INTERVIEW WITH BOTSWANA'S NEW NATIONAL DIRECTOR

By Michelle Smitherman

(Reprinted from MALTO A RONA)

As the calendar was about to usher in the arrival of a new year, on 29 December 2002, Habitat for Humanity Botswana (HFHB) also announced the arrival of new National Director, Carolyn McDonald.  Ms. McDonald comes to Botswana from Swaziland, where she worked for 3 years as Mission Administrator for the Foreign Mission Board, National Baptist Convention.  Before working in Swaziland, she held a similar post for 5 years in Malawi.  In a recent interview with Matlo A Rona editor, Michelle Smitherman, Ms. McDonald expressed some of her hopes, plans and concerns for the Botswana programme.

Michelle:  What brought you to Habitat for Humanity Botswana (HFHB)?

Carolyn:  For the past several years, I have devoted my life to serving God and His people when and wherever I can.  I am here because the focus and goals of HFHB are con

sistent with my goals for my personal life.  How exciting to play a small part in eliminating poverty housing throughout the world!

Michelle:  After 3 months on the job, what are your priorities for HFHB?

Carolyn:  Leadership in HFHB has been in a state of transition for the last two years.  This revolving door at the top has had a destabilizing effect on the entire organisation.  

With the assistance of a very competent and committed staff, I hope to restore a standard of excellence in all areas of program and operations.  I believe that as a team, we can be an example of servant leadership in the country of Botswana.

Michelle:  What do you feel are HFHB’s biggest challenge(s)?

Carolyn:  We have some very old affiliates that have stopped repaying their mortgages and consequently

have stopped building.  I believe one of our greatest challenges for the coming year will be to find innovative ways to revitalize those affiliates.

Michelle:  HFHB has been building houses in Botswana for 10 years and will celebrate its 1000^th house in August 2003:  Where would you like to see HFHB in 2013?

Carolyn:  I have heard you speak of “Vision 2016.”  As I understand it, this is a government initiative declaring that by the year 2016, everyone in Botswana will have decent and affordable housing.  My dream (and I see dreams as the beginning of reality) is that HFHB will be a major player in accelerating that goal from 2016 to 2013.  And why not?  We built 1000 houses with no experience and no foundation in the Country.  We should consider the first 1000 houses and the first ten years as practice for greater things to come.n