First Post In-Country

Greetings from Windhoek, Namibia. Hope everyone is gearing up for a killer new year. At the hostel I'm staying at we're having a braii, a type of Namibian barbecue. I don't know specifically what we're grilling, but I'm told there will be lots of meats. So. Pumped.

Before I forget I'd like to thank everyone who came out my going away party the other week. It was great seeing everybody one last time. And to those who I didn't get to see, my bad. I got pretty busy, I'm a last minute packer.

Getting here was exhausting to say the least. It involved me being dropped off at South Station in Boston (thanks Sara) then taking a bus to NYC, staying overnight at a hotel near JFK and then taking a 14 hour flight to Johannesburg the next morning, followed by a relatively quick one to Windhoek. The group of us got to the hostel we're staying at around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Thankfully we didn't have anything to do yesterday, and today we had some introductory sessions and then went shopping.

Our schedule for the next few weeks is pretty full, with the majority of it involving teacher training. We'll have a couple of basic language sessions, health and safety, HIV/AIDS, etc. We'll also be doing a teaching practicum in the northern part of the country, fairly close to where my placement is. I'll be able to see Oshakati, where I'll most likely be doing most of my shopping, banking, etc.

The other volunteers are some of the genuinely nicest people I've met to date. Thing is, if you can survive a 14 hour flight with these people chances are you'll get along. Everyone seems extremely motivated to be here whether they have a background or degree in education or they're interested in international development, like me!

The next couple of weeks are pretty intimidating considering the amount of information that we need to retain in order to be successful, but I'm not worried...but that may just be a result of the jetlag.

Want to know how to say Happy New Year in Dutch? Caligaph Noo Yarr!

Jason

One Month and Placement

A few days ago I received an email from the Namibia Program Manager letting us know we have less than a month until we arrive in the Namibian capital, Windhoek. I am currently in the process of observing ESL classes at the middle school and high school in Durham. The biggest concern I have in Namibia is my performance as a teacher. A lot of former teachers and new ones at both schools have been extremely helpful with the advice and support they've given me.

I also recently received my placement. I'm going to be living in a town in the north-central part of the country called Omungwelume, located in the region known as Ohangwena. The capital of the north is Oshakati, only 30km away from Omungwelume. I'm going to be teaching English and computer skills at Eengedjo Secondary School, a hostel (boarding) high school. I will be living in a house on the school's campus with another volunteer who has been teaching in Namibia this past year and decided to extend for another. I couldn't be happier with my living situation or school, though I probably shouldn't judge anything until I actually arrive.

Thank you to everyone for your support. Still getting a fix on the date for a going-away party, if any questions or anything email me!

Here is where I'll be living