Wednesday, 25 July 2007

• Not in the brochure........

  There seems to come a point in one’s Peace Corps experience where you think, “Can I do this?” or “What am I here for?” In training they warn you about the ups and downs of service, but I don’t have enough money in my living allowance to subsidize the necessary ice cream intake that these stressful situations require………..

   

  A Lesson in Developing Perspective

  I started a community resource centre with the help of a local youth member.  After proper clearance from the manager and head office we were able to turn a once unusable storeroom into an activity centre complete with mini-library, painting/art table (thanks to all who sent art supplies!!!!), sewing station, mock class room (using old ping pong table pieces as chalkboards) and game centre.  Most of the materials we found in boxes in the storage container (including spiderman smocks!!!!) and were able to also start a weekly tennis club with the cooperation of a local lodge’s courts.  We decorated the room with HIV/AIDS prevention posters, National Geographic maps (thanks Mom!!) drawings and paintings from the kids….we even had a special section for the street children to display their work.  In addition, we distributed condoms and health materials and we were planning to start regular health education classes.  It was the first time since starting at the Red Cross that I was truly passionate about a project and felt that it had a significant impact on the kids and the community. 

   

  About two months after the centre was created I was invited to attend a regional Peace Corps conference in a nearby city.  I was informed before I left that the Head Office was uneasy about all of the materials on the walls as it could damage the “paint.”  I was told most of the drawings and painting would be removed while I was gone and although I was disappointed my only request was to have the children’s art saved as I had planned a little community gallery showing later in the month. 

   

  The day after I left, I got a text from one of the centre volunteers informing me know the room was completely emptied and all of the stuff was in boxes.  I was upset, but though he was just referring to the materials on the walls.  When I returned I found the room completely stripped and all of my materials/activities and disrespectfully thrown into boxes and shoved into the storage container.  Even worse, all of the irreplaceable drawings and paintings of the kids were thrown away.  I was devastated and took it very personally-it was the first time I had cried in Namibia.    

   

  I think the staff and volunteers were surprised I was so hurt and we had a meeting about the whole situation.  It was explained to me that the room needed to be used for conferences (these happen once a month…maybe) and that the room looked messy during activity time.  It was a real cultural awakening for me that my idea of productive child activities was not what the staff wanted.  Generally, children here are seen as primarily as cleaners of the centre, errand runners or just a nuisance.   It is hard to balance what you believe and cultural norms and frustrating when views about ways to improve a program differ on fundamental levels, but I am excited (and nervous) to start again…...we found poles and tarp as well and plan to build an outdoor facility as well as a mobile centre and library…..Getting ready for round two. 

   

  The staff though has been very supportive on other initiatives such as the centre garden and community sewing/knitting project (machines and materials should arrive any day) and I still really enjoy my placement.  In addition, through the mass amounts of cleaning I was able to find a Red Cross flag that now flies high above our centre and after a short meeting with the town council we have regular trash pick-up and bins!!!!!!!!! (oh, perspective).

   

  There’s literally NO PLACE like home

  Next on the emotional landscape…….Exactly one week ago I received a call from my landlord informing me I had to vacate because the previous tenant (his daughter) had to move back in by the end of the month.  Now my house and I have had our difference, i.e. roof leakages, cats jumping through open patches in the door, stalker neighbor kids yelling for me at 6 a.m.  But despite all of the quirks and annoyances it is home.  I enjoy looking up the different insects that invade my shower every night; I look forward to watching the “Gardener’s Daughter (new Spanish soap opera on the one channel I get on my T.V.-Carlos Edwardo needs to get over Louisa Fernanda….); I think I have finally mastered popping popcorn on the left burner; and I have finally found the perfect angle to sleep so my bed frame does not collapse.  And while it has not been the most glamorous of accommodations, I am going to miss the gorgeous walks home along the river and the gentle and friendly waves of my neighbors.  

   

  So far I have been offered a mat on a floor by my 12 year old admirer and an outside room next to a bar by a taxi driver………..real estate in Rundu, Namibia is funny if you already have a home. I will stay with the other Peace Corps volunteer in Rundu until ummmmmmm…….

   

  Do Not Pass Go

  Every Saturday morning I take a group of kids to play tennis at a nearby lodge as they have the only court in the region.  I found about old plastic rackets, ping pong paddle and one proper badminton racket in the storage container at the centre and for the past couple months I take 5-12 kids to play our interpretative version of the game (sometimes we even have a little picnic by the river).  It is usually the most adorable part of my week and I really look forward to it, but two week ago adorable tennis time tuned into an extreme sport. 

   

  Scene: The boys played tennis with cracked rackets while some of the girls played travel monopoly/colored on a nearby bench while I watched the 2 year old baby of the grade 10 learner.  Pleasant day, nice blue sky, the radio was playing the newest Sonny Boy song “Balance”….perfect time for nature to attack.

   

  The owners of the lodge have a pet monkey (small, nimble, looks like curious george) who is usually on a leash right next to the courts.  Somehow the monkey got loose from his collar and leash and proceeded to scamper up and down the fence of the courts screeching and unable to control his new freedom.  As I am trying to remain calm and remember how the professionals of animal planet deal with escaped wildlife, the kids, of course, thought it was hilarious and taunted the monkey, swinging their rackets, all while making monkey noises.  Luckily a member of the staff informed the reception and within 15 minutes the toothless Afrikaner equivalent of the man in the yellow hat came and persuaded the monkey to come down.  This was not before the rude monkey at the dice to travel monopoly and a box of crayons……….lets just say no one was able to buy Park Place for the rest of the day.

   

  Upcoming/Current Project Updates

   

  v     Pen Pals Program: The Red Cross centre in Rundu has about 175 orphans and vulnerable children on our registry.  They range in age from 5-21 and all have an interest in learning more about the world around them. If you or anyone you know is interested (school classes welcome!!) want to be matched up with a Namibian child, youth or adult (mothers very interested), please, please contact me at maggierosepeacecorps@yahoo.com or mail.   English is the country’s official language but translation tools will be used if necessary.

   

   

  Miss Maggie Boehly, Peace Corps Volunteer

  OVC Project Assistant

  Pen Pal Program

  Namibian Red Cross Society: Rundu Office

  P.O. Box 1562

  Rundu, Namibia 9000

  Africa

   

   

  v     Photography Club: Inspired by the movie “Born into Brothels,” we want to start teaching the youth about photography as many of the children have incredible artistic talents.  We have a photo printing lab in Rundu and are working to establish partnerships with local venders.

   

  v     Playground: In a region (Kavango) of over 22,000 orphans there are no public playgrounds. And in the regional centre (Rundu) where I work the handful of playgrounds are fenced and owned by private pre-primary schools.  I am working with the town council to find a plot where we can start construction and have a number of willing contractors. 

   

  v     Mobile Library: Last year the town council built a public library complete with a children’s room.  It is air conditioned and a great place for the community to gather.  Unfortunately, there are no programs or plans to extend the services to the surrounding villages, but we are working on it!

   

  Reminders I am In Peace Corps Namibia

  v     Trying to understand directions in a town with no street names

  v     Cold, cold bucket baths and mosquito bites

  v     Specific time interpretative

  v     Malaria medication

  v     Peace Corps Volunteers’ exchange of recent ailments/cures

  v     Looking at a map and realizing just exactly where I am

  v     Language barriers

  v     Expected to solve any problem

  v     Cold Julys

   

  Ways to Help Cope With the Reminders

  v     Renting movies as local video store (Current favorite pick Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith….yes I cried)

  v     Dinner with Tribal Queen

  v     Peace Corps Volunteer Quotes

  v     Fishing at the river with homemade pole and catching my own bait

  v     Reading fantastic and random books from the Peace Corps library

  v     Watching Alex play the Michael Jackson video game (look for it on old Sega system)

  v     Game park boat trip (hippos and elephants!)

  v     Learning to dance Kizomba from local youth

  v     Sunsets and night skies

  v     Canoe trip dates

  v     Delicious meatpies

  v     Peace Corps Volunteers’ exchange of recent recipes

  v     Letters from home

   

   

  RED CROSS ORPHAN AND VULNERABLE CHILD WISH LIST

  • Clothing (especially t-shirts with USA logos/pictures/etc)
  • Deflated soccer balls
  • Tennis Rackets/balls
  • Towels
  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Coloring Books 
  • KIDS BOOKS (Age 6-18).......they love picture books
  • Pens
  • Pencils
  • Blocks
  • Nail Polish
  • Jump ropes
  • Chalk
  • Playing Cards
  • Sand Toys
  • Soap
  • Kid DVDs (starting Friday movie nights at the center)
  • Legos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Puzzles
  • BOARD GAMES (I bought UNO and Rundu went crazy)
  • Hammocks
  • American Candy
  • Beef Jerky (I get asked everyday for more to be sent)
  • Old magazines
  • Dolls (used for life skills classes)
  • Material (used for the sewing club)

  WISH (Upon a Star) List!

  • DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Play Station (Charge small fee to play to pay for school fees for Red Cross children for those who can pay)
  • DVD player
  • Computer
  • Printer

   

  MPANDU AND THANKS FROM RUNDU NAMIBIAAND THE OVC CENTRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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