Arandis, Namibia: 2007-01-28

Friday, February 02, 2007

At least JFK has a fast connection

2 February 2007

I've uploaded two videos into the gallery and trying to upload a 3rd (which is 75 meg in size and I might have to split up in to three different videos.) They're big, so have patience. You might want to save them to your system for better viewing.

Enjoy.

posted by Don @ 1:37 PM 1 comments

Still trying to get home

2 February 2007

So if you ever have the choice of Delta or not, go for the or not. Find another airline, take a bus, take a train, take a cab, take a mule, take a boat, don't go. Just don't fly Delta!

Sigh...

Yes, I am still at JFK and I think I might actually have time to catch a flight back to Namibia before these guys get their act together. My 12:45 flight has been postponed until 3:15 due to maintenance issues. I don't believe it.

So, some 20+ hours, three different countries on a different continent later I arrived here at JFK around 7 AM. I figured I made good time...until JFK. Now it seems it will take me the better part of a day to get home, a mere 1 1/2 hour flight or a 4 hour drive. I wonder if I start walking.....?

Anyway, that's my rant. I'm done. Breathe in, breathe out, move on.

Time to go have a cup of coffee.

posted by Don @ 12:41 PM 0 comments

Back in the USA

2 February 2007

Currently at JFK waiting for my flight to Manchester. I had been on a flight that was to be leaving around 12:45 PM but rebooked to an earlier 9:25 AM flight. Ya, check that time and you'll see that either I missed the plane or it hasn't taken off yet; the latter being the issue. Maintenance issues have delayed the flight for two hours. Isn't that a nice welcome home! A fellow passenger suggested that I call Delta and at least rebook or reserve a seat on the original 12:45 flight, just in case my currently delayed flight is cancelled, which I've done.

The flight from Johannesburg was quite bumpy due to the winter air-streams heading east and us heading west. I do believe that I was able to catch an hour or two of sleep, something that I am rarely able to do. The flight was quite empty and we were able to secure the middle 3-4 seat sections for sleeping. Brenda seemed to adapt to sleeping across these seats more than me and slept much of the way.

Being awake as I crossed back over the Atlantic gave me much time to ponder and begin to process these last few weeks. My mind kept racing back to Arandis and to Maderyna in Rehoboth. I began to wonder what bits and pieces that I discovered about myself and how my life back here is. What will I adapt or change as a result of these discoveries. What did they teach me about life this time?

Now that the children have working computer systems in their homes and at school, how will their lives change? Even while the computers were freshly installed into each home, I saw the children, mommies and daddies beginning to familiarize themselves with it; including the Solitaire and Pinball games. I wondered how having these computers would change family dynamics? Would it be for the better or for the worse? I pray things will be for the better as they will be able to use the systems for educational purposes as well as for recreational activity. At least the systems are not connected to the Internet....

Still, as I was carrying in a computer system into one of the homes last week, my mind wandered to Vyf Rand or Nau Aib. Here I was setting up a computer and there are still children in these other camps with nothing but a tin shack for a home and no electricity or running water. I talked about this with Brenda during our flight. She reminded me that yes, there still are children who are very worst off than those in Arandis, and always will be. We cannot change the world for everyone here. But she assured me that we are helping some children become better educated and to grow up with the tools and knowledge to help turn things around in their country.

Although I am back in the States, this blog will not be ending. I have many other pictures to post as well as some videos. I also plan on continuing to post entries of my time there, current thoughts, or news that I have received.

The story cannot end here. There is more to tell and more that needs to be done.

AIRPORT ESCAPADE UPDATE:

The "earlier" flight I was currently booked on was just cancelled! So now I am back on my originally scheduled flight home at 12:45 PM. Almost home....

posted by Don @ 9:54 AM 0 comments

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Mission accomplished, homeward bound!

1 February 2007

Greetings everyone. Brenda and I are now in Johannesburg and awaiting our flight to JFK. I must say that this trip has been outstanding and once again, for me, beyond what words can describe. Our time in Rehoboth was short but great with the opening of the new Beads and Promise store. What a place and a remarkable job Sylvia and Richard have done. Among the attendees was the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia. The opening of the store notwithstanding, it was with great anticipation, hope and pleasure that I was finally able meet Maderyna Goliath. We were able to sneak in some short but good conversations about what has been happening with her, what is happening, where she would like to be and what her future might hold. Amanda - she told me she wants to be at Hope's Promise forever and is very anxious to see you. With God's help, the guidance that Hope's Promise will provide, and her promise to me that she would work hard at learning and helping with the Beads of Promise business I think this could be a turning point in what has been a troubled life. She has come home but is in need of a tremendous amount of prayer, the road ahead will not be easy for her.

My time in Arandis was also remarkable. I did accomplish my goals of computer updating, getting a working demo of a presentation for Brenda to use this coming Tuesday in New York, as well as some very rewarding time with each of the Hope's Promise families. Leaving was with mixed emotions as I have missed my family and friends but feel I am leaving my another family behind, here. However, leaving this time was not as difficult and I do believe it is because I know that I was able to return once already and that it will be possible to return again. There is still much work to do here.

Although I was still hoping to post photos with each post, I am not able to. Last night I was also hoping to post from Rehoboth but an electrical storm and rain kept knocking out power. Perhaps it was my cue to get to bed before 11 PM and get some much needed rest.

I am going to try to post a few pictures in the gallery for now.

posted by Don @ 9:13 AM 3 comments

Monday, January 29, 2007

Arandis HPOM Children

30 Jan 2007

My last day in Arandis.

Here are some short bios of the children here. While I wish I could bring them home, they do have loving and caring foster families here, in Arandis and in their home country of Namibia. With the help of HPOM and their foster families, these children will help change and make life in this country better.

This week, amidst my two biggest tasks - the upgrading of computers and Brenda's presentation, I was blessed to be able to spend some time with the children and their families.

I will post their pictures upon my return to the States. For some reason, I am still not able to include them now with my post.

Charmaine
born October 26, 1992

Salome
born December 23, 1997

Chriselda
born July 13, 2000

The same mother has given these three girls life. She and their father, as well as, her current partner excessively abuse alcohol. The girls have spent most of their life on their own with the older ones caring for the younger ones. When the Social Worker stepped in the girls were suffering from malnutrition and lack of care. Through HPOM they have a “new” foster family.

Asser
born March 7, 1997

Anna
born April 14, 2001

These two children have been in and out of the hospital a number of times due to malnutrition. The sisters at the hospital had come to know them and finally brought them to the attention of the Social Worker. The mother suffers from extreme poverty, alcohol abuse, and promiscuity. She gave no attention to her children who have now found a home through HPOM in Arandis.

Chandre May 17, 1997

Chandre's sister was brought to the hospital after she had been sold by her aunt to a neighbor for sex. She had also been raped numerous times by her step-father. The hospital requested the aid of Social Services for Chandre's sister to be placed in a safe home. At that time, Chandre was on a farm with extended family and also being abused. She is now in the care of a HPOM Christian family in Arandis.

Dennis
born August 19, 1998

Dennis was born out of wedlock in 1998 and is one of four siblings. His mother misuses alcohol and his alleged father has never been present. In November 2001 the mother deserted all four of her children with her father and disappeared. Denis was placed in an orphanage at that point. In June 2003 ,through HPOM, he was placed with a Christian family in Arandis with Asser and Anna.

Elaine
born May 19, 1994

Elaine is one of four siblings. The mother has taken no interest in Elaine since she was born. All the children have different fathers. Elaine’s three siblings board and attend school in Rehoboth. They visit with the mother on holidays. Elaine has been living with her grandmother since she was born. She has no contact with her mother and she considers her grandmother, Mom. She and her grandmother are now part of the HPOM family in Arandis.

Smithley
born November 20, 2000

He is the youngest of three children. Both his parents died from AIDS. His extended family including grandparents is already taking care of 22 children of this current generation. Social Services and Smithley’s family decided it was in the best interest of the 5 youngest children to be placed in a foster family. Smithley and Ismael are cousins and are with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries together.

Ismael
born September 9, 1999

Ismael is the oldest of two children. The mother is HIV positive and the father is not anywhere to be found. Ismael has tested HIV negative however he does suffer with fetal alcohol syndrome. His mother and Smithley’s mother are sisters. The extended family is unable to care for more than the 22 children they currently are responsible for. Ismael and Smithley have been given a chance in life through their association with HPOM.

Revival
born September 10, 2000

Revival’s beginnings were a bit rocky as she was born deaf and with what seems like Fetal Alcohol Syndrome symptoms. Her mother at the time was living a very permiscuous and dangerous life style. The father disappeared before Revival was born. Revival’s mother came to HPOM and asked for help with her daughter who was living a life in isolation with her grandmother on the farm. Revival has been placed in a foster family and attends the Talitha-Kumi preschool in preparation for one day returning to her family.

posted by Don @ 11:39 PM 6 comments

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Time continues to fly by

28 Jan 2007

Greetings all.

Yes, I am still here! It's been a great last couple of days as I wind things down here. I still need to complete Brenda's presentation but I think I will be able to do that tonight and tomorrow. Friday's teaching stint went well. School begins at 7:30 AM and ends at 12:30 PM. The first few sessions include both the 1st and 2nd grade and involve prayer and singing time. Pearl handled that portion of the day. My job was to simply go over a review of the previous day and then hand out new papers for the children to work on. I did have to explain the paper and go over things with them first. The challenge was trying to make sure my "accent" or words I chose were understandable to them. The sections I had to cover for the day included Math and Language Arts, so it really wasn't too bad.

Saturday, we did have the first ever HPOM movie fest. We were able to squeeze in a couple of shorter DVD movies and two sing-along’s. There were only about 10 children there but it was still fun. Brenda and I ended up doing the Hokey Pokey with them at the end of one of the tapes. I picked up some cheese puffs and marshmallows so the children seemed to enjoy some of the things they do not get often at home. As I was watching one of the sing-along’s with them, two things struck me. I wondered what each of the children may have been thinking about when the "spaghetti and meatball" song came on and each child in the video was getting a heaping plate full of spaghetti and about 8-10 meatballs on their plate. The second thing that struck me was the egg race game; the one when you carry an egg on your spoon and try not to break it in order to win the race. Perhaps the children never caught on but I’m sure a parent would have. Here in Arandis, no one would even dare waste an egg for a children's game. And, on that note and regarding my and our country's own wastefulness, they reuse Styrofoam cups here.

Last night I went on a short desert walk with Pearl and 6-8 of the children. It was nice to be able to talk with Pearl and to also give the children "attention" at the same time. Pearl and I talked about the things I had thought about earlier in the day and I think she was amazed at all of the "disposable" items we have as Americans. I ended the night at Chandre's home and we played "Take a Fish", or our "Go Fish" with some of the children and Richard (her dad). I showed them the only card trick I knew and amazed one and all! It was funny to see the children try to do the same thing.

Today's church service was once again a keeper. Pearl and four of the girls had been preparing all week to dance at the service. I've got the dances on video, as well as more of the singing, and I really hope to be able to at least provide something on this blog at some point. If not from Africa, once I get home. Brenda had informed me earlier this week that the outdoor pool in town had been fixed up and cleaned. I took that cue and invited all of families, children and parents, to a few hours of swimming. Chriszelda was especially thankful. She is the pre-school teacher I talked about in an earlier post, who was born and grew up in Arandis. This afternoon was the first time she had ever been in that pool. Fearing the African sun and not wanting to ride 15-16 hours in an airplane with a sunburn, I stayed out of the pool, took pictures and videos and was just happy to watch the families enjoy themselves on a hot Namibian day. It also gave me a chance to talk with Kassie, one of the "mommies", who also chose not to venture into the pool. Oh, by the way, I never did make it to a Mass at St. Johannes. But I did promise Kassie that upon my return, I would attend a service with her and her son Bradley.

Oh well, it is about 6 PM here. Boniface will be cooking dinner tonight after their Leadership meeting. Last night I made quesadillas for him. Tomorrow night, it will be shrimp scampi. Boniface is particularly excited because he loves fish, but has never tried shrimp. I will probably head on down to the homes shortly to say goodnight to the children and check with Tresford to see if we might be on for our 1:30 AM (Namibian time) rendezvous with the informational meeting being held tonight at Christ's Church for the possible 2007 trip to Namibia. So for you at CCA who are still wondering if we are planning to be on yet, I'm not quite sure! I'm in Africa and everyone who knows anything about Africa knows that planning is useless.

(Oh, I've been trying to include a picture with the last couple of posts and haven't been able to. Google has taken over Blogger and since the switch over... I can't include a photo....sorry!)

posted by Don @ 11:12 AM 3 comments

About Me

Name:Don (& Chandre)
Home:Nashua, NH (Arandis, Namibia)