Arrival/training

Hello from Nam!!



Let me just say, perhaps prematurely, that I love it here.


We flew into Windhoek on Wednesday afternoon, and within an hour we saw wild giraffes, baboons, and springbok. It was incredible.



There are 45 of us in my training group, including 9 who will be the first class to swear in for the business sector for the first time in this country. Their project is mostly within the education system—working with econ and business teachers to develop new curricula that will provide for sustainable improvement. Because roughly 50% of Nam’s population is unemployed, the government is placing a huge emphasis on small business development, so this group’s secondary projects will most likely deal with actual companies. Pretty cool stuff.



Standards in education have greatly improved since independence in 1990, but there is still a lot to be accomplished to get the country’s education standards and teacher qualification up, so the rest of the group is in the education sector (IT, math, science, and English).



My groupmates are from all over the U.S.—including Alaska, Oregon, California, Montana, Wyoming, and a good handful from Texas. Everyone is really great, and we’re all getting along well. It’s been surprising to see our different preferences in site placement, secondary projects, etc.



I am still working on jet lag and adjusting to the time, weather, etc. This winter weather is INCREDIBLE. The days get up into the 80s, and while it’s chilly at night, it’s not unbearable. I seem to be the only one in the group who insists on wearing four layers every morning and night, but what can I say? 50 degrees is cold! I think some of the snowbirds will have a rough time adapting to the summertime here, but I say bring it on!! The climate is extraordinarily dry, so I don’t begin to break a sweat hiking in 85F.



One cultural lesson for today—Namibians are very serious about greetings. If you do not say “Hello! How are you?” to just about anybody on the street, they will remember, and they will be offended if you run across them in the future. However, displays of affection are not culturally accepted. It’s great to say hello and shake hands, but very few people hug in public, and if a male ever hugs a female, it is assumed that he wants something in return. It’s kind of a bizarre adjustment. It’s not that the Nam people are cold, but they are much quieter and it’s a culture entirely based on respect (the population is 99% Christian).



Some highlights:

• Watching the vibrant red of an African sunset over the bush.

• Wild giraffes on the side of the road.

• Malaria medicine dreams.

• Herero festival.

• South Africa vs. New Zealand in Tri-Nations rugby, live, at a local bar over a cold Windhoek draught beer (and seeing guys wearing springbok jerseys in town during the match).

• Learning that some of us will be learning the local click language.

• Talking to/ playing with Nam kids in town.

• Tea time, twice daily.

• Hot showers, a warm bed, and potable water.





Basically, I hit the Peace Corps jackpot. I’m very excited for the next two years— meeting my learners, moving into a settled arrangement, traveling around southern Africa, etc. I hope everyone is doing well, and don’t forget—SEND MAIL!! I’ve taken to writing letters, so be looking out, or give me your address if I don’t already have it!!



Julie Gerdes, PCT

U.S. Peace Corps

P.O. Box 6862

Windhoek, Namibia