BOTSWANA WORKCAMPS ASSOCIATION

BWA 2004 INTERNATIONAL WORKCAMPS PROGRAMME

1. Introduction to Botswana Workcamps Association

 WHAT IS BOTSWANA WORKCAMPS ASSOCIATION ?
B.W.A is a non-governmental, non profit making voluntary organization registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs in April 1980 under the Societies Act. Its headquarters are in Boseja North ward, Mochudi village, Botswana. B.W.A is a member of Southern Africa Workcamps Cooperation( SAWC ) and affiliated to CCIVS ( Co-ordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service), founded in 1948 to assist and promote workcamps worldwide.

WHAT ARE INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROJECTS?
International volunteer projects that BWA offer bring together individuals from around the world to participate in a 3 - 4 weeks workcamp in different kinds of projects. Volunteers work together as an international team on projects which include:
ENVIRONMENTAL: planting trees, garbage collection, improving nature trails in parks, re-cycling, soil erosion prevention and maintenance of footpaths.
CONSTRUCTION: public toilets, classrooms, community halls, irrigation channels, clinics, paving and brick moulding.
RENOVATION: historical monuments, archaeological sites, cultural centres, community centers, old bridges and any other related work.
SOCIAL WORK: with/ for children, refugees, handicapped people, women groups and running play schemes for deprived children.
OTHERS: solidarity camps, cultural camps and debushing.

WHO ARE WORKCAMP PARTICIPANTS?
An international workcamp is made up of volunteers from different nationalities worldwide. Volunteers normally do not know each other until they arrive. They are usually from partner organizations of BWA around the world.

WHEN DO WORKCAMPS TAKE PLACE??
The workcamps run between set dates for three to four weeks in length. The weather conditions are as follows;
Summer: November, December, January
Autumn: February, March, April
Winter: May, June, July
Spring: August, September, October
The workcamp programme for each and every year is available at the beginning of the year and it is given to all partner organizations around the world.

WHAT IS THE COST?
The work camp participation fee is US$ 200 per participant, which covers simple workcamp meals, arrangements for the whole workcamp preparations in terms of communication, electronic mailing and transport for meetings with different stakeholders.
BWA organizes transport for participants from the airport in Gaborone to Mochudi (BWA office) ONLY, where the orientation of participants takes place prior to departure to work camp destinations.
PLEASE NOTE: Travel expenses from BWA office after the orientation to work camp places and back are not covered in this US$ 200. Only from the airport to the BWA office in Mochudi, as it is a little bit complicated to find the place for the first time. Participants are therefore advised to spare a small amount which is around US$ 50 for traveling to and from work camp place.

ORIENTATION
An orientation is normally organized two days before the work camp with the intention of briefing participants about BWA as an organization, Botswana`s socio-economic background, cultural issues etc. Participants must arrive two days earlier for the orientation.

Skills of the individual volunteer
Commitment of volunteers ;Pojects or work camps are not just cheap holidays; hard work and full participation is required.
Specific motivation may be required for some projects.
ENGLISH is usually the medium of communication in work camps
Enthusiasm and flexible approach

FINAL INFORMATION REGARDING A PARTICULAR WORK CAMP
Usually a month before a work camp starts, we provide final information regarding the work camp itself and any development that might take place during this period.

TRAVEL TO BOTSWANA
Volunteers are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and organizing their own transport and passports. It is usually advisable to check out travel prices before deciding on a particular placement. BWA is not a travel agency, but will help where possible. We communicate with other partner organisations and with the person who wish to come either by fax, telephone or email with regular update regarding the work camp.

2. CAMP LIST

CAMP CODE

DATES-YEAR 2004

LOCATION

PROJECT TYPE

NO. OF VOLUNTEERS

BWA01PTB

21/03-03/04

West Hanahai

Construction & Cultural

     12

BWA02TLC

02/05-22/05

Thuso Lutheran Rehabilitation Centre-MAUN

Renovation

     15

BWA03KRS

06/06-25/06

Khama Rhino Sanctuary-Serowe

Environmental Conservation

    15

BWA04PTB

20/06-09/07

New Xanagas

Construction & Cultural

     12

BWA05MOK

15/08-03/09

Mokolodi Nature Reserve

Environmental Conservation

     15

BWA06NHABE

03/10-22/10

Maun village

Renovation

     15

BWA07MAUN

28/11-17/12

Maun Educational Park

Environmental Conservation

     15

BWA08KRS

28/11-17/12

Khama Rhino Sanctuary- Serowe

Environmental Conservation

     15

3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

CAMP CODE: BWA01PTB

DATES: 21/03/2004 - 08/04/2004
LOCATION: WEST HANAHAI
PROJECT TYPE: CONSTRUCTION & CULTURAL
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 12

ABOUT THE HOST
Permaculture Trust of Botsawana (PTB) is a rural development NGO that provides assistance in area of ecological land use management. It strongly encourages and support traditional and cultural values that relate to sustainable environmental use. Targeted groups include;
-Remote area dwellers (San )
-Rural small communal farmers
-Other NGO`s.

WORK
The volunteers in conjuction with the local San community will be constructing poultry houses and fencing gardens. These poultry houses are for indigenous Tswana chickens and are sold for income generating purpose in order to sustain their lives. These San are developing gardens comparable to growth expected in tropics and spinach leaves are half a metre long.
The settlement of West Hanahai is situated some 70km east of Ghanzi township, close to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR).

ACCOMMODATION
Simple tents will be provided to the volunteers but those willing to bring their own tents are encouraged to do so.

AREAS OF INTEREST AROUND WEST HANAHAI
The settlement is situated in the middle of the Kalahari desert some few kilometers from the CKGR. Volunteers may also have the chance to visit the Gantsi Craft shop which displays some hundreds of San traditional decorations and hunting equipments. Cultural nights may also be arranged depending on the interests of the volunteers.
NB: Participants should be willing to tolerate the indigenous people and eager to work with the San who are the first people to settle in the Kalahari desert area.

2 CAMP CODE: BWA02TLC

DATES: 02/05/2004 - 22/05/2004
LOCATION: THUSO LUTHERAN REHABILITATION CENTRE- Maun village.
PROJECT TYPE: RENOVATION
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 15

ABOUT THE HOST
Thuso Lutheran Rehabilitation Centre was built in Maun in 1988 after a lot of hard working by different missions and volunteers. The centre`s goal is to provide rehabilitation services to the disabled community all over Botswana. The centre currently assist approximately 3000 clients.

WORK
Volunteers will be renovating an old office building and some staff houses.The work will enclude replacing gutters and ceiling, painting and putting new floor tiles.

ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers will be provided with tents. Hot showers and toilets are available for use by volunteers. Those willing to bring their own tents are encouraged to do so.

AREAS OF INTEREST AROUND MAUN
The centre is located on the banks of the Thamalakane river which boast of some animals such as hippos, warthogs, baboons and some small animals and birds. Maun is a tourist village and it serves as a gate away to the wilderness areas of Okavango delta, Moremi Game reserve and Chobe National Park.
Maun is located around 927km north west of Gaborone.

3 CAMP CODE: BWA03KRS

DATES: 06/06/2004- 25/06/2004
LOCATION: KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY - Serowe
PROJECT TYPE: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 15

ABOUT THE HOST
Khama Rhino Sanctuary lies 25km north of Serowe village. The Sanctuary is a community trust and provides prime habitat for white rhinoceros and many other species of animals and birds. A black rhino have been recently introduced in the park.
For more information check their website at:  khamarhinosanctuary.org

WORK
Volunteers will assist in different activities in the park including improving nature trails, patrolling with game scouts, reading and recording animals every morning as they come to drink from the river.

ACCOMMODATION
Tents will be provided at the Mokongwa camping site inside the sanctuary. There are showers with hot water and toilets.

4 CAMP CODE: BWA04PTB

DATES: 20/06/2004 - 09/07/2004
LOCATION: NEW XANAGAS
PROJECT TYPE: CULTURAL & CONSTRUCTION
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 12

ABOUT THE HOST
Permaculture Trust of Botswana ( PTB ) is a rural development NGO that provides assistance in areas of ecological land use management. Targeted groups include;
-Remote area dwellers
-rural small communal farmers
-Other NGOs
The settlement of New Xanagas is approximately 130km south western part of Ghanzi township, near the boarder with Namibia. It is a traditional San settlement.

WORK
The volunteers will be working together with the local San people to construct poultry houses and fencing gardens.They will also be planting vegetables.

ACCOMMODATION
PTB will provide simple tents and other camping equipments.

5 CAMP CODE: BWA05MOK

DATES: 15/08/2004 -03/09/2004
LOCATION: MOKOLODI NATURE RESERVE
PROJECT TYPE: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 15

ABOUT THE HOST
Mokolodi Nature Reserve is located around 15 km south of Gaborone. A wide range of animals can be seen in the reserve including leopards, giraffes, elephants and a variety of birds. There are numerous day and and evening game drives and indigenous botanical gardens .For more information log on to their website at; www.mokolodi.com

WORK
Digging of a 4km water pipeline from the entrance.

ACCOMMODATION
Full camping equipments including tents will be provided inside the reserve.

AREAS OF INTEREST AROUND MOKOLODI
Apart from the magnificent view of the reserve, other areas include the National Museum and Art Gallery in Gaborone, Gaborone Game Park, Gaborone Dam and St Clair Lion Park .All these areas are less than 15km from Mokolodi reserve.

6. CAMP CODE: BWA06NHABE

DATES: 03/10/2004 - 22/10/2004
LOCATION: MAUN VILLAGE
PROJECT TYPE: RENOVATION
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 15

ABOUT THE HOST
Nhabe Museum is situated in Maun, which is around 927km north west of Gaborone.The building was constructed around 1940 to monitor radio signals and was donated to the museum in 1995. The museum`s collection represent diversity of the regions artifacts, which include fishing nets, pangolin and leguana skins, the 1950`s guest book from Rileys hotel, hunting rifles as well as San stone tools and even traditional magic in the shape of a flying coffin.

WORK
Renovation of Matlapaneng bridge which was constructed in Maun around 1927 therefore being the first in the area.After completion the bridge will benefit in terms of tourist development on the other side of the river.The bridge will however be kept historic and therefore traditional material such as woods and stones will be used to restore it.

ACCOMMODATION
Tents will be provided but volunteers can bring their own.

7. CAMP CODE: BWA07MAUN

DATES: 28/11/2004 - 17/12/2004
LOCATION: MAUN EDUCATIONAL PARK - Maun village
PROJECT TYPE: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 15

ABOUT THE HOST
The village of Maun is around 927km north west of Gaborone.
The work camp will take place inside the park, which is managed by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The park was established as a warm-up or gateaway for tourists as they go further into the Okavango areas .Its wild residents are giraffes, wild beasts, baboons, warthogs, porcupines and other species of small animals and birds.

WORK 
Volunteers will be working at the snake pit, renovation of the camping site and fire place as well as improving nature trails.

ACCOMMODATION
Camping tents will be provided. Showers and toilets are available at the camping site.

AREAS OF INTEREST
Depending on the availability of transport and time, volunteers may visit Moremi Game reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan National Park.

8. CAMP CODE: BWA08KRS

DATES: 28/11/2004 - 17/12/2004
LOCATION: KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY - Serowe
PROJECT TYPE: ENVIRONMENTAL  CONSERVATION
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 15

ABOUT THE HOST
Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve situated some 25km  north of Serowe village. The sanctuary is a community trust and have different kinds of animals including the white rhino. For more information check their website at;  khamarhinosanctuary.org

WORK
The main work will be painting the fence poles around the park. Volunteers will also make fire breaks and patrolling with game scouts.

ACCOMMODATION
Tents will be provided at the camping site inside the park.There are showers with hot water and toilets.Those willing to bring their own tents are encouraged to do so.

AREAS OF INTEREST AROUND SEROWE
 Apart from the park itself, volunteers may have the chance to visit the Khama III Memorial Museum which houses interesting local sculpture and historical artifacts. Thataganyane hill is a national monument and royal cemetery set on a rocky enclave with sweeping views.