Life here in Usakos is going well. I’ve been super busy with
creating activities for the kids for their weekends, along with helping (and
learning how to) tutor them in mainly math and English – reading, specifically.
Thanks to a few people, I have gotten some great ideas on how to do this. This
has become a wonderful learning experience for me, as well!
My clubs are going well. I gave the younger ones a quick
nutrition lesson, and then asked them to take out their books and write or draw
anything they would like. These kids love to be creative and learn. Some used
crayons to draw. Some copied sentences from English textbooks. Some wanted me
to write the alphabet on the board for them – and then we decided to write
words for each letter. This is a CLUB – yet, these kids wanted to still LEARN!
Amazing!
Here are some pics:
My youth clubs have been slow – as the older kids aren’t so
keen on having to be in this club. But I told them this club is not required,
and I am also slowly gaining their trust. So, I plan on having fun activities
for them, as well as educational ones. Just yesterday, we had a nurse from the
local hospital talk to the older children about birth control and safe sex. I
plan on following up with them next week, and discussing how to use a condom,
HIV/AIDS, and anything else sex-related. Mainly, I have learned that I need to
teach them the biology of sexual organs, as well as pregnancy. Knowledge is
power.
Also, we are so thankful to have received a wonderful
donation from a friend. Because of this, we were able to purchase books,
dictionaries and games for the kids! Everyday, I see these children picking up
the books and reading them. Again, I am just amazed as to how much they WANT to
read – even if they are struggling. With this donation, we are also able to
provide the children with a fun Friday Pizza-Popcorn-and-Movie night! The
mothers worked so hard to make these pizzas, and then we all sat back and
enjoyed watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (some of the children had
read this book in school, and when I told them I had the movie, they become
SUPER excited to see it!).
Here are some pictures from that night:
I have also begun to realize, and try to help with, the
psychosocial aspects the children experience, here at the orphanage. These are good children, but the reality is,
many of them feel like this place is a “jail” to them. They get along with the
other children, and the staff is amazingly supportive and loving – the problem
is, this is not their true, real, biological family. Most of these children are
here because their home-life is not conducive to healthy learning and living.
Ideally, these kids are here temporarily. But many will stay here until they
are 18. Side note – I think I have become the “cool Aunt” here – even the house
mothers ask me to talk with certain children, at times when they are having a
problem or not cooperating. I enjoy this. Though it’s new territory for me –
but thanks to my social worker-friends, and my own “cool Aunts” as role-models,
I am slowly learning how to do this!
The staff here is amazing – they work together, are kind and
loving towards the children, they CARE about their education and growth. My
director is a hard-working, wonderful woman – who’s number 1 priority is the
children. In the past, she has even given her own money to help the children
when needed. This is the sort of woman I love to work for, and am motivated by
to continue to challenge myself to make this Centre the best possible setting
for these vulnerable children, who otherwise may have grown up in very
unhealthy situations – which would have lead them to being uneducated, possible
life of crime, living on the street, early pregnancy, and so much more.
As for me, I’m also studying for the GREs (hoping to take
them in November) and taking an online course – which will help me create a
program for these kids. More info to come on this – but if you’re interested (especially
teachers!), it’s called Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots. Check it out – it’s
all about Service Learning and guiding the children to help their community –
the people, environment and/or animals. I hope to be able to do this with the
children….
One last note – unfortunately, a sad one:
My loyal and wonderful friend and companion, Bear, had to be
put to sleep last week. One day after his 18th birthday. I am so
fortunate to have been able to have spent some time with him while I was home,
visiting Nashville. He did remember me! And we had some good walks together. It’s
been harder than I imagined – losing him, while I’m all the way over here, and
not being there by his side. But I am slowly accepting it. Yes, tears fell. I miss
that dog more than anything. I do feel guilt, that I came all the way over here
– being selfish and leaving him. But I also know that I left him in wonderful
hands to look after him, in a place he loved to roam around and chase the
horses and sticks, if someone dares to spend all day throwing them for him! He
was my buddy. Always there for me – and even knew when I was having a bad day
and was upset. He would come right up to me, as if to say “I’m sorry you’re
hurting. I’m here for you. Now, pet me and you’ll feel better!” And you know
what, I always did J
You know, here in Namibia, Namibians ask me all the time if
I have children. My answer is always “Yes – a dog and a cat”. And then they
laugh. But, it’s true. And I did just lose my child. But I know it was his time
to go. He was very old, and starting to be in a lot of pain. I am just thankful
I was able to spend some time with him in May, before he left us.
I will always miss you Bear!
Peace & Love,
Johanna
