Thoughts on Kanye

Laura Barkowski from the University of Massachusetts Amherst 

For CPH students, an important aspect of the Botswana program is the opportunity to spend one week in the rural village of Kanye, living in a homestay and observing in local clinics. The homestay occurs a few weeks into the semester, and while some embrace this chance with excitement, others are a little more apprehensive; personally, I was beyond nervous. I chose to spend my semester in a dorm on the UB campus so the concept of living with a family here in Botswana, if only for a week, posed a new set of challenges and uncertainties. There were so many “what ifs” for me surrounding my Kanye homestay that the only emotion I could really feel was anxious. I worried that my host family wouldn’t like me, I worried that I wouldn’t like the food, I worried that I’d feel homesick; the stream of doubt was endless. 

Given the strikes that occurred in February this semester, our homestay happened sooner than expected; we were told on Monday, February 13th that we would be leaving that afternoon. We quickly prepared to the best of our ability- gathering clothes, toiletries, and snacks to haul with us on the hour and half ride to Kanye, while simultaneously alerting friends and family that we would be sans technology for the week.  And just like that we were off. 

My first minutes with Bonolo, my host mom, were nerve-wracking. We exchanged typical pleasantries; I told her a little about myself and she informed me about my homestay family which included a teenaged daughter, O, and her older adult son, Tebo. I felt shy but at the same time wanted so badly for this woman, who was so kind to open her home, to like me.

Time passes quickly in Kanye. I wish I had enough space to elaborate on all aspects of the homestay including the clinics and food but what I will say is that there is no reason to worry. Although I initially felt a little out of place in Bonolo’s home, very quickly my conversations with my “mom”, O, and Tebo grew so easy that they felt like my own family. I also enjoyed helping with dinner every night and having a role in a household much like I do back in the States. While there are certainly cultural differences, each and every single one of the homestay families strives to make the experience as positive as possible- and it is so important to embrace all that they are willing to share. Some of the best moments I have had in Botswana so far have been sitting with Bonolo and neighborhood friends on her porch, eating green apples and discussing our days. At the end of our stay my “mom” was even kind enough to allow both CPH and Arts and Sciences students to have a braii at our home; we laughed, ate, and drank until well after the sun set. All the issues I had worried about endlessly seem so minor now. Bonolo and her family are some of the most genuine, kind, and welcoming people I have met in Botswana and they made my Kanye experience unforgettable.