#1: Jump-starting the right-side drive, stick-shift church van at 10am.
#2: Our latest and greatest group photo.
#3: The incredible rescued Cheetahs at the Mokolodi Reserve.
Day 4 Update from Tyler Monroe coming soon...
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Day 4 - Photos
#1: Jump-starting the right-side drive, stick-shift church van at 10am.
#2: Our latest and greatest group photo.
#3: The incredible rescued Cheetahs at the Mokolodi Reserve.
Day 4 Update from Tyler Monroe coming soon...
Day 3 - by Mark Roberts
So have you heard the one about the tortoise, the hare, and the Motswana? The Motswana came in last, not because he didn’t try, but because he was too busy enjoying his tea break. The Batswana approach to everyday life is an MBA’s nightmare. While the Batswana are as friendly as can be (especially our favorite driver, Father Ben), we have learned quickly that in order to survive this trip, we need to settle back and roll with the slow moving punches, much to Yum Yum Sunset’s discontent. TIA, Team Botswana, TIA!!!
Our first meeting this morning was extremely productive. We were finallly able to hear, first-hand, both Bishop Mwamba's and his taskforce’s goals and vision for the international schools. Although there seemed to be some disconnect among members of their Taskforce, we had a thorough discussion and agreed on an ideology that incorporated their goals, our goals, and the goals that we expect from potential investors. Much to our delight, the conclusion was that the international schools will serve students across the socio-economic range – from the well-off to those of more modest/underpriveledged backgrounds. By serving the educational needs of Batswana from diverse demographics, the schools will be able to achieve their core goal: bringing Botswana to a higher moral, educational, and global standard. We concluded this meeting was a delightful traditional Botswana meal that some of us washed down with a nice can of Iron Brew (think: Cherry Coke on steroids).
In the afternoon, we visited Westwood International School where we gathered invaluable information from the headmaster regarding school operations, compensation system, structure, and recruitment. The facilities at Westwood are marvelous. While we find ourselves ingrained with the Anglican Church and these top notch facilities, we do feel that we are living in a Botswana bubble. We have not yet seen the poverty that we know exists in an African nation such as Botswana…perhaps on our way to Francistown next week? Francistown is smaller city not far from here and the site of the proposed school.
Well that is about all for today boys and girls…next time on MSB Botswana Project: “Hippos; are they really man’s new best friend?”
Our first meeting this morning was extremely productive. We were finallly able to hear, first-hand, both Bishop Mwamba's and his taskforce’s goals and vision for the international schools. Although there seemed to be some disconnect among members of their Taskforce, we had a thorough discussion and agreed on an ideology that incorporated their goals, our goals, and the goals that we expect from potential investors. Much to our delight, the conclusion was that the international schools will serve students across the socio-economic range – from the well-off to those of more modest/underpriveledged backgrounds. By serving the educational needs of Batswana from diverse demographics, the schools will be able to achieve their core goal: bringing Botswana to a higher moral, educational, and global standard. We concluded this meeting was a delightful traditional Botswana meal that some of us washed down with a nice can of Iron Brew (think: Cherry Coke on steroids).
In the afternoon, we visited Westwood International School where we gathered invaluable information from the headmaster regarding school operations, compensation system, structure, and recruitment. The facilities at Westwood are marvelous. While we find ourselves ingrained with the Anglican Church and these top notch facilities, we do feel that we are living in a Botswana bubble. We have not yet seen the poverty that we know exists in an African nation such as Botswana…perhaps on our way to Francistown next week? Francistown is smaller city not far from here and the site of the proposed school.
Well that is about all for today boys and girls…next time on MSB Botswana Project: “Hippos; are they really man’s new best friend?”
Friday, June 8, 2007
Day 3 - Photos
#1: Lunch with the Schools Taskforce at the Cathedral
#2: Tour of Westwood International School (K-12) with Principal and Bishop
#3: Arizona or Botsana? Only the roads give it away!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Day 2 - by Amitesh Aggarwal
The second day in sunny Botswana had all the ingredients of a wonderful start to the project - warm welcome by the hosts, a leaisurely walk to the downtown, browsing the national museum and lunch at Bimbo's. A perfect setting for us to kickstart our project, we met as a team and planned out the agenda for meetings with the focus groups on Friday. The day ended on a perfect note with a night at the theater. The serio-comic play we saw was about the ground realities in southern Africa vis-a-vis the dictatorial regime in Zimbabwe. This was portrayed thru ethnic tensions between the Botswanans and the illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe into Botswana - a poignant reminder to some of our own conflicts back home in US.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Again, From Jo'burg
Update 1.5...
We have just learned that fatigues are illegal in Botswana. Lida is wearing pink camoflauge pants. Not sure how this will play out in customs, but Dave feels comforted that she will be safe should Candyland be invaded. Fortunately Mark has a spare pair of boxers in his carry on...
We have just learned that fatigues are illegal in Botswana. Lida is wearing pink camoflauge pants. Not sure how this will play out in customs, but Dave feels comforted that she will be safe should Candyland be invaded. Fortunately Mark has a spare pair of boxers in his carry on...
From Johannesburg
Update 1
24 hours into the trip.
3 airports. 13,000 miles.
0 missing team members.
4.25 full length movies.
++Deb suggests you avoid "Astronaut Farmer"
2 flights.
9 time zones.
5 hours of sleep.
2.5 miles sprinted by Mark in Dulles because United lost his ticket.
++For interested parties... Mark's route was terminal c to terminal b to terminal a to terminal b to terminal a to terminal c to terminal c to the plane. We were the last 8 people to board...
As of 4:28pm:
5 south african beers on the table.
1 hour until our flight to Gaborone.
All of the above ... priceless.
More soon!
24 hours into the trip.
3 airports. 13,000 miles.
0 missing team members.
4.25 full length movies.
++Deb suggests you avoid "Astronaut Farmer"
2 flights.
9 time zones.
5 hours of sleep.
2.5 miles sprinted by Mark in Dulles because United lost his ticket.
++For interested parties... Mark's route was terminal c to terminal b to terminal a to terminal b to terminal a to terminal c to terminal c to the plane. We were the last 8 people to board...
As of 4:28pm:
5 south african beers on the table.
1 hour until our flight to Gaborone.
All of the above ... priceless.
More soon!
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