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats) analysis of the town with approval from the Kgosi and my supervisor.

Fortunately during the first month and a half there were 4 Boitekanelo College interns that were completing their attachments (practicuum/internship) in Hukuntsi, so I was able to assist them in their analysis and implementation of interventions/events for the community to reduce alcohol abuse and improve fitness and well-being overall. Most of my uploaded photos on Facebook of community events were all due to the acceptance and kindness of those students and the health promotion officers for letting me participate and support those events. Shoutout to Yellow*, Miso*, KT*, and MY* for letting me be weird around ya'll <3

Currently I work at the pharmacy part-time (replacing the PCV that had been working there prior my arrival), and assisting the health promotion office and DAC (District AIDS Coordinator) office with any projects, community events, and planning that they need me to help out with. Work productivity has been consistent for the most part, I feel needed and useful in both places! I consider myself to be a drifter. Someone who floats between departments and places to help wherever and however I can. 

Days out here in the desert are pretty systematic and routine. Work during the week, hang out with my fellow PCV neighbor, Sam, on the weekends, concoct fun brunches, and interesting ways to snapshot our lives out in the Kgalagadi Desert, and try to maintain a consistent meditation focusing on my state of mind and purpose while living out the next two years here.

In the meanwhile, please continue to send thoughts and prayers my way for the continual of my service here to my town!

Also, if anyone would like to send snail mail my address is:
Bibiana Oe
PO Box 326 Hukuntsi Rent
Hukuntsi, Botswana

Every day is a new Beginning

As I sit in my house that I will reside in for the next two years, my thoughts race to reminiscing all the days that led up to my graduation from PST. I felt like it’s all gone by so fast, yet I will never forget my father's words telling me, “Don’t count down the days, because you’ll always be looking to get out instead of staying and being where you are.” [This of course was all in Korean]. It’s always when you’re looking back that you realize that time seems slow at the time, but it doesn’t mean it’s not going. Shoutout to Papa Oe for making me feel those pearls of wisdom.

I was warned that I might not have running water, that I might have to poop in a bucket, that I might have to sift through some leftovers of Peace Corps hand me downs, and more importantly that I’d be arriving during the hottest part of summer. I’ll even be honest… the night before I left Moleps, I had a panic attack. I had thoughts doubting my Setswana abilities, my facilitating and organizing abilities, my capacity to socialize and build relationships without the comfort of English, my unwritten schedule, my undeveloped projects, and my fear of not being good enough. (This is where Mama Mo comes to the rescue). She heard me rustling around and leaving my room to go to the toilet and to brush my teeth, because honestly I didn’t know what to do with myself and couldn’t handle tossing and turning anymore. She called to me and I came running, seeking for solace and comfort, which she completely provided by letting me be a child and sleep in the bed next to her. Again let me repeat, moms are the best.

Then the day came for me to travel to my new hometown. It was a long day of travel, waiting, unexpected injuries (not mine but of a fellow rider), and little leg room. And then several hours later, I was home. I was in Hukuntsi. I didn’t know what to do first or how to unpack… But the best part of my moving in process was coming across this wonderfully touching note left by the Bots 15 volunteer I am replacing. She wrote, “Hi! I hope you have a wonderful 2 years here! Every day is a new beginning. Enjoy the sunsets! <3 Corinne*”.

If you’ve been following my blog, one of my entries is about no more last of anythings, but first of somethings. Just another small sign that things will work out, and that things happen for a reason. I have lots of uncertainties, but I am going to repeat a fellow volunteer’s words, “I could be back in the States… But I’d be bored.” Life is an adventure and I’m ready to practice what I preach. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be for this experience and I’m diving in.

Cheers to new beginnings ya’ll.