Ramblings from Namibia

Greetings! I hope everyone’s summer is beginning well. Our winter is proving itself very enjoyable.
The nights get down to mid-40’s & days heat up to low 80’s. Our concrete-block walls absorb the day’s heat & keep it very pleasant throughout the night. Rarely do we even need a fan during the day. Everyone else here is freezing, wearing jerseys & heavy coats in class. And gloves! They share them, so most wear one on the hand that they don’t use to write. They don’t realize it, but they are missing out on a great excuse for not getting their written work done!

For whatever reason, God stays very close by--could it be your prayers??? I find myself reflecting on our time here and getting frustrated with not having the impact that I know we could have, if the teachers would just change!!! So, one day last week, Olivia (with whom I have had a distant relationship due to her obnoxious classroom behaviour) asked if she could talk to me. I figured it was going to be “Miss, why do you hate me?”, and I was flabbergasted when she started out with “my dad beats my mom”. How, in heavens name do you respond to something like that? After many tears and expressed hopes for a harmonious (yes, she used that word!) family life, I asked her what I could do. “Please, just listen to me and advise me.” Okay, God, I get it, you are still using us. Since then, 2 more have asked to talk ‘in private” and another very unlikely candidate asked Jim if she could talk to him ‘sometime’.

I had a disappointment last week, also. Some LRC’s (Learner Representative Council) asked me to draft a letter to teachers asking permission to hold a meeting with all Grade 5-10 learners to gather input for making some changes. I was so excited to see some initiative! They got permission, although the meeting has not yet taken place because the Head of Department dismissed the school early the day of the meeting. Anyway, I got the ‘brilliant’ idea to guide this group to form a council similar to the student councils that we have at home. I offered to become their sponsor teacher (their previous sponsors quit over some money issue--a very long story). Then, the principal came up with guidelines for the “Guardian Teacher” for the LRC’s & I quickly withdrew my offer. The expectations for that group do not have room for anything that vaguely resembles representation of the learners. As Guardian, I would be expected to make sure that all the LRC’s keep their shirts tucked in, wear school-appropriate hairstyles, and generally exemplify model learners in order to monitor their fellow-learners’ appearance & behaviour. No, thank you.

We had a wonderful time with Maureen, Dane & Bobby. Dane loved school, & learners have been asking when he will be back. Maureen ‘taught’ one of Jim’s classes while he went to the dentist. She now understands our love for these children. Bobby talked with Grade 8 & 7, sat in a Grade 9 English class, and he saw the other side. Did not want to attend any more classes. Laughing at people is acceptable here. Knowing that it’s “the culture” doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. I had some very serious talks with those grades. Everyone already knew my stand on that issue. They had been punished numerous times for laughing at fellow-learners, so it is at times like that when I get discouraged.

During our travels to meet our family, we entered an area that was new to us. It was refreshing to see the differences between our area & that strip of land that jets over to Zimbabwe & Zambia. The rural areas look more “African” with almost exclusively round mud/stick homes with thatched roofs arranged into family settlements. The area looked cleaner, and there were FAR fewer ‘shebeens’--non-licensed bars. The rest of Namibia laughs at the Caprivi Strip, they are considered to be uneducated & poor, but it looked inviting to me. We visited the Himba’s again. Each time we see another facet of their lives. This family of about 50-60 had a very large herd of cattle & goats. We arrived as the animals were being brought back to the homestead for the night. The baby goats were kept in a very small & crowded kraal during the day, then as goats came home, three children were in the kraal & handed the babies out to others who very often tossed them to the ground for the baby to find its mother. After feeding, the babies were herded back into their kraal. They are kept separate so the babies don’t keep feeding--the people need the goats’ milk for themselves.

We took them to an open market where Maureen had her cel phone stolen. Our fault, we failed to warn her. She took a picture of a fruit stand & a guy demanded $$ for her taking the picture. She refused because she didn’t take picture of him…her phone was in a mesh pocket of her purse the last time she saw it. When she called it, he answered, but of course hung up as soon as he realized that it must be that rich American…whose phone he swiped!! Still, we have been so lucky. I believe, partly, because Jim is known throughout our town & he is quite the Ambassador!! He wears an ugly bright yellow & blue ‘Quicksilver” hat that makes him distinguishable…and he looks considerably different from most of our neighbours.

I am getting a Spelling Bee organized. Making some changes from last year & have quite a few new learners signing up. Hoping for more teacher support, but I’m okay without it. I know that if we are not replaced with a volunteer next year, this will be the last. This activity is not required by the syllabus, so there is no need to have it.

As soon as I send this off to you, I will remember what I really wanted to tell you, but right now, of course, I can’t.

Keep those prayers coming--the Lord is listening to them. We can handle anything if we know that He is with us.

With love & prayers for you,
sharon