So term two is wrapping up, with exams starting this week. This term most of my coursework in grade 8 focused on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The kids really impressed me with their enthusiasm for reading and their understanding of the plot. As a reward, I showed Jonny Depp's version of the movie on occassional Fridays. (It's the only version I had access to.)
So now, they're calling each other nincompoops, and they call the small kids (usually the ones who are actually 13-15 in grade 8 instead of 20-25...) oompa-loompas.
I feel like I should be more upset. Insults are "not allowed." But THEY UNDERSTOOD THE BOOK!!! So press on my lil nincompoops. At least you're no longer insulting each other in local languages (and they only use those when they know the other doesn't understand. Rude.)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Jack Frost is Nippin!
So my birthday was earlier this month, and I admit it was one for the books.
It started the weekend of 3 June, two weeks before my actual birthday. I hadn’t planned on going to town, but I needed to make copies, so I figured that I would go in on Friday and head back to site that night or the next morning.
By the time I trekked with Lauren all over town to buy paper, pick up mail, check in at the office (free internet), and finally stop by the town council office that offers free copies for ministry employees, the sun was beginning to set. I make the poor worker stay late on a Friday evening to finish making the 150 copies of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for my learners, then took my 1500 pieces of paper, mail, laptop, and few groceries to the Rundu volunteers’ house.
The house was dark, concerning me because that would mean we were locked out, and it was getting pretty dark out. However, Lauren didn’t seem at all concerned, which should have been a sign knowing Lauren. I didn’t think much about it because at this point my out-of-shape booty was tired of moving and hauling (I write that as I look out my classroom door at a woman with a jerrycan of water on her head, probably headed 15km into the bush). Anyway, I was completely taken aback by what met me inside.
I realized it was a surprise party immediately. I just didn’t realize it was for me. My friend and an excellent volunteer near Etosha, Julie, had been trying to get up to Rundu for my birthday, but conferences the weekends before and after was deeming it impossible. But, being the amazing person she is, she took off work and traveled up two weeks early, inviting friends from all around, to celebrate. In all, I think there were around 15 of us, from the Caprivi to Ovamboland. Joe even came down the unfinished tar road (read: the majority is still gravel/sand and very very slow driving—it took him an overnight trip and about a total of 20 hours to get to us!). There was lasagna, dancing, cake, whisky, tours of the town, and much ado. I can’t express how grateful I am to have made so many American friends in this country—without them, I don’t think I would survive.
I am a very lucky girl, and I come from an amazing place with great friends and family, and as special as that makes me feel, it can be extremely hard for me to be away from all of that for such a long time, especially in a place that literally shocks or depressed me almost every single day. Not that Namibia doesn’t have its own strengths and memories, but I have been so spoiled with love back in the States that I never really imagined a life in a community where relationships don’t exist in the same way, one in which I have no one to talk to. Luckily, I have found people who, although may not live far, are willing to sacrifice to visit and call me, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Back to the birthday—on my actual birthday, I put on my favourite dress (with leggings, a scarf, and coat, of course!) and went to school at 6:45 like any other day. Except on this day I was carrying brownies. And wearing makeup and contacts. And convinced not to let anything get me down.
In the staffroom, I was immediately showered with hugs and greetings. The first thing we did in our morning briefing (before praying!) was sing happy birthday and count out the years, leading to a new round of hugs and shouts. I have never felt so much a part of my community. As for class, we have been reading Willy Wonka, and the following day was going to be a holiday, so I showed some of Tim Burton’s movie in each of my classes (it’s the only version I have!). When I entered my 8A class, which wasn’t even on the schedule, my kids had written Happy Birthday Miss Julie on the board, and they immediately sang four rounds of happy birthday, including on in RuKwangali. A learner even made me a beautiful card.
But the fun doesn’t end there! Lauren and Amy visited from nearby villages and we hung out with the learners who were preparing for circuit culture (traditional dance) competition and talked to my debaters a bit. Then we took to making a cake in my crappy little oven. It was pretty hilarious and came out terribly, but we made a mocha frosting for the top and managed to eat the whole thing come morning the next day.
While baking and enjoying a glass of wine, my roommates came home with my colleague. They had gone to town to buy things for the culture competition and surprised me with a gift bag containing a photo album, card, and jewelry box. It was amazing, considering gifts aren’t traditionally or often exchanged. Then we booty danced to my roommates rap music video while the rats tapped out their own dance overhead.
Eventually, we made our way to Tracy’s, the new health volunteer in my community, beneath the light of a full moon. There, we made pizza and observed a lunar eclipse!! Overall, it was a great birthday, and although I miss my friends and family from home dearly, the whole celebration was a delightful reminder of the human spirit.
In other recent news, I have been very very busy lately!! I am currently working on several projects, including writing a grant for sports facilities (club-level basketball and netball courts and soccer field), we just had EWA (a gender equality, HIV/AIDS education and leadership conference), and two weekends ago I took my team to a regional debate competition, where I coached, adjudicated, and kept time. Between that and a recent conference on Grade 10 national examinations, I have made many contacts recently, and I am feeling like a big part of the English education community in my region. It doesn’t do too much for my daily activities in the village, but knowing people at events is something to look forward to. Not to mention, it should help me find some materials for improving (read: rebuilding completely) the school’s library. I am also writing parts of the regional English exam for grades 8 and 9, and helping a community member organize his grant proposals for several projects like a jam business and a media centre consisting of a copier, printers, etc.
At the school level, as mentioned, we recently won culture for the circuit and will compete in regional’s soon. We also have a spelling bee, quiz competition (like trivia), science fair, and talent show coming up. I am also on the committee for organizing a retirement party for one of the elders (read: 50-something-year-old woman) at the primary school.
In three weeks, I head to Windhoek for my mid-service (almost half-over already?!) and All-Volunteer Conference, where Tracy and I hope to present a video about A Day in the Life at Rupara, which I will post as soon as I can!
Internet access is limited for the next three weeks, but I am also working on that! The school has to pay for it, but I think enough teachers are willing to contribute so it might happen before year-end!
As for the post title, it's cold here. Like real cold. That's all!
It started the weekend of 3 June, two weeks before my actual birthday. I hadn’t planned on going to town, but I needed to make copies, so I figured that I would go in on Friday and head back to site that night or the next morning.
By the time I trekked with Lauren all over town to buy paper, pick up mail, check in at the office (free internet), and finally stop by the town council office that offers free copies for ministry employees, the sun was beginning to set. I make the poor worker stay late on a Friday evening to finish making the 150 copies of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for my learners, then took my 1500 pieces of paper, mail, laptop, and few groceries to the Rundu volunteers’ house.
The house was dark, concerning me because that would mean we were locked out, and it was getting pretty dark out. However, Lauren didn’t seem at all concerned, which should have been a sign knowing Lauren. I didn’t think much about it because at this point my out-of-shape booty was tired of moving and hauling (I write that as I look out my classroom door at a woman with a jerrycan of water on her head, probably headed 15km into the bush). Anyway, I was completely taken aback by what met me inside.
I realized it was a surprise party immediately. I just didn’t realize it was for me. My friend and an excellent volunteer near Etosha, Julie, had been trying to get up to Rundu for my birthday, but conferences the weekends before and after was deeming it impossible. But, being the amazing person she is, she took off work and traveled up two weeks early, inviting friends from all around, to celebrate. In all, I think there were around 15 of us, from the Caprivi to Ovamboland. Joe even came down the unfinished tar road (read: the majority is still gravel/sand and very very slow driving—it took him an overnight trip and about a total of 20 hours to get to us!). There was lasagna, dancing, cake, whisky, tours of the town, and much ado. I can’t express how grateful I am to have made so many American friends in this country—without them, I don’t think I would survive.
I am a very lucky girl, and I come from an amazing place with great friends and family, and as special as that makes me feel, it can be extremely hard for me to be away from all of that for such a long time, especially in a place that literally shocks or depressed me almost every single day. Not that Namibia doesn’t have its own strengths and memories, but I have been so spoiled with love back in the States that I never really imagined a life in a community where relationships don’t exist in the same way, one in which I have no one to talk to. Luckily, I have found people who, although may not live far, are willing to sacrifice to visit and call me, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Back to the birthday—on my actual birthday, I put on my favourite dress (with leggings, a scarf, and coat, of course!) and went to school at 6:45 like any other day. Except on this day I was carrying brownies. And wearing makeup and contacts. And convinced not to let anything get me down.
In the staffroom, I was immediately showered with hugs and greetings. The first thing we did in our morning briefing (before praying!) was sing happy birthday and count out the years, leading to a new round of hugs and shouts. I have never felt so much a part of my community. As for class, we have been reading Willy Wonka, and the following day was going to be a holiday, so I showed some of Tim Burton’s movie in each of my classes (it’s the only version I have!). When I entered my 8A class, which wasn’t even on the schedule, my kids had written Happy Birthday Miss Julie on the board, and they immediately sang four rounds of happy birthday, including on in RuKwangali. A learner even made me a beautiful card.
But the fun doesn’t end there! Lauren and Amy visited from nearby villages and we hung out with the learners who were preparing for circuit culture (traditional dance) competition and talked to my debaters a bit. Then we took to making a cake in my crappy little oven. It was pretty hilarious and came out terribly, but we made a mocha frosting for the top and managed to eat the whole thing come morning the next day.
While baking and enjoying a glass of wine, my roommates came home with my colleague. They had gone to town to buy things for the culture competition and surprised me with a gift bag containing a photo album, card, and jewelry box. It was amazing, considering gifts aren’t traditionally or often exchanged. Then we booty danced to my roommates rap music video while the rats tapped out their own dance overhead.
Eventually, we made our way to Tracy’s, the new health volunteer in my community, beneath the light of a full moon. There, we made pizza and observed a lunar eclipse!! Overall, it was a great birthday, and although I miss my friends and family from home dearly, the whole celebration was a delightful reminder of the human spirit.
In other recent news, I have been very very busy lately!! I am currently working on several projects, including writing a grant for sports facilities (club-level basketball and netball courts and soccer field), we just had EWA (a gender equality, HIV/AIDS education and leadership conference), and two weekends ago I took my team to a regional debate competition, where I coached, adjudicated, and kept time. Between that and a recent conference on Grade 10 national examinations, I have made many contacts recently, and I am feeling like a big part of the English education community in my region. It doesn’t do too much for my daily activities in the village, but knowing people at events is something to look forward to. Not to mention, it should help me find some materials for improving (read: rebuilding completely) the school’s library. I am also writing parts of the regional English exam for grades 8 and 9, and helping a community member organize his grant proposals for several projects like a jam business and a media centre consisting of a copier, printers, etc.
At the school level, as mentioned, we recently won culture for the circuit and will compete in regional’s soon. We also have a spelling bee, quiz competition (like trivia), science fair, and talent show coming up. I am also on the committee for organizing a retirement party for one of the elders (read: 50-something-year-old woman) at the primary school.
In three weeks, I head to Windhoek for my mid-service (almost half-over already?!) and All-Volunteer Conference, where Tracy and I hope to present a video about A Day in the Life at Rupara, which I will post as soon as I can!
Internet access is limited for the next three weeks, but I am also working on that! The school has to pay for it, but I think enough teachers are willing to contribute so it might happen before year-end!
As for the post title, it's cold here. Like real cold. That's all!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Answers to Poverty and Related Issues
As chaotic and dissappointing as this time of year can be for a Namibian teacher, it can be equally entertaining and rewarding. Exam time is upon us, and our learners are experiencing their first real test as learners in their grade (okay, that’s not true because many are repeating). Anyway, my learners are always cracking me up, and exam time just gives them the opportunity to put down their hilarity on paper.
There are days that I lecture my kids, days that I yell at them, days I walk out on them for various reasons: there are 45 of them and I can’t get 20 of them to stop talking, not one did their homework, they are throwing objects across the room and beating each other up in class, my water is out again and I haven’t bathed or eaten in 24 hours, or usually a combination of these factors.
But even on those bad days, I can come always count on one or two learners changing my mind as I am about to call up Peace Corps and drop out because “these learners, tsk, they are just not serious. They are bewitched.”
One such bad day, with no water, a terrible stomach ache, and a virus on my hard drive that contained the exam I spent 3 days writing, I skipped school. It was my first time playing hookie as a teacher, but I felt at least 75% justified.
Anyway, that afternoon I walked into the 8A classroom for afternoon study to collect their work, and they had written “grammar quiz” on the board—an exercise I start them with every class. Underneath, they had written out an entire message in English, using Rukwangali pronunciation. My favourite was the signature—baibi tjokolat (baby chocolate, the name of a popular Afrikaans song that my learner Magdelena has adopted as her nickname).
My days are filled with youthful humour. My kids amaze me daily. Amidst the crap they deal with, they continue to find ways to entertain themselves, each other, and myself. Even at the ages of 16-25, they have this positive innocence that can only come from the total abandonment of stress and the adaptation to miserable conditions.
I share with you today some of that humour. On the exam, I included a poem by a South African poet about a grade school couple. At 18, the boy, Bennie, goes off to war, only to come home, find that his beloved Anna has taken a new boyfriend, and then much to the dismay of his mother, Ben promptly kills himself.
I gave the kids two options as writing prompts:
1. Pretend you are Ben Alberts. You have just left your hometown to join the army and fight in a war. Write a letter to Anna explaining what you have seen and telling her why she is important to you.
2. Pretend you are Anna. Ben has just left for war in another country and you have a new boyfriend. Write a letter to Ben explaining what happened and apologising for hurting him.
My favourites were generally when the boys wrote the second and vice-versa. Here are some excerpts:
Don’t feel bad my love. Just be free as I am because I am you wife you love.
But I want to tell you what I did wrong to you you know that it can hut you but don’t be sad or unhappy just be free....
Know I’m having a new boyfriend. But don’t feel bad. It doesn’t mean that I hate you or I break your hurt or our love is broke. No our love is steel there. You can look for a new women to merry.
Great all you friend nd you commander. be cool!!
Your girlfriend,
Anna
Dear My husbant,
I’m just tell you about what happen to me.
Nothing you can think about me again. I got another husband he’s rich not like you. You don’t have a car iven cattles you are not a men which I can think about it. I got a new one not like you which is giving money every day. You are expired I can’t think about you again.
The one which I has now is having every that you want bread, coffee, hungry Lion or bray pack every think that you want he can give you the way you want. Now he told me that hes going to buy for me a new WMB. And he going to buy a big house for us were we are going to sleep. Don’t think about me again think were are you going to get another women for you to get merieadge. If you going to come were I am you are going to see fire.
You friend
John K.
*I’m pretty sure WMB=BMW, although it could be confused with the local supermarket, whose initials are WMB...
*I’m pretty sure WMB=BMW, although it could be confused with the local supermarket, whose initials are WMB...
To kill a person is difficult. And to do this work you must be a real man who got good backbones... You took my one part heart and me also I got you pieces of broken hearts. And I love you 100% more than I love my car... I wish one day you will be my eva and I will be your Adam.
And me don’t play with me again I am talling you a truth me I get a new boyfriend and now I know want to talk with you even you are in the road or where ever you are wolking don’t greet me or touch me.
Dear: Ben Alberts
Hello! How are you? I want to tell you about our relationship is over now.
I want you to be my friend but is not my boyfriend because I am already get a new boyfriend because I am care about you you’we west my time to care about you you go long time ago you think I can wat you because you are my boyfriend you are not the only one boy in this world they lot of boys in this villages are think you’we already died on the war but if you are not died I cannot wat you because my parent told me that you can merry someone boy because you don’t think Ben is on earth you are already died because many people was died on war is that message that I want to told you to can know that are having another boy so that cannot think more thing about me don’t become sad like you’we here like someone died on your family bye see you.
Your lovely
Claudia
Ben me, I have a boyfriend here in our village not you I don’t loved you because you did not like this boy you have a bad behaviour.
Dear Ben Alberts.
hope and I with u are oky back to me am fine like water move in the river.
I want to tell you about why I can hurt you. I hurt you Because a get a new boy special boy who I can shos in my life not like u. The handsome boy who can I strust who can spoting me something that I want.
They buy for me clother, sock, and so on. not like you because you you do not give me money to buy my thing that I want. poor boy u don not give me an money. I hate that my friend.
Me a hate that boy who did not give money to they girlfriend. Some thing that make me to hate u.
You are so important to me because every day you use to make others laugh and you are my girl which I got rom god, and if you could be water I wold drink you every tim and wash my body.
Dear Ben Alberts,
How are you? I want to tell you that I have a new boyfriend because you live [leave] me alone. I want to tell you that I have a new boyfriend. you you old now I hate you because you did not come ealy when you will die for war when I hate this new boyfriend where can I get a boyfriend again feel bad in your heart and me also is the way a feel because you live me alone and so for war now you know I get a new boyfriend. When you come here when you are not die war you will find out another girlfriend, now you know you will lose a kiss for me and a huge [hug] you will huge another girl is not me again. Forget a kiss and a huge to me you will be alone now me I got a new lovely boy is not you again go away to another girls.
I will not live you for nothing because you are the only one to I die! I share all my life with you str yhr onlu one I build my home a lot of love I share from you. Sugar are sweet
me I love you like the way love myself
Ben I want to tell you bout my love this time me and you forget me because me I have another boy don’t like you me I have a beautiful boy don’t you. you are stupid boy. I have a good and arich this time don’t call me her was my lover not because you are priceding you in my life I don’t like you. every time we can try to call me. Me I am laugh you. but I know her was my first boy but I wanted to see you because you are having 3 girls plass me you are having 4 girl freand... I don’t want a stupid gus you are understand Ben.
Anna you are my truster where ever I go I never forgot you I trust you like the way I trust myself and my good shirt and my God....
Anna I trust you the way dog trust a bonth or meat.
It’s good to have a woman sometime she helps you. They can make you happy everythings to enjoy your lie.
The real important is you can formed anothers person/have a baby you don’t have any feelings that force you to rape some other girls. because you Are already have A girl friend or Love. It’s help you particular job It can cook for you She is Carry your babies It can help for different types of work you cannot suffer Again.
some people in this village they are lazzy bone. no one who can pay people who build the town. every person if they do some work they must pay that is some of disadvantage of Rupara cannot become a town.
On a more serious note, these tests and essays were very revealing of some of the serious social issues this region faces. Learners referenced sugar daddies—if she is seeing their friends are having cellphones she also go to that man who is having a cellphone and sleep with him. That is why the learners are pregnant. Some of the stigmas in their letters regarding teen pregnancy were dissappointing but unfortunately very real. Some of the girls were just dropping their best friends and writing to tell them how mad they were that their friend had a baby and she could therefore no longer remain friends.
More to come...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
6 months down, 22 to go...
So I’ve officially been in Namibia for six months. It’s a little unreal, but the idea of having 22 months to go brings me back down to earth.
I guess I could say that the last month has felt like a gradual turning point, if that wasn’t an oxymoron. I am so accustomed to waiting for hikes, cancelled events, and feeling like it’s a success if 60% of my body gets wet during a bucket bath that I have reached the point of no return and consequently no shame. I cannot imagine hopping a plane tomorrow and feeling normal back in the States (well as normal as I get… I did pick up a live crab and try to eat it once).
These days, I watch the same reruns of the few sitcoms that will fit on my hard drive so many times that the concept new episodes of these and (!) newer shows blows my mind, not to mention catching the occasional BBC at my neighbor’s wherein they show off the latest gadgets in the first world market (3D cameras are out?? Say wha?!) Recently, I found myself agreeing with my colleague how incredulous it was that the Animal Kingdom people in Orlando feed monkeys apples when there are starving kids in Africa and feeling very convicted about it when just one year ago I was consistently throwing out leftovers from cooking for one. Maybe some of the newfound sentiment comes from the fact that I am, more or less, one of those starving children. By sending just $20 a month and you’ll pay for my groceries!! (No, really, it would definitely last over two weeks, and if it would enhance your experience, I can send back a picture of me smiling in my ratty clothes and a letter written in crappy crayon.)
Back to my feeling okay here… Although I’m still phased by things like finding a termite mound growing next to my bed and a huge lizard in my bathroom, I have managed to ease into a comfortable pace at school. I actually look forward to some of my classes, and while I’m still figuring out just how far back I need to go for the younger kids, I spend way less time planning, and I can feel them starting to accept my silly ways (group work, creativity, huh?!) and my silly accent. Not to mention, they’ve figured out that I won’t beat them with sticks, so they are far from being afraid of me anymore, which has resulted in the occasional mocking of my accent and begging for food. Of course, I retaliate by returning the jokes and asking them to give me bread and coins. Today, they asked me to sing for them, insisting that I have a wonderful voice. These kids do have a lot to learn. I gave them a little Eminem and Beyonce by request.
I’m still worrying a little over my secondary projects, but it seems like a ball is starting to form that I can get rolling. Last week, I attended a workshop in Rundu on teaching Basic Information Science (BIS). To recap what I learned: All rural schools are struggling for resources, the government has given all schools a certain number of library books (allegedly), but most have been stolen, lost, or damaged, and having a bunch of books shipped here from the States will only result in a storeroom filled with boxes that kids here would never understand. I also learned what the Dewey Decimal System is.
All that aside, I returned to school to discover that my own classroom holds what is left of our library materials. I spent last weekend, with some help from a few wonderful learners, cleaning out and reorganizing the cabinets of materials in my classroom to create a makeshift library then held a meeting with my principal and HOD about the prospect of moving our “library” into the computer lab to make a resource center, and they were very supportive. So it seems that I have a mini-project at hand! Because I’m teaching BIS, I think I will turn this into a research project for my learners. I’ll let you know what plans they come up with for developing a school media/resource center and what kinds of materials we may ask to be donated. Internet, at this time, is a big stretch due to the cost and the fact that learners need to become more familiar with basic word processing before shoveling out the cash to connect the school but it may be in our future, which is exciting. Sidenote: it’s shocking what these kids can do on facebook despite the fact that they can’t master the double-click. I find it to be a metaphor for the entire learning process here. Ask for elaboration.
I think one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve had recently in relation to these projects and classes is the raw thirst for knowledge that the great majority of my learners have. They struggle with so many basic concepts and critical thinking tasks but you hand one kid a book—on any subject, no matter how basic or advanced—and that child will pour over it. Last week, I gave my learners an assignment for BIS to research the history of different information sources, and today I hauled encyclopedias to my classes to get them started. Their eyes lit up as I entered the room with books, and as soon as I began handing them out, their attentions were gone. I had a hard time getting them to write down bibliography information because they were so fascinated by the words and images that began with their respective projects’ letters. It’s incredible how over 50 learners are transformed by the chance to crowd together and share 9 encyclopedias from 1995. They were distraught when the bell rang and I had to take the books to my next class. Furthermore, as soon as I cleaned out the cabinets that have old library books, kids from all grades started coming up and asking me to check out books. One tenth grader requested a book on electrical engineering to take for light reading. These kids continue to inspire me daily.
In terms of daily life, I literally spend all of my time at school. My time is spent:
· Planning lessons that I will inevitably not finish
· Working on grant proposals for community projects and diversity tour
· Grading 200 exercise books weekly
· Decorating the staffroom and my classroom with handmade flipchart posters
· Goofing around with my kids in afternoon study— today we practiced Portuguese and Rukwangali in one classroom, discussed Chris Brown another, and argued over whether one of my ninth graders was related to Obama in another
· Watching BBC and the History Channel, the two channels we receive at school on the computer lab TV
· Attending 3-4 hour long meetings about how inhumane it is to lock kids in a classroom for being late to school or ignore a teen’s pregnancy
Also, it’s hot. It hasn’t really rained all week, and every day feels hotter than the last. I’ve got a couple of staff members commenting, “it’s hotter than one thousand suns,” and as a result, the classrooms are starting to smell unpleasant. Also, my roommates never wear clothes anymore.
One last note. Last week was Valentine’s Day, and, as with every holiday I’ve experienced here, I was pretty homesick. The staff showed up in red and pink and I made a giant card and fudge but that was the extent of the hoopla, and I missed my steadfast valentines, Aspen and Catherine. As a listening activity, I read a history of the holiday in my classes and asked a series of comprehension questions. For homework, I assigned a written paragraph in simple present tense on how people celebrate the holiday. Well, I collected their work on 15 Feb and was overwhelmed by the cards and notes wishing me a happy day drawn in or pasted to their workbooks.
It seems that things are looking up, even if after four weeks of working on it, not one of my 150 kids can write a sentence in the simple present tense.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Back to life, back to reality
Well, I’ve managed to make it through the holiday season and back up north. Much has happened in the last couple of weeks, very little of which has been productive, so it’s both a relief and a let-down that the festivities are over.
I spent Christmas Eve in a tent on the beach in Swakopmund, where apparently both Brangelina and Sharon Osborn were vacationing. Our campsite was beautiful, right on the beach, with hot showers and a close proximity to town. On Christmas morning we had a Secret Santa exchange, which was fairly hilarious with the china shop gems that everyone came up with.
The rest of the week was spent sipping coffee in German cafes, playing flag football on the beach, and enjoying bonfires and dance parties on the beach. For two days, we rented two pickups, slammed 20 people into them, and traveled up to Cape Cross to see a seal colony and down to Dune 7 and Walvis Bay. Overnight, we camped on the beach next to a shipwreck, one of many that contributed to the region’s name, Skeleton Coast.
On New Year’s Eve, the local beachside bar sponsored a giant bonfire, so we had a blast, met many South Africans, and counted down the new year. An added bonus of the trip was seeing the Capital One Bowl on New Year’s Day at a local sports bar. We ordered pizza and watched American football for the first time all season, which did a number on my homesickness. It didn’t help that Big Blue was the mascot of the year and plastered on the TV for a couple of minutes. It’s hard to imagine that the ODU and ACC basketball seasons are currently in full swing back in the states.
Meanwhile, I am starting to sweat over the upcoming school year. This week teachers return to school and the following will bring the learners. I can’t anticipate much because I have heard that many learners don’t show up for the first couple of weeks. Some because they don’t know what day it is, others because they are still farming and the rest because they know the teachers won’t be there. It’s difficult to plan, but I plan on doing introductions for the first month to see the level of individual learners and to memorize their names, get them comfortable with my accent, etc. It’s going to be hard easing into the year as I would love to hit the ground running, and I know that the learners are extremely far behind where they are supposed to be. Not to mention, after an amazing vacation, I can’t really remember village life. Hello again roaming cattle, hippos, and baby goats!
Monday, December 20, 2010
"Wait for Santa to sail in with your presents in a canoe"
I love Rundu. Love love love it. Although it's blazing hot, I love walking everywhere, greeting strangers, running into colleagues, and eating fresh fruit off the tree.
I'm spending this off week in town, running errands and relaxing before a crazy festive week in Swakop, holiday capital of southern Africa.
I went to my village last week to fetch a few things for the trip and to drop off my dressier clothes from reconnect. Although I wasn't looking forward to paying for transport then spending the night in an empty house in an empty village, it turned out to be a worthwhile trip. The village was more bustling than I anticipated. Now that it's rainy season (aka harvest time!!), many of my colleagues have left to work their own farms, but at the same time, the families that stay in my village are now out and about, working and celebrating weddings and the holidays.
While over 95% of the Nam population classifies as Christian, Christmas is not so much in the air. While rich Afrikaaners in Windhoek ran about in Santa and elf costumes, up here in the north, there is hardly a sign that we are approaching the end of December. I have come to embrace this fact, because it fends off the homesickness to be hot and sweating in floral tank tops and shitenges (bright swatches of beautifully patterned fabric that women wrap around their waists) rather than wrapping up in red sweaters that remind me how far I am from my family. But, I am told that on holidays (Xmas and New Year's Eves), the riverside beach fills up with party-goers, and in the village people will eat macaroni and rice, which is somewhat of a rare commodity for many families. When I visited site last week, there was a large yellow tent set up near the river, and my principal told me that there will be holiday celebrations there. I guess I live in a big village after all!
All-in-all, I am very happy to be here. I am saddened by the fact that I will not be with my family and friends around the holidays, but experiencing a hot Christmas void of materialistic gifts is a nice change of pace and, at the risk of sounding corny, a reminder of what is important in life. Life isn't about shiny wrapping papers and time-saving electronics. It's about greeting strangers and spending time with those who are important to us, celebrating traditions and creating new ones, reflection of past good times and anticipation of what's to come.
Happy holidays everyone!
I'm spending this off week in town, running errands and relaxing before a crazy festive week in Swakop, holiday capital of southern Africa.
I went to my village last week to fetch a few things for the trip and to drop off my dressier clothes from reconnect. Although I wasn't looking forward to paying for transport then spending the night in an empty house in an empty village, it turned out to be a worthwhile trip. The village was more bustling than I anticipated. Now that it's rainy season (aka harvest time!!), many of my colleagues have left to work their own farms, but at the same time, the families that stay in my village are now out and about, working and celebrating weddings and the holidays.
While over 95% of the Nam population classifies as Christian, Christmas is not so much in the air. While rich Afrikaaners in Windhoek ran about in Santa and elf costumes, up here in the north, there is hardly a sign that we are approaching the end of December. I have come to embrace this fact, because it fends off the homesickness to be hot and sweating in floral tank tops and shitenges (bright swatches of beautifully patterned fabric that women wrap around their waists) rather than wrapping up in red sweaters that remind me how far I am from my family. But, I am told that on holidays (Xmas and New Year's Eves), the riverside beach fills up with party-goers, and in the village people will eat macaroni and rice, which is somewhat of a rare commodity for many families. When I visited site last week, there was a large yellow tent set up near the river, and my principal told me that there will be holiday celebrations there. I guess I live in a big village after all!
All-in-all, I am very happy to be here. I am saddened by the fact that I will not be with my family and friends around the holidays, but experiencing a hot Christmas void of materialistic gifts is a nice change of pace and, at the risk of sounding corny, a reminder of what is important in life. Life isn't about shiny wrapping papers and time-saving electronics. It's about greeting strangers and spending time with those who are important to us, celebrating traditions and creating new ones, reflection of past good times and anticipation of what's to come.
Happy holidays everyone!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Reconnect
This week I am at reconnect, which is supposed to be an additional training after we've been to our sites for a significant amount of time (6 weeks) and before we start full-time teaching, but it's really just an excuse for us to all party together and laugh a lot in a controlled environment.
On that note, we're staying at a conference center in the mountains outside of Windhoek, and I literally don't know if I could be happier. They were very right about the ups and downs of service-- a couple of weeks ago I was in my village all alone and crying because I was missing Thanksgiving for the first time and no one seemed to care, and now I am relishing in beautiful weather, tons of great food, hot coffee, hot showers, and spectacular views, sunrises, sunsets, and even a downpour that left a double rainbow as the sun was setting.
Saturday I went to town to do some shopping and eat some good food. It was exactly what I needed. It absolutely gave me a burst of reverse culture shock that I've been needing. The mall here is nicer than many malls in the States, and being there on a weekend of holiday shopping season was more than overwhelming after being at site for so long. There were multiple Santas that didn't pull the look off very well, not to mention slutty helper elves and SO MANY white people. I was extremely uncomfortable being a minority, mostly b/c this country has the largest income gap of any, so I knew that the packed mall was filled with the wealthy 5% of the population while something like 80% of the rural population lacks sanitary latrines and literally has to poop in the bush. It was a huge reminder as to why our work here can be so difficult to accomplish with the racial tensions that are still operating.
Anyway, highlight was a ham and cheese panini paired with a greek salad with feta (!) cheese. Also, was able to pick up a few things that for site, and on Sunday a group went to see Harry Potter (yes, there is a movie theater in Nam...) I stayed back and nursed a cold and soaked up free internet. It was maybe one of my favorite weekends ever.
Next weekend I'm going to a diversity committee meeting in the city. The goal is to organize a nationwide tour for learners who never get to leave their villages in the bush. I'm really excited at the prospect.
More soon!
On that note, we're staying at a conference center in the mountains outside of Windhoek, and I literally don't know if I could be happier. They were very right about the ups and downs of service-- a couple of weeks ago I was in my village all alone and crying because I was missing Thanksgiving for the first time and no one seemed to care, and now I am relishing in beautiful weather, tons of great food, hot coffee, hot showers, and spectacular views, sunrises, sunsets, and even a downpour that left a double rainbow as the sun was setting.
Saturday I went to town to do some shopping and eat some good food. It was exactly what I needed. It absolutely gave me a burst of reverse culture shock that I've been needing. The mall here is nicer than many malls in the States, and being there on a weekend of holiday shopping season was more than overwhelming after being at site for so long. There were multiple Santas that didn't pull the look off very well, not to mention slutty helper elves and SO MANY white people. I was extremely uncomfortable being a minority, mostly b/c this country has the largest income gap of any, so I knew that the packed mall was filled with the wealthy 5% of the population while something like 80% of the rural population lacks sanitary latrines and literally has to poop in the bush. It was a huge reminder as to why our work here can be so difficult to accomplish with the racial tensions that are still operating.
Anyway, highlight was a ham and cheese panini paired with a greek salad with feta (!) cheese. Also, was able to pick up a few things that for site, and on Sunday a group went to see Harry Potter (yes, there is a movie theater in Nam...) I stayed back and nursed a cold and soaked up free internet. It was maybe one of my favorite weekends ever.
Next weekend I'm going to a diversity committee meeting in the city. The goal is to organize a nationwide tour for learners who never get to leave their villages in the bush. I'm really excited at the prospect.
More soon!
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