The Ministry of Justice and a Nine Hour Bus Ride

During a brief introduction, our group learned that many people in Botswana have a Setswana name, and an English name. For example, Ms. Thobo’s English name is Gloria. We also learned about Botswana overall, and in interesting fact is that the government of Botswana owns all the diamonds mined in Botswana, which helps to prevent conflicts.

Then, Noe and Gabriella presented our plans for the Dukwi Refugee Camp and spoke about ASB and service learning. After the presentation, Gabriella asked Ms. Stella and Ms. Thobo a few questions.

This is the third year of ASB’s work with Dukwi Refugee Camp. In that time how have you seen refugees benefit from our work?

As Ms. Thobo has been working with our program since these trips first started, she answered this question. We were glad to hear that Ms. Thobo has seen a lot of positive changes thanks to these trips. Our entrepreneurship program has been very beneficial for youth in the camp, and our implementation of internet in the camp this year is going to open up a lot of opportunities for scholarships and other areas of entrepreneurship. Additionally, the donations from RefugArt have been very helpful.

This year, we have educational focuses on entrepreneurship and women’s health, and we’re are establishing a girls soccer team. In addition to these, where should ASB focus our efforts in future trips?

Ms. Stella answered this question as well, and seemed glad to have been asked it. She requested that in future years we host these programs not just for the people in Dukwi Refugee Camp, but for the youth in the host village as well. Many of the youth in the refugee camp go to primary school in the host village, and Ms. Stella said that we should open these opportunities, especially the entrepreneurship course and the girls soccer team, up to the host village as well.