I write this from the capital of Botswana, Gaborone, where I a traveling as the chair of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). There is a delegation of six universities and colleges to engage in discussions with members of the tertiary education system in Botswana and the volunteer sector to strengthen ties and relationships between Canada and Botswana. This week we signed an agreement to extend a 25 year partnership between WUSC and the Batswana government on the management of a Student Scholarship Program where Batswana students come to Canada to complete their undergraduate degrees but we are also working to strengthen research ties with the University of Botswana and to help in the development of Botswana’s new international university of science and technology.

This is a country (the size of Texas or France) with only 1.7 million people. According to government statistics it is calculated that approximately 17% of its peoples are suffering from HIV-AIDS, although some have estimated that the rate of infection is higher, particularly among populations at risk. There is a critical need to help in the support and care of a nation that is being devastated by this pandemic. It is estimated that there are more than 53,200 AIDS-related orphans - a number that is growing by the day - and a staggering number of deaths each week across the country.

Despite these challenges and the impact of global warming on the semi-arid country (there was very little rain in the rainy season this year and water levels are already low in many reservoirs and there are six months to go to the next rainy season), the people here are remarkably hopeful and positive. They have a sense of humour that is truly inspiring and a spirit of fighting the face of adversity that is utterly laudable. Above all it makes you realize how much we have (and waste) in a so-called developed country and how much we have to learn from our supposedly disadvantaged colleagues in another country.

It has been a moving and uplifting experience to be privileged to come here and learn so much.