Getting Connected - JOLENE

I guess Renae just posted a blog about our trip to Moremi, and about the time our company was here, so on to other things. I’ve started to be involved in a couple of other things and am finally feeling like there might be a reason that I’m here!
One of the things I’ve been doing is going to Otse where there is a Home Based Care Center. A few years ago before ARV’s were available people with HIV/AIDS would come to this center for care, and ones in terminal stages would be there until they died. Since ARV’s are available there is not such a need for a place like this to come, but it is now a place that Home Based Care givers go out from into the village to make sure HIV/AIDS patients are taking their ARV’s and teaching nutrition, etc. It is also a place where people from the village come to work on various projects – there is a garden there, a quilting group and others make beads/jewelry. The hope is that some of the projects become income generating, but so far they haven’t really found an outlet for their crafts. I am helping another Flying Mission wife, Evelyn, with the quilting project. So far they have done some small projects and made some really neat bags, and their next big project is a quilt. Earlier they had made dolls, and did some fabric painting and made skirts. There are four women that are in the class, and are fun to work with and are doing well. For some it comes easier than for others, but they are all learning. And I am too!
Today I met another very interesting lady. Mma Mogapi is a very busy woman, but one of the things she does is have children come to her yard every Saturday morning where they play, have a bible story and singing, and are fed two good meals. She came to my house today to pick up the clothing that was brought over by Jim & Glenda, from MCC. The clothing will go to the children that come to her yard. She wanted to go through everything before Saturday to be sure there would be something for everyone, and no one would be left out. She told me all about the other work that she does – teaching nutrition, following certain children to be sure they are getting fruits & vegetables and growing properly, and also working with HIV/AIDS people to make sure they also have proper nutrition. She & her husband also do marriage counseling together. I’m sure she has other projects going also – it made me tired to hear of all the things she does!
I took her out to her house then with the clothing, where she will sort it. Then Saturday morning Renae, Katrina, and I will go with two other Flying Mission short termers to help with the children and be there when the clothing is distributed. Thanks to our small group at church, Jim & Glenda, and MCC, for making sure the clothing got here! It will certainly be put to good use.
We finally connected with our friend Maria, in Bokaa where we had done our village live-in back in 1985. It was so good to see her again and meet two of her 5 daughters, and a granddaughter. Penyo is her oldest daughter and works in Gaborone. Penyo called yesterday to try & come see us. It didn’t suit at that time, but we’re hoping to connect more with her.
It is feeling very good to have some meaningful relationships and connections with local people here. Many are working tirelessly in their communities to serve and help people, and I have nothing but respect for them and the things they are doing.