Welcome to BSRFC’s U13s International Rugby Festival Website
Open Letter from Dave Gilbert
I have arrived home well and in one piece feeling quite emotionally drained. Wow what a week you guys put on. As I said, there are not enough superlatives to use to explain what effect, now and in the future, your efforts and actions have had on so many people in Botswana. All I can say is a big thank you from everyone.
I do not really want to mention names of specific people within your team because I believe they have all in their own way left their mark on the kids and me during this remarkable tournament. Your beautiful family who gave of their home so lovingly and openly, Caroline, George, Jack, Emma and fury hammie are absolute stars and such talented people. The two mad Julies, Peter, Matt to name but a few were just so loving and caring and nothing was too much for any of you- (except the double coned bloody ice creams with the chocolate flaky bar in it ). All of you take a bow.
As I sit here at 04.30 writing this to you I have a box of Kleenex next to me – I have never been as emotional in my life before as I was over this week, particularly at the end of the bowl final and those stupid inconsiderate women singing when I was leaving, really what were they thinking, which only goes to show what special effect you have all had on the people you have touched!
I have been looking at the web site and it looks like every one has been having a great time since I left and I really wish I could have stayed on.
I went to a meeting with the Botswana Sports Council and the Land Allocation board yesterday evening and I have great news. Botswana Rugby has been given almost 12 acres of land to develop into playing fields and a sports centre. I will pick up the written confirmation of this today morning and then it is full steam ahead to develop this for next years season so as we can play all our schools tournaments there and our development program, including the Tlamelo project, has a proper home with all the facilities we need!! This is really great news as we now have a way forward for the development of rugby in Botswana.
We have been approached by other orphanages to also assist them as we do with Tlamelo but it unfortunately is all about sustainability as once you are committed it is very hard on the recipients to then withdraw the assistance. We Botswana rugby are very tight on resources at this point and it does not help that we are losing Gareth to Holland in 3 months time because we can not afford him. In fairness I believe he has given his time for 4 years now at a token salary so we wish him well for his future – but he will be sorely missed with in Botswana Rugby.
It is matters like this that limit our effectiveness in the country with our development as it is very difficult to find and replace qualified people who can work and understand the people in Botswana with such dedication and enthusiasm.
I will keep you posted once the kids return and I have spoken to the Pastor, the “parents” and trustees of Tlamelo of the possible ways you can assist in the future if you wish to do so.
Once again JC, many thanks for every thing that you have done.
I will keep in regular contact.
Kindest regards, a kiss for the Ladies
Dave “Kleenex” Gilbert
