Sunday Funday Pictures are back! 13-November-2016

BIG NEWS I forgot to tell you. 2 of my learners applied to Camp GLOW (Girls and Guys Leading Our World) a special camp held by Peace Corps Volunteer in many serving countries. The attended the week long camp in August and absolutely LOVED it!! 

Every blue moon volunteers get to escape to the coast to get fancy and find fun crystals, stones, feathers and shells. 

 (Another PCV taught me how to make dream catchers!)

My latest collage. Reflection time/Down time is always good for the corazon. 

While I was on Med Evac an old friend gave me a new tattoo. Now I have learners drawing their own tatts as well. he he he :)

Broke into the hot cheetos stash!!!! OH YEAH!!!! 

 I just want to throw it out there that I'm almost out;

 Christmas is soon, 

and 

for the most part I was a good girl this year. 

My host niece is such a little cutie. Its never too soon to introduce them to books. 

This girl is 2, and already smart as can be. 

The Goals of Peace Corps: The Bright Side

The past couple weeks have been rather, emotional, for me (as for many).
Don't worry; this is nothing political.

Lets just skip the past week in general shall we?

Peace Corps has 3 main goals, I'd like to highlight goals 2 and 3.


Goal 3:  To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Two weekends ago I received word that a good friend of mine back home had an accident and was in the ICU on life support. Monday morning (my time) I woke to news of his passing. Now if you've read My Story: The Reason you know, death is quite the heavy load for me. However, as The Lion King taught us, it's part of the circle of life. So for today I ask of you. whoever it is you pray to, say a little something for Gary Davenport. That guy, he was just a genuine soul and one heck of a jokester.


However, I did have a rather sweet moment. Later in the day I was sitting under the trees trying to cope, when one of the grade 2 learners came up to me. She noticed I was crying and asked what's wrong. So, I told her "a friend of mine from home died and my heart is broken." She looked at me for a moment, got up and said "Tani wiza" (I'm coming [back]). A couple minutes later she returned with a bag of ice and put it near my chest while she told me about the time she once broke a bone and so her grandma had her put ice on it. I melted. It was a reminder of just how pure and kind people can be. With that moment alone not only did this adorable girl with the sweetest jack-o-latern smile make me feel better, but she inspired me. It was the simplest moment of kindness, and yet I don't think she realizes how much that one moment impacted me. How in that moment, I needed something like that.

So, if there is one thing I want people to absolutely know about my host country Namibia (Speaking specifically of the Kavango region): For the majority, the locals are very kind. They're curious. They're welcoming and  yes, doing an entire greeting is mandatory every time you simply see each other. Overall, there is a astonishing sense of community community.

Rest In Peace Gary Davenport

September 17, 1988

October 30, 2016

Goal 2: To help promote a better understanding of Americans on part of the peoples served.

Let me tell you, being a teacher has some perks. The school year is coming to an end in just a couple weeks and I can guarantee you, the grade 8 and 9 learners learned 2 very important lessons!

1. Chicago is the best city in the whole entire world! Yes, that is indeed a fact.

2. In fact, to go along with that, the Chicago Cubs are the World Series Champions.


Time difference can really affect the news you wake up to, so when I woke up to find messages awaiting in all caps say " WE ARE THE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS", that set a tone for the day. My classes did have an exam scheduled, but being that I'm the teacher, I hold the power to decide to postpone the exam to teach a very valuable lesson to these children. I told them a story about how over 100 years ago a horrible horrible curse was placed on a great team known as the Chicago Cubs. Despite all of the Cubs great efforts the curse could not be broke, until now!! This great triumph was to show everyone not to give up on their dreams and it was basically a holiday, so exams were canceled because we had to all learn a very important song, and dance.


Seriously, this is a video you have to watch! Ms. Tena's very important World Series Champions, The Chicago Cubs Lesson ( https://youtu.be/XniiB8PCLyo )

A gofundme has been set up for the family of Gary. If you would like to donate visit Gary Davenport's Memorial Gofundme page

"Ms. Tena, you discriminate"

If you saw my blog post Days for Girls , then you already know about the Days for Girls kits that were supplied to every single Orphan and Vulnerable Child (OVC) girl who is known to have started her cycle, and all girls club members have also received a kit.

Well right around that same time, a group known as OYO came to do a performance at my school. LET ME TELL YOU, they were a really cool group. Its a local performance company who has invested their amazing dance skills to teach via dance and music about topics such as teen pregnancies, STI's, drinking, issues pressing too many. Their performance was super cool!! Along with teaching via dance performances they offer a 2 week after school class that learners can sign up for to learn more in depth information about these issues. Basically every single learner in grades 7-9 were involved. Well in these after school classes the learners learned to word "discriminate".

 Well one day after school a couple of the boys came up to me and said "Ms.Tena, you discriminate  against us." Confident in their remark.

The first thought that came to my mind was shoot, theres still so much about the culture I'm learning, I did something to offend someone; but like a duck even will my feet going wild beneath the surface, I kept my game face on and asked what they meant. They explained that it wasn't fair that the girls get special gifts and the boys don't. I tried to explain to them the kits would never be something they would use, they were something the girls really needed but not the boys. Thats when in the typical teenage fashion they argued that boys have stuff they need that the girls don't. So I asked for an example, and nothing. I told them to think about it, and then I would see what I could do.

A couple days later they came to me and explained they need ties so that they can go to job interviews one day. As much as I wanted to argue a clothing item like a tie isn't just a "boy's need", I was more so impressed that they thought of something they may actually need one day and a valid reason for it. Not to mention this was in English, their second/third languages. So I accepted.

Well while I was back in the good old USA for my surgery I told my mom the story and she then took it upon herself to tell the story to some of her co-workers and do a tie drive. With in 48hrs till I left back to complete my service in Namibia, they collected over 30 ties! I was really hoping for 17, enough for each of my boys club members and they passed that with flying colors. It took me a couple weeks to get back into my groove in Kasote but then we finally had a very special boys club meeting where each boy was able to tell me 1 thing he learned during boys club in exchange for a tie. Of coarse they were able to start wearing then whenever they wanted. They were  so excited! I wish you all could have seen them walking into school the next day in their ties like the were the coolest thing to ever walk Kasote School ground. I must admit, they looked rather dapper.


I owe a major major thank you to my dad, my mom and her co-workers for donating the ties. The boys rock their ties most days of the week. Yeah it may be simply a tie, but it has definitely added some confidence into the boys steps.

If you are interested in OYO coming to your school in Namibia, they are awesome and you won't regret it. An easy way to contact them is via their Facebook page OYO's facebook link

Funday Photos!

It may not be Sunday, but any day is a great day to share pictures, wouldn't you say?

The amount of cuteness the puppies bring to my homestead is to much to handle. They just makes me melt!!!!!

In Namibia many Learners who live in the village struggle with getting to town in order to get vaccinations. The Ministry of Health doesn't let that get in the way of getting Learners the medical attention they need to help them remain healthy. Since the families can't always get to the clinic, the Ministry brings the clinics to the school and gives every single learner their vaccination. 

I'm twice their age, and equally as scared of getting vaccinations! 

The official cultural dance competition was this past weekend. Unfortunately I was at resource volunteer training and couldn't make it. The great new is that their hard work payed off and the team proudly brought home THIRD PLACE!!!!

Way to go!!!!!

*disclaimer: permission has be asked and granted by any person(s) photos published. 

Is that a mirror in your pants?: Namibian pick up lines

How much does a polar bear weigh? Enough to break the ice! BADA BING! *mic drop*

So do I have your attention now? Let's be honest cheesey pick up lines are funny, in any country. I loved the different lines people came up with in the United State, around South America, and Namibia is no different. So just in case you find yourself in Namibia and need a few great lines in your pocket these are a few myself and a few volunteers have encounteered.



* Meets you for the very first time "I love you! We must marry."

* You're so fat and pale

* Has anyone ever told you that you have breast like a chicken?

* You're hair is so beautiful, its like rice and mayonaise

* Have you ever tasted?

* Is it true all Americans look like Kim Kardasian?
                         - Do I look like Kim Kardasian to you?
   No you look like Martha Stewart!

* Come swim in the river, but if you dont take off all your clothes the crocodilles will eat you.

* Have you ever seen a Namibian snake?

* God told me we should be together.

* You're more beautiful than a Savannah sunset 

* Do you know how fast a cheetah is? 

     -umm no 

  Neither do I, but not fast enough to catch my heart like you did

Got more? Or do you have catchy American pick up lines to share with locals? Send them my way

The Hafa legacy lives on!

In one of my earlier blogs you may have learned about Hafa, the dog my host brother got me after saying part of what makes me miss being home is having pets. Hafa (which means happy in Rukwangali) sure lived up to his name. He was happy as can be and had more energy then any dog I've ever known. He reminded me more of a spastic cartoon squirrel than he did a dog. Unfortunately, I live right next to a highway, and we lost Hafa just over a month ago.

       *Hafa when he was a puppy and I first got him

I was really heartbroken over the loss of Hafa. He drove me nuts, but he was my spastic little squirrel. When people asked if I was going to get another dog I would say no, I'm too scared of another one getting hit by a car. 

A couple weeks after Hafa's passing I realized the girl dog on are homestead (her name is Nunu, meaning small) was looking a bit on the preggos side. And sure enough, she was. Last week after attending a media meeting I come home to find in a hidden area of my homestead Nunu and 6 precious little puppies. Nunu never leaves the homestead and Masini (the male dog, masini meaning milk) is very light colored, like when you add too much creamer to coffee (hence the name I have him). Yet, a lot of the puppies look like this 

Notice any resemblance? 

Hafa make be up in doggy heaven, but I think he left a little something behind. I said no more dogs, but visiting these little cuties everyday is causing me to quickly fall in love!

Love, HIV

Love, HIV

Written by: M. Rama

I am the name you hear

The one you loved to get

The one you hate to have

"Trust me"

You don't know me

My name is HIV

I come to destroy people

I enter in the blood

and destroy you

You cant hear me when I enter your body

You feel it as it happens

Yet you can't sense me at all

I cause death

To young and old

Please protect yourself from me

Camp YEAH! / Sunday Funday pics rolled into one

In a previous blog Life in a day of camp I briefly touched on one of my Secondary Projects, Camp YEAH! (Youth Exploring and Achieving in Health). As promised I want to give you more insight on what exactly Camp YEAH! is all about.

To give a brief history and background Camp YEAH! began just a few years ago by 3 volunteers aiming to reach out and teach youth specifically here in the Kavango Region. Though the region has recently be divided into Kavango East and Kavango West, we still aim to cover the Kavango as a whole. In past years volunteers from the Zambezi Region (just east of the Kavango) were involved and this year was the first time Wambo Land (or O-Land) had some representation. In Namibia [as a whole] there are very high rates of HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancies, particularly in the Kavango Region.

Camp is held twice a year, once during the first week of the May holiday of school. Schools in Namibia close for about a month from the last week in April, to the end of May. This gives us the opportunity to facilitate a week long camp for learners. Each Peace Corps Volunteer active in YEAH! was able to bring 2-4 learners to the camp. During this week long camp we primarily focus on teachings about HIV/AIDS. We however also learned about pregnancies, other STIs, gender roles, stereotypes, and about what our bodies are doing in general. The learners also get a chance to ask us "secret questions" about our own experiences. We did everything from acting out scenarios to  interactive groups about the specifics on HIV/AIDS and other STIs to learning how to put on and take off a condom properly to how we can reference the Bible to help us with our attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and those effected by it. In Namibia the Christian religion plays a VERY strong role in the culture so its something valued on high by many of the locals. We even had an interactive obstacle coarse to simulate the concept of risky behaviors. Coming up in October will be a three day weekend camp with a focus on teen pregnancy which I must admit I'm very excited for.

One of my favorite parts of Camp YEAH! is the learning doesn't stop once camp comes to an end. All PCV involved in YEAH! are also required to hold health clubs at their schools. At first I only held a Girl's Club, and then the boy learners called me out for "discrimination" against male learners because they wanted to have a club too. This made me laugh, but also happy that they are actually learning their vocabulary words so I now also run a Boy's club with similar material. Initially I thought it would be awkward to have a female teacher running the club of all boys but so far its off to a good start. The 4 learners I brought to camp are my Club Leaders and LOVE to help teach activities we did at camp. It brings a little smile to my heart to see them with their Camp YEAH! shirts on at school telling their friends about this and that from camp. Over a month later its still something they rave about. Sometimes its the simplest things that make you go, ok maybe I'm not going to save the world by being in Peace Corps, but to see the excitement in learners voice as they share this knowledge with their peers, now that means the world to me!

When I use to work with Deaf students in the USA I would have them put their hands on their head like Bix is doing above to get them to stop talking and pay attention. One day at school I did that again with out even realizing it. Its actually the best strategy to get my kiddos here to quiet down in pay attention because they all mimic it back. It made me giggle to see my learners then doing it when they need the floor. 

TALENT SHOW NIGHT!!!!!! 

We made some awesome Tie-Dye shirts! 

One thing we learned about were gender roles and gender is viewed in the culture. Gender roles in Namibia are MUCH different from those in the U.S.A. The learners then had to act out short drama as the gender opposite of their own. Some of the boys wanted to dress like Memes, the girls rushed to wear bucket hats. It was an interesting experience to see how the learners viewed the opposite gender and lead to some great conversation as to "well why did you...." "why do we think.... about gender x".

Eddie and I both Representing Sweet Home Chicago 

Education

Education

Written by: L.H Pretty (Grade 9)

Education

The key to success

Education is the weapon to change the world

Education

The key to open the golden door

Guys, time is running out on us

It flies weather we focus on our studies or not

Boyfriends, girlfriends night clubs

the all equal fun...

for how long?

We have the confidence

We will make it

Let us be cool teenagers

Let us learn and change

Let us study

Teach us to become the best we can

Boy and girls

Remember education comes first

Lets make our books our lovers

Love wasn't meant for us teens

Lets take our books on dates

Read, and in the end you won't feel blue

Because it's too late to cry once school is threw

Study Study 

In the end we should delight our elders

Its never to late 

When you focus on the bright side

"Love"

"Love"

Written by: Eddie "Wiz Kid" (Grade 9)

"Love" is my name

HIV is my salary 

I kick teenagers out of their minds

Hurt, I am on their mind

Sex is never limited

"Love" is unlimited

Pregnancy is unheated

HIV is hurting us

My raise keeps increasing

You are decreasing

Just keep freezing

Feeling blue

HIV, sing for us

Pregnancy dancing for us

Music causing heat

Easy for us to meet

Death for sex

Abstain for health

"Love" for the making

When you reduce "love" for sex

I feel the need to brag for a moment

By far my favorite part of service is my learners. I've grown to really care about them. Sure, some days they make me want to scream, but over all they hold a really special place in my heart. I feel like part of what gives me some of the deepest insight on life in Namibia is via my learners. I would say I have a pretty close relationship with most of them. Between Girls Club, Boys Club, being a school counselor, teaching them and having them teach me, there is a level of trust between us. My learners keep these journals and a lot of it is basically to practice and be exposed to writing in English. These journals have opened my eyes to a lot. I'm always amazed to see what wanders threw their minds. Especially when their only prompt is "write about something you feel effecting your life", "write about the first thing on your mind", "write about anything". However, part of the learner's grades (as required by the Namibian Ministry of Education) is that they must do a short writing. This term I decided to make their short writing assignment writing a poem. So over the past weekend, after spending last week learning about different types of figurative language their assignment was to write me a poem about anything. Only rule, it must have figurative speech incorporated in some way at least once. As usual, some of them really blew my mind. My friends and family I talk to back home know I love to brag about my learners. I've grown up around English my whole life and even still I understand English is a hard language!! I've learned second, third and even fourth languages and, come on, learning a language in general is hard. To see some of the things these kids experience and can then in turn retell in a language outside their mother tongue amazes me. So over the next couple weeks I would like to highlight some of the work of my learners. Please note that each learner was asked first before I publish anything. They also got to choose their "display name". They are really excited actually! I do encourage any comments or compliments or constructive criticism people would like to offer my learners' works, I will happily deliver the feedback.

Sunday Funday Pictures!

It's that time of year where the Learners start preparing for their "Culture Competitions" in the Kavango. Learners collaborate traditional dancing, songs, and dramas together into a skit where they will compete with other schools. 

These are a couple of the traditional drums typically played by boy students. 

Since the Culture Competitions are a big deal in the area, and the drums can be heard through out the village, it attracts people to come watch their practices.

Little Miss Mariah here is one of my grade 8 English Learners, and one of our Culture Team's secret weapon. This girl can dance!!

Back to school! Term 2 of school has been back and at it for about 2 weeks. Winter is also upon us so people are layering up.

If you even (slightly) know me, you know I have a serious hot Cheetos addiction! Luckily my friends rock my socks and send me happiness in a box! If you haven't tried hot Cheetos with marshmallow cream, go try it, now! Lol trust me, it's great!

Flashback!!!

One of the local bands here Kolesa and my host sister invited a couple friends and I to their End of Year party last December. And recently sent me some of the photos they took. 

They are a GREAT band, I'm hoping to upload some of their music soon!

(Isn't my host sister so pretty? I'm couldn't ever ask for a better host sister!)