tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23699690155787395162024-02-20T03:23:06.008-06:00Days Like TheseMy Adventures in Namibia with the Peace CorpsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-87741962291450968612015-07-02T20:00:00.003-05:002015-07-02T20:00:31.052-05:00Another World<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to make one of those “10
things I learned in the Peace Corps” lists, but this is the closest I’ve come
so far:<o:p></o:p></div>
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back in the US</div>
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I’ve been back in the US for about a month, and it’s one of
the hardest facts to understand. It’s wonderful to be home, and I miss my
Namibian life as well – but trying to compare the two is pretty much an apples
and oranges situation. Sometimes it even seems hard to remember how day-to-day
life was in Namibia; but then, sometimes it seems hard to comprehend why things
are as they are here in America.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2T1X7M_aLOXS6S9-YwyoDYEvOU7BfAzasgmJQdnXkN_CgWQdh7YpgoP475XtJN_T0kLDG1OwjmtHZzjVh4_p8faeYSgxccGhmWqTUXdW67j3t3WvAJL7Kp0uKDAkmpgsVyaiD4Lmz39x/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2T1X7M_aLOXS6S9-YwyoDYEvOU7BfAzasgmJQdnXkN_CgWQdh7YpgoP475XtJN_T0kLDG1OwjmtHZzjVh4_p8faeYSgxccGhmWqTUXdW67j3t3WvAJL7Kp0uKDAkmpgsVyaiD4Lmz39x/s320/IMG_0026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Being back with family is one of the best parts!</div>
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Today I was running up a hill in Seattle (they are the bane
of my current existence – my village had no hills and I’m really out of shape!)
thinking about, of course, running. I mentally berated myself for letting my
fitness level get so bad, and spent a good half mile trying to figure out why
I’m so unmotivated. Then I started comparing my situation to my exact same
situation a few months ago in Namibia. I was running even less, and yes I
wanted to be in better shape. But I was proud of the life I was living and the
goals I was accomplishing, and I was in better shape than nearly all of my
colleagues… so I stopped worrying. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This obsession with perfection is one of the things I have
always found hardest about American culture. It is so easily to slide into that
routine of expecting 150% (from everyone, about everything, always), and it’s
something I’ve been guilty of my whole life. It’s also something that exactly
opposes most cultures of the developing world. While I’m working at a summer
composed of kids who fly across oceans to learn algebra for a few weeks, my
learners in Namibia are just trying to maintain the 40% necessary to pass their
classes. They’re preparing for a beauty pageant and, you know, most of the time
they seem pretty ok with things. Although I would love for them to be pushed a
bit harder in school (for the career opportunities if nothing else), even after
3 years I find it difficult to understand why we seem to be trying so hard to
make them American kids. I was stressed as heck during high school, and I
definitely did more than I needed to—and I can’t necessarily say that
overbooking myself to the point of exhaustion really did anything for me in the
long run.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The whole Pride festival and other recent Supreme Court rulings also made me happy to be home.</div>
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I guess I can’t say which is better. I really miss the pace
of life in Namibia, and the way you are really able to stop and enjoy whatever
it is you are doing. Then again, it’s hard to miss some of the sexism and
extreme conservatism that showed up on a daily basis. In the same way, the liberal
society and amenities in the US are great, but I’m not so convinced about our
personal belief systems. In the end, I have to say I think the most value came
from having the amazing opportunity to experience both, and to learn from mentors
and friends versed in both cultures. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-20851532866347707872015-07-02T19:56:00.001-05:002015-07-03T18:44:27.372-05:00Unity and tribalism<div class="MsoNormal">
whoops! Here's a post I started drafting about two months ago and never got a chance to post:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Teachers on my last day of school</div>
<br />
“The best thing about our staff is that we can work, learn,
and play together,” my principal opened our staff meeting on Monday for the
beginning of the new term. This is particularly impressive because our staff
does not consist of self-identified Namibians. It consists of Namas, Coloureds,
Wambos, Caprivians and Kavangoans—representing most of the major tribes in the
country.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is true that we get along most of the time, and I do
think that it is usually to the advantage of our learners. Having
representatives from all tribes means it is pretty unlikely for learners to
feel cheated or discriminated against based on their tribe. They are exposed to
a wide variety of cultures just by coming to school, and I think they learn a
lot from this. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My going away party with some of our staff</div>
<br />
But there are no real utopias, right? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even our perfect combination of teachers, I learned at the
end of last term, bear their grudges and hold their stereotypes of each other.
After a day of enjoying each others’ company at our staff party, some of my
colleagues suddenly broke out into an hour-long battle along tribal lines.
‘Wambos steal jobs,’ ‘Namas are lazy,’ ‘Namas don’t go to college,’ ‘Wambos
want to take over the country,’ etc. All of these stereotypes have their place,
and yes, are based on some fairly accurate trends as far as I am concerned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the worst part for me was that they didn’t voice any of
my own, privately-discovered generalizations:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wambos are really kind and will love to share what they have
with you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Caprivians work harder than anyone I’ve ever met. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namas love to laugh, tell great jokes, and are a blast to
hang out with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously I notice strange things because I’m not from here
and I’m not involved in the race-wars. But let’s try not to
judge people by the skin they wear.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-76067138331372825452015-05-16T07:17:00.002-05:002015-05-16T07:17:38.648-05:00A trip to Wamboland<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the past school holiday, I took my first extended trip
with Namibian friends. It was awesome.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
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With my colleague in the village</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went to the northern part of the country, dubbed ‘Wamboland’
because, although it consists of several regions, the majority of the area is
inhabited by those of the Oshiwambo tribe. (Volunteers call it ‘O land’ because
all of the regions start with the letter O… but no Namibian understands if you
refer to O land!) I traveled with my friend/short-term housemate/colleague who
I’ve worked closely with in Tses this year. She was excited to get to show off
the white girl to her friends and family, and I was excited to see another
place and way of life. Plus we’re good friends. It was a win all around!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
the headman's family we visited in the village</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I found Wamboland really interesting because to start with,
the culture is SO different from the Namas where I live. People in the north
are extremely respectful and adhere to tradition much more strictly than those
in the south. There are arguments to be made, of course, that apartheid didn’t
break apart the culture in the north the same way as in the south (family units
were left alone – Wambos sometimes came south to work for Boers, but in the
south the Boers actually took over the land and disrupted the local
communities). It was really something to walk around the biggest town in
Namibia (excluding the capital city) and not be harassed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
visiting a UNam campus with some friends (Oganga? something like that. It's a crop science/agriculture specalty campus)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The coolest part of my trip was, of course, staying with my
friend and her family and just seeing how they live. They have an extremely
modern house, but even there some things are done traditionally. My first
evening we ate mahangu, traditional millet porridge (don’t chew because there
is sand inside!), traditional spinach and mopane worms. Yep, worms. Meme
(mother) was extremely entertained watching me try to eat it! Luckily she wasn’t
one to be offended if I didn’t try something, but “Aunt Francis from Kansas
says two bites of everything,” as Dad always told us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
learning to make mahangu (and getting laughed at)</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
bon appetit!</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we went to the village to stay with my colleague’s
cousins, we experienced yet another lifestyle. Here, they actually harvest and
pound the millet into meal themselves; they pick the worms out of the ground to
eat; until a few years ago they fetched water from a pretty gross-looking
watering hole. We visited the headman and brought him gifts, and saw a few
different homesteads where different family groups live. It was sad to see how
dependent people are on the land, because northern Namibia is in a serious
drought again this year and already they are starting to suffer from it. (Side
note – all of them blame climate change for the string of recent droughts.
Catch up, America!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The water hole near the house</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
part of the family</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-50644799888158277362015-04-07T12:01:00.002-05:002015-04-07T12:01:28.578-05:00Too many Kids, Not Enough Parents/Time/Attention/…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the things, which I’ve always known but have been
especially hit with this year, is that there are not enough parents around for
all of my learners. Every time I have a bond with one of them, I want to give
them my attention, time, motivation, and help. Sometimes this means buying a
new pair of school shoes (thanks everyone at home who has helped to make this
financially possible!). Sometimes this means calling them in for extra study
time or one-on-one tutoring. Sometimes this means sitting on the front stoop of
my house and just spending time together. </div>
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But the thing is, there’s not enough time. Just to give you
an idea, here is an example of my kids’/my schedule during the week:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6:45-1:30 school</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1:30-2:30 lunch</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2:30-3:30 resting time</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3:30-5:00 afternoon study</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5:00-6:00 sports practices</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7:00-8:30 evening study</div>
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9:30<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lights out (for
the kids… but seeing as I’m now an old grandmother my bedtime is usually not
far behind!) </div>
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It’s awesome that we keep them busy, especially the hostel
kids who have limited supervision as it is at the hostel (2 supervisors on duty
at any given time, for up to 144 learners). But it becomes a problem when
you’re looking for time to take the kids one at a time or in small groups!<br />
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In terms of being a teacher, I’m lucky. I don’t have my own
kids/husband/family to worry about, so I have more free time than most. I’m
teaching fewer classes than my colleagues, so I have less stress with lesson
planning and marking. I tend to be organized and dedicated to work, so again I
have more time to give than many. But the sad fact is, and I know it is true at
nearly all Namibian schools, these kids just don’t have enough support. When I
was young, I remember my parents checking on my homework EVERY DAY so that it
would be finished for tomorrow’s classes – and we simply can’t do that for each
of 250 learners in our school! How can we give them all that they need in order
to grow up into disciplined, moral, educated young people?<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Either way, I’m lucky to be close to a lot of the learners
and have them come to me when they need help. And I take that role as seriously
as I can!</div>
<!--EndFragment--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-16067081747933101292015-04-07T10:55:00.002-05:002015-04-07T10:55:20.916-05:00Oranjemund – it’s a “private town”<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of March I traveled to the small, PRIVATE (?!?)
town of Oranjemund with some of my athletes. In true form, the Regional
Athletics (track and field) competition was postponed twice, only to discover
that “we need a track to hold the competition,” so then it was moved from our
capital Keetmanshoop to Oranjemund. Although it’s only 400-500km away from
Tses, it took us two days and more than 8 hours of travel on questionable roads
to reach our destination. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the view along the way was exquisite – not many people
in Namibia get the chance to see the Orange River (marking the border between
South Africa and Namibia), because it’s a private area. The entire area around
Oranjemund (starting about 100km before it on the road leading there) is
private-access. You need a permit to enter – thank goodness we were traveling with
a Ministry or we would have had trouble! They gave me enough confused looks as
it was – first because they thought I was a learner, then because I had a
passport instead of a Namibian ID, then because they didn’t understand my
accent…<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The kids and I at the mouth of the Orange River</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oranjemund is private because the area is owned by a diamond
company. Yep, that’s right, diamonds. There are signs everywhere stating,
“Stealing diamonds hurts all of us.” Diamonds are a pretty big industry in
Namibia and a huge source of national income, and it was cool to actually see
where the mines are (even though I couldn’t tell you what any of those
buildings are for).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Once we reached Oranjemund, the town, we realized that it is
basically a little oasis! The water must cost a fortune, but every lawn is
watered and has grass; the roads are well kept-up and everyone there is RICH.
It was very strange. But we had a great time and met some really kind people
there (one nurse who helped out one of my kids who cramped up in the COLD and
misty weather asked about the school, and then proceeded to send me home with
two huge trash bags of really nice clothes to distribute to the kids! Namibians
helping Namibians, love it!!)</div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-67811756656264345202015-04-06T11:02:00.000-05:002015-04-06T11:02:23.412-05:00Rain in Tses...falls... rarely.<br />
<br />
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About 1-3 times per year (at least in the 10 or so months
I’m actually IN Tses to witness it), it rains. </div>
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Okay, sometimes it sprinkles or drips, but in my experience,
1-3 times per year, it RAINS hard and for more than 30 minutes. When this
happens, everyone celebrates! The dams will fill up again, plants will grow,
animals can eat and drink. We’re much more in tune with the water cycle here
than I’m used to in the U.S. </div>
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The funny thing about living here is that, although the
ground is always parched and cracked, very little water is absorbed. The rest
all runs off (taking all kinds of rubbish and small plants with it) into rivers
and streams. Although it’s more frequent in the North where the rainy season is
really serious, it’s not that uncommon for small villages to be cut off from
the rest of the country by a river which has suddenly appeared.</div>
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The Tses River after the rain… compared to the Tses River
the rest of the year</div>
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Although I don’t think it was more than waist-deep, this
tiny river had a strong enough current that it was actually impossible to
cross! (I know… I tried.)</div>
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The Tses River, among many others, flows into the nearby
Fish River, which flows into the Orange River, which flows into the ocean. The
Fish doesn’t flow the whole year…but after the rains, it flows and flows and
flows!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We went to visit the waterfall which is about 20km away from
Tses. It’s the first time in 3 years that I have made it to the Fish while the
water was still falling!</div>
<br />
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Nobody told us… don’t swim in the water. It will make you
sick for days. (Totally worth it though!)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-83997639475210449342015-04-06T10:00:00.000-05:002015-04-08T04:55:34.183-05:00Our 25th!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On 21 March, 2015, Namibia celebrated its 25th birthday. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As in America, this Independence Day merits a huge celebration - but unlike in America, many Namibians remember pre-independence life and are really actively grateful for the independence they enjoy today.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course we celebrated the day at school!<span id="goog_1842577282"></span><span id="goog_1842577283"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ_zUizsb_GCqvu2AyzwtzTex2z-kUW_oBacr-4YxMYWwlExh0-fobjNZtBYNpI3Ms0hy3GnA4iPT5o3D3ekbKQzjkeKpaCIoLJgSzHYLM2nNvacm6RxL-ja_Nps5ZJpe6Et-ywn2qJV8/s1600/DSCN1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ_zUizsb_GCqvu2AyzwtzTex2z-kUW_oBacr-4YxMYWwlExh0-fobjNZtBYNpI3Ms0hy3GnA4iPT5o3D3ekbKQzjkeKpaCIoLJgSzHYLM2nNvacm6RxL-ja_Nps5ZJpe6Et-ywn2qJV8/s1600/DSCN1941.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kids prepared for our Independence celebration at school</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW41fc7fm6bgeMabgwTxuSgGbmYKrG3rdi3ZVpChiAXM7wSovTax_Ly4t6cOHUypC-VfPnF-IXAonnqz-5k842QqsYudXqTnWj7H9n_XBbvPyBP1tGuwiYnucctXTX3yraJ-rQkza3y6u/s1600/DSCN1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW41fc7fm6bgeMabgwTxuSgGbmYKrG3rdi3ZVpChiAXM7wSovTax_Ly4t6cOHUypC-VfPnF-IXAonnqz-5k842QqsYudXqTnWj7H9n_XBbvPyBP1tGuwiYnucctXTX3yraJ-rQkza3y6u/s1600/DSCN1988.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One class performing their dance</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnEOpCmZyyZNEDOnaJDTQVUa6LhbM-N_MCjWexrT54pVg8mPOjXhwDlwqfz8sVX_LRG_ybiy3L8thFR7JFgA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_423313861"></span><span id="goog_423313862"></span>Traditional Namastap dance performance<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzOrNhEReQLRHoZwUGyE_LJumYqKxRAIOznXWym8Lns2_4UbAmuRBZX5cxcS56gxq-IuT3lFuidyhN1-_7JDg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Grade 10s reenact a scene from the South African freedom fighters' movement movie, "Sarafina"</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-58257994122428359652015-02-23T08:20:00.000-06:002015-02-23T08:20:33.145-06:00Zonal Athletics - a lesson in patience<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday I traveled to the nearby village Berseba (40km away
from Tses) for our local athletics (track/field) competition. Although the
actual thing was great, my kids were on their best behaviour and I had a good
time with them, it was one of those days, generally, where everything seemed to
go wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFPPv8cqTk1flFwn-N1JAY3HD8o5J7jW4mQLX1kqwJXr_bDGH3z0_y6dqLg_FCsYMoJ5vIvNxmp8iw35m0cGw44gOnZ_HQk73HJL0Qzol_jCGJpgU1EVxG8WA0IP_-XA1PnkuwtBsatyC/s1600/DSCN1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFPPv8cqTk1flFwn-N1JAY3HD8o5J7jW4mQLX1kqwJXr_bDGH3z0_y6dqLg_FCsYMoJ5vIvNxmp8iw35m0cGw44gOnZ_HQk73HJL0Qzol_jCGJpgU1EVxG8WA0IP_-XA1PnkuwtBsatyC/s1600/DSCN1486.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It started a few weeks back, when we started trying to
arrange transportation. After two weeks of promises, the Ministry of Education
finally told us that they couldn’t assist us – leaving us 2 days to make
another plan. The school combi (minibus) had, at that point, two punctured
tires and, unknown to us, an ENORMOUS hole in the exhaust pipe. Eventually we
decided we’d just drive it anyway, making multiple trips to get all the kids
there and back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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When we got to Berseba Saturday morning, things continued.
Although my kids had been great, on time, and prepared, the other team was NOT.
We arrived and there was nobody else at the track – in fact, although the
school had insisted to me that we begin by 6:30 am, we didn’t start until
nearly 11. Meaning it was now the heat of the day, in the desert, and the kids
had to run in it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Running the 1500 in the heat of the morning</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To contribute to my frustration, the late start meant that
most of the teachers from my school – meant to come to help officiate – got
bored and started drinking. Not only did my kids think I had been excessively
strict the whole season, telling them that if I catch them drinking anytime,
anywhere, they are off of my team, but then the teachers rubbed it in their
faces by drinking and getting drunk <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in
front of them at the school event</i>. GAH!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But all of those issues were with the grown-ups. My kids
were wonderful, the whole day. They won, they competed, they tried their best.
I am really proud of how they acted the whole day and how good they were!<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Even this one kid, who’s insanely fast but insanely cocky
(he celebrated before the finish, tripped, fell, and faceplanted over the line)
still won his race! I told him he was dumb, then helped him clean up the blood.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-41964685442722230692015-02-23T08:19:00.000-06:002015-02-23T08:19:30.274-06:00Sundowners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sundowners are one of our (‘us’ being the Tses volunteers)
favourite ways to spend the evening. On days when I don’t have evening study to
supervise/help out at, it’s really great to take a long walk out to the sand
dunes and drink a beer with the other volunteers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_RzBH7-eG4ZkxtmaKcvokP10pySBN1P71Xu9bms8RsCKgVdJFOMaUM6VMBld8NumvxChR2PYNkm05mgfdl9z4R5pBechsS2fAkNxVXhIwhYjpO5-QHAOACW7qWmKz9Lk3vKNnW0tdPu1/s1600/DSCF1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_RzBH7-eG4ZkxtmaKcvokP10pySBN1P71Xu9bms8RsCKgVdJFOMaUM6VMBld8NumvxChR2PYNkm05mgfdl9z4R5pBechsS2fAkNxVXhIwhYjpO5-QHAOACW7qWmKz9Lk3vKNnW0tdPu1/s1600/DSCF1806.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The thing we realized, though, is that the kids never get to
do this. Especially the hostel kids don’t get the time out of the blocks, and
the kids who are from Tses don’t really see the point or don’t have someone to
go with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So one of the new German volunteers, Carolin, who is here
for just a few months to help out at the school, and I decided it was time to
remedy this. It’s easier now that we are two at St. Therese. We took a group of
about 30 learners from the athletics (track) team out of evening study one
night as a ‘teambuilding’ activity, and took them to the dunes for a sundowner.
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7v5VUDVL1b_2a5Rvtn81432OqULj2x1xYFGTCkw_MsC3yixu81fP9T7KFlaxk2d7cj7KDngmy9cdS58jYHR54BhtX5IDDLZtWRPZZFFK469igUWhydC0H67jGdFtfpsPqC2hzKiSRCtA/s1600/DSCN1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7v5VUDVL1b_2a5Rvtn81432OqULj2x1xYFGTCkw_MsC3yixu81fP9T7KFlaxk2d7cj7KDngmy9cdS58jYHR54BhtX5IDDLZtWRPZZFFK469igUWhydC0H67jGdFtfpsPqC2hzKiSRCtA/s1600/DSCN1217.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It was absolutely incredible to see them playing, scuffling
around, enjoying themselves with no worries for a change! Even if it was only
for one night, we all really enjoyed ourselves. (And were thoroughly exhausted
afterwards.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l3Ansg35dQOj8yholEZsLOZLloopbDIguGDY6h5zrKRwDUJ6Uasv3zwpQDbfyxImub6qEd4KSkEVNyVXXuX6XufyEh2IdAm_6MVUgvXODBGL5rzcbCbWkbOvJbQWqFB5bmGzEhq_OAJl/s1600/DSCN1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l3Ansg35dQOj8yholEZsLOZLloopbDIguGDY6h5zrKRwDUJ6Uasv3zwpQDbfyxImub6qEd4KSkEVNyVXXuX6XufyEh2IdAm_6MVUgvXODBGL5rzcbCbWkbOvJbQWqFB5bmGzEhq_OAJl/s1600/DSCN1372.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-24101356862013183922015-02-19T04:41:00.001-06:002015-02-19T04:41:27.370-06:00Our "Reading culture" - help please?!I'm looking for donations!!<br />
<br />
Thanks to some generous assistance, mostly from Catherine’s
Northwest School and my mom (you are awesome!!!), I brought back a bunch of new books with me when I
returned to Tses this year.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsYoFR7SWz6hxroxtt4xK0wiD6mbPr-quu3ldy72WWWy27YQ1BMQo4zPm-tDffzius-OfZG8TrMRTrl6PDJYTB3Tg6mu1a3rvQb84CHo2ABhHVJtH0DWFSsUkGq8Q67gD7zOdI8IM4pMb/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsYoFR7SWz6hxroxtt4xK0wiD6mbPr-quu3ldy72WWWy27YQ1BMQo4zPm-tDffzius-OfZG8TrMRTrl6PDJYTB3Tg6mu1a3rvQb84CHo2ABhHVJtH0DWFSsUkGq8Q67gD7zOdI8IM4pMb/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's nice to see kids studying - but even cooler when they are practicing their English skills for fun!</div>
<br /></div>
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For those of you who know me, when I was little I used to spend inordinate
amounts of time reading. I would go through hundreds of books during summer
vacation, curled up in my mom’s chair or sprawled on the stairs. Now, it has
made me so happy to be able to give my kids great books to read! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although the school has a library, it is mostly old reject
books from the US or UK. They aren’t “nice” reading books and the kids just
aren’t interested. Now, armed with an arsenal of Ramona, Goosebumps, Mrs.
Piggle-Wiggle, Roald Dahl etc., I have actually gotten a bunch of kids
interested in reading! I see them with my books not only during ‘study’ time,
when they have finished their homework – but also sitting around in their own
free time. Seriously, it makes me feel so great.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiEeNWwSq6GJnZJFbMLDcUt7Y87ZW6O35Hbz2G36mqzoiFw-s8W4SAGS8u5faS0L808dgVZeK25tUCYDFE8su9czxiOpOEt_mCK1YUKoZm7QZ3e0yHJm80Ud7Z8v4caq2ikCL9CHt25pq/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiEeNWwSq6GJnZJFbMLDcUt7Y87ZW6O35Hbz2G36mqzoiFw-s8W4SAGS8u5faS0L808dgVZeK25tUCYDFE8su9czxiOpOEt_mCK1YUKoZm7QZ3e0yHJm80Ud7Z8v4caq2ikCL9CHt25pq/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once these girls got their hands on my Ramona series, I didn't see it again for a week.</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BUT! I have a request from the kids for MORE. I don’t have a
lot of difficult books (difficult is about the Ramona level for them) because I
brought back mostly books for my remedial English classes. Now that I see that
the better readers are also getting into my books, I don’t have enough for
them! They are begging for more Ramona, specifically, and other “nice” books.
Medium level, funny and interesting stories. I actually think those Beverly
Cleary books are better for being old, because there isn’t as much cultural
stuff that doesn’t make sense to them. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylQK4loCuNisy1XkaZgsTWdaY4CKUIngTL8-BJ_0Hg2D_8grg0d7DxW6bqT1Wi74EJleKWeYoZQTaXQqauxywxFl7a8z2HPlQhkRQQtOwrPuwi7hE1YSTH2iUjXrV7DuTJMGA75KuMdo6/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylQK4loCuNisy1XkaZgsTWdaY4CKUIngTL8-BJ_0Hg2D_8grg0d7DxW6bqT1Wi74EJleKWeYoZQTaXQqauxywxFl7a8z2HPlQhkRQQtOwrPuwi7hE1YSTH2iUjXrV7DuTJMGA75KuMdo6/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If anyone has extra books of that level lying around, I
would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get some more donations for my kids. Even if you can
afford to ship an envelope with 2 books we would be incredibly grateful.</div>
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Thanks in advance for your support!!! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-81793661126596820932015-02-12T12:05:00.001-06:002015-02-15T04:51:13.760-06:00Don't blame the victim<div class="MsoNormal">
“Never blame the victim” is a line I have heard many times –
in Peace Corps sensitivity trainings, in high school and college when learning
to deal with emotional issues of friends, when acquaintances deal with mugging
or robbery, and in pretty much every reading that addresses victim advocacy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a hard thing to learn and a rule that I have been
working really, really hard to follow here in Tses. In this kind of community,
where Peace Corps volunteers are placed, there are inevitably a lot of victims.
Those who are misjudged based on diseases like HIV; those who fall prey to
gender based violence; those who are abused in other ways by a huge variety of
people. Yet, at least for me, sometimes it is a struggle not to blame the victim,
at least a little bit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why did you go out
late at night in a dangerous neighborhood? Why were you wearing such a
provocative outfit? Why were you there in that club?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0Wv31EU8tE3MJYtYzIYkZH_AZ0RjfAb9nDp3Fjrf-3AQfM6IeguGcyQXyNi3rpSXraYXKLE7it7M-woSx9dZu0m6aWb38LgwoqGcJRA-ZkAl_XtrFHDViwZvqHnzh1Cf-ua4fxXNfpuW/s1600/DSCN1846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0Wv31EU8tE3MJYtYzIYkZH_AZ0RjfAb9nDp3Fjrf-3AQfM6IeguGcyQXyNi3rpSXraYXKLE7it7M-woSx9dZu0m6aWb38LgwoqGcJRA-ZkAl_XtrFHDViwZvqHnzh1Cf-ua4fxXNfpuW/s1600/DSCN1846.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this week, when we had a really serious accusation of
abuse brought up at our school, I worked REALLY hard to keep my mouth shut, and
not blame the victim. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a grade 8 girl come to afternoon study with a neck so
stiff she couldn’t turn her head and had tears running down her face for almost
an hour. Obviously I, as well as another teacher, pounced on the situation and
after several grueling interviews with her and several friends, thought we had
the story. There is a grade 9 boy in our school (who’s behaviour is atrocious,
by the way) who is her uncle – his father is her grandfather, although they are
only separated by a few years. She said that he had abused her since they were young, but she
had been schooling in another town until this year so it was never a big
problem. Since she had moved back in with her grandfather, the boy apparently
attacked her several times, and on this particular day beat her violently
because she wanted to sleep with someone else. He apparently also confiscated
her phone until they “did the sex.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, from what I could see, this girl was pretty aggressive
herself. She was always swearing at other learners and definitely wore
provocative things when not in uniform. But ok, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t blame the victim</i>. Women should be able to wear what makes
them happy without a threat of abuse. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t
blame the victim</i>. So when the other teachers also started making plans, I
was on board. Let’s get her out of there, we can’t trust the family because the
grandfather will always side with his son (he is well known in our community
for always siding with the son, even when the son is wrong). Let’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">act</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPNA_4OtFgE9YgXWHsvTXwJOhomXvcJ-8vGweOhvu8ZCuYB6aGDg7cjtfLDqJiGyhvcfzEjxsunXKKmpMs-oIyDyLzGA7XNUVpWWQNbxqRCKRnqi-_IDrFJYr-kMmrTB3o7UrYCoq8wZw/s1600/P1130311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPNA_4OtFgE9YgXWHsvTXwJOhomXvcJ-8vGweOhvu8ZCuYB6aGDg7cjtfLDqJiGyhvcfzEjxsunXKKmpMs-oIyDyLzGA7XNUVpWWQNbxqRCKRnqi-_IDrFJYr-kMmrTB3o7UrYCoq8wZw/s1600/P1130311.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes we don't value kids enough in this society, and parents lose track of what is really important.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This deteriorated into major family drama, and a few days later the
whole family got together in the staff room of our school so that we could help
moderate the conversation. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t blame
the victim</i>. Yet do you know what came out of it, once everyone was together?
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The girl has been provoking the boy – pulling down and snapping
her underwear in front of him, among other things. He has tried to protect her
in several cases, and apparently that one day, beat her only after following
her to a boy’s house (where he knew she wasn’t allowed to be) and trying to
bring her home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who knows who’s right or who’s wrong at this point – seems like
a weird family drama and we have at least removed the girl so that she can live
in the school hostel away from any potential danger. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
But how, the hell, do you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not blame the victim</i>, when the victim is doing things like this?!
Some of the teachers got extraordinarily angry because “she was nothing but a
big liar,” which I also don’t totally believe. But at the end of the day,
shouldn’t you also go with some gut instinct to question some of these crazy
stories? And although in the beginning I was reluctant to talk with the girl about
her behaviour (because no victim should be forced to feel like what happened to
them was their fault), should she not be instructed somehow that these things
are not appropriate and will no doubt lead to other ridiculous incidents?!?!?
What do you do??</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-33332631555958799412015-02-08T05:50:00.003-06:002015-02-08T05:50:40.454-06:00baby steps<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I’m into my third full school year here at St.
Therese. I can now say I am one of the oldest teachers still at our school, and
there have definitely been a lot of changes just since I arrived in 2012.
They’re not huge and impressive, but I am so excited about them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-St. Therese has expanded from a Junior Secondary School to
a full Secondary School! We opened grade 11 this year, and those kids will move
to grade 12 next year. It is a sign of confidence from the Ministry because we
have to achieve a certain pass rate in grade 10 (last year was 40%) in order to
open the higher grades. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Teachers, generally, are motivated and working hard. This
year it seems like a lot of them came with cool and good ideas, and I am
excited to work more with them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-We have opened the science laboratory! It is a project I’ve
been working on, slowly, for the last 2 years with another science teacher. We
pushed the Science Fair for the kids last year to start getting the school and
learners used to the idea of promoting science, and this year we are finally
doing labs during classes. I am kind of working as a lab assistant for the year
to make sure everything goes smoothly, but that teacher and I spent a lot of
time over the last few months cleaning out ALL of the junk from the lab and
packing all of the equipment/supplies properly. Now we are just trying to fill
in the gaps (our microscopes are probably 40 years old) and stuff like that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's how the lab used to look:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZu7MsvAFlVdeivhxXQBE0_GQYP1aPDYkoJutPB7eWc89lQHqA6hRzxct6Dj3rI6oUBNNWT0LcKNUnGTMe4rohlq4h9ecJ04H0SBo_rMwO5PTXM6H99gMxIE6zkpXCX0mgzWQHdCS5AIj/s1600/old+lab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZu7MsvAFlVdeivhxXQBE0_GQYP1aPDYkoJutPB7eWc89lQHqA6hRzxct6Dj3rI6oUBNNWT0LcKNUnGTMe4rohlq4h9ecJ04H0SBo_rMwO5PTXM6H99gMxIE6zkpXCX0mgzWQHdCS5AIj/s1600/old+lab.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXkSWonfv5rvYAfHyhImXiUH5diPNIpJNnNcKzY1tszz4P08RseJOhb9p2LoZNz3H9Bv8XGw19xxiWJwtASPzNAGY21PPJVPdzWqUMwjNG98jBs3e96MszGBnoRBLSl3_zWYQAnGwWJSd/s1600/old+chemicals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXkSWonfv5rvYAfHyhImXiUH5diPNIpJNnNcKzY1tszz4P08RseJOhb9p2LoZNz3H9Bv8XGw19xxiWJwtASPzNAGY21PPJVPdzWqUMwjNG98jBs3e96MszGBnoRBLSl3_zWYQAnGwWJSd/s1600/old+chemicals.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And how it looks now:</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXn7yFIa7p1T2xxuXxQtGv7XgDf04GneelyVTJwPLTouTSbtjUqcNCURtGmbGzr1eSQwiGu7n0HkexCSWivMsG5cqLBbyXrSBpjyDuO34cIQ3v-Jn17NbukBJkCGFSCqJvFhnbqU8Air3/s1600/lab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXn7yFIa7p1T2xxuXxQtGv7XgDf04GneelyVTJwPLTouTSbtjUqcNCURtGmbGzr1eSQwiGu7n0HkexCSWivMsG5cqLBbyXrSBpjyDuO34cIQ3v-Jn17NbukBJkCGFSCqJvFhnbqU8Air3/s1600/lab.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnGu0cfXSHNjT7_nwx7cV91_sRkKEEIIE53LiG4HDApIABbLGRClj43mEE1vBgIV5iS0z_4QQ7D-zTJvkamOO11vd8xxlelN5Gjn511NDikB9_viRtZ2d6btyaiSuU7_zG2A-XWLGptXa/s1600/chemicals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnGu0cfXSHNjT7_nwx7cV91_sRkKEEIIE53LiG4HDApIABbLGRClj43mEE1vBgIV5iS0z_4QQ7D-zTJvkamOO11vd8xxlelN5Gjn511NDikB9_viRtZ2d6btyaiSuU7_zG2A-XWLGptXa/s1600/chemicals.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-The kids ask me questions! For the last two years, I have
spent all of my class time trying to hammer into them, “ask questions if you
don’t understand.” Some of them finally seem to have picked up on it! I hear
them asking other teachers more than ever in the past, and many of the learners
I had every day last year still come to me frequently for help. I think it
helps that I’m usually still at study, because I am one of the only teachers
that is always available to them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Not like things are now perfect in Tses/at St. Therese. But
whether it is my own perspective or not, things seem to really have improved
since I came and I am just so proud of everyone here.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-50256464924904660532015-02-08T05:41:00.000-06:002015-02-08T05:41:21.531-06:00New Year, New Job<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a quick update on my life in Tses this year! Since I am
now an “Extended” Peace Corps Volunteer, my project changes slightly. So far,
here’s what it looks like I’m doing day-to-day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Working with small groups of learners on a remedial English
curriculum (pulling them out of class and starting back at what appears to be
an American grade 2-3 level)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Working in the science laboratory with learners and
teachers (It has not been open in decades!!!! We have already done two labs
this year!!!!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Working with admin. at school to develop new tools and
streamline .. everything</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Sports with the kids (currently training track and
field/athletics, trying to get the rugby/soccer programs up and going as well)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Helping out with extracurriculars including afternoon and
evening study, a girls’ group, etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Working with staff to develop their skills – science lab,
computers/Excel, English, etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Subbing in classes when teachers are absent (I spent one
week basically subbing for our other maths teacher, which was cool because I
got a chance to explain things to the kids in a second way so they had a better
shot at understanding – and then got to move forward with her curriculum so
they don’t get behind so early in the year)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Working with some of the new teachers one-on-one to develop
their skills and help them get settled into the school and Ministry
organization</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m so excited about this year. It seems like most of the
teachers are really motivated and excited to do stuff (which is a change!!) and
the vibe at school is really good so far.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a note – sorry to all if I’m bad about updating my blog
this term. I’m currently taking an online course (Environmental Economics) as
well as adjusting to a new workload and trying to stay on top of everything
here in Tses! So far the term has been totally hectic…</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-69457111441210645832015-01-14T14:58:00.002-06:002015-01-14T14:58:42.316-06:00Our Rights... and Responsibilities<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, it’s my last week in the States after about a month of
leave/holiday. And although the number of people asking me to compare Namibia
with the US has now slowed to a trickle, I think I finally have part of an
answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevy-y_loMZe0rPuOmL-C4ZSz4RQlsZJSuJrsPtAOhH00yqQ_GuDQaRacFrJMWhrQJsd2BIWaW5gV4Pz1Mc2-uMz9NdsI5hDDAHtaPmJcLOF_04GKZ7oYMV_cB2MU-_SSEMLJnBpBGreCV/s1600/10622944_10205761428097115_4590934317653560387_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevy-y_loMZe0rPuOmL-C4ZSz4RQlsZJSuJrsPtAOhH00yqQ_GuDQaRacFrJMWhrQJsd2BIWaW5gV4Pz1Mc2-uMz9NdsI5hDDAHtaPmJcLOF_04GKZ7oYMV_cB2MU-_SSEMLJnBpBGreCV/s1600/10622944_10205761428097115_4590934317653560387_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The age of the countries is something that I frequently
highlight. While the US is over 200 years old, Namibia is barely 20. I’m older
than Namibia. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, part of what this means is that most citizens in
Namibia have a profound respect for their country, its independence, and the
freedoms they are afforded. It’s hard to untangle whether it is the small
population or the newness of the state, but either way Namibians tend, much
more than the majority of Americans, to stand up for what they believe in. They
fight for what they think is right and voice their opinions; yet at the same
time, most still clearly have an appreciation for what they do have.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week I went with my friend Hannah to the Valley Forge
National Park in PA for a run. We were struck by the following quote that was
displayed in the big arch:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eVl7JwcczZzMog9M0dIOcF1PZn1-RNfa6kRqd1HTfloVySykSIjEpiRrAJrllVTYatlI7yRhVix6hP0JeLP9_r5C_yN8jITOYcUYqlOC94E51aFslOZh-zqnEzn4TEdPQinexaF1nT6H/s1600/DSCN0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eVl7JwcczZzMog9M0dIOcF1PZn1-RNfa6kRqd1HTfloVySykSIjEpiRrAJrllVTYatlI7yRhVix6hP0JeLP9_r5C_yN8jITOYcUYqlOC94E51aFslOZh-zqnEzn4TEdPQinexaF1nT6H/s1600/DSCN0580.JPG" height="320" width="282" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let us believe with an abiding faith that to them union
will seem as dear and liberty as sweet and progress as glorious as they were to
our fathers and are to you and me and that the institutions which have made us
happy preserved by the virtue of our children shall bless the remotest
generation of the time to come.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe it’s just that I’m seeing a weird cross-section of the
US while I’m here, or the absurd comparison of two totally different countries
and regions of the world. But that instruction seems to be, pretty much,
exactly what we’re NOT doing here in America. In my school in Tses, we constantly compare 'rights' with 'responsibilities'. We tell the learners that in order to deserve and maintain your rights, you have to hold up your end of the deal, too. Are we doing that as Americans?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know how you value the things you have when you’ve
always had them. We in the US are blessed to have preserved rights like ‘union’ and ‘liberty’ and
‘progress’ (generally) our whole lives. But it seems to me that we don’t value
them anymore. We don’t fight for the pure form of democracy that was the foundation
of our country. We don’t fight to retain it, nor to preserve equality and
freedom at all costs, the way our forefathers might have anticipated. In fact,
seeing as our country was founded on these very things (to which we no longer
assign much value), no wonder it sometimes seems like the US is starting to
fray at the edges. The only reason for the formation of our country was, in
fact, freedom. Our ancestors departed from basically every other country in
order to come someplace “free.” If “free” is no longer the goal, then what
holds our country together? In these tumultuous times (don’t even try to tell
me that Ferguson et al. haven’t brought some instability into our consideration
of equal rights), how can we afford NOT to stand up and fight for equality and
freedom for all?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha2whp_fVVftHPFun34SxPRZvWbc7QhLIHYQrnL2ZucjDug7_D3Ca0quvPiFVbkZdFyWlfpFKYTaRF3sNUtNqVtM32gjILyGHT_E5d4iMvpG-JcXfCP-m-jkwGfeZE3UFwP3hwUCDVln5/s1600/DSCN0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha2whp_fVVftHPFun34SxPRZvWbc7QhLIHYQrnL2ZucjDug7_D3Ca0quvPiFVbkZdFyWlfpFKYTaRF3sNUtNqVtM32gjILyGHT_E5d4iMvpG-JcXfCP-m-jkwGfeZE3UFwP3hwUCDVln5/s1600/DSCN0578.JPG" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-22980608188804441842014-12-15T05:21:00.003-06:002014-12-15T05:21:40.236-06:00Coming Home<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, after 2 years, 4 months and 20 days out of the
country, I got back home to the US on Saturday morning. It is at the same time
totally normal, and exceptionally mindblowing, to be here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FoSqEpL69bQWNMtdshgF3tE6FQaBTUWbbVLe8yMbQ_ci5d2bv7a6Usr1C1jGe6gR86Jmoa6NjZWbCR9q9kTJHMTV4V5c85xl2kVS-qzv0ZQANTJY0N4EsFPrU0RRWE9g_18eHP18FUuo/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FoSqEpL69bQWNMtdshgF3tE6FQaBTUWbbVLe8yMbQ_ci5d2bv7a6Usr1C1jGe6gR86Jmoa6NjZWbCR9q9kTJHMTV4V5c85xl2kVS-qzv0ZQANTJY0N4EsFPrU0RRWE9g_18eHP18FUuo/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Why yes, my first meal back DID include Watsonville strawberries!
And yes, I did take a picture of it…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are people everywhere, I swear my plane from Joburg to
Atlanta could have held half my village. (My feet also didn’t reach the floor,
which probably made me more grumpy about that experience than I could have been…)
I barely exchanged 3 words with my neighbor, which seemed different, since in
Namibia it would be impossible to sit next to someone for 16 hours and not get
to know them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, people are also generally nicer than I remember! I
always categorize Africans as being friendly and helpful, while Americans are
in too much of a rush, etc. But everyone in the airport was kind, jumping out
of their way to let the passengers about to miss their connections through. When
I was baffled by the new passport-checking, customs machines in Atlanta (yes,
there are MACHINES at customs instead of real people, and yes, I couldn’t
figure out how to use them) there was immediately a really nice guy who came to
help me. And he only laughed a little at my despair. And, although it turned out I had the
wrong number in my phone (!), my neighbor on the flight to Tampa (who happened
to be the PILOT from the Joburg flight! small world) let me borrow his phone to
try to call Aunt Pamela to let her know our plane had landed. We also found an
exceptionally kind and helpful guy at the AT&T store who did his best to
help me figure out how to make it work in both the US and Namibia, and got it
set up in just a few minutes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is too much traffic. I can’t remember seeing so many
traffic lights, ever, and I have to say that I am so grateful to my family
(thanks Aunt Pamela!) for taking care of me and driving me places! Between the
traffic itself, and the cars on the ‘wrong side’ of the road, and the HUGE
highways, I don’t think I’d survive on my own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAHa3l1q2wXn1bjvdL9raW6Z8D-C9LxDxgoWoz6S0zqEVSgm-SgVh4mq0ByfBLEo58FiTF5qC_dvu9IkK7j7o0TvbJwolYWaIEWM7hCGd_4HfZ-2C8wFSmZgYppaXjjYipyQZAaxnGQkY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAHa3l1q2wXn1bjvdL9raW6Z8D-C9LxDxgoWoz6S0zqEVSgm-SgVh4mq0ByfBLEo58FiTF5qC_dvu9IkK7j7o0TvbJwolYWaIEWM7hCGd_4HfZ-2C8wFSmZgYppaXjjYipyQZAaxnGQkY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Running on the beach in Tampa</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So far, in the last 2 days, we have gone to the beach, some
shops, Quaker meeting (really awesome!), gone birdwatching, and done some projects at the house. It
is busier than Namibian life, even though we are on holiday. But most
importantly, I have enjoyed spending time with my family and am so excited that
more of them will be coming in to FL in just a few days, and then that I will
see the other side of the family in about a week! If anything, I think that
Namibia, and being away from home for 2 years, has taught me that it is about the
people =)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-76455693840537144992014-11-25T10:39:00.001-06:002014-11-25T10:39:12.619-06:00Help Please!<div class="MsoNormal">
Next week I am going to Keetmans to work with 2 other
volunteers for the whole week, planning a remedial English curriculum for next
year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Basically we are making up our own job descriptions. My plan
is to spend most of my time working with the kids who are really behind (which
is a lot of them), mostly doing English reading and comp but maybe also some
basic math? Then I’d also like to have at least one “gifted” class per week to
take the kids who are actually ON grade level and do some more advanced work
with them. A lot of our smart kids get bored and give up in school. I’ll also
be moving over to the science lab to try (again!) to get it up and running.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are my questions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you focus on quantity or quality? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I try to reach the most learners, I can have bigger
classes. I can meet with more classes per week, and give each group only one
40-minute period per week. But obviously this will impact the effectiveness of
the program. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But if I focus on ‘quality’ (say, classes of only 5 learners
which meet 2-3 times per week), then I would work with fewer learners. If that
is the case, do I choose the very severe cases who are in grade 9 but on a
grade 6 reading level? Or do I take the learners who are only a little bit
behind but need an extra push to get them where they need to be? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Is it more sensible to spend more time with the remedial kids who really need help, or try to push the ones who can be successful and need some extra attention?</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Help! Anyone who knows anything about these things… advice???</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some totally unrelated photos for you! Some of my pen pal kids came in on Sunday to do a project... they mde maps of the US and Indiana and a venn diagram comparing the US and Namibia. (top priorities... president, date of independence, unemployment rate, birth/death rates.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwzPCtfEy9l9L_K9ynwDt9F2rtbYeCqz_JpfAIPJyN7Zaoi02F79yPaWf0CrK7uGrbcW5_IypdFQnTLdJkUxyp9WlT2fpaVtcEx5RVOhThioHdXT1NpZozCT4rEgqlHPF230QlF8EN8xY/s1600/DSCN0373.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwzPCtfEy9l9L_K9ynwDt9F2rtbYeCqz_JpfAIPJyN7Zaoi02F79yPaWf0CrK7uGrbcW5_IypdFQnTLdJkUxyp9WlT2fpaVtcEx5RVOhThioHdXT1NpZozCT4rEgqlHPF230QlF8EN8xY/s1600/DSCN0373.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3NMfwPL8oft5-Fby1ASdvdTgLM1W8nh-o3uVywu3E23NhOrcGO8JhOLgiHJNUbSojjC8S0RSi8b1WkdGOH142rZNycCmJcXB4IFaxL3hInaXWz2jmlRDHyGChLA2jkGx-Y4tJq1a5o45/s1600/DSCN0381.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3NMfwPL8oft5-Fby1ASdvdTgLM1W8nh-o3uVywu3E23NhOrcGO8JhOLgiHJNUbSojjC8S0RSi8b1WkdGOH142rZNycCmJcXB4IFaxL3hInaXWz2jmlRDHyGChLA2jkGx-Y4tJq1a5o45/s1600/DSCN0381.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjno8Z8_fzu41rBkG2uARpauKg38mtHvfmjRZZCilqGkkTsDQVE3dB7xMkDHxDaQFfI65bDITaw1swMd7uKvdyMxfc8_AjvYh0ofaR0kqCIsb1DmQvNRGjkONw5ndfObiT6_KcgAeZLfz/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjno8Z8_fzu41rBkG2uARpauKg38mtHvfmjRZZCilqGkkTsDQVE3dB7xMkDHxDaQFfI65bDITaw1swMd7uKvdyMxfc8_AjvYh0ofaR0kqCIsb1DmQvNRGjkONw5ndfObiT6_KcgAeZLfz/s1600/image.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
work in progress</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-1548367037351528492014-11-20T11:56:00.002-06:002014-11-20T11:56:36.409-06:00Our Pen Pal Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5UcXJF3jfD5K2GRQsLCOR-P2LxRbxEOkVPCiwLkbBsbb1PrBt1pU3DzqIgaQkmgS_WKJYzE_Y0Wj8Iig8qTEftnN5Iw-RrOjcpOjKmTGiBnQwXSm28-N6tt6NbbV1PMKZKuWVKEb9syr/s1600/DSCN0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5UcXJF3jfD5K2GRQsLCOR-P2LxRbxEOkVPCiwLkbBsbb1PrBt1pU3DzqIgaQkmgS_WKJYzE_Y0Wj8Iig8qTEftnN5Iw-RrOjcpOjKmTGiBnQwXSm28-N6tt6NbbV1PMKZKuWVKEb9syr/s1600/DSCN0120.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
learners at St. Therese typing letters to their pen pals</div>
<br />
Peace Corps recently matched me up with a school in Indiana (shoutout to Elwood High students!), via the WorldWise Schools program. They pair volunteers with US schools to start a pen pal program and try to reach those 1st and 2nd PC goals - informing Americans about our host countries, and informing our host countries about Americans.<br />
<br />
I was reluctant to get started because, let's be honest, it sounds like lots of work. I was afraid I would be chasing my learners all the time and it would be a huge nightmare.<br />
<br />
Instead, it's been totally fantastic. I feel so productive. I have never been asked so many questions about Namibia by Americans, nor so many questions about America by Namibians. My learners have come several times a day begging me to check my email to see if their new friends have written, and to open up the computer lab so that they can reply.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkmcQ7pTXPA22L-UkB1w7WjFNPIlmIREYKNhpL25zYpE7LL2uSSQ1ZR8yGWGhXMi0pTU0qGsqW8-osOrGZ9hLKEpdRP5R4kGEs_vG-N2ToutWk5Avs-iEVZJlARvOamRn2QD7WwqYTSUx/s1600/DSCN0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkmcQ7pTXPA22L-UkB1w7WjFNPIlmIREYKNhpL25zYpE7LL2uSSQ1ZR8yGWGhXMi0pTU0qGsqW8-osOrGZ9hLKEpdRP5R4kGEs_vG-N2ToutWk5Avs-iEVZJlARvOamRn2QD7WwqYTSUx/s1600/DSCN0098.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 of my grade 8s working in the lab</div>
<br />
In addition, I'm pretty psyched about the consequences of this project. My learners are practicing their English reading/writing - by choice! They ask me to edit their papers (although I don't always have time to check 20 letters) because they want to sound good when their new American pen pals read them. It's the most reading I've ever seen them do. We're also practicing geography (climate, time zones, seasons and map-reading were all on the recent geography examinations and we have worked on all of them already). Although I am only able to take the kids after school hours, it is actually convenient because it is roughly the same time our friends in Indiana have class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin21qAhzwKLfa5t69Mk4nu4NeQIxCoXHc4xQNkAls4ZC3zO5-x4M1r-s3fQ2xX15iNGsaV6GT68i-UMtmVETLIkAXMS17eS_Hs5sXjGMRVIfFH7xL4imA7fuZ33yUj2qjuNFapbShk3BKT/s1600/DSCN0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin21qAhzwKLfa5t69Mk4nu4NeQIxCoXHc4xQNkAls4ZC3zO5-x4M1r-s3fQ2xX15iNGsaV6GT68i-UMtmVETLIkAXMS17eS_Hs5sXjGMRVIfFH7xL4imA7fuZ33yUj2qjuNFapbShk3BKT/s1600/DSCN0998.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4 of my absolute favourite grade 10s (who unfortunately/fortunately have finished at our school! grade 10s left in late October after they wrote national exams)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCpCo4ygAUuc41sVO9NsdVDMo9mFAQrveiuS5O_GGj0ZJxHTy75HR9a-MXa-lVt2aO9clh5j1q7cfo0tw5N4hgZua-pyAb6YTaDIFNgXE4I_LKIn-V2lhMPY070VVMSmwP1nqjUkjt_Ki/s1600/P1120768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCpCo4ygAUuc41sVO9NsdVDMo9mFAQrveiuS5O_GGj0ZJxHTy75HR9a-MXa-lVt2aO9clh5j1q7cfo0tw5N4hgZua-pyAb6YTaDIFNgXE4I_LKIn-V2lhMPY070VVMSmwP1nqjUkjt_Ki/s1600/P1120768.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more learners, by our school's St. Theresa statue</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-29442810587557458462014-11-16T10:49:00.003-06:002014-11-16T10:49:37.826-06:00Networking, Namibian StyleDue (I think) to some really great begging done on my side, I managed to wrangle an invitation to last weeks Namibian Energy Policy Forum. It was hosted by NCCI and GIZ ("The first renewable energy conference organized by NCCI...and GIZ! German taxpayer money sponsored the event!" says one of my colleagues - wonder how the Germans feel about that??)<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
IT WAS SO COOL.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Those of you who know me know that renewable energy is basically what I want to do with my life. This forum was attended by the Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy, Minister of Trade and Industry, GM of NamPower (Namibian energy monopoly), CEO of NCCI, Minister of Finance and about 50 other private and public businessowners, policymakers etc. It was absolutely the coolest thing. And more impressive than anything (to me) was the fact that we managed, while remaining polite, to overstep some of the bureaucratic nonsense that takes up half of most meetings here, and really discuss some of the issues among key players.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For any of you who are interested, here are a few of the highlights from the conference.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. The conference was opened by noting the relationship between energy capacity and employment and wealth in a country (especially as a country is still developing industrial capacity, as in Namibia). Although this seems obvious, I thought it astute of the keynote speaker to bring it up immediately as a concern. Another minister addressed energy needs for the "socio-economic upliftment of the people" - kind of just using words, but a good point nonetheless.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. We went through some shocking statistics. Namibia has the HIGHEST solar irradiation in the world. Yet we pay the third highest amount for electricity in SADC (Southern African Development Community), while South Africa (whom we buy energy from) pays the lowest. We also pay about 3 times more than the US per kWh. Clearly a country like Namibia will struggle to industrialize while in such a position.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. The maximum energy demand from Namibia is around 500 MW (excluding some of the big mines). This is a country of 2 million. PECO (the electric company for the Philadelphia area) has almost 4,500 MW to serve the same population. But our electricity is still not local - we import from Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, etc. And, even though Namibia is arguably more developed than our neighboring countries, we still don't seem to be planning for energy independence.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4. Namibia is talkign about the Market as a means to find efficiency. It's wonderful. Right now NamPower is a politically appointed monopoly in terms of electricity, but people are still talking about ways around that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5. Smaller ideas emerged as well. The government is currently pursuing a mass housing project; why not include solar hot water heaters on all houses? (I didn't know that all ministry houses now are required to be built with solar heaters. How cool is that?!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am proud to start getting involved in this field. It is becoming, more than ever, apparent how much we will struggle to incorporate renewable technologies into every field of life; however it is also apparent how hard some people are working to accomplish just that. I made a few connections of my own and am hoping to be able to work with a few Namibian organizations to pursue these things in the next year while I am here!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-4292051043284142672014-11-16T08:42:00.002-06:002014-11-16T08:42:33.930-06:00A New LookMost of you probably know that my two new gap year volunteers came to Tses a few months ago. They are 18 year old boys from Wales and Holland, but they're staying with me in the same house. I always think it is interesting to help them through their first few months around, as they are learning everything for the first time. Language, culture, places, everything. The first experiences of hitchhiking and learning a new language are usually kind of hard, but after that they catch on fast!<br />
<br />
We had another few firsts this weekend that were pretty fantastic. I took the boys to their first "potjie" (A dinner using a 3 legged black pot, which is basically Stone Soup. Everyone brings whatever is in the house and we cook together and have a few drinks.) We were together with one of my favourite teachers (and my Peace Corps counterpart) and a few other guys from the village.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoizvEH3np88BK5IjD1j08m_NgdIYQYiolwup2xdbIQr9uhB6J0udxXKUMqI2yFeK-CYnfCmd2j_WtxHnNOlpmMJHYBn2MXGtt1cZWfygfVWmGZiTuzuv_HR-zdSzsGVaSLf-iYN4xfmUL/s1600/DSCN0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoizvEH3np88BK5IjD1j08m_NgdIYQYiolwup2xdbIQr9uhB6J0udxXKUMqI2yFeK-CYnfCmd2j_WtxHnNOlpmMJHYBn2MXGtt1cZWfygfVWmGZiTuzuv_HR-zdSzsGVaSLf-iYN4xfmUL/s1600/DSCN0045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Then yesterday afternoon we went to go see "The Waterfall" on the Fish River! The Fish is only about 15-20 km away from Tses, but it is difficult to get there since you need your own car. But my principal took us on the way to the farm, so we walked around and enjoyed the amazing scenery there. The river has carved out huge channels through the surrounding rock, which is impressive given the fact that it is currently dry! There are only a few puddles remaining here and there, due to the fact that most of the water is held back by a dam up in Mariental.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgTGrV9aL5ELRIf_VNixiFkScgdDVS0zn1NdJUNoxD7UNXr4BngpDjjR6SL3uLsqdQlYyNdj6gr0VonOWmiS9Et3VwlELmaefRcoGpNTXYtnvPFWT4ydjIRWvIYq3PJwqC0hm-sWX7HXW/s1600/DSCN0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgTGrV9aL5ELRIf_VNixiFkScgdDVS0zn1NdJUNoxD7UNXr4BngpDjjR6SL3uLsqdQlYyNdj6gr0VonOWmiS9Et3VwlELmaefRcoGpNTXYtnvPFWT4ydjIRWvIYq3PJwqC0hm-sWX7HXW/s1600/DSCN0051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The water next to "The Waterfall"</div>
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My principal and current Mom-Away-From-Home, Ms. Pauline. (I am actually shocked how close we have gotten in the last year or so. It's great.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-5d3r8AVrrHej_xu7-ADVoo7VJGrWbsR7ZCXpAoS4OziB_QBhRaZkgLpcRcuct7aM8YqkQ6jQ_6ePAeXTG1IZyhfZcDy1fELeQJ7mZGG2NDGy_e9WaZ_rvcbqs-Saw_cno8Nty5hZW0q/s1600/DSCN0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-5d3r8AVrrHej_xu7-ADVoo7VJGrWbsR7ZCXpAoS4OziB_QBhRaZkgLpcRcuct7aM8YqkQ6jQ_6ePAeXTG1IZyhfZcDy1fELeQJ7mZGG2NDGy_e9WaZ_rvcbqs-Saw_cno8Nty5hZW0q/s1600/DSCN0077.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Driving home with the sun setting in the distance and the dust from the bakkie kicking up behind us</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-5916438049173595832014-10-25T02:48:00.001-05:002014-10-25T02:48:07.512-05:00Our Role<div class="MsoNormal">
What is our role as Peace Corps volunteers? I am in Windhoek
for a meeting with the HIV Committee, and a conversation with another volunteer
got me thinking. </div>
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What is our duty towards Peace Corps, and what is Peace Corps’
duty towards us? One older volunteer a few weeks ago commented</div>
<br />
<br />
to me that Peace
Corps does much less than… basically any other employer, in terms of personal
development. Most companies send you for trainings, ensure that you develop
skills, and assist you with whatever training or development you think is
really necessary to improve at your job. These skills are then transferrable if
you end up moving to a new company or position – you are a more qualified
person by the time you move on.<br />
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Peace Corps, on the other hand, tends to do very little of
this. But at the same time, most of us do not go into a Peace Corps experience
expecting it. I was actually arguing with another volunteer this morning that
it is our duty in fact to spend our two years helping with “on the ground”
development – and by way of volunteering with Peace Corps, we have also given
up our ‘right’ to personal professional development. Is that right? I probably
have too idealistic of an outlook on this – we are people too, and we also need
to develop skills and be qualified for jobs when we get back home.
Additionally, many people use Peace Corps as a turning point in their careers –
a way to stop what they are doing and change directions – and if they can use
their experience to gain skills that will help them do so, why the heck not? Some volunteers want to use Peace Corps to find positions that will help them personally - for instance, work with an NGO on behalf of Peace Corps, or work within the Peace Corps offices to develop 'management' skills. Is it wrong to desire the formal training that we received in our first 2 months of service, throughout our service??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOKuOw0ZQONt9iodc6e9E0oHgrEbekDAUEZhb79ZnDgRaOkKiAD1Weg2vOnQ4AnPuDMfHosJlDdsAH2HvrEJHch96lNMMUx5qHPBQ6bHexsVJtJ9iICjBgAF1h1m6snzLecQmcWWgJniV/s1600/P1020294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOKuOw0ZQONt9iodc6e9E0oHgrEbekDAUEZhb79ZnDgRaOkKiAD1Weg2vOnQ4AnPuDMfHosJlDdsAH2HvrEJHch96lNMMUx5qHPBQ6bHexsVJtJ9iICjBgAF1h1m6snzLecQmcWWgJniV/s1600/P1020294.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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ON THE OTHER HAND. Maybe I’ll just blame my family for my
idealism (thanks Mom and Dad). But It seems to me that if you are willing to
give up two years of your home, family, job, income, and friends, you should really
invest in what you are doing. Which is helping people on the ground. Not
working with big organizations, not networking for the sake of networking (although
of course, it happens sometimes), but really doing what you can for the small
number of people who you can work with, in person, frequently, individually.
Wasn’t that the original purpose of Peace Corps? Can't we get some amount of training and development from our Namibian counterparts?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCh7OdO1B45cTrILpQUi0FQEwrOK0ymzD-Uc2Q7ioHq5Tns_keD5lCra0AyDCtR_44PwHTCM3o-4NA4VnBCos0JNhOHJ9lw-EQljWo8ENEiCfjCkhlAHJE59sg_hw_ePBk1Zb1mQGSBeS/s1600/IMG_2484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCh7OdO1B45cTrILpQUi0FQEwrOK0ymzD-Uc2Q7ioHq5Tns_keD5lCra0AyDCtR_44PwHTCM3o-4NA4VnBCos0JNhOHJ9lw-EQljWo8ENEiCfjCkhlAHJE59sg_hw_ePBk1Zb1mQGSBeS/s1600/IMG_2484.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or from our day-to-day work and jobs?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWzFX92ZZIGZfhnJDJSHFhjaTq9Qh5LtCjC0R92-jLywMmGSETX78_VFQSK_TmcgRmmDkj_LpBU2Eb72BwLuC_df_s_u80LAymqTIqYoT6a53FjQAhjK9xhb4Emi6Rgloaf5lennEe4f8/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWzFX92ZZIGZfhnJDJSHFhjaTq9Qh5LtCjC0R92-jLywMmGSETX78_VFQSK_TmcgRmmDkj_LpBU2Eb72BwLuC_df_s_u80LAymqTIqYoT6a53FjQAhjK9xhb4Emi6Rgloaf5lennEe4f8/s1600/DSCN0418.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or, have we already left the ‘original
purpose’ and, with global development and economic development around the
world, are we in a new position to help on a bigger scale. Is there a right or
wrong for something like volunteerism? It seems like you can’t blame someone
for wanting to take something for themselves at the same time as offering their
services to a community, but it also seems a shame to give up the maximum
benefit you can deliver to that community for your own self-interests.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-1699825505006464642014-10-11T00:38:00.000-05:002014-10-11T00:38:01.482-05:00IntroductionsCatherine this is mostly for you and your school, I meant to get more but shit hit the fan at school. I'm working on it.<br />
Quality is probably crap, but here is an idea of some of my better English speakers and some scenes from the hostel yard. (Also, just so everyone knows, I have no idea how to edit videos and did not even have time to attempt it here. These are just random clips from around our hostel!)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyVVund7Xvz-1t_l9nKfCxQPhh9yaQGBAz1TcXQSdH8EQtnXJQt-enuMhyCjx0i4Kmfm_omkpkSzE398lFUig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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kids being kids while shut in our hostel for the weekend</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx6cSAQdqYv3ktBl46J2i4UUITWFYZXFSW_dg3kwhoJeBzRMk1IgcMSjJG6RayON0FZMzrq1_om-hCfYitaZA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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One of my 'daughters' in the hostel talking in front of my house- Agnes is one of our older grade 9s, but she has turned over a new leaf this year and is working hard and I think she will probably pass! She's also one of my soccer captains and clearly one of the more outgoing kids...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzN05_Gnnhh-xhsKlL2_iUXO7OnKvlMTl17aqNsmIaZBZfPp-LCjG70sauMFyGs0Fi4EpJEcj3tLYSOBfSWow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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And, one of my 'sons' - our best soccer goalkeeper, also a very outgoing grade 10 who may help us improve our pass rate this year!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-90851332637964064432014-10-10T14:21:00.002-05:002014-10-10T14:33:22.420-05:00Ups and DownsThis week has been... illuminating. I guess?<br />
<br />
To start out with, I have been talking with an ex-learner of a former Peace Corps volunteer (she served maybe 8 or 10 years ago in Namibia?). I am meeting this weekend with hime and a group of his colleagues, who are trying to start a Trust to help with development, motivation etc. of Namibian children in an effort to better care for and prepare our vulnerable children to be the future leaders of the country. It is so cool 1) to see a former learner of a PCV really working to try to improve his country, as well as taking initiative to do something brand new, on his own and 2) to be consulted like I actually know something! It is also terrifying to be "consulted" because this group of Youth (essentially my age) seem to be assuming that I KNOW how to start a business, run a business, do everything. Totally bonkers. But it is simultaneously really cool to work through it with them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJSWfxA2ncuC4gNykRyM-SglexDb93XJ-MjTM5YYY1zz5KailWxklsYc3b68nnG6h6Q3tzeBYSxMr16QzKR0qaJd3uKIslbdbu56RJ8ikwzI_2k-jfwNqNbeEOPhs4Am1yusJgNtcRzUz/s1600/DSCN0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJSWfxA2ncuC4gNykRyM-SglexDb93XJ-MjTM5YYY1zz5KailWxklsYc3b68nnG6h6Q3tzeBYSxMr16QzKR0qaJd3uKIslbdbu56RJ8ikwzI_2k-jfwNqNbeEOPhs4Am1yusJgNtcRzUz/s1600/DSCN0805.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Then the bad news of this week...<br />
Our Catholic Brothers have continued with their aggressive/disrespectful treatment of learners. Not that they have significantly injured anyone or anything, but they demean and talk down to learners to the extent that I hear about 10 times per day, "Miss I hate him." This all came to a head this week, when in two separate-but-related incidents, our learners tried to stone/stab 2 of the Brothers. Injured one successfully with stones, but not the one they really wanted so they have continued plotting.<br />
<br />
Now, we have had 4ish hours/day of study for our grade 10 learners for the last month or so, trying to help them prepare for their national exam series. I have gone to almost all of them, helped to supervise learners, helped to control learners, tutored them in maths/physics. I have also taken some of our more 'rebellious' kids into my class, because they seem to do better with less attention from the brothers (if you don't continuously antagonize them, they can sit and do work) and a more controlled, supervised environment. They have submitted to this willingly. Now, the Brothers say that I have been plotting with the learners against them (because I have been with the 'troublemakers') and my "study help" is in fact a threat to all of the teachers. I promise that I did apologize, but honestly I swear I have been trying to help! These boys have been threatening me for the whole year that they want to attack the brothers, and I have been trying to hold them at bay by having many, many talks with them, trying to counsel them as best as I know how, etc. What else was I supposed to do????? Gah!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-17698923869171743452014-10-10T14:05:00.000-05:002014-10-10T14:05:52.051-05:00Violence is a thing of the.. Present<div class="MsoNormal">
I started writing this post almost a month ago, but I have a new story now to add to the mix.</div>
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Last term, two hours before rugby practice, one of my most
well-behaved learners brought me a note. It said, “<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Mis I cant attend the practise today. My aunt was steped [stabbed] by my uncle i have to go.”</span>
Obviously, I thought “JESUS what is going on?!” and said, “Of course honey, I
hope everything is ok at your house.” The next day, he came in and told me,
“Miss, my uncle stabbed my aunt seven times.” Concerned, I asked if she was ok
(although how ok could you really be after something like that?) He responded,
“Yes she is fine, but she is no longer with us.”</div>
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<o:p>The last few nights at evening study, where we have the hostel learners return to school for an hour and a half of homework time, we've had some 'incidents.' There are three grade 8 boys who are really independent/aggressive/maybe potheads, and they don't respond well to very firm teachers who talk down to them and give them no freedom. The brothers being some of these teachers. They were scolded for something and chased out of study for the rest of the term by one brother, last week. Then they returned Monday night and were sitting quietly, but asked to leave again because they had been told not to attend. Rather than leaving quietly, they fought one brother, left the school, then started throwing stones at another brother and injured him! For this they were suspended from the school yesterday... but since they didn't leave until the evening train, they came BACK to study with knives and rocks and tried again.</o:p></div>
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Finally, About a month ago, one woman from Tses was out at the
club late at night. An acquaintance escorted her from the club, raped her,
murdered her, and left the body laying in a field. Although this particular man
seemed to be a pretty stupid criminal (he left one of his shoes and one of her
shoes at the scene of the crime… and brought home one of her shoes and one of
his shoes) and was apprehended within 24 hours, this type of story is not
uncommon in our area of Namibia.</div>
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Obviously this kind of violence (or worse) is also frequent
in some parts of the US. First of all, it’s interesting to note that, with
respect to geographical location, socioeconomic groupings are basically flipped
here from how you would expect them to be. There are no “inner cities” in
Namibia. Instead, the center of cities/towns tend to be very upscale and
expensive, while the poor reside on the periphery. In many senses, this helps
to keep the poor poorer, since these individuals frequently walk for hours or
struggle just to afford transport in and out from the city. </div>
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It is also funny though, that “sleepy” villages like Tses
(and in fact most small villages in the south) suffer from extreme violence.
Even learners fight and stab during class, and fights and serious stabbings are
extremely common in the clubs at night. As with basically every significant
problem we see here, we tend to chalk it up to culture, general acceptance of
the behaviour and poverty… but that still doesn’t help address the issue.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzE61ASd2kN8wdD6Ri9SoZdu2vJhAYxM_XwUE-Wj1oFWlxzaf83hCHcfrdWH5O7zFayKdQZsqvEhRu873z6gw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span id="goog_389447179"></span><span id="goog_389447180"></span><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-74747356261455225142014-09-25T09:34:00.002-05:002014-09-25T09:34:36.321-05:00Community at Work<div class="MsoNormal">
People in Namibia are friendly and supportive of each other.
That is the aspect of my life here that I will miss the most when I return to
the States.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For instance, I missed school last week because I got some
flu from the learners. Out of ten teachers, two stopped bye the house, three
called/SMSed me to check in, and another two asked my new housemates if I was
all right. Granted, I felt and looked like shit and all I wanted to do was sit
in bed and ignore the world… but still, you can’t even begin to suggest that
they aren’t looking after me. A ton of learners also stopped by to check in,
and this weekend they all greeted me super enthusiastically, asked after my
health and told me how much they missed me! It’s enough to make you feel loved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then today, I asked for the help of one boy. ONE! Dad
brought me an audio recorder and I was hoping he could sing one of the local
songs for me to remember. When he really understood the project, he returned
with a posse of eight. Half an hour later, there were about 20 other faces
pressed against my windows, singing along. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
People here aren’t isolated. They talk too much, anything.
But the thing is, they make the best of it and there is always someone there if
you need to shout for help.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgIV5yt1X-ZeHpCW0WDJqeuUX8IBmFIS1HIkkYPod1wUWv6uk79wJsU0C7XJIZ69dtqWoXBr6t29QtMkXhARqbTAzotZPs8ZfD-x17iDhbekbfa7kuZNj_XJXgoIZeNoOZrrpJslRVWxN/s1600/IMG_2490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgIV5yt1X-ZeHpCW0WDJqeuUX8IBmFIS1HIkkYPod1wUWv6uk79wJsU0C7XJIZ69dtqWoXBr6t29QtMkXhARqbTAzotZPs8ZfD-x17iDhbekbfa7kuZNj_XJXgoIZeNoOZrrpJslRVWxN/s1600/IMG_2490.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Learners, teachers and community members working together to prepare food for the school 'culture day' in Term II</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dytzmUUvrXc4z4yD0Y6IP075DTn7RAlmNgZ2fv9O_WQP0eWWXHZl1MrMX6fhO8ie0xPoC6N3h1mug61LgM7Ug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the recordings my learners made... I hope this link works?</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369969015578739516.post-51123214682329367902014-09-25T09:33:00.001-05:002014-09-25T09:33:07.862-05:00my kids are awesomeLast weekend, my kids got banned from playing soccer in the hostel yard and they were bored out of their minds. One of them came asking me for something to do and I convinced him to write an essay (it was "fun" because he got to do it on the computer, never mind that it took him 2 hours to type a few paragraphs)... here's a look into his head.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPGDlJv4RyQGRYxiYZVlAq9qIW4li52YiTyDgo9-lSX3kwRx5dw-b1IBGWmFmrwqBiIUJgdQLviojHqqPWckntWMNYP8XU759PZ9Dz0SbhPvYuaeObimj2_n3g6FP8P8spfLeuWzv05UW/s1600/P1190104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPGDlJv4RyQGRYxiYZVlAq9qIW4li52YiTyDgo9-lSX3kwRx5dw-b1IBGWmFmrwqBiIUJgdQLviojHqqPWckntWMNYP8XU759PZ9Dz0SbhPvYuaeObimj2_n3g6FP8P8spfLeuWzv05UW/s1600/P1190104.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_2006042089"></span><span id="goog_2006042090"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is the meaning of life? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is a journey, a trip no one will ever dream of coming
to an end .Life is full of obstacles which of some can be very devastating at
times .At times as a person you can have a thought of giving up life not that
life is being unfair to you ,but because of what people that are your own kind
are wishing for you .But if you consider your life as a gift from God you will
live it to it ,s full potential. Life is like a race if you are eager to win
you will make a success out of it .And the life span of your success will be
long and enjoyable ,if you consider it the most precious reward towards your
hard work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In life we make mistakes and if you are a wise warrior you
will learn from them, but a fool will never noticed making the same mistake
over and over .Life is not about who you are ,but who you are certainly going
to be .If you think you can go on and impress others with what you have or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what you can do life will be awkward
for you .My advise will be like use what you have or what you can do to give
success a room in your life ,and in the end your rewards will be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>huge .Wishing and hoping will be your
key drive aspects in life if you are a visionary person .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Live life as if it is going to end tomorrow ‘’REGRET FOR
YESTERDAY, LIFE FOR TODAY AND WISH FOR TOMMORROW’’, we are just human beings
never were we perfect and never will we be perfect, but try to be the best in
what ever you do. We’ve choices in life, which we are not certain of being
right or wrong, but lets try exploring our choices and we would be sure that
one will be well in advance for our thoughts. We can compare life with a math sum,
you ain, t got a clue of what the turn out of it will be like but in the end
you will either be thank full or disappointed that ,s the reality of life. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705936432216484915noreply@blogger.com0