News - Our Lady of the Lake University - TRC
Planetwalker Arrives in Botswana
Planetwalker Dr. John Francis has made his way to Gaborone, Botswana, finishing the fifth leg of his journey and walking a total of 1,883 km (1,167 miles) since he began. Dr. Francis plans to make his way across the African continent over the next 6 years, having started in South Africa and ending in Cairo, Egypt.
Dr. Francis began his Planetwalk Africa journey at Cape Point, Cape Town, South Africa, traveling to Beaufort West, South Africa and crossing the vast Northern Cape province before arriving in Kimberly, South Africa, on 23 September. While in Kimberly, students from William Pescod High School took time from their busy exam schedule to meet with Dr. Francis.
Dr. John Francis meets with students from William Pescod High School.
Along the way, Dr. Francis and the colleagues who joined him to support him on the journey—Kevin Julies and John Anderson—took GLOBE Clouds and Trees observations , contributing to GLOBE Africa’s Tree Measurement intensive observation period (IOP). And on 17 October, Dr. Francis crossed into Botswana, completing his walk through South Africa!
Dr. John Francis arrives at the Ramatlabama Border Post in Botswana.
In Botswana, the Planetwalk Africa team met with students from Northside Primary School in Gaborone on 23 October to promote kindness and GLOBE. Dr. Francis plans to return to Botswana in 2026 to continue his journey northward toward Egypt.
Dr. John Francis meets with students and staff from Northside Primary School. From left to right: Lesole Sesupo, Jessica Richards (school principal), Dr. Francis, John Anderson (professor; Planetwalk), Raphael (telemedicine), and Joanna Laverick (environment teacher).
News origin: GLOBE Implementation Office