"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

Welcome to Kasote

I love to travel, I guess you could even  say I don't stay put in one place very long. Most would describe me as a "gyspy soul" or full of wanderlust so 2 years in one kembo (home), wow!

This is not the first time I venture off to a new country on my own, and it probably won't be the last, but this time, man were emotions running wild. The euphoria of becoming a new official Peace Corps Volunteer still has me flying high. I don't even think cloud nine reaches my excitement. A piece of me feeling scared for some reason. Almost like a kid on their first day of school wondering "what if my village doesn't like me?", "should I make my socks match? oh wait you hate wearing socks and haven't worn any in over a month", "shit how do I say this in Rukwangali, how do I say that?", "Did I pack everything?" wow. For me, feeling nervous like this was new. I've really enjoyed the 10 weeks I spent with my co-volunteers, I loved the times I had growing close with the Bunya crew on the beach; I guess you could say it even gave me a sense of security. However, now was time for the show to really begin, and I was venturing off on my own once again.

We departed on Friday 16-October, the day right after swear ins. Naturally, African time took charge. Earlier this week a colleague I am now working with (Fans) came for training in Okahandja required by Peace Corps. We chated a bit over what Kasote would be like, the school, my family, etc. He was traveling up to Kasote in the Kavango with me along with a few other volunteers in the same region. We were all told we will be leaving by 8:00am. I was told to be ready to be picked up from my Okahandja host family's house no later than 6:30am. Come 7:45am the kumbi arrived to get me. Not half bad for Africa time if you ask me. We all gathered at Kukuri Center, different regions loading in their different buses/kumbis, "See you in December" and "Do great"s were exchanged, and shortly, the number of us got smaller and smaller. Come 10:00am still no Kumbi and we were told it would be at least an hour, so naturally the 3 of us Bunya girls still standing went to breakfast. 11:00am, nothing. Finally around noon our kumbi (which sits 13 people) arrives! GREAT.....except theres 12 of us, no trunk on the kumbi, and no trailer. As I said before, there were 3 girls with ALL the luggage we packed for 27 months of our life, plus another volunteer with all his luggage. Not to mention Peace Corps gave us large green trunks, plus our new supervisors and some of the language training staff with their luggage. Houston, we have a problem. Finally an hour later we have a trailer and hit the road.

The drive wasn't half bad until we hit a small village located just under an hr off the main road on a very dusty dirt road with dust that completely filled the kumbi and left luggage so dusty it took me 2 days to dust my bags and some how even get dust in my bags on my stuff, not sure how that happened. Did I mention we also had a covered trailer. That aside the scenery was epic! So much wildlife!!! 3 giraffes one being a cute baby!! Countless warthogs, several goo-dos (not sure thats spelt right), and some really neat birds. And the first official volunteer dropped off. After we slowly drop off one by one I'm the second to last and its 9pm.... Finally we arrived in Kasote!

 I could not believe my eyes upon arrival. A gate into my homestead is opened, we pull up and lighting set up with a couple long tables out decorated with flowers a feast awaiting my arrival. I was shocked, such a long day, I was maybe even getting a bit anxious, and this quickly changed my mood. The principal of my new school (Kasote Combined School), the chairman of the school board, my new host family, and many new co-workers with there families were all there to greet me. I was extremely flattered. They prepared a meal fit for a king of traditional foods....and get this, it was ALL GLUTEN FREE. When I first saw the food I thought to myself, damn what if they made all of this and I cant even eat it. They even prepared a whole running chicken just for me. They helped me carry in my extreme load of luggage and we dined.

The following day my new host sister/roommate was excited to show me around Rundu. She even took me to a special site here in the area of a large tree that fell at one time in the past, roots completely taken out of the soil lying flat on the road. Its completely unknown how but the tree is now back in perfect standing condition and the trunk turned green. I love local legends. I then spent all day Sunday unpacking, dusting off my stuff, and of coarse, facetiming my family. Ive grown rather fond of my Sunday facetime dates with my family. And to follow, the real first day of school.

One thing I'm coming to learn, Kasote has a surprise waiting around every corner........



On the first day of school the school began in their regular fashion with the learners lining up in the school yard and sang the Namibia and African National Anthems as the flag was risen. Directly following put the biggest smile on my heart. The cultural team then began beating on tradition drums, singing welcome songs, followed by traditional songs. I was then presented to the school by our principal Mr.Joshua and was greeting by so many smiling faces. I forgot to mention, he even gave me the name naTena upon arrival. They now call me Tena for short. Jamie is a tricky name here lol. After that I got introduced to the staff where they each introduced themselves and I was then taken to every single class to be re-introduced and get a tour of the school. Talk about a warm welcome.

The following day my principal also brought in the Headman of our village and the Chief of Police to help me feel safe and welcomed into the community. I also received a rather flattering introduction to the community when a school board meeting was held with many members and families of the Kasote community. I even got to give a brief introduction of myself, in Rukwangali. I think I did decently as well :). Though Peace Corps does have some requirements of my host community and new school, I really have to just say wow!!! My new principal and community has just gone above and beyond. They have helped my feel 100x more welcome then I could ever expect or wish for. People have been extremely kind. My host family completely welcomed me with open arms. The new school has been wonderful. I must admit I consider myself VERY lucky to recieve this site. I know it's still the beginning and most would even call this the honeymoon stage, but I have a feeling I am really going to enjoy my 2 years in Kasote.

**PLEASE NOTE** Please read the disclaimer located in the right hand column  

CBT Photo awesomeness

 My washing Machine. I'm so fancy huh? ;)

 Charlie and his host brothers are way too adorable. 

 Some of my amazing co-volunteers, some of the local children and I enjoying the beach. 

 Bathing in the Kavango 101

 These skies and fun evenings stole my heart every day

 Jake looking so fresh and so clean clean 

James being pulled by the cattle you know.  Being superman is rough

A beautiful way to stay the day. My morning walk to school

Some of our learners. 

Its at least 70 degrees... the locals seem to think its cold and need a fire

Charlie riding the cattle

We love to have fun