Meet the FIUTS Winter 2022 SUSIs: Botswana
FIUTS is thrilled to welcome 20 undergraduates from Angola, Botswana, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe as part of the 2022 Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement. While this program usually takes place in person in Seattle, we are excited to work with these students virtually over the next few weeks, and hopefully welcome them to Seattle in person once it’s safe for them to travel.
During the 5-week virtual program, the group will study civic engagement and the history of social movements and social change in the United States. They will take part in activities to build their leadership and intercultural communication skills, and plan Community Action Projects that they’ll then implement after the conclusion of the program.
Over the next couple of weeks, FIUTS will introduce the SUSI participants from one of the six country groups that make up the Winter 2022 cohort. Continue on to read more about the SUSIs representing Botswana!
Phydelia Maramba
I am Matlhogonolo Phydelia Maramba, a young girl who hails from the South African Continent in a country called Botswana. I am 23 years of age and a final year student at the highest institution of learning in Botswana that is University of Botswana. I am a mental health activist and i am big on this topic because one can never do anything well if the mind is not in the rightful state. The mind influences/affects our day to day activities hence why we have to keep or manage our mental health. I am a female but i am more on the “the boy child” i advocate for boys who are neglected, wrongfully charged by the law or i should say those innocent boys who are locked up in prison. For example some women accuse men for different crimes that they did not even commit and hence a man would serve years in prison of the crime they did not commit and it is believed in some societies that if a woman reports crime of a man who wronged her, the man would serve jail right there. So one may ask themselves how many men out there in jail are serving sentences they did not commit. Gender equality is what i am fond of. No gender should be above another.
Faith Thipe
Faith Thipe, from Botswana, is Youth Activist/Advocate who is aspiring to be a Diplomat, Philanthropist and Humanitarian currently doing her final year at University Of Botswana in Political science and Public Administration (double majors). A Change-maker, bridge-builder and servant leader who upholds human rights and promote sustainable development. Passionate and committed to SRHR/ HIV/GBV and issues that affect Adolescents and Young people.
In 2020 she got nominated for the National Adolescent Activism Awards and became 1st Runner up in appreciation of her efforts in making the lives of young people better by imparting knowledge and linking them to services. This year she got nominated for the Africa Women Summit Awards as a face of hope for adolescents and young people in her community.
Every important change in our society, for the good, at least, will happen because of popular pressure-pressure from below, from the great mass of the youth. To be an advocate or activist is to have courage, independence and passion for the things that matter.As the good saying goes: “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” And in Mahatma Gandhi’s words I believe the best way for one to find themselves is to be lost in the service of others.
Basetsana Nkala
Hi! My name is Basetsana Nkala but you can just call me Basetsana. I am from the picturesque and strikingly beautiful Botswana and here is a little bit about myself.
I grew up in the church and one of the pillars of the church is to give more than you receive, to be the embodiment of a helping hand. This cultivated my love for volunteer work which is why I volunteer wherever I can, currently, I am a University of Botswana volunteer and we do various activities which help with events that are held in the university or by the university. In Addition, i have a Gender Based Podcast with my friends wherein we try to bring more awareness to the global pandemic that is GBV.
Other than that, I love reading it is one of those things that bring me solace and peace. I used to be a passionate writer but not so much anymore but once in a while I will pick up a pen and paper. I love languages, I am trying to learn Spanish and get better at French simultaneously and it’s definitely not easy but it’s fun.
Lastly, I love horseback riding, to me it is one of those things that Make you feel so in touch with nature, it’s just so beautiful.
The Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by Meridian International Center and FIUTS. The Winter 2022 program will run virtually from January 10-February 11.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes promote a better understanding of the people, institutions, and culture of the United States among students, teachers, and scholars. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) are short-term academic programs for groups of undergraduate leaders, educators, and scholars from around the world. Learn more about the Study of the U.S. Institutes here.