During spring break, 21 students from ASB had the opportunity to embark on an amazing six-day trip to Botswana where they participated in many events and activities.
One of the first things we did was meet with various diplomatic stakeholders. Leia, Slavy, and Alex explained our mission to American Embassy workers Mr. Carl Budd and Ms. Danna K. Schapper. In turn, the embassy officials shared their experiences in Botswana and allowed us to learn about the US’ role in Botswana in an engaging and thought-provoking meeting. Shortly afterward, we visited Ms. Lethlage in the Ministry of Justice, where Naz and Luka gave an inspiring speech presenting our cause and expressing our gratitude for allowing us to visit the Dukwi refugee camp.
The next day, we went to the Dukwi refugee camp. Our objective was to interact and establish relations with various key members of the camp. We played with some of the little kids. “The kids were super friendly and outgoing, showcasing their innocence despite their hardships,” remarked Carter Petersen. We also connected with the older people there and shared our stories. “They were so kind,” said Claudia Suhl, impressed by the warm reception the refugees gave us.
Ayaan, Luna, Slavy, and Luka organized a STEM program for the little kids, using books prepared by Dr. Shirley Disseler from High Point University, North Carolina, on how to use Lego bricks to teach math. The books covered addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using Legos in a more practical and hands-on way. We were very proud to say that we were able to help a classroom of kids in Botswana learn math basics.
Furthermore, Bojun, William (Fanbo), and Sander donated seven computers and seven Lego Mindstorm robots to establish a Lego Robotics lab in the Dukwi refugee camp. Through the generosity of our donors, we were able to donate seven laptops and seven Mindstorm kits to the refugees. William, Bojun, and Sander led the program and taught the children how to code using Mindstorms. It was inspiring to witness the children’s eagerness to learn, and their enthusiasm as they brought their creations to life was truly heartwarming.
Finally, Dylan, Layne, Alex, Liam, and Ayaan launched an entrepreneurship program created by Win-Win Connections and the Cornell Social-Business Consulting group for the Dukwi youth. The goal was to create a link between the artwork created in Dukwi and the American School of Barcelona’s RefugArt. The artwork created by the refugees was truly stunning and unique. One of their techniques was to wrap the paper around a sewing needle to create hard pieces of paper which could be crafted with other straws to create art. We also organized a team building to get to know them better. One of the ninth-grade students, Leia Taubinger, remarked, “I was able to create a lifelong bond by connecting with the refugees, and I feel like I now have friends forever with the youth in Dukwi.” We all learned a lot from them, and hope that our entrepreneurship course can make a positive impact on members of the Dukwi community.
Leaving the camp was emotional for most of us, as we had formed strong bonds with our new friends. “I had a great time playing with everyone,” said Carter Petersen after spending a long time having fun with the kids. We will never forget the special time we had with the refugees.
While the Dukwi camp does have on-site education, they don’t have a secondary school. Most kids receive scholarships to go to the Nata secondary school. When we first entered, we saw 2,000 students who warmly welcomed us and listened to an inspiring speech by Ayaan. We had an opportunity to tour the campus, which was very different from what we are used to.
On our last day in Botswana, we had an opportunity to visit the SOS Children orphanage. Ruth, Carter, and Deniz’s efforts to organize a sports day for the kids in the orphanage proved to be a big hit. They made sure to incorporate a variety of activities such as a sack race, soccer, water balloons, and tie-dies, ensuring the activities would cater to all age groups, and ensuring that everyone had an enjoyable time. Meanwhile, Claudia, Luna, Ayaan, and William organized a range of activities for the younger kids, such as making bracelets, drawing, and solving puzzles.
The education opportunities we were able to provide were mutually beneficial. We learned a lot from them, and they learned a lot from us. We believe that apart from our material donation, what we showed the teachers of the various schools and what we gave to the students in terms of education: our entrepreneurship course, our LEGO Mindstorm program, and our math program can have a serious impact on the future of youth and kids in Botswana.
At the end of the trip, two main things stood out. First, all of us who went on the trip felt like a very close community. We all shared life-changing experiences and that brought us close to one another. We also all learned to be more grateful for what we have in our everyday lives, after seeing the little everyone had in places such as Dukwi, Nata, and the orphanage, yet seeing them smile and be happy. And lastly, we would like to thank Ms. Marta Vernet and Mr. Richard Petersen for supporting us throughout the trip and presenting us with this opportunity. Win0Win Connections with Mr. Manolo Garbayo were key to bringing us, and Stormbird Agencies for helping us get around in Botswana. The trip really changed all of us for the better.