This blog post is a little different to the ones you’re used to seeing me publish here. There isn’t a manicured bride, or flower arrangements or a couple shoot. These pictures honour a different kind of beauty. The beauty of unselfish people going out of their way to recognise the effort and love of some of the magnificent and unsung hero’s of the city of Maun in Botswana. Last May, I was privileged to be invited by the Bana Barona organisation, to join them for what was the first annual Gratitude Gala. An event created to support and uplift medical workers in a community surviving under less than ideal circumstances, and to celebrate their achievements in normally thankless tasks. My friend Kamilah Benjamin summed things up so beautifully when she said:

“I was invited to support the establishment of the very first children’s hospital in Botswana. The team and I put on a Gratitude Gala for the health workers in Botswana to show our appreciation for all the hard work they do. Being a doctor in this country is very difficult, and we wanted to show them that we see them. Barona Children’s Hospital is a culture change agent and we are here to show the people of Botswana how healthcare will work in the future. Especially at is pertains the children. This was journey filled with laughter, fun, tears and struggle. I am extremely honored to have joined the Barona team on this journey to pioneering a professional medical establishment for tomorrow’s most precious resources – our children.”

I could fill pages talking about Botswana, and my short experience of Maun. The hundreds of hours spent by volunteers in planning this single evening of gratitude for medical workers, and the overwhelming emotions when meeting the extraordinary people who we celebrated themselves. I’m choosing however to not limit this journey to mere words, but rather to ask you to please go and have a look at the Bana Barona website (www.banabarona.com), and get acquainted with their mission and experiences there. The pictures below are a documentary of my time with the organisers before and on the day of the gala, as well as some portraits of the beautiful ladies being honoured. My heart soars with hope for humanity when I’m reminded of this journey into Africa and all that I learnt there. I will be forever grateful to have been a part of it. All my love and thanksgiving, Claire xxx