Just when I lost hope that I would get gifts...Johnny and I went to visit the farm. How strange that we live on a farm in the village yet there is another farm about 1.5 hour drive from the home. Anyway, we went to the farm and had a great time. I met some people-and almost got a baby as a gift-the only problem was the mother was still breastfeeding-not to worry-she said that in 1 year I must come back to take the baby!
Anyway, it has been raining and cool-but very humid! Still, lots of sweat!
hope all is well-I imagine it is now that Obama is in office.
love to all
maggie
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
what a day!
Today I went to a village to conduct some interviews...and I got stuck 3 times in the mud...stuck so bad that it required anywhere from 3 to 8 people to push me out of the mud!
But all is better...I'm sitting at a hotel in the town watching the BBC broadcast of the inauguration ceremony...I'm so moved by the possibility of change!
But all is better...I'm sitting at a hotel in the town watching the BBC broadcast of the inauguration ceremony...I'm so moved by the possibility of change!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
the weekend
Today is sunday and two of the boys and I came into town. I am using the internet and the guys are watching soccer on TV...
Yesterday I went to the pension (gathering where the people over 60 years old go to collect their monthly pension of N$300- US$30). It was so much fun! I've before-many years ago-but I just sat with Meme Berta and Tate Teo-a couple that named thier daughter after me-as they sold fat cakes, drinks, and cooked meat. It is a place that I ran into many peopole that I have not seen since being back. the only complaint was the dripping sweat from every part of my body-including my knees!
Yesterday I went to the pension (gathering where the people over 60 years old go to collect their monthly pension of N$300- US$30). It was so much fun! I've before-many years ago-but I just sat with Meme Berta and Tate Teo-a couple that named thier daughter after me-as they sold fat cakes, drinks, and cooked meat. It is a place that I ran into many peopole that I have not seen since being back. the only complaint was the dripping sweat from every part of my body-including my knees!
Friday, January 9, 2009
PMPCO
Today I went to the most amazing place run by a wonderful man! PMPCO stands for Pendo Multi Purpose Community Organization which cares for, trains, and advocates for children with disabilites! Tomas, the executive director, was kind enough to have in, show me around, and talk with me. Next week the children will come and I will do some volunteer work there! I can't wait.
There was one little boy there today that I meet. He was born a typical child but neglected by family-I kind of followed the story, but not completely, his mother had put kept him sitting in one place and he would use the toilet in that place-an animal came and began eating him-literally-and now he is paralyzed from the waist down...also he is also cognitively disabled due to the neglect. Tomas found him living in the local hospital-he lived there 9 years-now he lives PMPCO. The stories are heart retching-but the organization is doing such good work!
I keep saying I'll post new photos-but always forget to bring my cord...I'll do it next time!
maggie
There was one little boy there today that I meet. He was born a typical child but neglected by family-I kind of followed the story, but not completely, his mother had put kept him sitting in one place and he would use the toilet in that place-an animal came and began eating him-literally-and now he is paralyzed from the waist down...also he is also cognitively disabled due to the neglect. Tomas found him living in the local hospital-he lived there 9 years-now he lives PMPCO. The stories are heart retching-but the organization is doing such good work!
I keep saying I'll post new photos-but always forget to bring my cord...I'll do it next time!
maggie
Its been a long time...
Since I lasted posted. Last week we went to the coast to surprise one sister for her birthday. Maria was turning 26. She lives in Walvis Bay with the father (Fredrick) who is a Pastor there. So, Meme, Johnny, Eveline, Freddy and myself all took the 8 hour trek to the coast. It was a great trip...The weather was nice and hte company was even better. We had a great time on Maria's birthday-Meme and Tate would not go out to dinner with us because they wanted us to "be free" Which I think is code for drink a beer if we want-as they don't drink! We also spent some time at the shore collecting shells and rocks. Eveline loves the rocks! We watched teh sunset over the ocean and the sand dunes! So beautiful.
We were suppose to leave on Sunday..but as Tate is a pastor and has his own congregation in Walvis Bay, I thought it would be nice if we all went to church with him...and Meme agreed. So on Sunday morning all of us were getting dressed-except Meme...I asked Maria and she said Meme didn't feel like going to church-the pastor wife not going? So, I asked and she changed her mind (I think from guilt). Anyway, we all went to church-which I was dreading b/c ususally it lasts hours on end and we are all stuffed into small, uncomfortable pews-and...I was right. It lasted 2.5 hours-I was stuffed like a sausage into a pew with everyone's hips spilling into each other's space and of course it was in Oshindonga-so I only understood a few words. As we came late-not a surprise-we were just crammed into any space that was open so Maria sat in the back of the church, Johnny sat in the pew in front of me, and Meme and I sat together. Once church was over, Johnny and Maria began telling me the stories of what people were saying about me in the church...as I was the only white person in a sea of 1000 Ovombo faces, I was the talk of the church! Mostly they were talking about if I understood what was being said-espeically because I was clapping at the right times and standing at the right times...so they think I understood everything!
Johnny had a meeting with the chief of police in Walvis on Monday to see about getting a job a police officer...the chief then stopped by the house later in the day. It seems the best way to get jobs in Namibia is to know someone-I hope he get this job!
On Tuesday we headed back to Oshikondiilongo and a only 2 incidents with the local police. I don't know what happens to me in this country but I can get a bit argumentative with the police...but all in all, the only ticket given was to Johnny-thankfully becuase I already have one ticket here and soon the warrent for my arrest will be issued! They will never catch me-I fit right in! haha
Now back at home...the rains have not come in a few days so the fields are dry and not much work to do other than to clear weeds...so last we we (all the kids) had our hoes in hand and were clearing the weeds in the homestead area...they are always amazed that I can use the hoe. Meme was only concerned that I would cut my foot becasue the ground is dry-but I didn't!
We were suppose to leave on Sunday..but as Tate is a pastor and has his own congregation in Walvis Bay, I thought it would be nice if we all went to church with him...and Meme agreed. So on Sunday morning all of us were getting dressed-except Meme...I asked Maria and she said Meme didn't feel like going to church-the pastor wife not going? So, I asked and she changed her mind (I think from guilt). Anyway, we all went to church-which I was dreading b/c ususally it lasts hours on end and we are all stuffed into small, uncomfortable pews-and...I was right. It lasted 2.5 hours-I was stuffed like a sausage into a pew with everyone's hips spilling into each other's space and of course it was in Oshindonga-so I only understood a few words. As we came late-not a surprise-we were just crammed into any space that was open so Maria sat in the back of the church, Johnny sat in the pew in front of me, and Meme and I sat together. Once church was over, Johnny and Maria began telling me the stories of what people were saying about me in the church...as I was the only white person in a sea of 1000 Ovombo faces, I was the talk of the church! Mostly they were talking about if I understood what was being said-espeically because I was clapping at the right times and standing at the right times...so they think I understood everything!
Johnny had a meeting with the chief of police in Walvis on Monday to see about getting a job a police officer...the chief then stopped by the house later in the day. It seems the best way to get jobs in Namibia is to know someone-I hope he get this job!
On Tuesday we headed back to Oshikondiilongo and a only 2 incidents with the local police. I don't know what happens to me in this country but I can get a bit argumentative with the police...but all in all, the only ticket given was to Johnny-thankfully becuase I already have one ticket here and soon the warrent for my arrest will be issued! They will never catch me-I fit right in! haha
Now back at home...the rains have not come in a few days so the fields are dry and not much work to do other than to clear weeds...so last we we (all the kids) had our hoes in hand and were clearing the weeds in the homestead area...they are always amazed that I can use the hoe. Meme was only concerned that I would cut my foot becasue the ground is dry-but I didn't!
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