Kavango Won't Be The Same

It is already time for the 26 and 27'ers to finish their contract and leave. They are slowly leaving a few at a time. Kavango is going to be losing 7 volunteers. It would be OK if these people sucked, BUT they are great people and have been great friends. Since I first arrived at the airport they have been so supportive and understanding. It is hard to imagine this place with out them. Its like they were my parents teaching me about Namibia and now they are making me fly on my own. To say goodbye to the townies we went out to Kavango River Lodge to have a nice dinner and watch the sunset... it was a great place to spend some time together.

Rachel, Kerri, Kathy and Me

Kerri and I ... I can not begin to put into words how much this girl has done for me!! She is hands down the most amazing, kindest, positive person I know!

One of the best views in Rundu

Thank goodness Kathy is not leaving me too!!

A Proud Mama

I can't believe it is the end of term!! On the 20th of Nov. my first group of Bronze members graduated to SILVER!! We had an awards ceremony and celebrated their completion of the year with medals, certificates, mama bears and cake!! The picture is of my first class. They are wonderful kids and I have loved working with them I can not wait to see what next year will bring for us. They will become the mentors to a group of new learners who will take on the role of Bronze participants next year. They make my life in Rundu so much better. I was telling another volunteer, Peggy, that I can't imagine my life here with out those kids. I don't think I would be half as happy as I am. They are a wonderful reminder everyday to smile and be thankful for all that I have. Most of my kids go with out food, new clothes and both parents to love them, but what I love most is no matter what life is throwing at them they are always respectful, positive and motivated. Did I mention that I LOVE these kids??

The week after the awards ceremony we had a Christmas party with the kids and I let them do a photo booth type thing so here are some of those pictures... how can you not think these kids are so cute??

Thanksgiving Three Times Over

It is tradition to have a Rundu Thanksgiving and we did not forget that tradition this year! There is an RPCV, Patrick, he was in group 12 or 13 and met the love of his life, Terri, and has stayed here to raise his beautiful family. He owns a lodge and hosts the volunteers for Thanksgiving. The deal is he provides the turkey and the volunteers make the sides. We had cornbread, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie, apple pie and of course turkey. After everyone ate we played a game of football. I was on team "High Five" and even though we did not win it was too much fun. A few days after we had Thanksgiving #2 where we ate the leftovers...then on REAL thanksgiving we had another one!!! Its no wonder my pants are too tight this week!! It was a lot of fun and it reminded me how thankful I am for the life I have been given. I love the path that I am on right now and can not imagine being anywhere else!!

Some of my favorite girls!!

Me and Rachel with one of Patrick's beautiful daughters, Grace

Before dinner we played at the pool :)

After dinner we played at Backstage!

Not Your Everyday Emily Post

When you are standing in line at the post or at the bank if your phone rings you step out of the room and come back into your place when you are no longer on the phone. You don't have to worry about missing your turn because the line moves so slow you could make 5 phone calls before its your turn!

When you are walking down the road you must say hi to everyone who you pass. When you pass people nod their head but where I nod my head down they nod their head up. There has been some confusion to my politeness because I go down not up. Some people get your attention by whistling, honking the horn or yelling white person. You must always say hello and greet people.

There is a special language here called Namlish... When you talk to people it is helpful to know what these words mean otherwise you might be waiting for a long time or go to the wrong place.

Namlish-Translation in English

Learners- Students

koki- Magic Marker

Silly- Stupid/Dumb

Help Me- Please

Bakkie-Pick-Up Truck

Combi- Van

Lorry-18 wheeler

Foot- To walk

Is It? - Really?

I'm Coming Now- I'm going/I'll be back

Now- It is happening in an hour or two

Now Now- Will happen sooner than now (maybe 1/2 hour)

Robot- Streetlight (Rundu does not have any of these)

Queue- Line

Make a Turn- Stop By

This Side- Where you are

That Side - Over There

Is That Smell Coming From Me?

I was at Etosha National Park with my host organization and while we were taking a break from the game drive the kids got to go into the pool. There were tourists sitting in the pool and asked us "where are these kids from" which started a conversation on everything! Finally, the conversation is over and I stand up to walk away. They see my massive dirt stain on the seat of my pants and asked me what happend. Not thinking how dirty I would sound I said, "I got a ride in a dirty bakkie a few weeks ago and I haven't washed my clothes since then" They looked completely grossed out!!

I noticed a change in myself right then... when I was at home I would wear something once maybe for a few hours and I would throw it in the dirty clothes pile. It was such a waste of washing powder and water. Now I can go at least two weeks with out washing anything. I do the smell test. If I can smell myself I know its time to do laundry :) kidding... well kind of!

The weather is so hot now that I feel like I can never stay clean. The minute I get out of the shower and get dressed I have already started sweating. Now it is just normal feeling for me to never feel clean. Now I know what it feels like to be the smelly kid.

The Namibia SHE knows

My friend Kathy wrote this entry in her blog and I loved it ... She has been working here on and off for 5 years now and I think she has a wonderful personality and outlook on life

The Namibia I know….

• is a place where children walk miles through rain, piercing sun, and soaring temperatures to get to school.


• is a place where people always say good morning.


• is a place where children who have nothing are happy and joyful.


• is a place where mothers are superwomen.


• is a place where people live in the moment, in the day.


• is a place where family is central to life.


• is a place where zebras, elephants and lions roam free


• is a place where people take the time to know and help their neighbors.


• is a place where friends are welcomed like family.


• is a place where grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even strangers take in orphaned children.


• is a place where villagers greet health workers with smiles and waves.


• is a place where children recognize and are thankful for the small things.


• is a place where there is no shortage of smiles and laughter.


• is a place where clear nights bring skies filled with a million sparkling stars


• is a place where children take care of their ailing parents and siblings


• is a place where the elderly are valued for their experience and knowledge.


• is a place where parents dream of better lives for their children and try to make that happen.

Namibia is also….

• a place where children go to bed hungry.


• a place where alcoholism is an epidemic and men spend their family’s money on beer.


• a place where nearly 1 in 4 adults (15-49) is infected with HIV/AIDS.


• a place where teenage pregnancy is extremely common.


• a place where only primary education is free.


• a place where women have little power in relationships.


• a place where rape is common.


• a place where poverty is the norm and % of people survive on less than $2/day.


• a place where few people have more than secondary education.


• a place where orphans and other vulnerable children are turned away from school because they cannot pay for fees or uniforms.


• a place where funerals, especially of young people, are too plentiful.


• a place where hundreds of people are made homeless each year by flooding.


• a place where 40% of people are unemployed


• a place that has the highest income gap in the world.

T.I.N. (This is Namibia)

So I love Namibia and my town and I think some of the things that make me love it so much are its little quirks...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

It is respectful and just a common practice that someone does not walk in your property with out your permission. In theory its a great idea, but in reality you have someone standing out side your fence yelling your name until you answer and allow them to come to your door. I first experienced this when I was with my host family still and my brothers friend came over when I was the only one home. I was sleeping in my bed and I was woken to a little boy yelling "Chief" for a while until I realized that he would just keep yelling there until I went and told him no one was home but me and then he went home. It does not happen all the time if you are family with the person or don't have a fence they just come to your house and knock on the door or yell "Morokeni"(in my experience). I have learned that if someone is yelling for me I will go right away or they will keep yelling at me they will not just leave and go home.

Honking is the new Wave

There are many taxis in town and they are constantly looking for people to get in the taxi. I walk to my school and home everyday and everyday I get at least two horn honks. I used to make the mistake and try to ignore them, until I learned that they will keep honking until they either pass you or you turn and shake your head no. Sometimes it makes me laugh like today a taxi passed me a laid on the horn and I turned around to see a full taxi. So basically he was just honking to be honking!

KIND HEARTS

I think the most special thing in Namibia that I appreciate the most is peoples kindness. You will constantly meet people who greet you or offer to help you. As I said earlier I walk home from my school every afternoon and at least once a week I have someone (private car or taxi) pull over and offer to give me a free ride into town. Then they thank me for working in the schools and drop me off at my destination. It just makes me think when I was home if I saw someone walking and was heading the same direction would I have stopped for them and given them a ride? I like to think I would, but I know I was usually too busy to even stop and look at what was going on around me.

Global Warming?

It is SOOO hot here! Today was a cool day so I am not as worn out as I was before. The Namibia sun is BRUTAL!!! I don't understand when I see kids playing soccer in the middle of the day I try to hide in the shade or by a fan whenever I can. The rainy season is supposed to start in the end of Nov. however I am pretty sure the weather is all screwed up this year. Winter was colder than in the past, the wind didn't come until a month late, and the rain started in Sept. granted its not everyday, but it rained at least 3 days last week. Even some of my co-workers do not understand it ... who knows what the actual rainy season will bring!