9.14.2004
After a really stressful start on Monday for the Window of Hope, Tuesday faired much better. I learn through experience at least! Little did I know unless specified, catering didn’t automatically include tea cups, saucers, spoons etc. Thanks to the TRC my girls ran to the rescue and WE survived. Wonderful experience today facilitation very important discussions surrounding the topic of sex, sexuality and how do we give lifesaving information without encouraging sex at the same time. Just such difficult topics when the knowledge must be passed on with life-saving potential and at the same time it’s to children 10-14 and many of these topics and practices break cultural norms on so many levels. Will admit I found myself fin a somewhat uncomfortable position as I gave a brief background on the views of sexuality from a western vs. African traditional perspective. I suppose what was hardest about this moment was the obvious divide between myself and everyone else in the room. After living here for close to one year I’ve adapted in many ways and enjoy being part of this group. Times like today are reminders that I am an outsider and always will be. The potential good in that is hopefully at these moments everyone else in the room can see across tribal/cultural barriers and unify as Namibians and not so much as the sub-groups.
Lighter note:
1. The topic of “wet dreams” and women linked up in some question…glad to have my AP Psych coursework to draw from and talk about dreams and correlations to arousal states!
2. Uh, sorry Sylvia there were 24 lunches 3 minutes ago on that table and only 21 of us…hummm?
3. Can joke about dreams but singing is a serious matter…we’ve had someone directing adapted versions of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and if you’re Happy and You Know It? People are talented and not messing around with this art form.
After long, long days working with adults nothing is better than stopping on the walk home to play with a few kids and watch their eyes light up and hearts lift because you took the time to stop for 5 minutes and show them you care. Time is definitely slower here and it’s great to see how much you can appreciate “the little things” when you bother too. Sunsets here are like no other as well as the positive hearts and souls of these people
Lighter note:
1. The topic of “wet dreams” and women linked up in some question…glad to have my AP Psych coursework to draw from and talk about dreams and correlations to arousal states!
2. Uh, sorry Sylvia there were 24 lunches 3 minutes ago on that table and only 21 of us…hummm?
3. Can joke about dreams but singing is a serious matter…we’ve had someone directing adapted versions of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and if you’re Happy and You Know It? People are talented and not messing around with this art form.
After long, long days working with adults nothing is better than stopping on the walk home to play with a few kids and watch their eyes light up and hearts lift because you took the time to stop for 5 minutes and show them you care. Time is definitely slower here and it’s great to see how much you can appreciate “the little things” when you bother too. Sunsets here are like no other as well as the positive hearts and souls of these people
9.11.2004
Powerful times as I reflect on the present as compared to the near past. I woke up today with full awareness of the significance of the date. I didn’t interact with so many today yet upon first meeting some Namibians and hearing my country of origin they share their views on 9-11. The scene in my classroom at UHS when first watching the news will always remain a potent flashbulb memory. Other memories from UHS have been revived as we just finished our “Teacher of the Year” celebration for the Mariental District schools of the Hardap Region. 32 schools were asked to select a “Teacher of the Year” for their school by means of a faculty vote. 26 schools responded after much prompting and reminders from the TRC staff. Although this exercise is an annual event in the U.S. and sometime viewed with little enthusiasm, this even was a historical one. It was amazing to see everyone from the MBESC regional office pull together to decorate the hall “African Style”. Mrs. Greeff (school counsellor) brought ½ her garden I think! Things were so stressful that last day that my Americanism came busting out. We were warned that Americans we have a strong internal locus of control and want to control our environment and situation so, when schools were faxing in information for the programme the day of, I stated losing it. Luckily, my colleagues and friends with stronger external locus of control kept me calm and all was finished in time. Yes, we finished copying the programmes with 5 minutes till start time. The hall looked great, people were dressed to a tee, school cultural groups were a glow and all went well. Since this is not such a novel idea in the states it was no until we were into the event and I heard my manger speaking of this being a dream come true that she’s wanted to do this for year, than the significance really hit me. Then speaker after speaker mentioned how this as a historical even in Namibia, the first ever celebration of this nature. Next thing I knew NBC (National broadcasting) was there we didn’t even invite them! After the speeches, performances and many thanks ewer given one teacher came up to me glowing since “Not only is she the Teacher of the Year for her school but also the first ever and no one else will ever be able to say that”. Many others expressed how they truly hope this will become an annual ever and not a one time and that it really is motivational and a positive spin on such a tough profession. I know this type of ceremony works for all people, thanks to UHS and Penny Parrish, I’ll never forget the day Penny handed me a plaque in Dr. Brumbaugh’s class recognizing me or when a bunch of balloons and a camera entered my classroom giving me claim to Newbie of the Year…it’s a confidence builder for sure and is part of the reason I can do what I am able to now, here.
Than you again and again to the Russell family (my blood) for coming through as always and supporting the crazy middle child unconditionally. As always couldn’t have done it with out you all! The theme of the event surrounded this quote
“A child is not an empty vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
He who wants to light that fire must Glow himself”
Everyone latched on to it and also seemed quite pleased with their engraved lighters not only to display but for what else ….braaing of course! Days like these remind me I really am in the Peace Corps!
Than you again and again to the Russell family (my blood) for coming through as always and supporting the crazy middle child unconditionally. As always couldn’t have done it with out you all! The theme of the event surrounded this quote
“A child is not an empty vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
He who wants to light that fire must Glow himself”
Everyone latched on to it and also seemed quite pleased with their engraved lighters not only to display but for what else ….braaing of course! Days like these remind me I really am in the Peace Corps!
9.07.2004
I never know where I left off, what stories are on here or sent via letters I’ve sent home to this person and that so I can only write about my most current experiences, here’s the latest….
Since Spring has arrived and the time has sprung forward an hour my evenings bring much more joy. Just now I waltzed out to the back corner of my yard to gaze at the illuminated stars and absence of any moonlight. Two yappy Jack Russell terriers joined me to keep from utter stillness taking over. In the close distance I could faintly hear the hostel boys chatting and making mischief as they began to settle down fro bed, it is already half past eight. Lying back looking up at the stars brought back a favourite memory of summer 2003, as Chris Schletter and I got off the bus at a rest stop somewhere in Indiana and plopped down to check out the star filled sky. Just as this thought crossed my mind the Southern Cross caught my eye. It’s easily found here as it is the pointer for the South Pole more or less. Often in my travels here it’s always pointing home since most of my Namibian travel takes me north. It will be strange to look up one day and not see this comforting sign. If you can’t tell life is going well and is on the upswing. In just a few days we’ll be having out “teacher of the year” celebration for 31 schools. Watching the excitement grow in my supervisor’s eyes and pride in the event to come, is almost reward enough. At least one of the papers should cover the story and hopefully if all goes well we could be trendsetters. I’ll keep you posted. Just really cool to invite “cultural groups” instead of a choir or dance group, and get one group of 30 learners that do it all…I only wonder if it’s warm enough for the traditional garb too!
After sitting and talking through this idea since November 2003 it’s nice to know we’re so close!
The following 4 weeks will be filled with workshops I’ll be co-facilitating. The first is an extra-curricular club focusing on shaping behaviours in grade 4/5 learners to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS…do you ever remember talking about the 4 fluids that can transmit HIV when you were in grade 4? Necessary life skill here. Thing is it’s a great, fun and positive way to approach self-esteem building etc and is being implemented nationally by the end of the year.
So yes, people hear all about HIV/AIDS all the time and re not as excited necessarily yet, they are calling and inquiring constantly about a 3 hour Reading Comprehension workshop focussing on grades 4-7. Crazy eh! The whole country realizes what a problem reading is in a country where a “reading culture” is almost non-existent. Now you can understand why books are so cherished. One of the goals for Educational Library Services by 2005 is for each school to have 3 books per learner in each school library…it’s a big task especially since teachers in charge of school libraries move from school to school the library often suffers significantly since there is no one to continue running it. It’s wonderful to see how eager everyone is to attend this, I only hep we can serve their needs and not disappoint. Just today I was questioned 4 times about when and where the workshop would be. This is just so opposite to many reactions of teachers in the states who to often had to be dragged to “professional development” sessions or mandatory ESOL classes. I ‘m very thankful I was at a school in the past that initiated such efforts to continually enhance best practices. In speaking to a local principal today, eh mentioned how English many be the official language but is most often a child’s 3rd language and they don’t/can’t read in the first two. So, how can they be expected to in their third! Challenges that will take dedication, hardwork and generation. Luckily with the eager, responses of so many, there is an air of positivism.
On a lighter note about the topic of English…I’ve heard complaints about my poor grammar on here…all just part of painting the picture of life here J Many ”mistakes” you may find may be common language (Namlish) here so take it all in. I will also share the responsibility that all of us PCVs here joke about, how fast your “American English” begins to falter, part of the experience? To calm any of your worries about my language skills which have never been my strength throughout life, it all seems to come back rather quickly…after a few weeks with at least one other American around, I was mumbling, rolling, using slang and even some 3 syllable words!
* Note: By the end of the month I should be getting a PCV roommate so let me know if you see some improvement.
Since Spring has arrived and the time has sprung forward an hour my evenings bring much more joy. Just now I waltzed out to the back corner of my yard to gaze at the illuminated stars and absence of any moonlight. Two yappy Jack Russell terriers joined me to keep from utter stillness taking over. In the close distance I could faintly hear the hostel boys chatting and making mischief as they began to settle down fro bed, it is already half past eight. Lying back looking up at the stars brought back a favourite memory of summer 2003, as Chris Schletter and I got off the bus at a rest stop somewhere in Indiana and plopped down to check out the star filled sky. Just as this thought crossed my mind the Southern Cross caught my eye. It’s easily found here as it is the pointer for the South Pole more or less. Often in my travels here it’s always pointing home since most of my Namibian travel takes me north. It will be strange to look up one day and not see this comforting sign. If you can’t tell life is going well and is on the upswing. In just a few days we’ll be having out “teacher of the year” celebration for 31 schools. Watching the excitement grow in my supervisor’s eyes and pride in the event to come, is almost reward enough. At least one of the papers should cover the story and hopefully if all goes well we could be trendsetters. I’ll keep you posted. Just really cool to invite “cultural groups” instead of a choir or dance group, and get one group of 30 learners that do it all…I only wonder if it’s warm enough for the traditional garb too!
After sitting and talking through this idea since November 2003 it’s nice to know we’re so close!
The following 4 weeks will be filled with workshops I’ll be co-facilitating. The first is an extra-curricular club focusing on shaping behaviours in grade 4/5 learners to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS…do you ever remember talking about the 4 fluids that can transmit HIV when you were in grade 4? Necessary life skill here. Thing is it’s a great, fun and positive way to approach self-esteem building etc and is being implemented nationally by the end of the year.
So yes, people hear all about HIV/AIDS all the time and re not as excited necessarily yet, they are calling and inquiring constantly about a 3 hour Reading Comprehension workshop focussing on grades 4-7. Crazy eh! The whole country realizes what a problem reading is in a country where a “reading culture” is almost non-existent. Now you can understand why books are so cherished. One of the goals for Educational Library Services by 2005 is for each school to have 3 books per learner in each school library…it’s a big task especially since teachers in charge of school libraries move from school to school the library often suffers significantly since there is no one to continue running it. It’s wonderful to see how eager everyone is to attend this, I only hep we can serve their needs and not disappoint. Just today I was questioned 4 times about when and where the workshop would be. This is just so opposite to many reactions of teachers in the states who to often had to be dragged to “professional development” sessions or mandatory ESOL classes. I ‘m very thankful I was at a school in the past that initiated such efforts to continually enhance best practices. In speaking to a local principal today, eh mentioned how English many be the official language but is most often a child’s 3rd language and they don’t/can’t read in the first two. So, how can they be expected to in their third! Challenges that will take dedication, hardwork and generation. Luckily with the eager, responses of so many, there is an air of positivism.
On a lighter note about the topic of English…I’ve heard complaints about my poor grammar on here…all just part of painting the picture of life here J Many ”mistakes” you may find may be common language (Namlish) here so take it all in. I will also share the responsibility that all of us PCVs here joke about, how fast your “American English” begins to falter, part of the experience? To calm any of your worries about my language skills which have never been my strength throughout life, it all seems to come back rather quickly…after a few weeks with at least one other American around, I was mumbling, rolling, using slang and even some 3 syllable words!
* Note: By the end of the month I should be getting a PCV roommate so let me know if you see some improvement.
I never know where I left off, what stories are on here or sent via letters I’ve sent home to this person and that so I can only write about my most current experiences, here’s the latest….
Since Spring has arrived and the time has sprung forward an hour my evenings bring much more joy. Just now I waltzed out to the back corner of my yard to gaze at the illuminated stars and absence of any moonlight. Two yappy Jack Russell terriers joined me to keep from utter stillness taking over. In the close distance I could faintly hear the hostel boys chatting and making mischief as they began to settle down fro bed, it is already half past eight. Lying back looking up at the stars brought back a favourite memory of summer 2003, as Chris Schletter and I got off the bus at a rest stop somewhere in Indiana and plopped down to check out the star filled sky. Just as this thought crossed my mind the Southern Cross caught my eye. It’s easily found here as it is the pointer for the South Pole more or less. Often in my travels here it’s always pointing home since most of my Namibian travel takes me north. It will be strange to look up one day and not see this comforting sign. If you can’t tell life is going well and is on the upswing. In just a few days we’ll be having out “teacher of the year” celebration for 31 schools. Watching the excitement grow in my supervisor’s eyes and pride in the event to come, is almost reward enough. At least one of the papers should cover the story and hopefully if all goes well we could be trendsetters. I’ll keep you posted. Just really cool to invite “cultural groups” instead of a choir or dance group, and get one group of 30 learners that do it all…I only wonder if it’s warm enough for the traditional garb too!
After sitting and talking through this idea since November 2003 it’s nice to know we’re so close!
The following 4 weeks will be filled with workshops I’ll be co-facilitating. The first is an extra-curricular club focusing on shaping behaviours in grade 4/5 learners to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS…do you ever remember talking about the 4 fluids that can transmit HIV when you were in grade 4? Necessary life skill here. Thing is it’s a great, fun and positive way to approach self-esteem building etc and is being implemented nationally by the end of the year.
So yes, people hear all about HIV/AIDS all the time and re not as excited necessarily yet, they are calling and inquiring constantly about a 3 hour Reading Comprehension workshop focussing on grades 4-7. Crazy eh! The whole country realizes what a problem reading is in a country where a “reading culture” is almost non-existent. Now you can understand why books are so cherished. One of the goals for Educational Library Services by 2005 is for each school to have 3 books per learner in each school library…it’s a big task especially since teachers in charge of school libraries move from school to school the library often suffers significantly since there is no one to continue running it. It’s wonderful to see how eager everyone is to attend this, I only hep we can serve their needs and not disappoint. Just today I was questioned 4 times about when and where the workshop would be. This is just so opposite to many reactions of teachers in the states who to often had to be dragged to “professional development” sessions or mandatory ESOL classes. I ‘m very thankful I was at a school in the past that initiated such efforts to continually enhance best practices. In speaking to a local principal today, eh mentioned how English many be the official language but is most often a child’s 3rd language and they don’t/can’t read in the first two. So, how can they be expected to in their third! Challenges that will take dedication, hardwork and generation. Luckily with the eager, responses of so many, there is an air of positivism.
On a lighter note about the topic of English…I’ve heard complaints about my poor grammar on here…all just part of painting the picture of life here J Many ”mistakes” you may find may be common language (Namlish) here so take it all in. I will also share the responsibility that all of us PCVs here joke about, how fast your “American English” begins to falter, part of the experience? To calm any of your worries about my language skills which have never been my strength throughout life, it all seems to come back rather quickly…after a few weeks with at least one other American around, I was mumbling, rolling, using slang and even some 3 syllable words!
* Note: By the end of the month I should be getting a PCV roommate so let me know if you see some improvement.
Since Spring has arrived and the time has sprung forward an hour my evenings bring much more joy. Just now I waltzed out to the back corner of my yard to gaze at the illuminated stars and absence of any moonlight. Two yappy Jack Russell terriers joined me to keep from utter stillness taking over. In the close distance I could faintly hear the hostel boys chatting and making mischief as they began to settle down fro bed, it is already half past eight. Lying back looking up at the stars brought back a favourite memory of summer 2003, as Chris Schletter and I got off the bus at a rest stop somewhere in Indiana and plopped down to check out the star filled sky. Just as this thought crossed my mind the Southern Cross caught my eye. It’s easily found here as it is the pointer for the South Pole more or less. Often in my travels here it’s always pointing home since most of my Namibian travel takes me north. It will be strange to look up one day and not see this comforting sign. If you can’t tell life is going well and is on the upswing. In just a few days we’ll be having out “teacher of the year” celebration for 31 schools. Watching the excitement grow in my supervisor’s eyes and pride in the event to come, is almost reward enough. At least one of the papers should cover the story and hopefully if all goes well we could be trendsetters. I’ll keep you posted. Just really cool to invite “cultural groups” instead of a choir or dance group, and get one group of 30 learners that do it all…I only wonder if it’s warm enough for the traditional garb too!
After sitting and talking through this idea since November 2003 it’s nice to know we’re so close!
The following 4 weeks will be filled with workshops I’ll be co-facilitating. The first is an extra-curricular club focusing on shaping behaviours in grade 4/5 learners to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS…do you ever remember talking about the 4 fluids that can transmit HIV when you were in grade 4? Necessary life skill here. Thing is it’s a great, fun and positive way to approach self-esteem building etc and is being implemented nationally by the end of the year.
So yes, people hear all about HIV/AIDS all the time and re not as excited necessarily yet, they are calling and inquiring constantly about a 3 hour Reading Comprehension workshop focussing on grades 4-7. Crazy eh! The whole country realizes what a problem reading is in a country where a “reading culture” is almost non-existent. Now you can understand why books are so cherished. One of the goals for Educational Library Services by 2005 is for each school to have 3 books per learner in each school library…it’s a big task especially since teachers in charge of school libraries move from school to school the library often suffers significantly since there is no one to continue running it. It’s wonderful to see how eager everyone is to attend this, I only hep we can serve their needs and not disappoint. Just today I was questioned 4 times about when and where the workshop would be. This is just so opposite to many reactions of teachers in the states who to often had to be dragged to “professional development” sessions or mandatory ESOL classes. I ‘m very thankful I was at a school in the past that initiated such efforts to continually enhance best practices. In speaking to a local principal today, eh mentioned how English many be the official language but is most often a child’s 3rd language and they don’t/can’t read in the first two. So, how can they be expected to in their third! Challenges that will take dedication, hardwork and generation. Luckily with the eager, responses of so many, there is an air of positivism.
On a lighter note about the topic of English…I’ve heard complaints about my poor grammar on here…all just part of painting the picture of life here J Many ”mistakes” you may find may be common language (Namlish) here so take it all in. I will also share the responsibility that all of us PCVs here joke about, how fast your “American English” begins to falter, part of the experience? To calm any of your worries about my language skills which have never been my strength throughout life, it all seems to come back rather quickly…after a few weeks with at least one other American around, I was mumbling, rolling, using slang and even some 3 syllable words!
* Note: By the end of the month I should be getting a PCV roommate so let me know if you see some improvement.
