by Mary Chasen, of University of Vermont
Within a month and a half of our time here in Botswana, us students have been fortunate enough to take in experiences that truly come once in a lifetime. Being from New York, the fast-paced, tech-powered way of life would never allow me to live alongside wildlife at this level of intimacy. In this setting, I am able to see how magical the “system” of an ecosystem is. All beings fill a key role, even in ways you sometimes wouldn’t expect. Elephants will often knock down trees, which may sound negative, but this actually allows sunlight to reach new plant sprouts and shoots. Growth comes out of the perceived destruction. I have been reminded how vital reciprocity is, because it is the driving force of life.
My favorite class here so far has been Humans and the Environment. This class has made me think about how humans are intertwined in the fabric of an ecosystem, whether we are aware of this connectivity or not. It may be easy for me to cut off from this reality in a place like New York, but in Botswana, many people have to think about their place in the environment every day. Elephants often encroach on farmer’s crops, and lions prey on livestock. A scenario like this highlights how important it is to include perspectives, knowledge, and problem-solving of local people when working to conserve wildlife.
The theme of this trip seems to be marked by the incredible animals, and it absolutely is, however there is more to this picture. Since arriving in Botswana, I have constantly been learning from the people that call this place home. I am amazed by the kindness of every single resident of Botswana I’ve encountered so far. Whether it is my teachers, the escort guides, dancing children, or a local artist, I walk away with a lesson that holds more than just knowledge, it holds wisdom. These people are so willing to give and share this gift of wisdom. Thinking about reciprocity, I wish to celebrate and acknowledge a few specific people that have shifted my perspective and touched my heart here in Botswana.
One of our teachers, that goes by the nickname “Dix”, is from Sankuyo, a village within the Okavango Delta. Dix has grown up beside wildlife. He always tells us of how his father was a farmer, and had a very negative perception towards animals due to invasion of crops and livestock. As Dix grew older, he developed an appreciation for wildlife, while still understanding the frustration of farmers. He is a natural leader in his community because of this compassion. He extends it to all sides of the story, and listens deeply to peoples’ voices. Compassion is one of Dix’s many positive qualities. Among these qualities, I see generosity shining through him constantly.
Dix helping Jacob make pap, a traditional meal in Botswana made from maize flour.
Within the bounds of our Round River group, Dix will always jump to help, whether it is with cooking, cleaning, or setting up camp. One night he shared traditional stories of his tribe around the fire beneath the stars, and all of these stories had an underlying life lesson. This was one of my favorite moments here. Dix even told us he takes children of his community on “safari rides” voluntarily, for the sake of education among the youth. We always say Dix’s positivity is infectious. Above all, he remains so humble. From Dix, I have learned how to share without limits, whether it be offering kindness, a listening ear, knowledge of the natural realm, or tons of laughter (which happens very often here). Dix gave all of us students Setswana names, so we decided to give Dix an “English” name in return. We gave him the name Leo, short for “leader”, because selflessness is the first sign of a true leader.
Dix sporting my pink raincoat and looking fabulous!
Another teacher of ours goes by the name KC, and he is from Mahalapye, in central Botswana. KC holds many years of experience in conservation, for he worked for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks for thirty years. It is rare you find someone as passionate about their work as KC is, and this influences us students to pursue life work that inspires us. KC is extremely amicable, and we always joke that he knows everyone in Botswana. I can tell many people look up to KC, and I believe this is because of his inner strength. When KC shared his personal background story, it was clear he faced hurdles on his journey. Despite hardships, KC moved forward, and despite failures he’s witnessed in his career, he is still motivated to problem solve. This quality reminds me of the elephant pushing down trees, allowing new growth to sprout; out of destruction you can find hope, and rebirth. The strength in KC allows him to be lighthearted, and this lightheartedness does not waver. He is always laughing and sharing his humor with us. Last night I dropped a pan in the kitchen, which knocked other things down, all making a loud crash and commotion. Instead of getting anxious or rushing to fix it, KC found a way to make a joke of it, and I could not stop cracking up. It is little moments like this that can characterize the type of life you want to lead, finding ways to make joy out of situations that may not be ideal. From watching KC, I believe we are able to do this by cultivating inner strength, and learning to handle hardships in a way that becomes fruitful.
KC emphasizes the importance of inclusivness, and the power of a unit. He refers to us as a “family team” and enjoys seeing us students work as a cooperative collective. In balance, we give and take among each other, as an ecosystem functions in the wild. KC values this unification in his work; he shares that conservation cannot be done by one person, or even a few. Conservation needs to reach community members of all backgrounds, because meaningful change won’t be made so long as perspectives are excluded.
KC loves homemade bread, and here he is cooking it by the fire. He also loves burning Wild Sage on the fire, and he says the smoke can serve as a blessing.
The impact these teachers have had on me is not easy to sum up. Us students talk about how mind-blowing it is when Dix, KC, and the escort guides share knowledge about the environment they live in. When asked how they know so much, we often hear the response that it is because they grew up around it. I don’t know the names of plants or birds in my own backyard, and I feel as though I’ve been ignoring many parts of the ecological community I live within back home. I asked one of our escort guides, Skizo, why he knows so much about the birds. He told me just hearing the birds makes him happy. He enjoys feeling their presence around him, therefore he takes the time to know them. This gratitude is such an important piece in the reciprocity; giving thanks for the small things is something I forget to do at home. I’ve noticed many of the people I’ve met here in Botswana can acknowledge the all the good surrounding them, and they express gratitude for that.
To institute a better practice of gratitude for myself, I can start by giving thanks for the lessons I’ve been gifted within my time here. I will carry the spoken words and unspoken qualities of these humble teachers in my heart, and take it with me wherever I go in the world.