Meet Pwchisango

I am happy to finally introduce you to Pwschisango (English translation = Patience), our housekeeper/Nanny who I now consider my friend. Patience is 25 years old and immigrated from Zimbabwe almost four years ago. She and her husband Joseph and their three-year-old daughter, Faith, live in Mocholodi with Brett and Zoe.

Since the day I met Patience, I've been very fond of her. Although very soft spoken, she is wonderful with children. She is extremely kind and her English is crystal clear:-) Thursday afternoon as Patience and I baked some carrot muffins, we engaged in wonderful conversation. I learned so much more about her and gained a lot of respect and admiration for her.

Patience went through all of the training in Zimbabwe to be a Safari guide. However, with the turmoil in her country, life suddenly became very difficult. When Ian asked her what brought her to Botswana, she looked at the ground and quietly responded, "poverty." She explained that she thought she would have better luck getting a job in Gaborone at one of the national parks. Unfortunately, working as a Safari guide here requires different qualifications, etc. With only 10 pula (6.2 pula to the dollar) when she arrived in Botswana, she wasn't sure what to do. Turns out she found a church to sponsor her. She said they raised enough money for her to buy some food, etc. Then they sent her back to Zimbabwe to get her husband, Joseph. When they returned here, she found work as a maid (which means she also found living accomodations).

While Patience has dreams of being a Safari guide, or even going to law school some day, she said that she feels extremely blessed with her current situation. She says, "it's a miracle and I am so very blessed." Patience is the oldest of six (three sisters and two brothers). While her parents are also in Gaborone, the rest of her family lives in Zimbabwe. She explained to me that one of her sister's failed school and was left with two options: sell herself to prostitution or find a husband. Fortunately, she found a husband. Patience would like to return to her country, but isn't sure if it will ever be safe again. In the meantime, she wants to continue working as a maid so that she can save money to buy her own home. We are lucky to have Patience come to our house every Tuesday, half of Weds, and Thursdays. Finn absolutely LOVES Patience - he lights up every time he sees her. And I am truly grateful that she has come into our lives.