Times Change

Times Change 15 February 2009
The US and world economy have changed drastically over the past six months especially. Here in Botswana the impact is not totally apparent, but anticipated. The Botswana government has used some of its reserved income generated by previous diamond mining to subsidize development despite predicted losses in future diamond sales. The most recent estimate is that diamond sales will be down 60 percent this coming year. The US which buys the majority of the diamonds is currently buying less. Mines are halting production all over Southern Africa, and Botswana is not an exception. The loss of income in all sectors and the government is not currently known. In my village the construction of homes and businesses still seem to be under way. But Botswana’s major source of income is the diamonds and related business but income also comes from beef exports to Europe (which in the past have been hit by hoof and mouth disease) and tourism with respect to the wild life reserves. The planned diversification has not yet diversified.
This year the government has agreed to plough five hectors free of charge and has given out free seeds for planting. In part due to the lack of rain, many small farmers have ceased cultivate the land causing Botswana to import over 80% of its food from South Africa. Unemployment figures vary, but with the government as the main employer. Somewhere between 40 and 50 percent of the people are formally unemployed and live on small jobs and a little farming of crops and livestock, depending on the weather. Although gas prices have decreased, transportation and food prices are high. There are very few local food markets. Most of the bigger grocery stores are owned by South Africans. Neighbors from Zimbabwe have come in large numbers taking jobs here and buying food to take back home to their families.
Food prices are high. My Peace Corps allowance is spent primarily on food. In some cases the prices are higher and others are less than in the states. I cook my meals daily and usually take food for lunch. Because I am a vegetarian, my diet relies a lot on nuts, beans, rice and milk. I do buy the local spinach and eggs. But the majority of food that I eat is trucked in from South Africa. My diet is very foreign to most people, as I have mentioned before, since people love meat and eat few vegetables with their porridge made of sorghum. Teaching jobs are sought because it is a safe source of income. Many people teach because of the secure income and the lack of alternative employment opportunities. The unions are pretty strong and people are at most transferred rather than fired. Motivating teachers can be challenging.

Worshipping in Botswana
Yesterday a colleague in the art department suggested I meet her at church this morning. Although I had a meeting, she indicated it would be over by 10:30 since it was beginning at 8:30am. So I reluctantly agreed. When we arrived at 8:45 the store front space, most seats were empty. By 9:30 most seats were filled. Out of a crowd of 150 including a 25 member choir, percussion and keyboard accompaniment, the majority were women and children with a few men sprinkled around. I was clearly the oldest human being there. The church which is evidently on TV is up and coming church populated by the young and middle class. The children were about one- third of the group. We prayed on our feet for about 30 minutes with raised hands. Then we sang for another thirty minutes swaying and clapping. It was good exercise. Then a minister read and preached on John Chapter 2. He explained that Christ was the vine and we were the branches. God was the gardener. We were to be active in the church once we had been reborn. With great repetition the duties were made clear to us. Everything was in English, so I could understand what was being said. During the service I saw about a third of the English female members of the department. We smiled and acknowledged each other. The minister and his helper wore black suits and ties. They were the only suits in the crowd. One announced the offering. Also you could by the monthly prayer book written by the pastor for about three dollars each. That would be $36 a year which is a hefty amount for low income people. A woman from the parish announced 8 orphans had been identified in the village and would be clothed by the church. Only three were there and came up front. Each received a small pile of clothes before they were dismissed. Near the end of the service about eight of us, who were attending for the first time, were welcomed and excused to talk to a parishioner. We were informed that there was a service on Wednesday evening and a pray meeting on Friday evenings which consisted of a few hours praying in tongues without chairs. That left me out. On Saturday we would spread out and find new members. About 11:30 the service concluded and we all departed amiably.