The native people of Botswana are extremely friendly and always have open arms for strangers.  The average size of a house for a family of 2-7 people would be a small one room hut.  They live completely in the third world.  They absolutely love having people from the U.S.A. come to visit because they often think that we know famous celebrities. The one thing that would most definitely please a Batswanan (as they call themselves) would be to explain to them how much you appreciate their country. 

This country is based upon living in the old traditions of life.  The main belief in Botswana, besides Christianity is the cult churches. The head of cult churches are often called witch doctors.  They use their reputation to control the minds of the people.  The most well-known cult church is called Zion.  The members of the cult churches are not allowed to give out their names because the Zion church renames them.  Converts are not allowed to give out any type of information that would tell about their past life.  Many natives are not only afraid of the cult churches, but they feel that they are controlled by it.  If they leave they would be threatened by members of the church; and some are even killed for leaving.  They believe that when anything unfortunate happens to their families that they must have done something to offend the church; or that a witch doctor set a curse upon their family.  These powerful churches are based upon the control of fear; their grip on the Batswanan’s is so tight.

The Batswanan’s have so many burdens set upon them.  The AIDS epidemic would most definitely be the worst.  Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. With one out of every three people infected by this virus it is almost impossible to feel any hope at all!  In the year 2003 the Botswana media estimated 33,000 deaths from the disease, in ONE YEAR!  The life expectancy of Botswana’s natives is 39 years for men and 40 years for women.  The life expectancy of men and women is so short; not only because of the AIDS virus but many do not receive the necessary medications for other illnesses.  It is such a poor country. The president, Festus Mogae has made his goal for the AIDS virus to be controlled by the year 2016. 

Botswana is a landlocked country, with common droughts, and sand storms.  During their winter season there has never been a recorded drop of rain.  The summers are extreme and the winters are extreme as well.  Winter nights in Maun can get dip into the 20’s or even lower.  Botswana also has harsh summers with unbelievably high temperatures of up to 130 degrees.  It is not uncommon for Batswanan’s to hang themselves to get away from the heat.  It was told to me that when it gets that hot, you can take a step outside and your lips will blister and glass will shatter.  When I heard this I couldn’t understand how people could stand that. They have no type of air conditioning so it is impossible to find a way to cool down.