School Supply Drive

The Baobab School was started in 1991 by seven women who recognized the need for a private primary school for the emerging middle class Batswana. Today, the school hosts around 700 students, 90% of whom are Batswana. This is compared to many other private schools which largely enroll children of expats.

In a past post I had mentioned that I was teaching a community service class for about 40 11 years old students who attended this school. As an interactive, project based class, this term we decided to raise school supplies for another school, Mantshwabisi Primary School, which had very little resources. One of my fellow volunteers is assigned to the school and was happy to help coordinate. Yeah Peace Corps collaboration!

Mantshwasbisi primary school is approximately 30 minutes north of Molepolole and serves as a boarding school for much of the surrounding population. The school has approximately 500 students, and before our drive, had such a severe lack of basic supplies that they would break pencils in half to make sure each student had something to write with. A significant proportion of the student population are San, a population that has often been marginalized in this country in part due to their differences in culture and way of life. In addition, approximately 75% of the students are considered vulnerable children.

I am happy to report that the standard 5 (equivalent of 5th grade) Baobab students put on a successful school drive. We raised 1848 notebooks, 911 pencils, 425 erasers, and some various other school supplies. In addition, the Baobab school donated several old English language textbooks and dictionaries.

As part of the class, we decided to take our students to Mantshwabisi to get a look of what its like to live in a rural village and to interact with the standard 5 students from Mantshwabisi. Many of our students had never been to any smaller and more rural villages in Botswana.

After a bit of hesitation from both groups of kids, the day started with some simple games that we played together as a group and then the kids were given mostly free time to play soccer, jump rope, netball, or color together.

I think it was a great opportunity for the Baobab students. The students immediately picked up on the different living conditions of the Mantshwabisi students and the fact that, while they played the same games as them, the students at Mantshwabisi made most of their toys (such as soccer balls made from plastic bags). This event gave them a much clearer picture of poverty in Botswana and how many people outside of the capital live.

The Mantshwabisi students had a lot of fun with all the activities as well. Typically all the teachers leave over the weekend, so there is nothing for the boarders to do. This was the first time in a while that they had activities and new kids to play with.

At the end of the afternoon we split the kids into small groups and had them tell each other things about themselves. Overall it was a successful day. Everyone had a lot of fun, made new friends, and learned a lot. The hope is to start a pen pal system between the students at the 2 schools in the near future as well.