No.1 Ladies Detective Agency

As a way to learn about Botswana the students at the Alexander Dawson School read the book "The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency". The students would like to ask students from Gabarone Secondary School some questions as a way to introduce themselves and to begin this project.

Dear Students in Botswana,
Hello. I am a seventh grade student at Alexander Dawson School. Recent, the students here read a book called the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and the book was set in Botswana. I am writing because the book said some things about life in Botswana that I wondered if they were true. One of the first thing mentioned in the book is the newspaper the Botswana Guardian. Is there really a paper named the Botswana Guardian? In Colorado, USA were I live there is a newspaper called the Daily Times Call, what are you local newspapers called? Also in the book two cities, Francistown and Orapa, were named. Are there cities by those names? Are they near were you live? Also in the book it talked about a well-known house in the country called Mokolodi. Have you ever heard if it? Thank you for reading my letter. I look forward to writing to you in the future.
Sincerely,
Mari

Dear Botswana Students,
Hello from the United States! I have recently read the No.1 Ladies Detective Ageny and I have a few questions for you. One question I have to ask is are there chickens that run around town? All of the chickens in our town are kept in pens. The second question is do you like hot tea on a hot day? I would prefer ided tea, but a character in this book likes hot tea.
I really appreciate you anwering my questions. Thank you!
Jaleh

Dear Rra Hamaluba and class at Gabarone Secondary School,
In the #1 ladies Detective Agency it says Mma Ramotswe's father Obed had a big herd of cattle that was worh a lot of money. Are they really that valuable? Here what makes a man wealthy is stocks or a job as the CEO of a company. In the book it also says that Obed was working in a mine and that hurt his lungs and he died. Do any of your parents or relatives work in the mines?
In our town of Boulder Colorado we greet each other by shaking hands and offering a place to sit and a drink. In the book Mma Ramotswe always offers "Red Bush tea" to drink. Do you drink this often? We like lemonade or soda.
Thanks,
Annie

Dear Mari

Hello Mari..I saw your question on the newspapers here,Well we do have the Botswana Guardian and others such as the Daily News which is funded by the Government and comes out daily.We also have The Voice which is most popular amongst the youth.Elderly people dont really like it as its full of celebrity news.There is a new one out that is specifically for soccer..We do have places Orapa and Francistown.Francistown is the 2nd city in Botswana ands Orapa is the 2nd largest producer of diamonds in the country...
Thanx for the questions......
Sincerely
Kutlo a.k.a Chanel

Dear Jaleh
Hey Jaleh,well there aren't chickens running around town really.You can find chickens on the loose in villages,Which you call Farms.Thats where our grand parents prefer to live.And these days by the way some people do actually put chickens in pens.About hot tea,Most Batswana do like it.Whether its a sunny day or not.

Thanx for the questions.
Kutlo a.k.a Chanel

Dear Annie
Hello Annie,You wouldnt believe how much Cattle is wortyh in Botswana.Wealth is cattle.Five roses tea is the most popular amongst elderly people.The youyh prefer coffee.we shake hands too..

Ciao

Kutlo a.k.a Chanel

Challenge 20/20