I keep thinking I’m going to get better at keeping up with
this blog… but then life happens. Haha… Sorry everyone!
I’ll try to summarize:
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I successfully completed my first term of teaching. It was crazy and
frustrating and wonderful. Teaching is really hard work! But, even on the “bad
days” when nothing goes as planned… I’m learning to just go with the flow and
do whatever I can. I’m slowly getting better at finding those teachable
moments, when to bring out the inflatable beach ball to keep things
interesting, or how playing Frisbee can become an English lesson.
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Last term one of my main focuses was getting the library up and running. It
went pretty well! I’m in the process of making a few changes in the system to
help check out times go more smoothly. The learners love it though! It makes me
so happy to see kids so excited about books. I’ve never had fewer than 50
learners come any time the library has been open!
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Camp Glow! Camp Glow is a youth development camp that I had the pleasure of
being a part of this year! It was an amazing week! We had 80 learners there
from all over Namibia, some of whom had never before left their village. The
week was jam-packed with activities about leadership, health, gender awareness,
and planning for the future. We had a blast! I already can’t wait for next
year! One of the best things about it was our Namibian counselors. We had 12 of
them, some still in high school, all of them amazing! Spending time with them
gave me so much hope for the future of Namibia. They are so passionate and
smart and wonderful, and I’m so happy I’m to be friends with them.
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After camp, I spent a week with my amazing host family in Okahandja. I know I
brag on them all the time, but I seriously can’t convey just how lucky I am to
be a Bezuidenhout. It’s like having a small piece of home here in Namibia. I
know I’m always welcome there, that there will be hugs, jokes, quality
conversations, a comfy bed and good food. And to cement their place as best
host family ever, during this visit, they gave me the most adorable puppy on
the planet!
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The rest of my holiday was spent at a Peace Corps conference and then hanging
out with a few other PCVs back in Kavango. It was an awesome, relaxing and
refreshing break.
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And now, term 2 is underway! So far, we’re off to a great start! :) I can tell that
my learners are becoming more comfortable with me, and that they’re making
progress. I’m back to diligently studying Rukwangali, and hoping to get
together some beginner English classes for adults. God willing, Maxima and I
will launch our girls’ club next Wednesday! So hopefully I’ll soon have an
update on that.
Thanks for reading!
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