Setswana, English don't always tell AIDS message - volunteer

THATO CHWAANE
Staff Writer | Wednesday February 27, 2008 00:00

Edward Pettitt, also known as Kago, whose term as a volunteer is coming to an end in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program in New Xade said that often Setswana is hard and English is impossible to understand.

He said that these languages are not useful to those in his area. Pettitt was one of the volunteers that were talking at an occasion held at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) on Monday marking the close of service, when they will depart in 90 days. The volunteers have contributed to the PMTCT programme and facilitated projects sponsored by district AIDS coordination offices. They also coordinated and facilitated camps for young men and women and helped introduce the life skills curriculum. Marni Lorato Von Wilpert who volunteered in Mokubilo PMTCT clinic said she was grateful that Batswana had taken time to work with them. 'We will always remember Botswana in our hearts,' she said.

She said she had learnt five important lessons in Botswana, that is, to do laundry with her own hands, also to eat phane, to plant, to work well with others and 'botho'. Another volunteer, Catherine Lesego Saltwick, said that one of the things that she has learnt whilst here is that one can go to funerals even if not invited.

She said in the United States funerals are done in private, with close family and friends. The three have done a two-year term.

US ambassador to Botswana, Katherine Canavan, told the volunteers that the experience they have had is something they cannot put a price on and that their lives will be changed forever.

'I am proud of what you have done and the Unites States will benefit hugely from your experience,' she said. 

She said through the 'Zebra 4 life - Test 4 life' campaign which was the volunteers' concept, it has helped increase voluntary counselling and testing amongst males. She said that they have contributed also to the PMTCT programme. Canavan also noted that the volunteers had assisted in income generating activities.

The National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) program and planning manager, Monica Tselayakgosi said the volunteers had touched the lives of people and contributed in skills transfer.

She urged them to 'take back fond memories'. She said they knew the extent of the AIDS problem and the challenges that the country is facing.

'You have seen that HIV is real and the need for further assistance,' she said. Tselayakgosi said that the partnership between the US and Botswana would help turn the tide around. 'Spread the good word about Botswana,' she said.