Hi everyone,
Well I have now completed three weeks in Namibia, and it’s been quite an experience. I now feel that I am getting to know some of the local customs and traditions, however, I sill have a lot to learn.
The week started with a meeting about the area conference, which was to take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There does seem to be a thing called Namibian time here, as we were meant to start at 9.00 am, but actually got going at 10.30 am. The meeting lasted for about 2.5 hours, but could have been completed in about one hour.
I then went on to Outapi, further north, and met with the area Director, Anna and the Special needs Team. This Team seem to be made up of Counsellors and Social Workers. They were very interested in the information I may be able to give them about the range and types of special need. As a result of this conversation, I am now delivering a talk to the team, on the three workshops I am planning to present to schools, on the 23rd February. My biggest problem here is getting around; Outapi is sixty Kilometres away and I have to get myself there, some how. I don’t think I can cycle it in this heat, currently 36 degrees and very humid.
On Tuesday I had a lie-in till 6.00 am (4.00 am English time). I worked from my house all morning and got most of the first workshop completed. At lunchtime, I tried for the 3rd time to open a post office account, unsuccessfully again. This time the computer link wasn’t working. I met with the Principal of Nuuyoma at 2 pm and agreed the three workshops I would deliver at the school; the first next Wednesday. In the evening I joined Bonnie at the school and we helped her least able Maths group at homework club.
On Wednesday, after another bad nights sleep I decided to decided to do it the African way and got up early to do my washing. So at 4.30 a.m. Namibian time, I was hand washing all my dirty clothes; I think I am getting quite good at it now. Went off to the first day of the conference with Rudi, and Andreas, two Swiss volunteers, and sat in a very full and very hot hall. It was actually quite good until they decided to do it in their local language. At lunch I sat with the VIP’s including a local King, The Director of Education and the Chief of Police. We had the local food of ground millet and some sort of cabbage. It was very gritty to taste, but I am informed that this is the real stuff and it’s where they pound the millet with wooden logs that makes it taste gritty.
Bad news on return to the house, we had no water again. We were also very short of electric and couldn’t buy a top-up. Went to bed at 7.45 p.m. with a torch.
Thursday, the second day of the conference went quite well, but on returning home we still had no water. So it was showering using cold water in plastic bottles again. However, I did mange to open a post office account and we got some electric back on. So I could have a fan tonight. Hooray!
Friday was the last day of the conference, and it went well, except the first session went from 8.30 a.m. to 12.45 without a break of any sort. My, these Namibians can talk!
Went off to Ongwediva for the weekend and met up with my two Head Teacher Colleagues. I did some shopping on Saturday morning, and then went to visit a home for special needs children who don’t go to school. I enclose some pictures of my new best friends. They were great, but the conditions they had to live in were not very good. I think I will try to get them some things to play with as they had very few toys etc. to stimulate them. Most couldn’t walk and were incontinent; I will leave you to imagine the smell in the hot weather. However, most of them were so happy and pleased to have any visitors.
I also attach pictures of my Baobab tree, outside my house, the local primary school, Mupewa, with the school Principal and some of his learners.
I wonder what next week will bring?
Best wishes to all at home.
Barry
Well I have now completed three weeks in Namibia, and it’s been quite an experience. I now feel that I am getting to know some of the local customs and traditions, however, I sill have a lot to learn.
The week started with a meeting about the area conference, which was to take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There does seem to be a thing called Namibian time here, as we were meant to start at 9.00 am, but actually got going at 10.30 am. The meeting lasted for about 2.5 hours, but could have been completed in about one hour.
I then went on to Outapi, further north, and met with the area Director, Anna and the Special needs Team. This Team seem to be made up of Counsellors and Social Workers. They were very interested in the information I may be able to give them about the range and types of special need. As a result of this conversation, I am now delivering a talk to the team, on the three workshops I am planning to present to schools, on the 23rd February. My biggest problem here is getting around; Outapi is sixty Kilometres away and I have to get myself there, some how. I don’t think I can cycle it in this heat, currently 36 degrees and very humid.
On Tuesday I had a lie-in till 6.00 am (4.00 am English time). I worked from my house all morning and got most of the first workshop completed. At lunchtime, I tried for the 3rd time to open a post office account, unsuccessfully again. This time the computer link wasn’t working. I met with the Principal of Nuuyoma at 2 pm and agreed the three workshops I would deliver at the school; the first next Wednesday. In the evening I joined Bonnie at the school and we helped her least able Maths group at homework club.
On Wednesday, after another bad nights sleep I decided to decided to do it the African way and got up early to do my washing. So at 4.30 a.m. Namibian time, I was hand washing all my dirty clothes; I think I am getting quite good at it now. Went off to the first day of the conference with Rudi, and Andreas, two Swiss volunteers, and sat in a very full and very hot hall. It was actually quite good until they decided to do it in their local language. At lunch I sat with the VIP’s including a local King, The Director of Education and the Chief of Police. We had the local food of ground millet and some sort of cabbage. It was very gritty to taste, but I am informed that this is the real stuff and it’s where they pound the millet with wooden logs that makes it taste gritty.
Bad news on return to the house, we had no water again. We were also very short of electric and couldn’t buy a top-up. Went to bed at 7.45 p.m. with a torch.
Thursday, the second day of the conference went quite well, but on returning home we still had no water. So it was showering using cold water in plastic bottles again. However, I did mange to open a post office account and we got some electric back on. So I could have a fan tonight. Hooray!
Friday was the last day of the conference, and it went well, except the first session went from 8.30 a.m. to 12.45 without a break of any sort. My, these Namibians can talk!
Went off to Ongwediva for the weekend and met up with my two Head Teacher Colleagues. I did some shopping on Saturday morning, and then went to visit a home for special needs children who don’t go to school. I enclose some pictures of my new best friends. They were great, but the conditions they had to live in were not very good. I think I will try to get them some things to play with as they had very few toys etc. to stimulate them. Most couldn’t walk and were incontinent; I will leave you to imagine the smell in the hot weather. However, most of them were so happy and pleased to have any visitors.
I also attach pictures of my Baobab tree, outside my house, the local primary school, Mupewa, with the school Principal and some of his learners.
I wonder what next week will bring?
Best wishes to all at home.
Barry
1 comment:
We read every week with interest. Glad all going well and you have started your workshops and they have been well received. Always enjoy the photos too! Just thought we'd comment so you know folk are reading your news....
Post a Comment