Author: granellen

School officially started for teachers last Monday, January 7 and for learners the following day. However, there was no real teaching last week. Registration with the learners and their parents were completed the first couple days with many trying to get a place for their child. My school always has a long waiting list, but it is in demand even more this year due to major changes in the national curriculum. Without going into much detail schools that used to cater to grades 0-10, will cater only to grades 0-9, forcing 10th graders to find another school. The increased enrollments for grade 10, along with additional subject changes, is wreaking havoc on scheduling for all the secondary schools.

By the end of the week, we received our provisional timetables to get our classes started on Monday, January 14. My schedule had the expected Physical Science (PS) for grades 8C, 8D, and 9D, Mathematics for grade 11B, and Computer Studies (CS) for grade 8B. Art for grades 8A-D was an unexpected addition. When I went to verify the addition, my principal said it was a natural addition since I am so crafty. His wife had showed him the pictures of my homemade Christmas tree and decorations. I think it will be fun and I am looking forward to it even though my schedule is getting full. In addition to the scheduled classes, I will teach a remedial reading class starting in February and co-lead the Girls’ Club. Thankfully, they are on the verge of hiring another Physical Science teacher so some of those classes will shift to the new hire.

My next challenge was realizing that there were conflicts with my classrooms. I had the expectation to teach my PS, Math, and CS classes in my counterparts’ rooms. I knew I might have to find a ‘free’ room for one or two classes since the previous PCV had to do this when her class conflicted with her counterpart’s class. However, I was not expecting the responsibility of finding available rooms for all my classes. The HOD (head of department) for CS came to my rescue. I am now, temporarily, using the e-learning center for all my classes, including art. She has great influence at the school and when she explained how this could work for the time being, the principal agreed. It’s great for me since I can use a computer to show science videos, power point demonstrations, etc. The center is under-utilized because most teachers here are intimidated by the technology. I have offered to help teachers and I can move to their classroom if they want to schedule time in the center for their class.

I finally met my first learners yesterday. After going over a few procedures and brief introduction of the class and myself, I had them list at least 3 favorite things or things they like because I wanted to know more about them. This also allowed me to check how well they could follow instructions and assess their writing skills. I went on to explain that I would use this data to analyze the class. In all the classes I described how I am using concepts from the scientific process- identifying a question/problem, collecting data to investigate it, and then analyzing the data to hopefully answer the question. I connected the activity to the scientific process in all the classes because it relates to PS, as well as Math and CS. So far, so good but the learners don’t have textbooks yet, so it is still going slow. They should have them by the end of this week.

The Peace Corps director of Namibia, Kevin Fleming, did a listening tour of the Otjozondjupa Region last week. On Thursday, after visiting the 4 PCVs in Otjiwarongo (OTT) at our homes and work, he took us to dinner. The next day he went north visiting PCVs in the rural villages. He brought some of them back to OTT on Saturday for a bigger group discussion and dinner for eleven. It was great seeing PCVs from my group and meeting some new PCVs from earlier groups.

All for now with all my love

NOTE: Sorry, my photos and videos are out of order. The Ani bugs are from H’s Aunt and Uncle’s house. The flag and video of M (H’s baby) learning to crawl are at her cousin s house. I will post photo of the tower garden another time.

Part 1. I’ve been pondering creating a vegetable/herb garden and composting. I finally found an idea that I acted upon, a Bottle Tower Garden by Willem Van Cotthem (check it out on YouTube). I talked to H (matrone) about it and she helped me figure out a good place. Initially I thought to use the fence by my house, but it is near a sidewalk outside the property and H said, “People can be so naughty”, meaning they would steal my produce. H suggested the fence we share with the primary school hostel so that’s where I put it. H helped me collect more ‘cool drink’ (soda) plastic bottles, showed me the hostel’s manure pile, and the lawn tools I could borrow. She may be a little doubtful that there will be a harvest, but she is extremely supportive! By the end of the week I had soil prepped, 2 columns of bottles with irrigation funnels, and some seedlings and seeds planted. I planted cucumber, bell pepper, and green beans. I will buy more seeds and set up more towers.

Part 2. H said we had to vacate our houses for 6 hours the next day after the exterminators treated our houses and the hostel. She invited me to come meet her family in the location. When I met her the next day, she handed me a plastic grocery bag, saying we would cook these at her aunt and uncle’s house. I looked in the bag and it was filled with live flying insects! She called them ani bugs. The wings get pulled off, they are cooked with a little water in a cast iron kettle over an open fire, then spread out on paper to cool off. They are ‘cleaned’ again to get any wing remnants off and then set out to dry for several hours. Finally, they are seasoned with salt and eaten. They were crispy and tasty, a nice little snack.

While the ani were drying, we went to H’s cousin’s house. She died the day after Christmas after suffering with cancer. The funeral will be January 12 and this period is like a long wake with lots of family and friends coming and going. It is not morbid and depressing but simply hanging out, telling stories, children playing, and lots of food. I was embraced as one of the family since I was with H and felt very welcomed. I did not understand too much because they are Damara and speak one of the ‘click’ languages, Khoekhoegowab. H pointed out the white flag on the house which indicates a death in the family. I saw this during my site-based training in Omaruru along with the bones that get hung after a wedding. I asked if they also had bones from weddings and she was so excited that I knew about that. They have them too.

I hope you can get a feel of the day with my photos.

All for now with all my love

New Year’s Eve was low key. Sam made us a yummy Thai curry and then I prepared calzones for dinner the next day with PCV Jake from our Group48. He was stopping in Otjiwarongo on his way to Windhoek. We had plans to visit the Cheetah Conservancy Fund (CCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to saving cheetahs around the world, so I wanted something we could quickly prepare when we got home. Sam and Sara headed back to their place just as the sun was setting and I was in bed, reading by 9:30.

I talked to most of my family around 7am on New Year’s Day to wish them Happy New Year since it was midnight EST. Then our plans for the day started disintegrating. The arranged driver was backing out, so we started looking for other drivers. As this was happening, Jake was having trouble getting a ride out of his town. We finally found a driver willing to take us the 45km to the CCF and come back to get us when we were ready, round trip, for a reasonable rate.

We were at the CCF by 11am. They have a nice museum with a film, they have enclosed areas where you can observe cheetahs up close and watch them at feeding time. They also offer a ‘safari’ ride to their larger enclosed area where the cheetahs are somewhat free range. The cheetahs in the closeup area and the ‘safari’ ride area will not be released. These are animals that are too old or have been raised in captivity by humans. They would not survive in the wild. However, what we don’t see are the acres of land, also enclosed, with cheetahs that will be released. These animals are recovering from injuries or caught and delivered to the center for relocation. These animals are not on display for humans because they do not want them accustomed to humans.

By American standards, the visit was not that expensive. However, it was the most money that I have spent in one day on my PCV allowance, especially when our driver said the rate was for one way, not the round trip! I showed him the text where I verified the rate with him and unfortunately, I could see the misunderstanding. I don’t think he was just trying to cheat us. He offered a compromise which was still more than expected, but we took it.

We arranged that we would call when we were ready. We called about 3, thinking it would be 4 before he could pick us up. He was not expecting a call so early and was taking a customer to another town. Long story, short, he picked us up about 5:15. Ah, Africa time.

Jake was having his own troubles but finally got out of town with an estimated arrival time of 8pm. This was too late to have dinner with him, but I sent a calzone to him via Sam and Sara. We all had lunch together
the following day which was great.

Here are some more PCV lessons learned. At least double any travel time whether it’s an hour or a day’s trip, that goes for you or your expected visitor, be very explicit in negotiations even if it seems obvious, time
is different in Africa so just except it.

All for now with all my love

Mira in her makeshift laundry basket swing on Christmas day.

Another busy week with people coming and going. I spent Christmas Eve with my school colleague, Claudia, and her family. One thing I hesitate to share is that I tried one of Henry’s hand-rolled, with a filter, cigarettes. I enjoyed it so much that I must be careful not to take up the habit again!

Christmas Day was an all-day braai with H, the matrone, her family, Sam, Sara, and me. It was fun and casual. My contribution to the meal was lasagna. I learned to make ricotta cheese from the Mali Peace Corps cookbook, found on an online resource that PC provides. It was easy to make, very good, and the lasagna was well received by all.

The surprise for this week was receiving a package on Christmas Eve from an RTI colleague, Vanessa. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) who served in Namibia years ago. RTI has many RPCVs cheering me on and supporting me but none more than Vanessa. This package included difficult-to-find spices for me, a “can” robot model kit to make with my learners, spice bread mix and herbal tea to share with my housemates, and a bag of cars for Blessing. I made the bread, served the tea and Ester could not believe that my friend in America would think of them and was very grateful.

Oh, we had another surprise. On Thursday evening, two of our Group48 volunteers, Nikki and Dionte, came to town unexpectedly on their way to Okahandja. They came for dinner with Sam, Sara, and me. It was such a treat to see these friends/Namily that we haven’t seen since swearing-in in October. Sara decided to join Nikki and Dionte to Okahandja to visit some other PCVs that are there, so it will be their turn for impromptu guests.

If nothing else, PCVs learn to take advantage of opportunities, welcome fellow PCVs with open arms, and make our food stretch! That’s why we call it Namily.

All for now with all my love

This week was different than expected. Sam and Sara, PCVs from my group, live in small villages and have the option to stay the holidays with other volunteers in their region. They came to my town to stay at the primary school hostel since it has plenty of spare room. I invited them for dinner their first night in town and we’ve had dinner every night since, taking turns with the cooking.

Not only have we shared dinners, but Sara and Sam spent the first two nights with me since the hostel property was locked. The volunteer who lives there is traveling and forgot to make arrangements before he left. Having that issue resolved, they moved in, but they prefer my kitchen. Unfortunately, their kitchen is roach infested and does not have the luxury of a 3-burner stove with working oven and a microwave like my kitchen. Their kitchen has an all-in-one appliance of a toaster oven combined with two burners on top, one of which does not work well.

My matrone noticed their coming and going every day and after I explained their situation, she said they should stay with me again, at least while Ester is gone. They moved back over here. My dancing like no is watching was short lived but we’ve been watching movies together, playing some cards, but mostly playing a ‘new to me’ game, Settlers of Catan.

The other surprise of the week was receiving a big package from my family just in time for Christmas. Family kept asking what I needed or wanted so I finally put together a list. My brother’s wife, Barb, jumped on it, promptly bought everything, packed and shipped it. I scoffed when she was told it would arrive in 8-10 days since I have not received school photos of my grandkids sent around November 1st. When the family realized Barb bought everything and sent it already, they chipped in and made it a family Christmas package. I was notified of its arrival on Thursday and picked it up Friday, just over a month from its shipping date. Still no photos…

My favorite is the hammock and the suspension system. I started using it right away and have allowed myself one treat a day until Christmas. I feel guilty since I know this package cost an arm and a leg and I really don’t need anything, but I also must admit how happy it has made me!

All for now with all my love

I have the place to myself this week. Ester and the baby went to visit friends in Windhoek and Martha went up North to be with family. I realized this is the first time in 4 months that I have been alone for more than several hours and I am loving it. My housemates are great, it is more about just not having to consider anyone else for a while. I can crank the music up and dance like no one is watching… because no one is watching.

I have lists of all the reading and prep work I would do this week for teaching. My teaching schedule was updated to include 8&9 grade Physical Science, 8 grade Computer Studies, and 11 grade Mathematics. I have 4 sets of lesson plans. I am happy with the changes, but it means a lot more work. I reviewed all the syllabi and confirmed or updated some schemes of work and weekly planners, but I was mostly sidetracked with thoughts of Christmas.

I have been following a Celtic Advent Calendar (http: contemplativecottage.com), using my sweet little manger scene given to me by dear friend, Anna, long ago. Now I needed more Christmas cheer. Following ideas from a craft book I checked out from our town library, I got to work on dough ornaments. I also made paper snowflakes, yarn hats, and fabric candy canes. I painted a dried branch and made my Christmas tree. I am happy. I made enough to give some as presents so I feel good about that too.

I feel Steve with me because he loved the Christmas season so much. I am grateful for so much in my life that it feels shameful to ever feel sorry for myself. But I do feel sorry for myself because I miss Steve. Will anyone ever know me as well as Steve did? Will anyone ever care for me and make me laugh as much as Steve did? Will anyone ever want to just sit quietly with me and hold my hand? I am so grateful to have had him but sometimes I feel sorry for myself to not have him anymore.

Life goes on. I have much joy in my life. I enjoyed being inspired to bring Christmas cheer into my new home. I enjoyed sharing crafts with new friends and showing them how to make some.

All for now with all my love

Wednesday was the start of our Summer/Christmas holiday. Teachers are off until January 7, which is the start of the school year in Namibia. My PC group is not allowed to have visitors or take vacations until March because they want us to spend these first months integrating into our community and to prepare for teaching. Some exceptions are made if we travel with host country nationals (HCN) or we are collaborating with nearby PCVs, and we can visit nearby PCVs between Christmas and New Year. The idea is we should spend this time learning about our community and its people or enhancing the work we will do here.

Long story, short. I was ‘rush’ approved to go to Swakopmund on Friday after a work colleague (HCN) asked if I could travel with her to help with her 2 young children and because she does not like to drive alone. I could travel back with my school’s principal and his wife (HCN) on Monday. I had to find my own accommodations which were easily arranged with fellow PCVs. It turned out to be a coastal tour with some collaboration along the way.

I spent the weekend with PCVs from my group 48, Megan (site Henties Bay), Nicole (Walvis Bay), and Maggie (Swakopmund). Derek (Swakopmund), from group 47 and in the Community Economic Development sector, hung out with us all weekend. It was a fun-filled weekend with lots of laughter and activities. Derek and Maggie discovered their common passion for movies and music and would often break into song. Derek and Megan would challenge each other with ab workouts or sprints and just routine teasing. The running jokes were about Nicole’s ‘posh’ PC lifestyle and Megan’s supposed lack of movie/TV/music culture.

The reality is that all of us have ‘posh’ PC lifestyles compared to our PCVs in rural areas. We have electricity, indoor plumbing (although Derek must walk outside for his), and easy access to shopping. Still we are needed in our schools and community, we face challenges with integration and language, we are striving to be effective teachers and we take these responsibilities seriously. So, we also spent time before, during, and after activities to talk about these things, to collaborate and share ideas. We visited Nicole’s school, where she will have her own classroom (posh) and helped her figure out seating logistics. We shared ideas about classroom management and time management.

Besides the fun and comradery, the highlights of the weekend were seeing the flamingos and walking around the lagoon in Walvis Bay, hiking up Dune 7 and seeing the ocean from the top, cooling my feet in the water and watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

All for now, with all my love

\n

December 1 was our region’s Thanksgiving celebration, our Friendsgiving, and it was just what the doctor ordered. I made a sweet potato casserole and volunteered to show volunteer, Kelly, how to make the stuffing/dressing and gravy. I think there were 12 of us but I am not 100% sure. I do know that it was a fun crowd and I felt at ease with everyone. PCV Will, an English teacher at the primary school, is a generous host and has it down to an art form.

Sam and Sara, from my group 48, were there and it felt like seeing long lost friends. We saw each other every day for over 2 months and then nothing after swearing in. It is a bit of a shock to not have your training buddies around anymore even those you may not have been close to. They are your Namily and like family, they may frustrate you or you take them for granted, but you miss them when they are gone.

I helped volunteer Bryce problem solve his Mac ‘n Cheese dilemma which was basically to do nothing, I showed Kelly how to make dressing, I attempted making gravy, but the power went out and it never thickened. We decided to eat without it since the last of the fried chicken strips were done and all the other sides were getting cold. It was a feast!

Zach was the DJ of the day and much to my surprise it was mostly oldies and according to him, not because of me. Think “The Big Chill” with everyone moving to the music as they were preparing their dishes and hanging out. Maggie and Rose brought their dogs which is always added entertainment. Paavo, a teacher at the Primary School and the hostel superintendent, is a kind, sweet man who opened the school kitchen to us and shared in our celebration.

December 2 was my housemate’s son’s Baptism. There were about 20 baptisms which took a long time. They honored 4 couples that are getting married this month and then there was some kind of gift exchange, and there were multiple preachers. The service was 4 hours! There was lots of singing, no instruments, just singing and celebration noises they make. The kids can go in and out of the service and mostly play in the yard. Unfortunately, the babies are held, rocked and are mostly unhappy if they are awake. The service is not usually this long. It was due to the baptisms and a bunch of end of year announcements and activities. Oh, it was all in Oshiwambo so I could not understand the words, but I could still get the gist of what was happening. A family reception followed at a local resort and I felt honored to be part of their special day.

All for now, with all my love

Partial student population

Why??

Crazy!

These have been melancholy days starting with Thanksgiving. I have been good about having a plan or mentally preparing myself for days that may be difficult such as our anniversary or Steve’s birthday. I will celebrate Thanksgiving with all the PCVs in this region next Saturday, so I did not plan anything for the actual day. It wasn’t so much about Steve this time, it was ‘why am I here?’

Life is different, I walk everywhere, to school, to get groceries or other shopping, to check my PO box. There are no screens on my windows and it is too hot to close them, so I sweep and dust the debris every day and deal with bees and mosquitoes (topic for another post). However, I live in a relatively modern home, in a relatively affluent town and I am working at one of the top government schools in the country. So, ‘why am I here?’ was on my mind.

I was also missing my family and friends that know me, that know my sense of humor, know when I am just being goofy and trying to make them laugh. I am grateful for my fellow PCVs that I got to know during training, my housemates are very welcoming, and I am developing friendships with colleagues. However, friendships take time to develop and even longer when there is a language barrier. No one in this country really knows me and it is because I am who I am which is pretty guarded. People generally like me, they trust me, but I am not the life of the party, I am older than most of my acquaintances, and I imagine that I am a bit dull. So again, ‘why am I here?’

I was also thinking about teaching in January. Will I be an effective teacher? Will the learners understand me? Will I understand them? The good teachers I know and remember put their heart and soul into teaching. Will I do that?

This has truly been a time of doubt for me but NOT a change of my resolve. I am here because my belief in the Peace Corps mission and goals remains the same. I am committed to completing my service. I am here because this is where I have been asked to serve. This community wants and needs me. I am here because I want to be here.

I’ve included a few random photos. One the daily assembly but this is after the 10 and 12 graders have completed their exams and are no longer at school. I can’t believe that some learners where sweaters and vests and they leave them on even when the temperature risen to 33C (91F). Also, can you believe Black Friday is a thing here?

All for now, with all my love

I live in the teacher quarters of the girls’ hostel for the secondary school. The hostel has a superintendent, but the day-to-day operations are handled by the matrone, Helena (not her real name). From the first day, I knew she was someone to have on your side because she offered meals to me until I got settled in and was able to go food shopping. She also said to just let her know any time I needed a meal, if I was sick or indisposed or any reason, and I could take my meals with the girls. Helena lives in a stand-alone house on the property with her 5year-old girl and her 7month old daughter.

The hostel can accommodate 80 girls. Most of the girls come from villages that are too far away for a daily commute. A few of the girls are orphaned and the hostel serves as their foster home. The buildings are about 80 years old with limited funds for upkeep. I think they do an amazing job of keeping it comfortable and functional. It looks very institutional and rather intimidating, but I think it is a pretty happy place. I wake up to girls singing in the shower, several come by regularly to play with Blessing, and I never hear harsh words of reprimand.

Helena loves gardening and makes sure the grounds are well tended. She often works alongside the men. She also likes baking and asked me for a cake recipe for her daughter’s birthday party at school. She had never made one from scratch, only a box mix from the store. I sent her the link to one I found on the internet similar to what I would make. It turned out well and then she made a sponge cake from the same site. She is now hooked on getting recipes from the internet!

I like visiting Helena and we are slowly getting to know each other’s story. Most recently I learned that she has a 20-year-old daughter in Windhoek, that her 5-year-old daughter is adopted, and that the baby is a late-in-life, surprise baby. I know she grew up in this town, but she was gone for many years and came back when she took this job about 3 years ago.

On another note, the weird cylinder structure, in the photo, is a shared ‘watering hole’ on the hostel property. These are at all the schools I have visited and some other public places. Some work and some don’t. They were needed when there was no or limited indoor plumbing. Inside the metal mesh are rocks and maybe other special materials to filter the water. There are multiple spigots at the bottom of the mesh structure. You can see 2 of the spigots in the photo. This one works but I have not seen anyone use it.