“The First People of the Land” – The Basarwa

Sr. Zora, OSU witnessed the exchange of a beautiful wood carving by a Mosarwa for a half a plate of porridge in Serowe. That was in 1979. This incident was all the motivation she needed to start working with the Basarwa to try to improve their lives by empowering them. It is a sort of human development for self respect. The Basarwa were living in three communities of Marulamantsi, Metsimasweu and Tidimalo on the outskirts of Serowe.

We first focused on woodcarving that they were already involved in. Besides, these could be easily sold in Gaborone, but also in Europe and the USA because of their originality.

Education
Starting with adult education we attempted to give some skills to the people while at the same time running two pre-schools. Children with learning disabilities were given extra help with school work. The percentage of children attending primary schools has grown from about 2% in 1979 to 80% in 2008.

Land acquisition
We tried to get land for the people for food and livestock production and also residential plots.. Squatters have no services provided them like running water, clinics and schools. Today, about half of the residents have so far obtained residential plots.

Housing
Between 1994 and 1997 some 60  families, from all
the three villages were assisted to construct durable one room houses. They proved to themselves and
others what can be done from a little help from outside.

Health promotion
With the advent of HIV & AIDS, we run education programs to help the Basarwa to know their status, to prevent the spread of the virus and to prevent TB. Endemic among the Basarwa TB has been a silent killer for generations.