During the past couple of days, I had the opportunity to visit a high school in Windhoek, where I shadowed teachers, and talked to the students about teen life in Windhoek.The school I visited welcomed 1,200 students ranging in age from 15 to 21 years. All of the students were extremely polite to their teachers. Classes were large at 40 to 45 students. The most noticeable disadvantage was the lack of materials. One teacher explained that he had only 15 books for 93 students. Some students had notebooks, but others had nothing. The students were very curious about life in the US. Here are a few of the questions they asked:
-Miss, how much does it cost to take a taxi where you are from?
-Miss, what famous people do you know?
-Miss, may I fill your water bottle for you? Please, Miss.
-Miss, are you on facebook?
The school day began at 7:30 am. I really liked that the staff started each day together with coffee or tea in the staff lounge. The principal would stop in to discuss the day and to announce any schedule changes. At 11am, students and staff had a 30 minute break. School ended at 1:15 pm. so that children could go home to eat lunch. There were no meals served at school, which meant that some of the children might not eat at all that day.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the spirit of the teaching staff. The educators were very welcoming and eager to teach me about the education system in Namibia. They were cheerful and patient with students and colleagues, despite the lack of materials, space, and technology. Thanks to these teachers and students, I have new perspective on overcoming the challenges that exist in US schools.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Katutura
On July 17th, we toured Windhoek by van. The most remarkable neighborhood, in my opinion, was Katutura. Katutura means "the place we do not want to live."
Katutura township was created in 1961, when blacks were forced to leave Old Location neighborhood and relocate farther from Windhoek's center. Under apartheid, Katutura residents could not leave their homes from dusk to dawn. The township was divided by ethnic group. To this day, some of the houses are marked with a letter and number, with the letter indicating the ethnic group inhabiting the home.
Driving through Katutura, we first saw small concrete homes protected by gates and barbed wire. Our guides Shamani and Urbanus explained that most of these homes have a small concrete toilet room separate from the house. To this day, some of the homes lack electricity and running water.
As we made our way toward Northern Katutura, we came across shantytowns, where women and men were building shacks out of sheet metal and plywood. The structures were maybe 6'x12' and housed entire families. Women were hanging out freshly washed clothing and cooking meat on old grills. Little children ran barefoot through dirt roads, while stray dogs scavenged for food. This was by far the most devastating sight in Katutura, as people were packed together in extremely poor living conditions. Health care facilities and schools were few, leaving people isolated from basic services.
After visiting the shantytowns, we met with the Young Achievers, a group of young Katuturan adults who meet every Saturday to discuss goals, challenges, and successes. I was touched as I listened to these students. Here they were, living in very poor conditions with limited access to basic education and health, articulating how they would become psychologists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. They spoke with a passion about love, hope, and a desire to bring goodness to the world. The Young Achievers recently published a book and are trying to find funding to print more copies. I hope to obtain a copy before I leave, as we will have an opportunity to visit them again in several weeks.
In a country with over 270,000 orphans, a fifty-one percent unemployment rate, and a fifty percent high school dropout rate, I am humbled by the resiliency and hope of this community as well as their willingness to support one another. Please check out the Katutura photos to see images of the neighborhood and the inspiring Young Achievers.
Katutura township was created in 1961, when blacks were forced to leave Old Location neighborhood and relocate farther from Windhoek's center. Under apartheid, Katutura residents could not leave their homes from dusk to dawn. The township was divided by ethnic group. To this day, some of the houses are marked with a letter and number, with the letter indicating the ethnic group inhabiting the home.
Driving through Katutura, we first saw small concrete homes protected by gates and barbed wire. Our guides Shamani and Urbanus explained that most of these homes have a small concrete toilet room separate from the house. To this day, some of the homes lack electricity and running water.
As we made our way toward Northern Katutura, we came across shantytowns, where women and men were building shacks out of sheet metal and plywood. The structures were maybe 6'x12' and housed entire families. Women were hanging out freshly washed clothing and cooking meat on old grills. Little children ran barefoot through dirt roads, while stray dogs scavenged for food. This was by far the most devastating sight in Katutura, as people were packed together in extremely poor living conditions. Health care facilities and schools were few, leaving people isolated from basic services.
After visiting the shantytowns, we met with the Young Achievers, a group of young Katuturan adults who meet every Saturday to discuss goals, challenges, and successes. I was touched as I listened to these students. Here they were, living in very poor conditions with limited access to basic education and health, articulating how they would become psychologists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. They spoke with a passion about love, hope, and a desire to bring goodness to the world. The Young Achievers recently published a book and are trying to find funding to print more copies. I hope to obtain a copy before I leave, as we will have an opportunity to visit them again in several weeks.
In a country with over 270,000 orphans, a fifty-one percent unemployment rate, and a fifty percent high school dropout rate, I am humbled by the resiliency and hope of this community as well as their willingness to support one another. Please check out the Katutura photos to see images of the neighborhood and the inspiring Young Achievers.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Johannesburg
Finally, Africa!
Our first stop was Johannesburg, where we visited Soweto, a township where the ANC rose to power during apartheid. We saw the homes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu and visited the Apartheid museum. We also met a political activist, Molefi Mataboge, who discussed his involvement in the liberation struggle against apartheid. He also told us about the South African public education system. I was surprised to hear that public school begins for children at age 7. Pre-primary school is only available to those families that can afford to pay tuition.
Yesterday, we flew to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. After a solid night of sleep, we traveled to the Namibian Institute for Education Development and met with curriculum design teams to discuss the national education system. Then, we learned about the history of the Herero people, who were persecuted by the Germans beginning in the 1900s. After eating a delicious West African meal of maize, fish, chicken, beef, and shrimp curry, we learned about the Community-Based Natural Resources Management Program, which has helped increase the animal population, manage wildlife, and create jobs and revenue.
Our days are packed with speakers and visits; we are learning so much! The one downside has been the weather. It has been very chilly. I wore four layers the other day including two wool sweaters and was still cold! So much for all of the warm weather clothing I packed!
Our first stop was Johannesburg, where we visited Soweto, a township where the ANC rose to power during apartheid. We saw the homes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu and visited the Apartheid museum. We also met a political activist, Molefi Mataboge, who discussed his involvement in the liberation struggle against apartheid. He also told us about the South African public education system. I was surprised to hear that public school begins for children at age 7. Pre-primary school is only available to those families that can afford to pay tuition.
Yesterday, we flew to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. After a solid night of sleep, we traveled to the Namibian Institute for Education Development and met with curriculum design teams to discuss the national education system. Then, we learned about the history of the Herero people, who were persecuted by the Germans beginning in the 1900s. After eating a delicious West African meal of maize, fish, chicken, beef, and shrimp curry, we learned about the Community-Based Natural Resources Management Program, which has helped increase the animal population, manage wildlife, and create jobs and revenue.
Our days are packed with speakers and visits; we are learning so much! The one downside has been the weather. It has been very chilly. I wore four layers the other day including two wool sweaters and was still cold! So much for all of the warm weather clothing I packed!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Atlanta Training
I arrived at Emory University in Atlanta two days ago, where I met the 12 other educators on our Fulbright team. Since then, we have been preparing for our journey by discussing Namibian history, choosing curricular areas, and reflecting on privilege, racism, power, and oppression. I am very excited to work with such seasoned educators.
Today we visited the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site. We paused at the reflecting pool, which holds the tombs of Dr. and Mrs. King. I especially enjoyed our guided tour of the home in which King was born.We learned that Dr. King and his two siblings were born in the house. Rev. King hired a doctor from the north to temporarily live with the family and deliver the children, as white doctors in the south refused to deliver black babies. I left the historical site feeling deeply moved and inspired.
After, I ate a delicious meal of turkey, ribs, greens, squash, and cornbread at Thelma's Rib Shack. The ribs were by far my favorite. I've really enjoyed my stay in Atlanta, although I'm not sure I could live through the humidity on a daily basis. I am now waiting to board our 15 hour flight to Johannesburg. Stay tuned for more...
Today we visited the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site. We paused at the reflecting pool, which holds the tombs of Dr. and Mrs. King. I especially enjoyed our guided tour of the home in which King was born.We learned that Dr. King and his two siblings were born in the house. Rev. King hired a doctor from the north to temporarily live with the family and deliver the children, as white doctors in the south refused to deliver black babies. I left the historical site feeling deeply moved and inspired.
After, I ate a delicious meal of turkey, ribs, greens, squash, and cornbread at Thelma's Rib Shack. The ribs were by far my favorite. I've really enjoyed my stay in Atlanta, although I'm not sure I could live through the humidity on a daily basis. I am now waiting to board our 15 hour flight to Johannesburg. Stay tuned for more...
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
About Namibia
In preparation for the trip, I've been reading up on Namibia. Here are a few interesting facts:
Namibia...
Namibia...
- is home to the Namib Desert (the oldest desert in the world).
- hosts the largest cheetah population in the world.
- gained independence from South Africa in 1990.
- is the first nation in the world to write protection of the environment into the national constitution.
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