Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
March Highlights
March was certainly a significant month. Our lives are completely different. Finn started walking! Other higlights include our new volunteer gig at Happy Home in Old Naledi, and "Parent Day" at Finn's school.
A Couple of Unsung Heroes
Here is another one of my articles written for the Kalahari Star
On Monday morning, March 30, the Kopong Community library was already busy. Each computer was being used, young adults occupied the round tables, while a training was taking place in the children’s reading room. Teenager Mary Ledzi Mokgweetsi explained that she comes to this library every day, twice a day. “I read the paper, use the computer, and am very involved with the youth library. We use teamwork and cooperation to help the young students with reading, using the computers, and learning more about different cultures.”
She continued to explain that the library is full in the afternoons. This is where everyone comes after school. There is always a line for the computers. Mary paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “I’m so thankful that they brought the library. We were really struggling before, to find information. Now, as you can see, we have books, papers, magazines, and computers!”
The “thanks” goes to Robert and Sara Rothschild.
In 2006 Robert, a retired engineer, traveled to South Africa to help a friend finish constructing a library. Meanwhile, his wife, Sara, spent a couple of weeks here in Botswana on a Habitat for Humanity project where she helped to build a couple of houses. Their combined experiences made an incredible impact. Rather than taking the opportunity to retire after recently selling their family business, they began a new project. One thing lead to another, and eventually the Robert and Sara Rothschild Family Foundation was born. Sara and Robert worked with the Botswana government and now have a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with the Botswana National Library Service (BNLS). The Foundation builds the libraries while the BNLS provides the land, maintenance, books, and the staff.
Their first library opened in September 2007 in Mannangkodi. Kopong Community Library followed 6 months later and opened in February 2008. The most recent library opened in Ramokgonami in October of 2008. At the end of this month, on April 30, the 4th library will open in Matlhako.
In addition to their partnership with the BNLS, the Gates Foundation is using these libraries for one of their pilot programs. The Gates Foundation not only donated and installed six computers in each library, but is also providing computer trainings.
Sara and Robert are incredibly humble people. Just by talking to them, one wouldn’t realize the scope of the positive difference they are making. In order to understand the magnitude of their hard work, huge hearts, and the impact they’ve made on this country, visit one of their libraries. Even better, attend the opening ceremony on April 30 for thelibrary in Matlhako!
On Monday morning, March 30, the Kopong Community library was already busy. Each computer was being used, young adults occupied the round tables, while a training was taking place in the children’s reading room. Teenager Mary Ledzi Mokgweetsi explained that she comes to this library every day, twice a day. “I read the paper, use the computer, and am very involved with the youth library. We use teamwork and cooperation to help the young students with reading, using the computers, and learning more about different cultures.”
She continued to explain that the library is full in the afternoons. This is where everyone comes after school. There is always a line for the computers. Mary paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “I’m so thankful that they brought the library. We were really struggling before, to find information. Now, as you can see, we have books, papers, magazines, and computers!”
The “thanks” goes to Robert and Sara Rothschild.
In 2006 Robert, a retired engineer, traveled to South Africa to help a friend finish constructing a library. Meanwhile, his wife, Sara, spent a couple of weeks here in Botswana on a Habitat for Humanity project where she helped to build a couple of houses. Their combined experiences made an incredible impact. Rather than taking the opportunity to retire after recently selling their family business, they began a new project. One thing lead to another, and eventually the Robert and Sara Rothschild Family Foundation was born. Sara and Robert worked with the Botswana government and now have a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with the Botswana National Library Service (BNLS). The Foundation builds the libraries while the BNLS provides the land, maintenance, books, and the staff.
Their first library opened in September 2007 in Mannangkodi. Kopong Community Library followed 6 months later and opened in February 2008. The most recent library opened in Ramokgonami in October of 2008. At the end of this month, on April 30, the 4th library will open in Matlhako.
In addition to their partnership with the BNLS, the Gates Foundation is using these libraries for one of their pilot programs. The Gates Foundation not only donated and installed six computers in each library, but is also providing computer trainings.
Sara and Robert are incredibly humble people. Just by talking to them, one wouldn’t realize the scope of the positive difference they are making. In order to understand the magnitude of their hard work, huge hearts, and the impact they’ve made on this country, visit one of their libraries. Even better, attend the opening ceremony on April 30 for thelibrary in Matlhako!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Happy Home in Old Naledi
In January I started a part-time job with the U.S. Embassy. I'm the editor of the Kalahari Star - a newsletter that is distributed to the American Mission Community in Gaborone. It is distributed electronically every other Friday. I've added a section called "Get Involved" in which I highlight a different organization each issue and include information as to how Americans living here can get invlolved. Today's blog post is straight from today's Kalahari Star. I visited Old Naledi (the poorest village in Gaborone) on Wednesday. The couple of hours I spent at Happy Home were the most touching moments I've experienced in Africa!
Esther and David, Korean missionaries arrived to Botswana in 1996. After 5 years of living here, Esther had a change of heart. Rather than turning her head from the children begging at the BBS mall, she decided to help them. “I have no money to give you, but I can cook. We can meet back at this tree at 5:00 and I will have food.” Esther went home and prepared a meal for these children. As she promised, she met them at 5:00 with plenty of food.
This happened 10 years ago. Not a day has passed since, that Esther hasn’t prepared a meal for children at 5:00. But there is a big difference. That small group of 7 children has turned into a group of 300.
Esther will tell you that for so long she focused most of her time and energy on her own son. She wanted to make sure that he was exposed to music, art, sport, etc. so that he could have a bright future. However, when he returned to Korea to finish his schooling, Esther began to recognize a need for children in Botswana. In order for these children to experience a bright future, someone needed to expose them to the world, ultimately to help them reach their unique potential.
Esther and her husband, David, have done just that. In 2002 they created Happy Home for the children in the village of Old Naledi.
Children arrive to Happy Home after school around 2:30. Each day these children are offered a different activity. Mondays are devoted to music (recorder, xylophone, violin). Tuesdays the children practice English, Wednesdays are dedicated to art and math, Thursdays are for karate and math, while Friday is for sports. Before going home, Esther serves the children a hot dinner, one that she prepares in the morning while the children attend school. On Saturdays, David and Esther bring a group of the children to their own home where they bake, watch videos and just have fun.
While Esther and David have accomplished the unthinkable, they are incredibly humble. It is evident that this couple leads by their example. The children in Happy Home are polite, well behaved and extremely gracious. Thanks to the work of Esther and David, the children are not only confident, but talented. The art and music they create most certainly exude the happiness they find at Happy Home.
To find out how you can get involved with Happy Home, see page 11.
Esther has taught many of the children to play the violin!
The children playing "Amazing Grace" on their recorders.
You can look forward to more pics and videos...for Ian, Finn and I have decided to spend our Friday afternoons at Happy Home!
Esther and David, Korean missionaries arrived to Botswana in 1996. After 5 years of living here, Esther had a change of heart. Rather than turning her head from the children begging at the BBS mall, she decided to help them. “I have no money to give you, but I can cook. We can meet back at this tree at 5:00 and I will have food.” Esther went home and prepared a meal for these children. As she promised, she met them at 5:00 with plenty of food.
This happened 10 years ago. Not a day has passed since, that Esther hasn’t prepared a meal for children at 5:00. But there is a big difference. That small group of 7 children has turned into a group of 300.
Esther will tell you that for so long she focused most of her time and energy on her own son. She wanted to make sure that he was exposed to music, art, sport, etc. so that he could have a bright future. However, when he returned to Korea to finish his schooling, Esther began to recognize a need for children in Botswana. In order for these children to experience a bright future, someone needed to expose them to the world, ultimately to help them reach their unique potential.
Esther and her husband, David, have done just that. In 2002 they created Happy Home for the children in the village of Old Naledi.
Children arrive to Happy Home after school around 2:30. Each day these children are offered a different activity. Mondays are devoted to music (recorder, xylophone, violin). Tuesdays the children practice English, Wednesdays are dedicated to art and math, Thursdays are for karate and math, while Friday is for sports. Before going home, Esther serves the children a hot dinner, one that she prepares in the morning while the children attend school. On Saturdays, David and Esther bring a group of the children to their own home where they bake, watch videos and just have fun.
While Esther and David have accomplished the unthinkable, they are incredibly humble. It is evident that this couple leads by their example. The children in Happy Home are polite, well behaved and extremely gracious. Thanks to the work of Esther and David, the children are not only confident, but talented. The art and music they create most certainly exude the happiness they find at Happy Home.
To find out how you can get involved with Happy Home, see page 11.
Esther has taught many of the children to play the violin!
The children playing "Amazing Grace" on their recorders.You can look forward to more pics and videos...for Ian, Finn and I have decided to spend our Friday afternoons at Happy Home!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Look Who's Walking!
For about a month Finn was taking a few steps here and there. However, the second he realized anyone was watching, he'd plop right back down. If we clapped or showed any type of excitement, he would start to cry. So for several weeks, we've had to ignore any attempts at walking. Something happened Wednesday evening. All of a sudden, he walked all the way across the room. Of course we were trying to "ignore" him, but he turned and gave us the "come on mom and dad, you're supposed to be clapping and telling me how great I am" look. So we did just that. And he hasn't stopped walking since!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
February Highlights
It's been way too long since we've posted! So sorry!
Enjoy the pics of Finn. Hope to post about our incredible trip to Cape Town soon!
Enjoy the pics of Finn. Hope to post about our incredible trip to Cape Town soon!
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