The water continues to rise!

Well, after the trials of Etosha last week, I found myself still in Ongwediva on Monday morning. This meant sleeping on the floor for another night, but it also meant that I did not have to make my way back to Oshakuku by a ‘Hike’ of some sort. I took one of my colleagues to Ondangwa as he was getting a lift back to his work area. The floods were really quite bad here and there were still people by the side of the road with all their possessions. I have included pictures of the floods, but not of the people, as I feel it is not right to do so. Some people are quite pleased as the high water means that there are fish around. These fish seem to survive under the sand for eight months of the year and then appear when it starts to rain. I have included a picture of some of the fishermen, however, we have seen a lot of people using their mosquito nets to fish with. I think they get a lot more fish like that, but it is a bit dangerous and people are drowning.

As Pennie has broken her leg, she has allowed me to use her car, which is great. I went back to Oshakuku and sorted a few things, then drove back to Ongwediva, avoiding the cows, goats and donkeys. I spent most of Tuesday working on a training programme for Cluster Principals, which Pennie and I will deliver at the end of March.

On Wednesday we had no electric for most of the day, but in the morning we met with an inspector to discuss the training. He was from a nearby area called Tsandi, which I am told is where the President of Namibia comes from. Working at the house was quite quiet, but as I looked out of the window the Mongoose seem to enjoy the peace of the area and play in the garden. In the evening I was invited to a local lodge where a famous disabled British actor, Mat Fraser, was appearing. He was a Thalidomide baby and now in his forties, was a great advert for what can be achieved with talent, determination and given the opportunities.

Thursday was more work in the morning, but in afternoon I was invited to a drama performance at the local special school, Eluwa. It was meant to start at 2.00 pm and it was about a mile walk, so I set off with plenty of time to spare. When I got there, I couldn’t find any one who knew what was going on and walked around the school at least three times. I was now late and went back to the reception. I politely asked if the secretary could help me, and she got very upset because I hadn’t spent the normal fifteen minutes on greeting her and exchanging pleasantries. Not a good start, but eventually I found someone who would talk to me and they directed me to a classroom. I needn’t have worried that I was late, because as with all things in Namibia it didn’t start on time. However, it was well worth waiting for and we had a wonderful dance performance from a group of blind and deaf girls, followed by some story-telling drama. Mat Fraser led some of the drama activities and I managed to get the job of taking the photographs. It was a wonderfully inspiring afternoon, and I was really glad I had been invited. However, I did note that the signing and finger spelling is all very different here from our country, which is a great pity as this school would have been a very good link for Parkside School.

On Thursday evening I went to an African drumming class, which was a bit of fun. At the end of the session I even made a sound that was almost rhythmical. I apologise now to Mrs and Mr Holderness and any other musicians for this very poor showing of musical talent and general co-ordination. However, it might not end here as I thought I would even go again some time; sorry music world! I enclose a picture of me with Doris my Zulu instructor to the right of me and a Dutch girl to my left.(Can’t remember her name)

On Friday morning Pennie and I went out into the country and met with my Inspector to discuss the training we were putting on. The journey was interesting because parts of the road had been washed away. When we arrived we found that my inspector had another meeting with Principals, but we managed to squeeze in a brief meeting with him. At twelve I was supposed to have a guided tour of the special school, Eluwa, but the person who was meant to be showing me around, had forgotten she had another meeting. I must get them to use a diary!!!!

The weekend was very interesting and I did a lot of new things. I had my hair cut on Saturday morning, which turned OK, surprisingly. I then went to see a dance group that Doris runs, in the afternoon, where they performed outside a shopping area. (I attach a picture of some of the dancers). In the evening I went to a Braai, which is African for a Bar-B-Q, at the house of the Dutch couple I rescued from Etosha last week. It was really good, but I think I may have had a little bit too much orange squash! I also met a fellow special needs teacher from Suffolk, who went on all night about how Ipswich is doing better than Norwich this year. I couldn’t argue with her as I had just found out that they had lost again to Blackpool.

On Sunday it was back to Oshakuku, and preparing myself for the weeks work ahead.