Yossarian in Africa

Nov. 28
I am going to be teaching math and physical science to 8th graders. Science meets 4 periods a week, math 7. I will have two classes of each for a total of 22 out of a possible 40. I’ll spend my extra time doing secondary projects, they suggested something in the library and helping with the current HIV/AIDS information (which seems to be strictly abstinence, more on that later), but I would like to start some kind of environmental awareness activity. You wouldn’t believe the liter here. They may give me 9th grade math as well, but I’m going to try and avoid that – especially since I’m not sure how difficult teaching and preparing for science will be. I just finished going through the syllabus for my math class. Just like back home there is going to be a dilemma of covering everything I’m supposed to OR covering some things well. I would chose to cover some things well if it wasn’t for the end of the year exam, which is standardized, cumulative, and determines whether or not learners will advance to the next grade.
Another dilemma is memorization of formulas. None of the required formula(e)s (British spelling here) are given on the exam. I plan to appeal to the Ministry of Education, but can’t reasonably expect any change soon, or later for that manner. In the meantime, I wonder if I should give my learners the formulas on their tests throughout the semester to promote understanding over rote learning or require them to memorize them for practice doing so. I have, by chance, back loaded the year with formulas; which may be of benefit. Sorry for you non-math types to have to read that.
Mr. Chapwa, my principal and our host, has been busy checking learners out and finishing marking his exams. Here the end of the school year coincides with the end of the year, and learners are on their way home for several weeks of holiday. So, there hasn’t really been much for me to do – today I walked Lindsey to her school, into town to mail post cards for Lindsey, then to the market. As I entered the market, an elderly woman greeted me kindly, smiling as an employee looked on and laughed (I get laughed at a lot). When I came out she was sitting with a long, straight face. I spoke to her again as she rubbed her thumb and index finger together. I thought maybe she wanted to shake hands again, but as I stretched out my hand she pulled back and continued to rub her fingers in the international sign for “give me money.” I said no and may have even chuckled. Now I am rather sure her whole greeting was just a ploy.
The shops in the town centre opened up as I was writing in my journal today. Along with the restaurant and post office I already mentioned, there is a salon, computer shop (Which the employee said would have the internet “today or tomorrow.” We’ll see… Still waiting to use the internet at my school because the phone lines for the entire town are down.), bike shop, clothing shop, the empty spot reserved for the bank, and two or three that just appeared to look like dry cleaners (though I’m sure they weren’t), just a countertop and a doorway to the back. Bikes are N$770, or $110 including helmet. Not exactly cheap compared to other goods, but not bad considering it’s a 30 minute walk between school and town. Plus, another volunteer is 6 km down the road – an easy bike ride but really long walk.
We are leaning toward living in town. We have yet to decide as we have not been able to tour that property (maybe today?). Even though it is not as nice as the house within my school’s compound, it will be nice to be close to the markets and shops in town. Plus, they close the gate at my school at 9.
The community meeting I mention turned out to be a school meeting at Lindsey’s school. I’m sure she’ll have more to say about it, but I don’t think she’s written anything yet. outofafrica.blogspot.com.
Well, guess that’s it for now. I don’t know if I’ll actually be able to post my blog anytime soon. They’ve been saying the phone lines will be up soon for a while now. Also, I don’t know if I’ll have internet until I get back to Okahandja Dec. 23, we’ll see. Mbaa.


Nov. 26
The final week of training was marginal, not worth writing about really. Saturday we departed to our permanent sites for a five day visit. Thursday, 12 or so of us will meet in Groofontein (one of those “o”s has the two dots over it) for three weeks of model school and living with a local family. That is later; the real interesting news is that we finally know where we are going. The trainers and current volunteers made a large Namibian map out of rope, then as we they called our names, we were escorted to the brick or rock that represented our location. Lindsey and I were taken to a rock (although there are trying to become a brick, more on that later). I’m not supposed to divulge the name of the village. For now at least, I’m not going to break that P.C. policy, but I’ll be happy to email the name to you.
Lindsey is at a combined school for learners grades 1-7. My school is a “semi-private”grades 8-12. I don’t know what the mean by semi. There are learners here from all over Africa and even some from Europe (I believe?) and a few locals. I get the impression, however, that the locals here are the very privileged. My principal quoted a ten minute walk from “downtown,” but after driving it a few times, it seems at least double that. Won’t be a problem though. Lindsey school is slightly closer to town, and probably a mile from mine. My school is in a gated compound with electricity, running (not warm) water, and…the internet! Other than my school, the closest internet is a café in Rundu two bumpy hours away. We were also surprised to have cell phone service here.
We were given a choice on where we live. Option A is a three bedroom house on the compound with a large sand yard, gated fence, cabbage and tomato garden, outdoor faucet, running water, clothes line, laundry room, and (presumably – we didn’t see it) a shower. The downside is that we would be 20+ minutes from the markets in town. Option B is a two bed room again that is fenced and has a clothes line. We were unable to tour the inside, but hope to see it tomorrow. It has a screened in porch. That house is somewhat closer to Lindsey’s school. Although its quite a walk from mine, teachers that live next to it carpool there, so I’d have a ride at least some of the time (they usually leave right after school, and I’m pretty sure I won’t).
The Peace Corps took the Kavongo volunteers to Rundu yesterday, an 8 eight journey I would guess. I saw some deer like creatures, ostrich, and warthogs. Somebody else saw baboons. As we drove north, there were more and more grass huts. Most of them are in groups of three or four with a fence around the lot. In Rundu, we met our prospective principals, went grocery shopping (they have almost everything), picked up two other teachers, and started to travel to our village. The 2 hour ride seemed like longer once we hit the gravel about half an hour in. Also, goats, cattle, donkey, dogs, potholes, puddles, and children sporadically caused us to slow or stop. The road was right along the Okavongo River, which is the northern border. Across the river is Angola.
We are temporarily staying with my principal. He is super duper nice. He took us out for Chicken Curry at the new restaurant. Our village is in the process of substantial growth. They just constructed a town center type compound (everything of value is gated in this country). There is a post office and restaurant among other things. They are really hoping for the bank to come, though. If it does, it will meet on the requirements to be upgraded to town status. Rundu is the only town in the Kavongo. A paved road from there would really help too. The restaurant is the only one in town… I mean village. I think we are going to witness many firsts for the village in the next two years.
This morning we went to the learner’s church service at my school. It lasted, two hours, longer than usual given the fact that there was communion today. The choir was really great to hear. They introduced us at the end of the service and the learners went crazy. I think I’m going to like it here. After that we caught the end of the Lutheran church service in town. It was much longer than two hours and way hotter, so we were glad to only be there for the final 20 minutes. I’m getting tired, and we have to rise early tomorrow. Lindsey is going to be introduced at her school and then (both of us?) at a community meeting after.