Arandis, Namibia: 2008-07-20

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Rehoboth - Day 2

5:49 AM
Saturday, July 26

Having come to Rehoboth on the front end of the trip has been different. For previous trips, visting here was at the end of the trip, after having already been to Arandis. It's different in that instead of being able to reflect on the trip, I still look with anticipation towards Monday when we will make our way to Arandis. Rehoboth is different than Arandis, mainly because it only includes one HPOM family and child, Adisha. We hope to be able to visit with them today but what makes it a bit harder is that Adisha doesn't speak English. Nonetheless, that big smile of hers lets us know that she understands and is happy to see us. The others that I hope to see include Maderyna and her daughter Memory. I did not see them my last trip here, and I have yet to meet her daugther Memory, who is just over a year old.

To quickly recap, yesterday was spent mostly at the Beads of Promise shop where Katherine took up beading for the day. (Yes, Brenda and Tim, your daughter does have patience and she woke up just fine!) The bracelet she started in on was quite challenging, I must say and I've posted a link to a video of her patiently beading-away below. Also at the shop were some 'trainees' who had been there for the week, learning how to create some of the different patterns of jewelry sold by BOP. This was their last day and, in gratitude, they wanted to sing a song. According to Sylvia the song was one of gratefulness for Rehoboth, for BOP and for Sylvia for providing this opportunity for them. You can view the movie here.

Around mid-afternoon, Richard took us through Block E, where some of the lower-end housing is located. I say lower end instead of poorer because according to Richard, some of the people here can actually afford better homes but simply choose not to. However, most people are without jobs as the unemployment rate nears 45% here in Rehoboth. And, a section of the block does include a

squatters camp, for those who really have nothing. He then took us through Block F and into Block G where there exists a locally funded program that provides potential homeowners with $35,000 (Namibian) to purchase a plot for $5,000 and then use the remainder for the construction of the home as well as other living expenses. Most of these homes are made of concrete block, as opposed to many of the tin-shacks that make up most of Block E. Nonetheless, these "Blocks" are simply different parts of town that were the result of segregating blacks, browns/coloreds and whites.

posted by Don @ 12:49 AM 3 comments

Friday, July 25, 2008

Rehoboth - Day 1

6:34 AM
Friday 25 July

Good morning from Rehoboth, Namibia.

We arrived safely yesterday morning with all luggage, around 9:15AM. As we were heading towards the "nothing to declare" exit, the tiny male official quietly pointed his pencil towards the "something to declare" exit, so that is where we headed. We then proceeded into another room where

we met up with one of the "beefy chicks" that my buddy Darin Shaw has aptly warned us about when passing through the Windhoek Customs area. After asking a few questions and asking me to pull out a few things I had for Hope's Promise, I did get her to smile during the inquisition and we were allowed to proceed with all contents intact and were greeted on the other side by Sylvia and Friedell.

A bit tired from the travel and flights but ready nonetheless to run a few necessary errands, meet with someone I had done a website for previously and get the Internet access squared away. Our last errand was to the Spar to pick up a few items and head back to Sylvia's. We got here sometime after 4PM.

Most of the conversation yesterday was trying to catch up on things and get updated on things here and in Arandis, relative to Hope's Promise. A prior meeting with Francis, Sylvia's sister, resulted in learning about a vision that Francis has with using her guest lodge for something similar to what a half-way house would be here, for those who suffer from addictions. The focus would be for teens or young adults who struggle with substance abuse and are already incarcerated. This woman has quite the passion and has asked me to assist in helping her formulate a plan. Why me? I have no idea but I guess I'm willing to learn more and give it some thought. Who knows what will come of it.

In an hour or so, we will be heading to the Beads of Promise shop where I will begin working on a few computer systems and Kat will help out with beading some of the jewelry that will eventually be sold from the store or its outlets. But for now, it's time to wake up Kat!

posted by Don @ 1:33 AM 2 comments

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

A Good Day in England

We've arrived back at Gatwick awaiting our 9:30PM flight to Windhoek. We spent the better part of our time here visiting with a friend of mine, Mark Thompson. Mark lives about 15 miles away and came to pick us up this morning. We spent time at his house, with his wife Mich and two sons, Joshua & Eden. Poor Kat woke up this morning hearing me greeting/talking with someone I obviously knew.

Not expecting to meet up with someone I knew here, and being a bit disoriented after waking up, she told me later that she thought we were in Namibia and that she had slept through the entire plane ride down. Not sure if the surprise for her backfired as she was sort of disappointed that she did not sleep through the plane ride, that we were not in Namibia, and that we still had 10 hours or so to be on a plane. Sorry Kat!

The day was enjoyable, however. I had not seen Mark since 2004, since meeting him in Maryland. We've kept in touch and it was nice to get to catch up. He also treated me to something he claims I had been missing out my entire life, a true English ale at a proper english pub.

Well, in a just a few hours we will be boarding Air Namibia for our final leg of this part of our journey. Once again, I am amazed at just how largely connected and small this world continues to be.

posted by Don @ 3:52 PM 2 comments

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Hmm...no Philly Cheesesteak Here

We are now waiting for our flight to London. After searching around a bit, and having our taste buds set for a Philly Steak (yes, it would have been an airport one...but it would not have been any worst than McDonalds), we came up empty and had a quick dinner at Le Petite Bistro.

After, as we walked around a bit more trying to find a good Internet connection, I was praying that we wouldn't come across one after we had eaten. Our flight is not until 10:45PM so we are working on our "hanging around the airport" routine. The flight from Manchester was uneventful though a bit bumpy at times.

It's always interesting for me to look ahead and try to envision what this trip might be like, and then compare what I thought, with how things actually went, on the way home. Fact is, they are never the same. I guess I really shouldn't be too surprised at that.

Will try to get on at our next layover at Gatwick in London.

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Kat has a blog too. (Kat's Blog) Stop by and say hi!

posted by Don @ 7:01 PM 3 comments

We Leave In Less Than 10 Hours

I'm about two weeks into not getting a full night's sleep, as my mind whirls and turns about the Namibia trip. There is so much to think about, so much to make sure is in place; both here while I'm gone and when we arrive at our various destinations along the way...and there.

I must say that for me, this trip is already shaping up to be a different one from the previous three. Quite frankly, the difference will be the responsibility that would have been entrusted to me...in bringing my niece Katherine with me. In previous trips, I was basically responsible for only myself. This time, it isn't just me but I must also be responsible for the well being of Katherine. Now don't misconstrue my lack of sleep with reasons to be worried when traveling to Namibia. That is totally not my concern. It's just the notion of being responsible for someone else's well being that I place a high upon my list of priorities.

Part of what my mind wanders to during my restless nights is the fact that there are many mothers and fathers in many parts of this world, not just Namibia, who might not give a second thought to the well being of their own son or daughter, let alone a niece. That entire notion is so unfathomable to me.

I've been kidding with Katherine that I will have "ownership of her" after the guardianship papers are signed. But all kidding aside, part of what I think about most IS the responsibility for her. Helping her work through any difficulties she might have in the differences between life there and here; watching, experiencing the trip through the eyes of a fifteen year old.

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We leave Manchester at around 3:30PM and fly to Philadelphia. From there, we leave for London at 10:45PM, arriving there around 11:05AM (London time) on Wednesday. We then get to partake in some of the British hospitality until our flight departs for Namibia at 9:30PM, finally arriving in Windhoek at 7:45AM (Namibia time) on Thursday morning.

posted by Don @ 5:45 AM 0 comments

About Me

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