Our first activity for the community elders through the Pensioners Committee was a day trip to Etosha National Park. I was thrilled to have been invited for a free trip to the park. It’s only 100km away but without a car I had only been just the once with my parents in June. Thanks to our donations from FNB, Nexus and OK Food we were able to rent the Outjo Secondary School bus and take about 65 of Outjo’s elders along with some members of the CACOC and the hospital (me, the social worker and a nurse).
I was told to wait for the bus at 6am so that I can go and get the elderly from the old age home where I live when the bus had arrived. I walked down stairs at 6:05 knowing full well it wasn’t going to be on time. For over an hour me and the four elderly going from the old age home waited as the bus traveled through the locations and the squatter areas trying to find everyone who was suppose to join us. It’s not often that I’m up that early and outside but it was nice that the five of us got to watch the sky change from black to blue and the pinkish sun rise over the mountains (still think I would have preferred sleep). Once we were all in and set to go I snapped some photos of everyone packed into the bus, men and women in their Sunday best Damara and Herero outfits, it was truly a great scene.
About 30km down the road a commotion had started on the bus. The driver pulled over and all 65 elders got off the bus (with my help, as it would be for the entire trip) to relieve themselves. For some reason the whole scene cracked me up. Here are 65 people dressed to impress popping a squat in the bush as a group and still insisting on having and English/Damara conversation with me. Sometimes I just think “I can’t believe this is my life.”
After we all boarded the bus again we were finally on our way to Etosha. As soon as we entered the gates Zebras, Gemsbok, Springbok and Wildebeast overflowed the areas. It was awesome to see these adults act like children as they stood up trying to get a better view or pointing to a new animal. I loved that as I tried to take their photo (I was there to document their trip) they got mad and said “Amanda, what are you doing the animals are over there, we want photos to remember what we saw”, oops my bad. It reminded me of the bus ride from camp GLOW traveling north of Windhoek with all the learners as many of them saw their first baboon, here it was very much the same.
The community activist who had worked so hard in arranging this day told me that many of them had never been to Etosha even though they lived in Outjo their entire lives and all anyone wanted to see was an elephant. Namibia’s great massive elephant (larger than most other African elephants) many had only heard about but never actually laid eyes on. And so our mission began, to see and elephant.
We stopped in Okaukeujo and visited the information center which, was actually very educational on the different types of animals they have there and what made Namibia’s elephants so unique. They also had a decent display of animal skulls which was really fun to see the old men get scared of a lion just by looking at it’s skull in relation to a house cat. At the watering hole everyone just sat around looking at all the animals coming and going. As the day got hotter we set up under a large picnic area to prepare for our braai.
While we were all eating and socializing someone had told us that there was an elephant at the watering hole. Some of the older men and I jumped up and raced to the hole. There were only a few tourists there (which I think made the moment so much more special). As the men approached the watering hole they could see the elephant and their smile got bigger with every step. Two men started to cry and I asked what was wrong they told me “look, it’s so beautiful, so big, I’ve never seen one before.” I almost started to cry. I just sat with these men for about 10 minutes as they became awestruck at this elephant. Soon the others would join and many would have much of the same reaction. I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the women who got really frightened each time the elephant would move or raise it’s trunk or ears. I tried to explain that we were safe but my poor language skills and hand motions I’m sure didn’t reassure them. Then another elephant came walking over to the hole and as if the day couldn’t get better everyone looked at me with a smile and started pointing to the new elephant as if to say ‘look another one!’ And so the hours passed with us just watching the two elephants drink and bathe. A truly wonderful afternoon.
The only frustration I had was that many of the tourists saw all these native people dressed in their finest clothing and thought oh a photo opportunity and instead of taking pictures of the animals attempted to sneak pictures of the elders (many only stopped as they saw me glaring at them). People are not animals, if you want to take their photo just ask permission, it’s really rude when you don’t. I am very grateful to the two tourists who did ask for permission and then stopped to chat about what was going on and exchanged emails so that they could send their photos to the group, thank you I’m sure the elderly had no problem with you taking their photo but just the gesture of asking was very respectful.
I will try to post photos on this blog but have had trouble in the past. If you want to view the photos or donate to future events for the Pensioners Committee please email me. We are hoping to plan a trip next year to Windhoek (Namibia’s capital) to visit the old and new statehouses. It should be great as I’m sure many have never seen their government buildings or their capital city.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Just slow down and enjoy the walk....
Everyday I walk between our two hospitals. They are about 3km apart and I normally enjoy my alone time, put in my ipod and just let my mind wander. Yesterday as I was turning the corner and heading up the hill I heard someone yelling my name from the new hospital. Looking back I noticed a women waving and running-ish after me. I had no idea who she was but I began back towards the hospital and greeted her. She asked if she could walk with me. I thought “why not?” She knew who I was and I didn’t wan to insult her by asking her name (probably for like the 50th time), it was clear we had met before. I noticed her shirt said National Disability Day and she had an apparent limp, so I figured that I she was a member of the PLWD committee (as am I). We walked the 3km to the old hospital, up hill, in the middle of the hottest day yet. I was shocked. Never did she complain, never did she ask to stop, never did she ask for my help (it’s not forgiving terrain). Like a champ she led the way through the bush (community back roads) to the old hospital chatting with me the whole way. She told me what it was like to live with a disability in Namibia and how most people are looking for a handout but not her. As an officer of the committee she gets on peoples cases if they are trying to not pull their weight. She said she understands that not everyone can pull the same amount of weight but everyone can contribute in someway to their own happiness and well-being, for those who can’t she’s there (and the committee). Wow. I was speechless. As we parted ways I wished her luck on her days duties and that I looked forward to our next walk or conversation. Each day I’m more and more impressed with the empowered individuals in this Outjo community. It’s moments like these and people like her that make it easy to be here and hard to imagine leaving. Moments which would have been missed if I had not slowed down.
You never know what the day will bring or who you'll meet....
One of the cool things about my job or lack there of, is that I have thrown myself into every community group (thanks in part to the Social Worker) in Outjo. I’m a member of our CACOC, HIV/AIDS Support Group, People Living With Disabilities Committee, Coalition on Responsible Drinking, Literacy Promoters and other things that I can’t even remember the name of anymore. This week I was told that I was now a honorary member of the Pensioners Committee, a committee who works for the benefit and needs of community members over the age of 80. I thought, why not, it seems right up my ally, right?
During the committee meeting I was able to follow a little of Damara and Afrikaans and caught that I was introduced about 13 times. I also understood that I was being introduced because I was going to be taking photos of the elders the following day. I have to be honest the idea of trying to find all elders in town, the 7 locations and squatter areas did not sound like too fun but I was really wrong.
I showed up at the Councilor’s office early in the morning so that the Councilor would drive the community activist (who also oversees the Pensioner’s Committee) and I around for the day as we tried to find each community elder. It was like a large game of hide-and-go-seek. Some of the locations were easy as a few elders or care-takers had gathered up a few in one or two spots. Other locations we had to go house by house looking for where “Johannes” was (for example).
Along the trip I was informed with how each location got it’s name and also some background information on some of the elders. Throughout the day I believe I met around 50 elderly, most being over the 90 years of age. At first I thought, wow, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone this old, and now I know thirty! I had the great opportunity to meet the oldest person in Outjo who can still understand when being spoken to even though she is set to turn 103 soon! I met the oldest Lutheran pastor, which turned out to be the parent of one of my coworkers. I met men who where 97 with more spunk then most 25 year old. Men and women who are too old to find regular employment but continue to make a living repairing old chairs or selling other good they have made. I was just amazed at the fact that these are some of the people who helped fight for Namibia’s freedom. They have been there for the ugly and terrible times and are still alive to tell about it.
Although I learned that my language skills still need a lot of work, through the translations I was able to learn so much about these amazing people. I know I wasn’t the best sport in the beginning of the day but at the end I really felt honored and blessed to have had this opportunity and could not wait for the next opportunity to bond with these wonderful people. Who would have thought when I agreed to join the Peace Corps and move to Africa that this is what I would be doing. I love the uncertainty of my life here in Outjo and that each day is different than the one before. I honestly can never guess what tomorrow will bring.
The photos of Outjo’s elders will be printed and put on display in the Outjo Museum for tourists who pass through and may want to donate to the Pensioner’s Committee to help fund activities, I know I cannot post all the photos on here but if anyone is interested in seeing the photos or donating to the Pensioner’s Committee please contact me.
During the committee meeting I was able to follow a little of Damara and Afrikaans and caught that I was introduced about 13 times. I also understood that I was being introduced because I was going to be taking photos of the elders the following day. I have to be honest the idea of trying to find all elders in town, the 7 locations and squatter areas did not sound like too fun but I was really wrong.
I showed up at the Councilor’s office early in the morning so that the Councilor would drive the community activist (who also oversees the Pensioner’s Committee) and I around for the day as we tried to find each community elder. It was like a large game of hide-and-go-seek. Some of the locations were easy as a few elders or care-takers had gathered up a few in one or two spots. Other locations we had to go house by house looking for where “Johannes” was (for example).
Along the trip I was informed with how each location got it’s name and also some background information on some of the elders. Throughout the day I believe I met around 50 elderly, most being over the 90 years of age. At first I thought, wow, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone this old, and now I know thirty! I had the great opportunity to meet the oldest person in Outjo who can still understand when being spoken to even though she is set to turn 103 soon! I met the oldest Lutheran pastor, which turned out to be the parent of one of my coworkers. I met men who where 97 with more spunk then most 25 year old. Men and women who are too old to find regular employment but continue to make a living repairing old chairs or selling other good they have made. I was just amazed at the fact that these are some of the people who helped fight for Namibia’s freedom. They have been there for the ugly and terrible times and are still alive to tell about it.
Although I learned that my language skills still need a lot of work, through the translations I was able to learn so much about these amazing people. I know I wasn’t the best sport in the beginning of the day but at the end I really felt honored and blessed to have had this opportunity and could not wait for the next opportunity to bond with these wonderful people. Who would have thought when I agreed to join the Peace Corps and move to Africa that this is what I would be doing. I love the uncertainty of my life here in Outjo and that each day is different than the one before. I honestly can never guess what tomorrow will bring.
The photos of Outjo’s elders will be printed and put on display in the Outjo Museum for tourists who pass through and may want to donate to the Pensioner’s Committee to help fund activities, I know I cannot post all the photos on here but if anyone is interested in seeing the photos or donating to the Pensioner’s Committee please contact me.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Running with Okeleni….
It started out about two months ago. I had finally began to start my nightly run (I took ALL of winter off) again at dusk, when all of town shuts down and everyone heads home, including the Himba.
Ovahimba (Himba for short) are one of the only two remaining traditional tribes left in Namibia. They are everything you see in National Geographic, mud in the hair, covered in dark reddish brown dirt mixed with a buttery substance, cloth around their bottom and nothing on top, two bottom front teeth missing and their millions of bracelets and necklaces laid out in front of them to purchase. They are largely found in Opuwo but have migrated down the Kunene to Kamanjab and Outjo. The 30-40 Himba women in Outjo travel to and from town daily to sit on the main strip and wait for all the tourist buses to come through for a photo opportunity or to get traditional Himba jewelry (both are their means of income). For the first six or so months in Outjo I thought the Himba hated me. I would always attempt to greet them and they always looked angry and turned away. I figured it was because I wanted to talk to them and yet never wanted to buy anything, but recently that has all changed.
One night as I passed the Himba women packing up their things one younger spunky women jumped up and started running with me. I laughed as we ran for about a minute until she stopped and turned to return to her friends. The next night she was ready for me and we ran for our minute while I was still amazed that she wanted to run with me, I mean she didn’t have a sports bra! It continued this way for weeks. One night I had started a little late but I passed them as they were walking home and bless her heart with a baby on her back and all her jewelry packed on her head she grabbed my hand as we ran together. So it’s continued my Himba friend and I run hand in hand for a minute of my workout. When she stops we say “buh-bye” to each other and laugh. Today I was merely walking by since I’ve switched my running to the mornings this week and all the women started yelling “Okeleni, Okeleni!”(spelling could be wrong I know nothing about Ovahmba or Otjiherero languages), I of course had no idea what was going on and then out of a group of 20 or so women my running partner emerges with a smile on her face. It’s gotta be the greatest photo I can ever get in Namibia, but the memories will do. Breaking barriers in Outjo, one run at a time. Hand in hand with Okeleni, the highlight of my days.
Ovahimba (Himba for short) are one of the only two remaining traditional tribes left in Namibia. They are everything you see in National Geographic, mud in the hair, covered in dark reddish brown dirt mixed with a buttery substance, cloth around their bottom and nothing on top, two bottom front teeth missing and their millions of bracelets and necklaces laid out in front of them to purchase. They are largely found in Opuwo but have migrated down the Kunene to Kamanjab and Outjo. The 30-40 Himba women in Outjo travel to and from town daily to sit on the main strip and wait for all the tourist buses to come through for a photo opportunity or to get traditional Himba jewelry (both are their means of income). For the first six or so months in Outjo I thought the Himba hated me. I would always attempt to greet them and they always looked angry and turned away. I figured it was because I wanted to talk to them and yet never wanted to buy anything, but recently that has all changed.
One night as I passed the Himba women packing up their things one younger spunky women jumped up and started running with me. I laughed as we ran for about a minute until she stopped and turned to return to her friends. The next night she was ready for me and we ran for our minute while I was still amazed that she wanted to run with me, I mean she didn’t have a sports bra! It continued this way for weeks. One night I had started a little late but I passed them as they were walking home and bless her heart with a baby on her back and all her jewelry packed on her head she grabbed my hand as we ran together. So it’s continued my Himba friend and I run hand in hand for a minute of my workout. When she stops we say “buh-bye” to each other and laugh. Today I was merely walking by since I’ve switched my running to the mornings this week and all the women started yelling “Okeleni, Okeleni!”(spelling could be wrong I know nothing about Ovahmba or Otjiherero languages), I of course had no idea what was going on and then out of a group of 20 or so women my running partner emerges with a smile on her face. It’s gotta be the greatest photo I can ever get in Namibia, but the memories will do. Breaking barriers in Outjo, one run at a time. Hand in hand with Okeleni, the highlight of my days.
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