We are now in Nambia Africa on a 3 week study travel seminar On
Wednesday, May 21 we left Minneapolis at 5:30am to fly to Atlanta,
then boarded South African Air to Johannesburg, South Africa, and
then to Windhoek, the Capital of Namibia. Our travel time took about
twenty-four hours. It was well worth it though since we are having a
life-changing experience here. We began our learning with an
orientation session at the CGE house where we are staying. It began
with a community building activity, after which we discussed topics
that were necessary as we adjust to a new place and culture. The
staff and faculty at the house made us feel very welcome. Students
who are here:
Trip Leaders
Betsey Norgard, Public Relations
Gretchen Irvine, Education faculty
And Gretchen's husband Rusty
The students received a Lilly Scholarship that partially paid the expenses of the trip. The focus for the Lilly grant is learning more about vocation and we are doing that by: defining it, reading passages that are related to vocation, exploring our lives for examples of people who we have known and Namibians who we are getting to know, as well as identifying and writing about our own life path.
If you would like to receive e-mail updates on our travels during our trip, please email the Education Department secretary Cheryl Sticha at or look for our travel website at:
http://web.augsburg.edu/education/namibia
| Marika Belusa | Jenna Bracken | Megan Cameron | Megan Ehresmann |
| Jana Ford | Bonita Gatson | Tami Giinther | Kristin L. Johnson |
| Laura McGowan | Kristen Opalinski | Ben Ties | Dayle Vanderleest |
| Miriam Zien |
Trip Leaders
Betsey Norgard, Public Relations
Gretchen Irvine, Education faculty
And Gretchen's husband Rusty
The students received a Lilly Scholarship that partially paid the expenses of the trip. The focus for the Lilly grant is learning more about vocation and we are doing that by: defining it, reading passages that are related to vocation, exploring our lives for examples of people who we have known and Namibians who we are getting to know, as well as identifying and writing about our own life path.
If you would like to receive e-mail updates on our travels during our trip, please email the Education Department secretary Cheryl Sticha at
Our first full day in Namibia was a beautiful sunny day, and we took an official group photo in front of the CGE house in Windhoek.
During the morning we had a "combi" tour of Windhoek-in our two CGE vans, which here are called "combis." It is a very modern city, with government buildings, museums, and churches reflecting its German and South African colonization days. From the top of a hill across from the Parliament House, the Christ Church-a German Lutheran church known as the "gingerbread church"-presides over the city's downtown. We spent our morning class time in the Parliament Gardens.
During the afternoon, we spent time visiting Katutura, a suburb to which Blacks were relocated, starting in 1959, to remove them from the center city. The first stop was a political cemetery, unkempt and overgrown compared to the "official" cemetery. A marked mass grave there pays tribute to the protest on Dec. 10, 1959 by political activists who opposed the relocation to Katutura.
During the afternoon we stopped at two markets in Katutura-the Soweto market established by the municipal authorities, and the neighborhood market of Tukondjeni. Everywhere we traveled through Katutura, the kids (on school break until June 1) crowded around, waiting for us to take their pictures, especially on digital cameras where they could then see themselves.
We ended the day at the Restaurant Africa, starting to learn about and enjoy traditional Namibian foods.
During the morning we had a "combi" tour of Windhoek-in our two CGE vans, which here are called "combis." It is a very modern city, with government buildings, museums, and churches reflecting its German and South African colonization days. From the top of a hill across from the Parliament House, the Christ Church-a German Lutheran church known as the "gingerbread church"-presides over the city's downtown. We spent our morning class time in the Parliament Gardens.
During the afternoon, we spent time visiting Katutura, a suburb to which Blacks were relocated, starting in 1959, to remove them from the center city. The first stop was a political cemetery, unkempt and overgrown compared to the "official" cemetery. A marked mass grave there pays tribute to the protest on Dec. 10, 1959 by political activists who opposed the relocation to Katutura.
During the afternoon we stopped at two markets in Katutura-the Soweto market established by the municipal authorities, and the neighborhood market of Tukondjeni. Everywhere we traveled through Katutura, the kids (on school break until June 1) crowded around, waiting for us to take their pictures, especially on digital cameras where they could then see themselves.
We ended the day at the Restaurant Africa, starting to learn about and enjoy traditional Namibian foods.
Today, we started off with a nice reflection of Friday's adventures, which was
a nice way to debrief and take in the new surroundings. After the debriefing,
we had an amazing history lesson about Namibia from Urbanis, one of the CGE
staff, where we learned about the German Colonization, all the way up to now
dealing with reconciliation.
After our History Lesson and Lunch, the group celebrated Miriam's 20th Birthday with Cake and a song the group composed themselves using the Brady Bunch Theme. (Miriam says "THANKS YOU GUYS!")
After the Birthday celebration, we headed over to the Victory Women's Center, where the greeted us with Singing and Dancing at the Door! What a welcome! Following introductions the women taught us how to "Glass Paint" to create a layered, almost Batiked look. Later that evening we had a celebration with traditional Namibian food including Lamb and Ginger Beer. Afterwords was followed by more singing and dancing.
It was a Wonderful Day!
By Miriam Zien
After our History Lesson and Lunch, the group celebrated Miriam's 20th Birthday with Cake and a song the group composed themselves using the Brady Bunch Theme. (Miriam says "THANKS YOU GUYS!")
After the Birthday celebration, we headed over to the Victory Women's Center, where the greeted us with Singing and Dancing at the Door! What a welcome! Following introductions the women taught us how to "Glass Paint" to create a layered, almost Batiked look. Later that evening we had a celebration with traditional Namibian food including Lamb and Ginger Beer. Afterwords was followed by more singing and dancing.
It was a Wonderful Day!
By Miriam Zien
We woke up to a new day in Namibia, Africa. Today is ?Africa Day.? Africa Day
is a national holiday. Some of us went to church in the city center of
Windhoek. We went to a Lutheran Church. After church we all piled into the
combies and headed out of the city of Windhoek to a national park. But along
the way we made a quick stop at a gas station to buy some ice and get some
money out of the BOB in other words a cash machine.
We had a picnic at Daan Viljeon National Park. After lunch we listened to Samson Ndeikwila, director of forum of the future, on reconciliation in Namibia. Ndeikwila talked about Namibia?s structure of 10 Pillars of Reconciliation: leadership, unity, mediation, admission and apology, confession and forgiveness, truth, trauma healing, fair sharing of resources, inter- dependence, and loyalty. These ten pillars are the keys to rebuilding a new independent nation.
After Ndeikwila talked we had a chance to go on a hike. A few of us went up to a top of a small mountain. It was amazing to see the vast landscape and the city Windhoek in the background. On our way down the small mountain we saw some Kudu, antelope like animals. After the long day at the park we came back to the Center for Global Education and had a nice supper and some of us played pictionary into the evening hours.
By: Dayle VanderLeest
We had a picnic at Daan Viljeon National Park. After lunch we listened to Samson Ndeikwila, director of forum of the future, on reconciliation in Namibia. Ndeikwila talked about Namibia?s structure of 10 Pillars of Reconciliation: leadership, unity, mediation, admission and apology, confession and forgiveness, truth, trauma healing, fair sharing of resources, inter- dependence, and loyalty. These ten pillars are the keys to rebuilding a new independent nation.
After Ndeikwila talked we had a chance to go on a hike. A few of us went up to a top of a small mountain. It was amazing to see the vast landscape and the city Windhoek in the background. On our way down the small mountain we saw some Kudu, antelope like animals. After the long day at the park we came back to the Center for Global Education and had a nice supper and some of us played pictionary into the evening hours.
By: Dayle VanderLeest
A warm Namibian welcome to all who are currently viewing this site. Ben and I
are here to describe the activities and fun of our day.
Our day began with an early morning of speakers from the Namibian Teacher's Union, the largest teacher's union in Namibia. The main representative spoke to our group about the education system of Namibia, especially issues concerning schools.
The speakers illustrated some of the many challenges that face post- independence Namibia education. Some of these challenges include that while Namibian education is compulsory, there are many learners, especially in the North, who are either unable to attend school, or dropping out before the age of sixteen. Furthermore, we learned that 68% of schools in Namibia do not have toilets, and 60% do not have electricity. Learning these facts put our own education experience in the United States into perspective.
After the Namibian Teacher's Union speakers had left we were given the afternoon off. Ben and I spent time exploring downtown Windhoek. We discovered a new talent: haggling (bargaining). Ben got some great deals by talking down the price of items with merchants. This new found talent made us want to buy more and more. As Ben claims, "I'm just doing my part to prop up the economy"- he most definitely did this!
Once we had returned from our adventure, we headed out to a latino jazz AIDS benefit. It was not quite what I had expected to experience in Namibia: a latino jazz band from New York, New York, playing in a fluorescent-lit warehouse. Still, it was quite fun and new people were met.
Well, that pretty much raps up our day in Namibia. But...there will be much more coming. So, stay tuned!
Our day began with an early morning of speakers from the Namibian Teacher's Union, the largest teacher's union in Namibia. The main representative spoke to our group about the education system of Namibia, especially issues concerning schools.
The speakers illustrated some of the many challenges that face post- independence Namibia education. Some of these challenges include that while Namibian education is compulsory, there are many learners, especially in the North, who are either unable to attend school, or dropping out before the age of sixteen. Furthermore, we learned that 68% of schools in Namibia do not have toilets, and 60% do not have electricity. Learning these facts put our own education experience in the United States into perspective.
After the Namibian Teacher's Union speakers had left we were given the afternoon off. Ben and I spent time exploring downtown Windhoek. We discovered a new talent: haggling (bargaining). Ben got some great deals by talking down the price of items with merchants. This new found talent made us want to buy more and more. As Ben claims, "I'm just doing my part to prop up the economy"- he most definitely did this!
Once we had returned from our adventure, we headed out to a latino jazz AIDS benefit. It was not quite what I had expected to experience in Namibia: a latino jazz band from New York, New York, playing in a fluorescent-lit warehouse. Still, it was quite fun and new people were met.
Well, that pretty much raps up our day in Namibia. But...there will be much more coming. So, stay tuned!
On Tuesday, May 27, 2003 we began our day with a discussion regarding
HIV/AIDS education in Namibia. Next, Mr. Andrew Matjila came to the
Center for Global Education and spoke about his prior role as a
teacher. Also, he talked about his ambitions to improve the school
system to help children unify their language to become centralized to
English because students were not being educated at the same level
because textbooks were not all written in the same language. Later,
he emphasized the importance of one being involved in the native
language because one should not lose touch with their culture. He
became involved in politics of education during the Post-Independence
of Namibia, and we broke up into several groups and visited two
museums in Namibia, which were Alte Feste Museums and the National
Museum. Our task was to locate information and report back on it the
following day. Later that evening a portion of us went out for
Dinner at a pizza restaurant called Pie in the Sky.
I want to highlight on the topic of HIV/AIDS because I feel it is an important topic that needs to be addressed both here in Namibia and the United States. There are many comparisons that one could make that show both cultures are not educated about prevention and needs to be addressed. Our group visited the New Start and Catholic Aids Action and learned about the increasing ratio HIV/AIDS of Namibia was closer to 2:4. Our speaker was Alfina Ndeevelo she clarified that many women are looked down if they want their spouse to use a condom. Men often become upset and beat their wife in front of the neighborhood, which leads to pain and being humiliated in the community. Men will rationalize there reason why the wife wants protection is because she has been unfaithful, but really it is the opposite because most men are promiscuous and their excuse is that they have needs when they are away from their wives when trying to support their families. Women ask their husbands to be protected to ensure that their lives and their children will survive. In the Namibia culture it is customary for women to have a child every three years. When a women becomes pregnant and contracts AIDS she will stop breast feeding, so the babies health will not be put at an extreme risk, but when this occurs the family automatically believes the wife has AIDS/HIV. Other reasons why HIV/AIDS is not acknowledged is because many people are in denial and women feel inferior to men, and their are different cultural issues.
Her program was unique because it allowed the township of Katutura (impoverished community in Namibia) to receive support through counseling, education, blood to be drawn for HIV/AIDS. Next, the specimen is sent to Katutura Hospital, and the results are only told to the client and no documentation is written in their medical chart, which ensures that there will not be a breach broken. Also, nourishment is provided from the soup kitchen, which is sometimes the only meal that clients receive. Also, the center has after school activities, in which volunteers help tutor students and have donated computers and educational software. All of the services I have mentioned earlier are free. This is a nonprofit organization. Another positive thing that children gained is spiritual healing by being involved in camp. When children are at camp they physically draw about their experience involving HIV/AIDS through pictures drawn. In addition, the education that clients receive is to be abstinent.
Other important characteristics that makes this program successful is that it allows the clients to become involved through decorative beaded work in decorations of cards, pins, and bookmarkers. The clients receive a small profit, whereas the center also benefits with a profit of 2/3, which is reinvested in the community to ensure prevention is addressed. Also, I’d like to add the program has participated in a march and other activities to gain involvement from the community.
In conclusion, I hope readers will become more involved in AIDS/HIV prevention and will ask students about their experience through the Center for Global Education and how they plan to become involved. A student could become involved on either a community or national level. Also, remember it can be as easy as talking to children/ adults, or writing an article about a person’s experience with HIV/AIDS, or participating in an activity that supports togetherness to embrace others with the illness, and to help raise money for prevention.
I want to highlight on the topic of HIV/AIDS because I feel it is an important topic that needs to be addressed both here in Namibia and the United States. There are many comparisons that one could make that show both cultures are not educated about prevention and needs to be addressed. Our group visited the New Start and Catholic Aids Action and learned about the increasing ratio HIV/AIDS of Namibia was closer to 2:4. Our speaker was Alfina Ndeevelo she clarified that many women are looked down if they want their spouse to use a condom. Men often become upset and beat their wife in front of the neighborhood, which leads to pain and being humiliated in the community. Men will rationalize there reason why the wife wants protection is because she has been unfaithful, but really it is the opposite because most men are promiscuous and their excuse is that they have needs when they are away from their wives when trying to support their families. Women ask their husbands to be protected to ensure that their lives and their children will survive. In the Namibia culture it is customary for women to have a child every three years. When a women becomes pregnant and contracts AIDS she will stop breast feeding, so the babies health will not be put at an extreme risk, but when this occurs the family automatically believes the wife has AIDS/HIV. Other reasons why HIV/AIDS is not acknowledged is because many people are in denial and women feel inferior to men, and their are different cultural issues.
Her program was unique because it allowed the township of Katutura (impoverished community in Namibia) to receive support through counseling, education, blood to be drawn for HIV/AIDS. Next, the specimen is sent to Katutura Hospital, and the results are only told to the client and no documentation is written in their medical chart, which ensures that there will not be a breach broken. Also, nourishment is provided from the soup kitchen, which is sometimes the only meal that clients receive. Also, the center has after school activities, in which volunteers help tutor students and have donated computers and educational software. All of the services I have mentioned earlier are free. This is a nonprofit organization. Another positive thing that children gained is spiritual healing by being involved in camp. When children are at camp they physically draw about their experience involving HIV/AIDS through pictures drawn. In addition, the education that clients receive is to be abstinent.
Other important characteristics that makes this program successful is that it allows the clients to become involved through decorative beaded work in decorations of cards, pins, and bookmarkers. The clients receive a small profit, whereas the center also benefits with a profit of 2/3, which is reinvested in the community to ensure prevention is addressed. Also, I’d like to add the program has participated in a march and other activities to gain involvement from the community.
In conclusion, I hope readers will become more involved in AIDS/HIV prevention and will ask students about their experience through the Center for Global Education and how they plan to become involved. A student could become involved on either a community or national level. Also, remember it can be as easy as talking to children/ adults, or writing an article about a person’s experience with HIV/AIDS, or participating in an activity that supports togetherness to embrace others with the illness, and to help raise money for prevention.
During the morning on Wednesday, May 28, we heard from three officials in the
Namibian Ministry of Basic Education, Sports, and Culture. Our first speaker,
Ms. Claudia Tjikuua, briefed us on the education structure and talked more
specifically about how HIV/AIDS affects the education system and how the
government is responding on many fronts. .
Education in Namibia is now organized as:
Early childhood Ages 1-6
Primary 4 years lower primary
3 years senior primary
Secondary 3 years junior secondary
2 years senior secondary
Since the education reform after independence, she sees the major achievements in education as the development of a reliable education management and a great increase in access at both primary and secondary levels, especially among black children.
HIV/AIDS has great impact on the education system as students preparing to be teachers drop out because of illness, as the teaching force is reduced because of illness and death, and as the numbers of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS significantly increases.
It is a most difficult and complex set of issues to deal with, since the social stigma of HIV prevents so many people (especially women) from being tested and revealing the illness for fear of being ostracized in the family. Although Namibia is seen among other southern African nations as being advanced in thinking about HIV/AIDS issues, it is felt that only large-scale education can help overcome the stigma and allow people to deal with it directly.
In each of the local education districts, there is a HIV/AIDS coordinator. Namibia has also applied for a portion of the Global Fund for HIV to carry out projects to train all teachers how to incorporate HIV/AIDS discussion in their subjects. They also applied for funding for school feeding programs and counselors.
Dr. Patty Swarts, undersecretary for formal education, spoke to us about building the national curriculum that implements the policy theme, ?Toward Education for All.? The policy advocates lifelong learning for everyone and learning for children that is learner-centered rather than rote, passive learning as was the case pre-independence..
Namibia is striving to provide education that gives greater access, equity, and quality for all its citizens.
Patrick Simalumba from the National Institute for Educational Development gave the background of how the Cambridge (England) system of testing was adopted by the government after independence and how curriculum teams are in the process of ?localizing? the content to be best-suited for Namibian students.
During our afternoon session, we spent time preparing for our 10-day trip to northern Namibia and the Atlantic coast cities.
By Betsey Norgard
Education in Namibia is now organized as:
Early childhood Ages 1-6
Primary 4 years lower primary
3 years senior primary
Secondary 3 years junior secondary
2 years senior secondary
Since the education reform after independence, she sees the major achievements in education as the development of a reliable education management and a great increase in access at both primary and secondary levels, especially among black children.
HIV/AIDS has great impact on the education system as students preparing to be teachers drop out because of illness, as the teaching force is reduced because of illness and death, and as the numbers of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS significantly increases.
It is a most difficult and complex set of issues to deal with, since the social stigma of HIV prevents so many people (especially women) from being tested and revealing the illness for fear of being ostracized in the family. Although Namibia is seen among other southern African nations as being advanced in thinking about HIV/AIDS issues, it is felt that only large-scale education can help overcome the stigma and allow people to deal with it directly.
In each of the local education districts, there is a HIV/AIDS coordinator. Namibia has also applied for a portion of the Global Fund for HIV to carry out projects to train all teachers how to incorporate HIV/AIDS discussion in their subjects. They also applied for funding for school feeding programs and counselors.
Dr. Patty Swarts, undersecretary for formal education, spoke to us about building the national curriculum that implements the policy theme, ?Toward Education for All.? The policy advocates lifelong learning for everyone and learning for children that is learner-centered rather than rote, passive learning as was the case pre-independence..
Namibia is striving to provide education that gives greater access, equity, and quality for all its citizens.
Patrick Simalumba from the National Institute for Educational Development gave the background of how the Cambridge (England) system of testing was adopted by the government after independence and how curriculum teams are in the process of ?localizing? the content to be best-suited for Namibian students.
During our afternoon session, we spent time preparing for our 10-day trip to northern Namibia and the Atlantic coast cities.
By Betsey Norgard
Rock Shandy, Passion Fruit lemonade, and Lemon Twist are three drinks we should
have in the US!
Today we had speakers come and talk to us about the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. Very interesting I must say. We learned the difference between a cheetah and a leopard in terms of their fur.
We also had dinner a restaurant at the Waterburg Plateau. Rock Shandy was the dink of choice for the night. Except for Opie, hers was Amarulla. Very tasty I do say so myself.
Other than these two things it was a "free day". Many people climbed to the top of the plateau or watched the baboons attack our cabins.
Overall, it was not one of our most exciting days but none the less we are in Africa so it really doesn't matter what we do!
Today we had speakers come and talk to us about the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. Very interesting I must say. We learned the difference between a cheetah and a leopard in terms of their fur.
We also had dinner a restaurant at the Waterburg Plateau. Rock Shandy was the dink of choice for the night. Except for Opie, hers was Amarulla. Very tasty I do say so myself.
Other than these two things it was a "free day". Many people climbed to the top of the plateau or watched the baboons attack our cabins.
Overall, it was not one of our most exciting days but none the less we are in Africa so it really doesn't matter what we do!
Today was a truly great day! After an exciting, yet disappointing
(no elephants) game drive last evening we set out this morning for
another crack at it. The whole time Kristin Johnson and I were on
the edge of our seats hoping and praying! Then we saw them, three
elephants! The three beautiful giants were a mere fifty feet away
from us. We first drove by one to our left and then circled around
to drive by the other two. It was an amazing moment that I will
treasure forever.
After our game drive concluded we had breakfast at the campsite. We then loaded up the Combies and started to head towards Ondangwa. A few hours drive brought us to our beautiful Cresta Lodge hotel. The areas surrounding the hotel were pretty poverty stricken which made me feel strange about staying at such a nice place. There were a lot of mixed emotions regarding the Ondangwa area. It was an eye-opening day for us as a group. We started to think about getting ready to visit the schools in the morning.
It was the start of a new month today, a new start that gave us a glimpse into life in northern Namibia.
By Kristen Opalinski
After our game drive concluded we had breakfast at the campsite. We then loaded up the Combies and started to head towards Ondangwa. A few hours drive brought us to our beautiful Cresta Lodge hotel. The areas surrounding the hotel were pretty poverty stricken which made me feel strange about staying at such a nice place. There were a lot of mixed emotions regarding the Ondangwa area. It was an eye-opening day for us as a group. We started to think about getting ready to visit the schools in the morning.
It was the start of a new month today, a new start that gave us a glimpse into life in northern Namibia.
By Kristen Opalinski
We all had to wake up early this morning because we had to be to our schools
here in Ondangwa by 8:00am. Our hotel had a very good breakfast buffet for us
with omelettes, eggs, cereal, fruit, and toast. We were separated into five
different groups to go to schools. All of the schools were either upper primary
or secondary so we were working with students between the grades 5th and 10th
grade.
Gretchen, Dayle, Megan E., and I went to Olukolo Primary School. Since all of the schools are just getting back from a month break, it was a teacher work day today. The schools here are year round. They have three trimesters and in between each trimester they have a break. So tomorrow the students will come and will start their second trimester. When we got to the school, the teachers were having a meeting. We met the principal, who is very nice, and were brought to the meeting and introduced. Gretchen told the teachers who we were and why we are in Namibia. Then the principal told us about their school and paired us up with teachers we will be working with tomorrow. We will all be working with students in grades 5-7. I am going to be going to the math, English, Religion, Oshinango (their mother tongue), music, and phy ed. I found out that I would have to help teach the English and Math class so tonight I have to prepare a lesson in simplifying fractions and also what aggressive, passive, and assertive mean. It should be interesting. Dayle and Gretchen were also asked to teach a math lesson tomorrow. We will all be brushing up on our elementary school math tonight!
We got picked up from the schools at 10:30 and went to museum for the Finnish missionaries. At the museum, we ate a traditional Oshiwambo meal and toured the traditional Oshiwambo homestead. We also bought some baskets and other hand made woven crafts. It was extremely hot out too! We went to a different hotel tonight for dinner and had a very good meal. Then we came back to our own hotel (which is very nice) and went to bed early since we all have school tomorrow!
Jenna Bracken
Gretchen, Dayle, Megan E., and I went to Olukolo Primary School. Since all of the schools are just getting back from a month break, it was a teacher work day today. The schools here are year round. They have three trimesters and in between each trimester they have a break. So tomorrow the students will come and will start their second trimester. When we got to the school, the teachers were having a meeting. We met the principal, who is very nice, and were brought to the meeting and introduced. Gretchen told the teachers who we were and why we are in Namibia. Then the principal told us about their school and paired us up with teachers we will be working with tomorrow. We will all be working with students in grades 5-7. I am going to be going to the math, English, Religion, Oshinango (their mother tongue), music, and phy ed. I found out that I would have to help teach the English and Math class so tonight I have to prepare a lesson in simplifying fractions and also what aggressive, passive, and assertive mean. It should be interesting. Dayle and Gretchen were also asked to teach a math lesson tomorrow. We will all be brushing up on our elementary school math tonight!
We got picked up from the schools at 10:30 and went to museum for the Finnish missionaries. At the museum, we ate a traditional Oshiwambo meal and toured the traditional Oshiwambo homestead. We also bought some baskets and other hand made woven crafts. It was extremely hot out too! We went to a different hotel tonight for dinner and had a very good meal. Then we came back to our own hotel (which is very nice) and went to bed early since we all have school tomorrow!
Jenna Bracken
June 3, 2003
I'm Loren 'Rusty' Irvine, husband of Professor Gretchen Irvine and I?ve been traveling with the students visiting Schools in Namibia. Today you will have a report with maybe a little different viewpoint.
This is the day that no one has been looking forward to, as we have to travel 800 km (about 500 miles) in the two Combis (vans) from Ondangwa in Northern Namibia (about 40 km from Angola) to Swankopmund on the Atlantic Ocean. We have been staying the last three days at the Cresta Lodge in Ondangwa, which can best be described as a Ramade Inn type motel in the middle of a dry sandy flat land, but again we will be moving to the unknown.
Today?s travels were divided into 4 semi equal segments, with gas, toilet, and (or) soda breaks at the end of each of the first 3 segments. The first segement stops at the town of Tsumeb, which is in the heart of the former copper mining area of Namibia, it appears the copper mines have primarily closed because of economic problems and Tsumeb has now turned into a farming community and tourist stop over location.
Of course half way to Tsumeb we had to clear one of the many army checkpoints in Namibia, which make you wonder how free citizens are to travel in this Country, although every citizen tells us they are free to travel. This checkpoint does make sense though because it is on the red line which divides the Northern 20% of Namibia from the Southern part, and because of animal diseases in Northern Namibia no livestock or animal products are allowed in the Southern part of Namibia.
The 2nd and 3rd segments ended at Otjiwarongo and Karibib, which are both, supposed to be agricultural trade centers, but I sure didn?t see much sign of agricultue in these areas. No crops evident in these areas, mostly game farms and some cattle, goat and sheep herd.
Well after 10 hours in the Combi, seeing many wild deer type animals along the road and a few extra toilet stops, we finally arrived in Swakopmund, which looks like a well to do European town. We did spend about 100 km crossing the Namib desert, which most of the time looked like the Sand Hills of Nebraska, except in the middle of winter the temperature is 65 degrees rather then a wind chill of minus 65 degrees.
By; Loren ?Rusty? Irvine
I'm Loren 'Rusty' Irvine, husband of Professor Gretchen Irvine and I?ve been traveling with the students visiting Schools in Namibia. Today you will have a report with maybe a little different viewpoint.
This is the day that no one has been looking forward to, as we have to travel 800 km (about 500 miles) in the two Combis (vans) from Ondangwa in Northern Namibia (about 40 km from Angola) to Swankopmund on the Atlantic Ocean. We have been staying the last three days at the Cresta Lodge in Ondangwa, which can best be described as a Ramade Inn type motel in the middle of a dry sandy flat land, but again we will be moving to the unknown.
Today?s travels were divided into 4 semi equal segments, with gas, toilet, and (or) soda breaks at the end of each of the first 3 segments. The first segement stops at the town of Tsumeb, which is in the heart of the former copper mining area of Namibia, it appears the copper mines have primarily closed because of economic problems and Tsumeb has now turned into a farming community and tourist stop over location.
Of course half way to Tsumeb we had to clear one of the many army checkpoints in Namibia, which make you wonder how free citizens are to travel in this Country, although every citizen tells us they are free to travel. This checkpoint does make sense though because it is on the red line which divides the Northern 20% of Namibia from the Southern part, and because of animal diseases in Northern Namibia no livestock or animal products are allowed in the Southern part of Namibia.
The 2nd and 3rd segments ended at Otjiwarongo and Karibib, which are both, supposed to be agricultural trade centers, but I sure didn?t see much sign of agricultue in these areas. No crops evident in these areas, mostly game farms and some cattle, goat and sheep herd.
Well after 10 hours in the Combi, seeing many wild deer type animals along the road and a few extra toilet stops, we finally arrived in Swakopmund, which looks like a well to do European town. We did spend about 100 km crossing the Namib desert, which most of the time looked like the Sand Hills of Nebraska, except in the middle of winter the temperature is 65 degrees rather then a wind chill of minus 65 degrees.
By; Loren ?Rusty? Irvine
Today, we visited five schools in the Ondangwa, Namibia area of northern
Namibia located 40 miles south of Angola. Augsburg's student teachers were
given the opportunity to spend a half day with assigned teachers to discuss and
learn about the educational instruction processes used to guide learners.
Olukolo Primary Heroes Primary Nangolo Junior Secondary Lihenda Junior Secondary Oluno Complete Secondary
The five schools we visited had start and end times that varied between the hours of 7:30am to 1:45pm. Many of the schools begin each day with a prayer. Learners stand to greet teachers upon entering the classroom and remain standing until given permission to be seated. English is the language of instruction while many of the learner's home language is Shindonga. Schools were begining third quarter, (June, July, and August), and returning from a fall break. The government of Namibia funds the schools while families of the learners are required to pay annual school fees ranging from $150 to $300 Namibian dollars. Private school fees are usually higher. Cambridge System has been used since post independence as standard of instruction.
It was very exciting to visit with the principles, teachers, administrators, and learners inside their world of educational environments. Thanks
By: Bonita F. Gatson
Olukolo Primary Heroes Primary Nangolo Junior Secondary Lihenda Junior Secondary Oluno Complete Secondary
The five schools we visited had start and end times that varied between the hours of 7:30am to 1:45pm. Many of the schools begin each day with a prayer. Learners stand to greet teachers upon entering the classroom and remain standing until given permission to be seated. English is the language of instruction while many of the learner's home language is Shindonga. Schools were begining third quarter, (June, July, and August), and returning from a fall break. The government of Namibia funds the schools while families of the learners are required to pay annual school fees ranging from $150 to $300 Namibian dollars. Private school fees are usually higher. Cambridge System has been used since post independence as standard of instruction.
It was very exciting to visit with the principles, teachers, administrators, and learners inside their world of educational environments. Thanks
By: Bonita F. Gatson
Hi all our faithful followers. This update comes to you from Swakopmund,
Namibia, Africa. It is a tid bit chilly here, but we are enjoying our time.
This is one of the last stops of our 10 day journey. We have seen baboons,
giraffes, elephants, and many more. We also talked to some people from the
Cheetah Conservation Fund.
Today we went heard about Swakopmund and it's history. Than we went around the city and looked at the socioeconomic areas of town. It was interesting seeing the house of people that had very little money and than seeing the house of the man who says he is "one cent short of being God".
We also toured two schools that were very different from our schools up north. The first one a primary school had just received money for a new computer lab and library. We also were sung to at the school by two groups of 3rd graders. The song I remember is "This is the day the Lord has made...". They did a great job. We also stopped at a well-to-do secondary school. It is the oldest school in Namibia and one of the nicest.
This afternoon we have a free day as we prepare to go to Walvis Bay tomorrow. Thank you for following us and see you in less than a week.
-Megan Ehresmann
Today we went heard about Swakopmund and it's history. Than we went around the city and looked at the socioeconomic areas of town. It was interesting seeing the house of people that had very little money and than seeing the house of the man who says he is "one cent short of being God".
We also toured two schools that were very different from our schools up north. The first one a primary school had just received money for a new computer lab and library. We also were sung to at the school by two groups of 3rd graders. The song I remember is "This is the day the Lord has made...". They did a great job. We also stopped at a well-to-do secondary school. It is the oldest school in Namibia and one of the nicest.
This afternoon we have a free day as we prepare to go to Walvis Bay tomorrow. Thank you for following us and see you in less than a week.
-Megan Ehresmann
We slept last night again at the Lutheran Camp in Swakopmund. Today we
journeyed 20 minutes in the combis to the neighboring city of Walvis Bay. Bruce
Stewart and town planning officers addressed us at the municipality in a formal
council room. They told us of the structure of the city government and the
industries, fishing and service, that support the community. The city plans
for organized growth will position the community as an investment destination.
We then visited two very different secondary schools: one an Africaans
speaking school that is not a public school, but a state aided one. There are
540 learners with 18 teachers and 6 others hired using school funds. From
there we traveled to a different area of town, the former black township during
apartheid which still is atttended by black youth and does not have the funding
that the first school does. The head teacher truly showed us a stellar example
of a teacher who sees teaching as a vocation: much different than a "job".
Ask the travler you know about her sometime. We stopped into the biology class
where we were impressed with the teacher and the learners. They had such a
/ositive environment for learning.
After lunch we headed to the Namib Desert and Dune 7. Such a physical challenge but the climb with defininitely worth it as we gazed for miles from our perch on top!
By Gretchen
After lunch we headed to the Namib Desert and Dune 7. Such a physical challenge but the climb with defininitely worth it as we gazed for miles from our perch on top!
By Gretchen
We spent our third night at the Lutheran Guest House in Swakopmund. The
facilities were very "basic" and seven students stayed in one 2 story apartment
and six in the other. Some wanted to buy food and make some things they had
been missing. We packed up in the morning by 9:00 and headed the 4-6 blocks to
town for a free morning. Visiting the beach on the Atlantic Ocean was a
favorite, even though it is winter in Namibia. We scrambled through town
visiting Safari gift shops, clothing stores, book stores etc. We were so
pleasantly surprised to see the musical group from the second high school we
visited yesterday on the street playing in an attempt to sell their CDs. We
were good/great customers!
At 1:00 we met Urbanus and Passat and Mike and Kwame and packed ourselves back into the combis to travel the 4 hours to Windhoek. On the way we stopped to see the town of Rossing built by the mining company and where Urbanus was a primary school principal.
Sarah and Eveline has made potato-leek soup for our return. We enjoyed that nurturing food after many days on the road learning a tremendous about abou the education system here.
by Gretchen
At 1:00 we met Urbanus and Passat and Mike and Kwame and packed ourselves back into the combis to travel the 4 hours to Windhoek. On the way we stopped to see the town of Rossing built by the mining company and where Urbanus was a primary school principal.
Sarah and Eveline has made potato-leek soup for our return. We enjoyed that nurturing food after many days on the road learning a tremendous about abou the education system here.
by Gretchen
08 June 2003
Hello All! There is not much to report on today. It was the closest thing to a full free day that we've had since we've been in Namibia. We weren't quite sure what to do with ourselves (besides Ben and Opie who had economic boosting plans, a.k.a shopping).
Everyone chose to do different things with their day. Some people chose to attend an Evangelical Baptist Church in the beautiful city of Windhoek. We are told that it was thoroughly enjoyed. Other people chose to go into the city of Windhoek and further explore, as well as buy gifts for people back home. Still, a few others chose to lounge around the CGE house reading, or occupying their time on computers. Overall, it was a very liesurely day.
This day was not a planned free day, but rather became one. We had planned to meet a few teachers from schools in the Windhoek area, mostly from schools we will be attending tomorrow. However, due to reasons unknown, only one teacher appeared for the decadent lunch that had been provided by Evelyn and Sarah. Mr. Kamatoto from Van Ryan Primary school joined us for lunch. He is a social science teacher for seventh graders. Apparently, he loves Kudu and is very cool. The amazing food and amiable presence of Mr. Kamatoto, as well as additional free time, made this day a success.
That's all to report from here in Windhoek. We hope all of you back home, or whevever you are viewing from, are having a wonderul day. We'll see you soon!
Sincerely, Ben Ties and Marika-Analise Belusa
Hello All! There is not much to report on today. It was the closest thing to a full free day that we've had since we've been in Namibia. We weren't quite sure what to do with ourselves (besides Ben and Opie who had economic boosting plans, a.k.a shopping).
Everyone chose to do different things with their day. Some people chose to attend an Evangelical Baptist Church in the beautiful city of Windhoek. We are told that it was thoroughly enjoyed. Other people chose to go into the city of Windhoek and further explore, as well as buy gifts for people back home. Still, a few others chose to lounge around the CGE house reading, or occupying their time on computers. Overall, it was a very liesurely day.
This day was not a planned free day, but rather became one. We had planned to meet a few teachers from schools in the Windhoek area, mostly from schools we will be attending tomorrow. However, due to reasons unknown, only one teacher appeared for the decadent lunch that had been provided by Evelyn and Sarah. Mr. Kamatoto from Van Ryan Primary school joined us for lunch. He is a social science teacher for seventh graders. Apparently, he loves Kudu and is very cool. The amazing food and amiable presence of Mr. Kamatoto, as well as additional free time, made this day a success.
That's all to report from here in Windhoek. We hope all of you back home, or whevever you are viewing from, are having a wonderul day. We'll see you soon!
Sincerely, Ben Ties and Marika-Analise Belusa
Look, a kudu!
Well we actually didn't see any kudu today, but we did get to spend the day observing and/or teaching in the schools here in Windhoek. We were divided into four groups to attend four different schools. Some of us actually got to teach a lesson for the first time, others were content with observing the classroom behavior, and a lucky one got to sing our National Anthem to two different classes.
In the afternoon we had our final reflection time...tear. We discussed, as a group, the many lessons we have learned from the different experiences we have encountered here in Namibia. And more importantly, we discussed how to take those lessons with us and incorporate them into the classrooms in the United States.
This evening we enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, the first of its kind since we arrived here. Now we are busy making the final touches on our journals, as they are due tomorrow morning! Tomorrow will be the last day for craft buying so we all need our rest, especially Opie and Ben. We will be seeing you all soon!
hOlla,
Jana Ford
Well we actually didn't see any kudu today, but we did get to spend the day observing and/or teaching in the schools here in Windhoek. We were divided into four groups to attend four different schools. Some of us actually got to teach a lesson for the first time, others were content with observing the classroom behavior, and a lucky one got to sing our National Anthem to two different classes.
In the afternoon we had our final reflection time...tear. We discussed, as a group, the many lessons we have learned from the different experiences we have encountered here in Namibia. And more importantly, we discussed how to take those lessons with us and incorporate them into the classrooms in the United States.
This evening we enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, the first of its kind since we arrived here. Now we are busy making the final touches on our journals, as they are due tomorrow morning! Tomorrow will be the last day for craft buying so we all need our rest, especially Opie and Ben. We will be seeing you all soon!
hOlla,
Jana Ford