SOMA guest blog!

Hey guys! So, as you know I'm currently in Senegal attending a malaria boot camp through Stomp Out Malaria in Africa. I'm having a great time and I had the opportunity to write about it for Stomp's website. Check it out!

http://stompoutmalaria.org/boot-camp-day-2-its-a-movement/

How I get from here to there...

Today’s nam milestones –

            received my third bee sting
            saw a second dog be hit by a car
            coaxed my fifty-seventh baby into thinking white people are cool
            was hit on obnoxiously for the millionth time

Pretty full day, huh?

And now, I’d like to delve into a topic I’ve been saving for a rainy day…. transportation.

Transportation in Namibia can be…challenging.

First, everything happens on African time. Not that it’s always a bad thing. If you can get yourself adjusted to it, African time can really work in your favor. But to the stereo-typical American brain, it’s inconceivable that a 65 km trip should take 2.5 hours. And yes, sometimes that happens.

Next, there aren’t that many people in Namibia. About 2 million, actually. And not many of them have cars. Unlike some other volunteer organizations, Peace Corps does not allow volunteers to drive vehicles. So, sometimes we have to creative…

Here are our options – public transport (usually a combi, a van-type vehicle) or hitch-hiking (or, as we refer to it here – hiking). Now, both have their merits. As this is a public blog, I will refrain from supporting either whole-heartedly…rather I will attempt to amuse you with anecdotal tales of both types.

How I get to Rundu (my shopping town) from my village: 

- Walk to the road

- Find a shady spot, and watch the horizon for matua (cars)

- Whenever one meanders by, flag it down using a variety of moves (my personal go-to is the "dribbling the basketball")
- When a car/combi does pull over, discuss where I'm going, and how much money I have

- Hop in and go! 

But, as simple as that sounds, there are always complications. To sort some of those things out…here is the glorious first edition of my Rules for Nam Transport!

Rule # 1: Leave early. You never know what’s going to happen between point A and point B. Examples: your combi/public transport car may take anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours to fill up. You may receive a ride from a friendly man who needs to make a “quick stop” and end up chatting with his wife over tea for a few hours. There are always stops to be made, errands to be run, and plenty of cows, goats, and donkeys on the road. As an estimate, take the number of kilometers, multiply it by one million, and you should be pretty close.

Rule # 2: Always bring a book, an ipod, or some other form of amusement. When hiking, you never know how long you’ll be on the side of the road. If possible, bring a friend and invent new dance routines to help get the attention of passing cars. Also, always wear sunscreen (that’s for you, Amanda!). Especially if you’re as pale as I am.

 Rule # 3: Pay attention to your surroundings. This rule is especially important when you; a) live in a village, b) have no sense of direction, or c) both. I’m not too proud to admit that I have, on three occasions, accidentally passed my village. But really, let me break it down. In the 65 km between my shopping town and my village, here’s what you will find – cows. goats. donkeys. small children. huts. trees. and the occasional shebeen (bar). After a while, it all starts to look the same. So rule 3.1 – don’t get too engrossed in your book, 3.2 – don’t have such awesome conversations you forget to look for your landmarks, and 3.3 – don’t SMS excessively. :)

Rule # 4: There is always more space. I’m not sure if this counts as a rule, or more of a principle… but either way, when you’re traveling in Namibia, it’s very true! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a vehicle and thought to myself “there is no possible way another person could fit in here,” and less than two minutes later the driver has decided to prove me wrong. I usually end up making a game out of it and keeping a running total as we pick up/drop off passengers. I think my personal record is 24 on one bakkie (pick up truck), cab and bed included. Obviously, I was abiding by PC rules and riding in the cab. But yes, it happened.

Rule # 5: Enjoy yourself. It can be difficult. Sometimes you’ve spent all day walking around grocery shopping and sweating constantly and you just want to be done. But while transportation is a challenge, it’s also an adventure. Greet the people in your vehicle. Try to impress them with your language skills. Play with the small children. Count the cows. And if all else fails, conjure up some super sweet background music and imagine that you’re in a movie.

So there you have it... five simple rules to keep you sane while you get around in Namibia. Now come visit me and try them out! :)

Rambling thoughts from a combi...

Spring is everywhere these days... You can hear it in the way that all the trees whisper in the breeze, and then fall silent, as if holding their breath in anticipation. You can see it in the scores of new baby goats, their bright markings gleaming in the sun. You can smell it when a faint, sweet scent drifts your way from tiny blossoms that cover a few bushes. You can feel it as the sun beats down on your shoulders, reminding you that summer is just around the corner. Yes, spring is here - however brief it may be.

I leave on Sunday for the Stomp Out Malaria bootcamp in Senegal! All the last stubborn details are falling (or being dragged) into place, and tub it's off I go! I'm so excited about this opportunity!

Before I leave, I'd like to take this opportunity to ask for your help, on behalf of my friend Olga. But first, let me back up...

Teenage pregnancy is an astronomical problem in Namibia, particularly in my region. More than 30% of 12-19 year olds in my area will fall pregnant. Once that happens, their future is significantly impacted. While they are permitted to attend school after delivery, many of them aren't able to, for financial reasons.

My friend Olga is one of those girls. She is in 7th grade, and now has a beautiful 3 week old daughter named Indi. Olga's grades were very good for term 1 & 2, even in the late stages of her pregnancy.

Through some visits with her, she's expressed a desire to finish grade 7 and attempt to apply for grade 8 at a nearby school. Together, we've found a young woman in the village who is willing to care for Indi during the day for the price of N$300 (approximately 30 USD) a month, for the remaining 3 months of this school year.

So, here's where I ask for your help. Is anyone interested in sponsoring a bright young mother as she works upwards finishing her education? This is the first step of many, to be sure - but finishing grade 7 will make her eligible for secondary school, and open up many future possibilities.

I hope you'll think about it today, and consider helping. Thanks guys!