Life in the village......

It has been almost a month since we’ve written and time to give some air space to the Village of Goodhope. We really are part of two communities here: school and town.  The relations between the two are not very strong --- reminiscent of the ‘town/gown’ phenomenon in the U.S.  Sadly, the main contacts are when police or ambulance are called.  We hope that some of our work here will be as bridge builders between the two.  So far that idea is slow to gather momentum.

These pictures will give you some idea of the village. We have not highlighted the important places, rather, we show you all the places that we visit to get a combi, shop, copy a document or mail a letter (and views along the way). You will soon see that it is nothing like an African village on television or in the movies. Goodhope is quite typical of villages in southeastern Botswana --- quite spread out, a mix of old and new, and very sparse.

We begin our 3 km walk to the village on road from the school.......

On the road to the village.
The Goodhope Primary Clinic
is in the background.

Dwellings come in all shapes and sizes, from the modest.....

....to the home of the owner of the Crown Bakery that supplies
bread and baked goods to schools and general dealers!

Kagiso (translation: Peace) Bar,
which is very near Goodhope Senior Secondary
and a favorite place to hang out for teachers (and sometimes
students as well....)

Carol at the major intersection between school and village.

A local kraal, used to keep
cattle on hold for transport

Chickens in a coupe!

Goodhope Catholic Church, or the "Roman"
as it is called here. Wonderful music and
homilies in Setswana (we try to catch a word
or two that we know.....)

                                                  

Goodhope bus rank on a slow day....

...and on a busy day!

 

Our local Seven/Eleven!
We have almost reached the village center
and will continue soon....
Sending good wishes and love to you all!