Peace Corps Online: August 20, 2003 - Greenwood Democrat: Photograph of President Bush visiting Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana

August 20, 2003 - Greenwood Democrat: Photograph of President Bush visiting Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2003: August 2003 Peace Corps Headlines: August 20, 2003 - Greenwood Democrat: Photograph of President Bush visiting Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-48-41.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.48.41) on Saturday, October 11, 2003 - 4:16 pm: Edit Post

Photograph of President Bush visiting Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana

The President poses with Peace Corps volunteers at Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Gaborone, Bostwana.

Read and comment on this story from the Greenwood Democrat by Botswana Peace Corps Volunteer Sally Altland who recently had the opportunity to meet President Bush during the President's visit to Botswana at:

A presidential visit*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.

A presidential visit

(Editor’s note: Sally Altland is a graduate of Greenwood High School, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Newcomb of Greenwood. and John Altland of Sherman, Texas. )

I am a US Peace Corps Volunteer working with HIV/AIDS in Botswana, a country in Southern Africa. Botswana is a democracy and has thrived since independence without civil war, very little poverty I had the pleasure of meeting the president of Botswana, Festus Mogae at our swearing-in on May 28, 2003.

Botswana is now facing the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Botswana has among the highest rate of HIV/AIDS, around 38-45 percent of the population infected, in the world. The highest rates are occurring in the 20-40 year old population. This is the productive and reproductive age and in turn has the possibility of affecting the economy and family stability of Botswana.

I am working with the District AIDS Coordinator in Lobatse, a town in the South of Botswana and am busy writing proposals, developing projects, planning HIV/AIDS activities, monitoring and evaluating existing NGOs and government programs, and working with youth groups. I am at the present planning an AIDS Fair, working on improving Home-Based Care and developing a proposal for a youth drama group to spread their message in local schools.

My experiences in Africa have been surprising and many. I spent my first three months with a family and they have taking me in as their own. I am learning Setswana(official language) and making friends and a home here.

I also recently had the opportunity to meet my own President, George W. Bush. My fellow volunteers and I met the President, Colin Powell, the First Lady and Barbara Bush (the daughter).

We were introduced to the President by the Ambassador to the US, Joseph Huggins at Mokolodi Game Reserve, south of Gaborone. It was a very intimate meeting with only one camera and each of us getting individual time with the President and Colin Powell.

Personally the meeting came the day after my 25th Birthday and the Ambassador felt that this along with the fact that I am the only volunteer from Texas was an excellent opportunity to single me out. I was introduced last and it was made known that I was celebrating my birthday. The President hugged and kissed my cheek and wished me Happy Birthday. He also acknowledged Austin College, where I received my degree, and commented that it was a very good school. (as did Colin Powell). It was a very interesting birthday and one I will not likely forget.

Sally “Malebogo”Altland

Private Bag 002

Lobatse Botswana

August 1, 2003 - PCV Sally Altland meets President Bush in Botswana

AC grad meets Bush in Africa

BY DAVE BELLOWS

HERALD DEMOCRAT

Sherman, Texas - Sally Altland, daughter of John and Sheri Altland of Sherman and an Austin College graduate, joined the Peace Corps expecting interesting experiences -- but certainly not expecting her adventures to include a special birthday wish from President Bush.

Altland is a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana, a country in southern Africa.

"My fellow volunteers and I met the president, Colin Powell, the first lady and Barbara Bush (the daughter)," Altland said. "We were introduced to the president by the ambassador to the U.S., Joseph Huggins, at Mokolodi Game Reserve. It was a very intimate meeting with only one camera and each of us getting individual time with the president and Colin Powell."

The meeting came the day after her 25th birthday, so, Altland said, "the Ambassador felt that this along with the fact that I am the only volunteer from Texas was an excellent opportunity to single me out. I was introduced last and it was made known that I was celebrating my birthday. The president hugged me and kissed my cheek and wished me 'Happy Birthday.' "

She said Bush also acknowledged AC and commented that it was a very good school, as did Colin Powell. "It was a very interesting birthday and one I will not likely forget."

According to a Peace Corps spokesman, the meeting took place because earlier in the day, when Bush had met with President Mogae of Botswana, the African leader recognized the Peace Corps for its work in his country.

Bush greeted and thanked each of the Peace Corps volunteers for their efforts, as he chatted his way around a semi-circle of eager volunteers. "The president was warm and friendly and spent time talking with each of us," said volunteer Donna Stanislawski. "The President thanked all the volunteers for their support and commitment to helping Botswana fight the scourge of HIV and AIDS."

But the talk wasn't all serious. Peace Corps Volunteer Chris Talley, a 2001 graduate of Yale University, shared some laughs with the president. Talley reminded Bush of his commencement address at their alma mater in which the President said, "You, too, can become the President of the United States É with a C average."

"We laughed together in jest over the comment and he embraced the two of us who were on either side of him," said Talley.

The volunteers expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet the president. "It was a privilege and an honor," said Stanislawski. Peace Corps volunteer Key James said, "I was genuinely pleased with the level of compassion (the president) held for Botswana in helping the country combat HIV and AIDS." Others were more euphoric in their appreciation, "It will be an event I will never forget!" said Peace Corps cashier Gladys Nlondiwa.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, Altland is working on Botswana's AIDS epidemic. Botswana is a democracy and has thrived since independence without civil war. It has very little poverty and high literacy rate, economic stability, and quality health care and public education. However, the country that's otherwise an exception to the suffering seen in many other African nations has among the highest rate of HIV and AIDS in the world.

Altland said between 38 and 45 percent of the population is infected, with the highest rates in the 20- to 40-year-old population. With the productive and reproductive age so afflicted, it has the possibility of affecting the economy and family stability of Botswana, Altland said.

"I am working with the District AIDS Coordinator in Lobatse, a town in the south of Botswana and am busy writing proposals, developing projects, planning HIV and AIDS activities, monitoring and evaluating existing government programs, and working with youth groups. I am at the present planning an AIDS Fair, working on improving Home-Based Care and developing a proposal for a youth drama group to spread their message in local schools," Altland said.

She has spent three months with a family and they have been taking her in as their own, Altland said. She's learning Setswana (the country's official language) and "making friends and a home here."

July 11, 2003 - Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana meet President Bush

President Bush and a guide give the thumbs up as he and first lady Laura Bush with daughter Barbara, far right, start out on a tour of the Mokolodi Nature Reserve outside Gaborone, Botswana, Thursday, July 10, 2003. The reserve is a predator-free home to elephant orphans and endangered rhinos, as well as zebra, giraffes and hippos.

Read and comment on this Peace Corps Press Release on July 11, 2003 that Peace Corps Volunteers met President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Barbara Bush at a game reserve about 15 kilometers south of Gaberone. President Bush greeted and thanked each of the Peace Corps Volunteers for their efforts, as he chatted his way around a semi-circle of eager Volunteers. “The President was warm and friendly and spent time talking with each of us,” said Volunteer Donna Stanislawski. “The President thanked all the Volunteers for their support and commitment to helping Botswana fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS.” Read the story at:

Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana Experience a Visit from the President*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.

Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana Experience a Visit from the President

“One of the main reasons I joined the Peace Corps was to experience things,” said Volunteer Kevin Collins. “But never in a million years did I expect to meet the President of the United States.” On Thursday, July 11, twelve Peace Corps Volunteers in Botswana were given that opportunity. The Volunteers met President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Barbara Bush at a game reserve about 15 kilometers south of Gaberone.

Earlier in the day, when the President had met with President Mogae of Botswana, President Mogae recognized the Peace Corps for its work in his country. The President took full advantage of getting to know some of these workers up close. President Bush greeted and thanked each of the Peace Corps Volunteers for their efforts, as he chatted his way around a semi-circle of eager Volunteers. “The President was warm and friendly and spent time talking with each of us,” said Volunteer Donna Stanislawski. “The President thanked all the Volunteers for their support and commitment to helping Botswana fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS.”

But the talk wasn’t all serious. Peace Corps Volunteer Chris Talley, a 2001 graduate of Yale University, shared some laughs with the President. Talley reminded the President of his commencement address at their alma mater in which the President said, ‘You, too, can become the President of the United States…with a C average.’ “We laughed together in jest over the comment and he embraced the two of us who were on either side of him,” said Talley. Peace Corps Volunteer Sally Atland, a graduate of Austin College in Texas, had celebrated her birthday the day before. The President gave her a belated birthday hug and kiss on the cheek and wished her a happy birthday.

The Volunteers expressed sincere appreciation for the opportunity to meet the President. “It was a privilege and an honor,” said Stanislawski. Peace Corps Volunteer Key James explained, “I was genuinely pleased with the level of compassion (the President) held for Botswana in helping the country combat HIV/AIDS.” Others were more euphoric in their appreciation, “It will be an event I will never forget!” said Peace Corps cashier Gladys Nlondiwa.

Collins summed up the experience by saying, “We all felt incredibly fortunate to have met the President of the United States. Just a typical day in the life of a Peace Corps Volunteer, right? In a way, yes, because I have new and amazing experiences every day. Peace Corps is a great life.”

More Photos of President Bush in Botswana

President Bush with daughter Barbara at right, pats an elephant on the trunk during a tour of the Mokolodi Nature Reserve outside Gaborone, Botswana, Thursday, July 10, 2003. The reserve is a predator-free home to elephant orphans and endangered rhinos, well as zebra, giraffes and hippos.

President Bush dons a cap as he sets out on a tour of the Mokolodi Nature Reserve outside Gaborone, Botswana, Thursday, July 10, 2003. The reserve is a predator-free home to elephant orphans and endangered rhinos, well as zebra, giraffes and hippos.

President Bush and his guide point to animals in the distance during a tour of the Mokolodi Nature Reserve outside Gaborone, Botswana, Thursday, July 10, 2003, as first lady Laura Bush and their daughter Barbara join at right. The reserve is a predator-free home to elephant orphans and endangered rhinos, well as zebra, giraffes and hippos.

President George W. Bush walks up to African elephants as his daughter Barbara follows cautiously behind at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Gaborone, Botswana, July 10, 2003. Bush, daughter Barbara and first lady Laura Bush went on a safari at the park.

U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with schoolchildren upon his arrival at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Botswana, July 10, 2003. Bush met with Botswana President Festus Morae to discuss trade, the war on terrorism and the AIDS epidemic.

U.S. President Bush and first lady Laura Bush are escorted by Botswana's President Festus Mogae, left, and his wife Barbara, far right, as they watch tribal dancers during a welcome ceremony at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Botswana, Thursday, July 10, 2003. Later, in a luncheon meeting with business leaders, Bush plans to focus on trade cooperation as a path to fighting poverty while promoting democracy.

Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL

10/3/02

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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Botswana; President Bush

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