Arandis, Namibia: A Different Trip and the Beginning of the End

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

A Different Trip and the Beginning of the End

7:00 AM
Wednesday, August 6

"This isn't quite how I expected Africa to be."

- Marlene (after looking around the room as she was using Mike's laptop, and seeing Mike and Nan using Nan's laptop, Kat and me using mine, and Boni watching 'Independence Day'.)

As my time in Arandis begins to wind down, I've realized that I have not had, or taken, as much time to reflect on the day's events or the people I may have interacted with. Not working in the primary school has taken me out of the loop for interacting with some of the younger children. And, with some of the older teens, many have been preoccupied with exams or other things to be able to spend time with them. Being here when school is in session makes it harder to also spend time with them. Though I am up late at night, it really is not possible to visit with the families much after 5 or 6 PM as they have their own routines.

Yet, I have attempted to spend time with as many as I can, children, teen or adult. But I realize my time is truly limited. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit envious of those who are here longer, or for a more indefinite period. I cannot tell you how many times I have been called, 'Uncle Steve', since the children here are now used to seeing and interacting with Steve Graham on a daily basis. They quickly realize their mistake, laugh or chuckle, roll their eyes in annoyance with themselves that they keep doing it, and then address me as 'Uncle Don'. It's fun to watch! I actually got one comment from Jessica, "ugh...you Americans all look alike!" That one made my day!

This will have been my fourth trip here and only during my January 2007 trip did I come alone. For my first trip in 2006, I came with a larger group. My second trip, in January 2007, was the aforementioned solo trip. This past Feb/March I was accompanied by Jackie Livsey (who had also made the group trip in 2006). And this trip, I was accompanied by my niece Katherine. By default, each trip allowed for certain dynamics to occur - or not occur; merely an observation, and should not be construed as any form of complaint. Even the places where I've stayed, and the other people who may have also been staying at the same place, have all impacted the experience; an experience that, as much as I may have tried to map out, plan or think about how I expected or was hoping it would play out, it never really does resemble anything I could have ever planned.

As I lay in bed this morning, waiting to get up and thinking about what I was hoping to do today, I once again was drawn to wondering, what is it about this place that brings me back. What is the purpose? What is my purpose? Are they the same? I know I have touched many lives and many lives have touched mine. But it really extends beyond me and any one individual here. These personal experiences ripple out to others. I then think about, how many more people know about Namibia, or a person or a condition here as a result of the effects of this ripple.

An example of this ripple effect was a conversation I had with Robin Smick, someone I work with, before I left. Over lunch, we were discussing the HPOM children and their education here at Talitha Kumi Christian Center and their plans to expand to include grade 12. She then asked about college for these children. Her question made me stop and realize that none of the 26+ children who actually depend upon HPOM for their survival, in addition to the 12+ natural children of the HPOM foster homes, have actually had to make that step yet. While there may only be a handful of teens now, who are currently in 8th grade or high school, there is a much larger group on their heals. The closest would be Caroline, the natural daughter of Likki, one of the foster mommies here. She will just be finishing up her required courses and exams to move ahead to the next level, university or college.

So Robin's question, what about college, really got me thinking and wondering. We talked about it a bit more and thought how great it would be to secure adequate funding to set up a type of college fund now and on an ongoing basis, that would provide the monies for any of the children who were fortunate enough to have the grades to get through high school and who wanted to pursue higher learning, when the time came. I presented the idea to both Sylvia and Brenda and they thought it would be a wonderful idea and such a blessing since HPOM continues to take in younger children and they struggle now to secure adequate sponsorship.

Will anything come about as a result of "this ripple". I hope so. I hope to have more specific information, relative to what it might cost to attend college or university here. According to Brenda, however, some of the children would likely qualify for grants or monies from a number of colleges or universities in the United States. But research to identify which schools would be required.

That being said, I'll even go so far as to request now, that if there is anyone who knows of different ways to do this, setup and/or manage such a fund, let me know. And, anyone who would like to be contacted when this fund is created to help finance the fund, I would also be interested in hearing from you.

posted by Don @ 2:07 AM

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