Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Botswana! If you’re considering volunteering in Botswana, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Botswana and explore Botswana as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Botswana. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Botswana is right for you.
Volunteers work on projects in Botswana: Education, Community Economic Development, and Health (leaving in August).
Table of Contents
- 1. Peace Corps in Botswana
- 2. About Botswana
- 3. Safety and Health for Volunteers
- 4. Volunteer Experiences
- 5. Resources and Connections
1. Peace Corps in Botswana
- Health: Peace Corps Botswana works with the government to address key challenges and build on the country’s health care successes. With 60% of the population being young, keeping youth healthy is a priority. The HIV/AIDS and Youth Health and Well-being Project helps young people lead healthy, HIV-free lives by 2030.
- Community Economic Development: Volunteers support local entrepreneurs, community groups, and vocational schools by teaching business, entrepreneurship, and digital skills. The Community Economic Development project aims to help communities grow and reduce economic inequality, focusing on improving livelihoods, especially for youth and women. Partners include the Ministry of Local Government, community organizations, and vocational schools.
- Education: Volunteers work in schools to help teachers implement leadership and life skills programs, focusing on keeping students HIV negative. They co-teach, lead after-school clubs, and improve teachers’ skills to create a safe, positive learning environment. Volunteers also enhance academic and life skills, improve digital literacy, and train teachers in tech skills. Partnering with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Peace Corps Botswana places volunteers in primary schools to support education and help improve the learning experience for students.
2. About Botswana
In the early 1800s, conflicts and population shifts in southern Africa caused problems for the political groups in what is now Botswana. The Tswana people became the most important group in the area. In 1885, Great Britain took control of the area, calling it Bechuanaland. In 1966, Bechuanaland became independent and changed its name to Botswana, which means “land of the Tswana”.
Geography: Botswana is in Southern Africa, just north of South Africa. It is a large country, slightly smaller than the state of Texas. Most of the country is flat with some rolling hills, and the Kalahari Desert covers a lot of the southwest. The country is landlocked and has a semi-arid climate with warm winters and hot summers. The Okavango Delta provides a biodiverse region in the country. The population is mostly located in the eastern part of Botswana.
People and Society: Botswana has a population of about 2.4 million people. Most people are Tswana, but there are also other ethnic groups. Most people in Botswana are Christian. Botswana has made progress in health care, but the country has been greatly affected by HIV/AIDS. Many Batswana have worked in mines in South Africa, but more people are finding jobs in Botswana now.
Environment: Botswana has signed international agreements to protect its environment, including agreements about climate change and endangered species. The country experiences periodic droughts. The land is mostly used for agriculture, with some forest areas. Botswana has problems with air pollution and waste, but has areas of significant biodiversity such as the Okavango Delta.
Government: Botswana is a republic with a president as the head of state. The president is chosen by the National Assembly and serves a five-year term. The country has a parliament called the National Assembly. Botswana’s legal system is a mix of civil law and customary law. The current president is Duma BOKO, who was elected in 2024.
Economy: Botswana’s economy has been doing well, and it is considered an upper-middle-income country. Diamond mining is the most important part of its economy, but tourism is growing. Many people are unemployed, especially young people. Botswana exports diamonds, copper, and other materials. The country also has a lot of coal.
Language: The main languages spoken in Botswana are Setswana and English. English is the official language. Other languages are also spoken, including Sekalanga and Shekgalagadi.
During their service in Botswana, Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Setswana.
3. Safety and Health for Volunteers
How safe is it serve in Botswana?
In general, 89% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Botswana. And 100% felt safe or very safe where they worked. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Botswana Country Crime Profile.
What are some of the health concerns in Botswana?
Most of the medical problems seen in Botswana are also found in the United States, such as colds,
diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Botswana because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses. The medical problems specific to Botswana are:
- typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, rabies, diarrhea, amoebic dysentery
- skin infections, dental problems, headaches, respiratory infections, minor injuries
- HIV/AIDS, and STIs.
Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms. Because malaria is endemic in Botswana, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication. But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Botswana can be found in the Botswana Health and Medical Care Summary.
4. Volunteer Experiences
What do volunteers think of serving in Botswana?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 86% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 80% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 75% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Botswana Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about Peace Corps Botswana volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Botswana. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
- Caitlin (Response) interview
- Bobby (YD) 2017-19
- Gary and Teresa (YD) 2015-17
- Jeremy (Youth) 2017-19
- Deanna (Health) 2013-15
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Botswana, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Botswana with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
5. Resources and Connections
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Botswana?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Botswana?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Botswana
- Projects in Botswana
- Stories from Botswana
- Living Conditions
- Navigating Identities
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Botswana“, published in 2014. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Botswana. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Botswana is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Botswana.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Botswana Government.
