The days are passing by quickly here in Maun, and though I feel it would take years to fully recount the experiences I have had here, I am no less shocked at how fast a month has passed by since I left Canada.
My work with the Botswana Predator Conseration Trust has been an incredible experience so far. Last week, we put on a media event showcasing our Coaching for Conservation Program to much praise from Prince William, Joe Jonas, and everyone else involved. I never expected that an event I helped to organize in Maun would attract more attention than anything I had been involved in back home; Maun Stadium was teeming with international media! Here is a link to videos I posted on our website of the event. I emceed and was lucky enough to make it into a snippet of the msnbc nightly news segment (due to some careless editing I suppose ;) ).

I also have been helping with teaching science to two classes at Matshwane Primary School. This involves scrounging around for simple supplies – like a 9V battery, a nail and a coil – and explaining electromagnetism with a makeshift solenoid. Because much of the science curriculum is woefully inadequate here, the kids voraciously absorb every experiment we can come up with. It is rewarding and fun work.

I have been assisting a local choir in Maun for a while with arranging, conducting and piano accompaniment and this has been instrumental (haha) in introducing me to tons of people with other musical interests. I am hoping to collaborate with a few local performing groups looking to expand and organize their repertoire, and will likely be training a couple choirs as well as teaching piano and guitar in July. It promises to be a very busy month ahead!

However, it is clear to me now that the main beneficiary of this trip is me. I continue to discover Botswana and have learnt much from the people here. It has been humbling and fascinating in equal doses, and I am proud to be a Motswana-in-training!