Wildlife Health Fair

Often when we hold some sort of event in Mochudi we try to incorporate some things that are traditional or things that help to depict Botswana Culture. Not too long ago the wildlife unit in my district decided to hold a health fair. Health fairs are pretty common for different government sectors, so I thought it might be nice to show some pictures of what a typical health fair looks like.

It's pretty amazing to me that so many of the youth are very willing to put on the traditional skins and furs and dance the traditional dances.

Each dance depicts something different in the history of the Botswana culture. Many times dances are about a marriage ceremony, or some other big event in a Motswana's life, such as a rain or a hunting season. Wrapped around the legs of the youth are seeds…this seed will make a lot of noise when they start dancing which shows the amazing sense of rhythm that all of this requires.

Our health fair also included condom demonstrations from my Men Sector Committee. It's always so fantastic for me to see how far they have come along…before I came to Mochudi there wasn't a men sector formed…so I just happened to come in right at the time the executive committee was being formed. Because of that I take a lot of pride when I see all of their capabilities when it comes to AIDS education now.
At the end of the day the wildlife health fair was very successful…it was hot, which lends itself to lots of education about hydration…but it was also really well attended which is one of the most important things…it's a small step in the fight against AIDS, but I have found that it makes all the difference.