05 Sep 2023

Peace Corps Botswana on Monday held a matching ceremony at Tswelelopele Brigade Hall to receive another group of 28 American Peace Corps volunteers.

The matching ceremony is the first meeting between the volunteers and their host families for the duration of their community-based pre-service training. 

The training started from September 4 to November 9 in Ramotswa.

Welcoming the volunteers for the 11 week pre-service community training,

Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of Balete said the training was meant to immerse them in the culture and practices of Batswana as well as equip them with basic conversational Setswana. 

She also noted that they would be cross-cultural training and a home-stay experience in the village of Balete.

She said they would learn of the kgotla and chieftaincy system and how it related to the government system.

Peace Corps Botswana director of programming and training, Ms Amy Tebogo Patanasinth said the training would not only be limited to teaching them the culture of Batswana, saying that in collaboration with other government and civil society partners, they would be equipped with basic knowledge on HIV in Botswana in order for them to conduct community assessments.

In his remarks, Ramotswa District Council chairperson, Mr Zaahid Jalal said Balete had been great hosts for the volunteers over the years.

He said Balete were a small tribe, but prided themselves with their dynamic culture. 

He said they shared and demonstrated their culture openly as they wanted other people to know their identity and what they treasured.

He also encouraged Balete and the host families to welcome the trainees and treat them as part of their community and families. ENDS