Not much new here. Most people are back at work and schools are in session again. No yoga classes this week due to meetings. I’m pretty bored. A huge Thank You to Lisa Jean for her awesome package!!! And a big big Thank You to Lauren for her xmas card. You 2 really helped brighten my day!

I found a wonderful company to donate yoga mats to my class in Phikwe, but one of my APCDs says we’re not allowed to have them donated. She said it’s not sustainable, and that apparently 10 mats is considered a bulk order. Since the mats will last for many years (I’ve gone through 3 mats in 10 years; but only because I practice several hours every day; mats for class here would be used just once a week!), I don’t see how this is unsustainable. Frankly, I’m confused by a double standard. PCVs are allowed to fundraise and get donations from home; in fact, we are told that 90% of all donations are from our own friends & family. When a particular PCV ends service, all the $$ they could have generated goes away with them. So, how is that $$ sustainable, since it too is coming from the US?

And, since donations of yoga mats are unacceptable, does that mean the one ingredient missing for Home Based Care’s cheese project (an enzyme called rennet) is also something that they would not allow to receive by donation? Considering that it is not available in Botswana, the 2 companies that have it in South Africa don’t respond, and the 1 company in Tunisia that might have it doesn’t respond, that leaves us only with US options. It’s infuriating that Peace Corps seems to prefer projects not work or not happen at all, rather than allow donations. I get no personal gain from mats or rennet; they go directly to the people who would use them. It is ESPECIALLY infuriating since monetary donations from the US are acceptable.

The holidays were so wonderful …. Now I’m back to feeling that my presence in Botswana is utterly useless and utterly worthless. Thanks, Peace Corps!

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ABC's "20/20" aired a special last night about safety & security in the Peace Corps. If anyone can get a digital copy & mail it to me, I'd be eternally grateful. PC is not going to show it to us because it is not "favorable."

links to ABC's articles about is, and to the PC Director's statements follow:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/peace-corps-gang-rape-volunteer-jess-smochek-us/story?id=12599341

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/video/peace-corps-gang-rape-12613898

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/parents-slain-volunteer-peace-corps-error-led-murder/story?id=12607274

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=1689

http://multimedia.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/pdf/media/2020_response.pdf