Don't Run With the Zebra

Since I got to Divundu Combined School, one of main goals was to bring some learners on a trip. Although textbooks and classroom materials are important, sometimes its what you learn outside of school that is more important. Only 20 km away from Divundu is Mahango Game, Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute, and Popa Falls. For the normal tourist 20 km seems like nothing, however for almost all my learners, they have never traveled even outside their village. With the help of a donation from my Aunt Marcia and my Uncle Robert, and a recent paycheck from working here in Namibia, I put together my funds to arrange a field trip for my grade 5, 6, and 7 classes. That’s 81 learners!

This past Friday, the dream became a reality. I arranged for a big truck to pick us up at 7 am and head to the park. Because of Namibian Time (everything is late!), we ended up leaving at 8 am. We entered the park at 8:30 am with all the learners singing and dancing in the back of the car en-route to the park. Despite being in the bush, the learners have never seen an elephant, zebra, springbok, kudu, buffalo, etc. and that’s exactly what we saw. We would turn a corner and see buffalo walking, look in the trees and see monkeys, gaze in the distance and see a herd of zebra running, and glance at the river and see hippos walking out. There are no words to describe the look on the kids faces. Chaperoning a field trip is a much different than chaperoning one in the United States. Trying to do a buddy system, or making lines didn’t work so I ultimately just gave up. Midway through the game drive, one of my grade decided to jump off and run with the zebra. While it was a funny sight, it was probably the dumbest thing you could do at a game park.

By 11 am we left the game park and headed to KIFI (Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute), which is a research center that does fish farming and studies fish. The learners got a tour of the fishponds and got to speak to scientists about their research. By this time we were all hungry, so we headed out towards Popa Falls, where we would be given a nice lunch by a Lodge. About 5 minutes into our ride, a big THUMP was heard, and we looked down to see the big tire deflated under the car. I had 81 learners who were hungry, tired, and hot, greatttttt! Changing a tire on a big truck is not a simple task, and it ended up taking 2 hours. As I was pacing back and forth glancing at my watch, the learners took it in stride and just danced and sang as they waited.

With the car started we traveled to Popa Falls, a waterfall right near our school, however an entrance fee is needed that most of the learners can’t afford. At the lodge we ate goat, chicken, French fries, and rice. Unable to walk from exhaustion, all of us jumped in water to cool off. At the end of the day, the learners continuously came up to me thanking me for a day they will never forget (I know I will never forget it!).

Wish you could all see their faces. Thank you Aunt Marcia and Uncle Robert!

Peace,
Scott

Working Together

Dear Friends and Family,

I sit writing this letter to you 1000s of miles from home, the countries of Angola and Botswana just minutes from my door step, hippos and crocodiles in sight, the sound of goats and cows penetrating my ears, and the smell of traditional Mbukushu meals all around. My home for the past 5 months has been Divundu, Namibia, smack down in the center of southern Africa. I am currently teaching English and social studies to grades 5,6,7,8 at Divundu Combined School through the program WorldTeach. The hurdles and obstacles that these people face each and every day may seem unlivable for most, however their constant determination, hopefulness, and strength allow them to continue. With HIV/AIDs overcoming Namibian society, tuberculosis gripping all parts of the country, severe unemployment making everything difficult, drought and rain becoming recurring patterns, and a school system that lacks even the most basic resources, it is easy to give up and surrender to the whims of these struggles.

Although we do not have the ability to solve all of these overwhelming issues, we do have the power to try. In my short time here, I have seen how a set of dictionaries given to the school from my parents has inspired my students to read, how a pen given to each student has encouraged them to do their homework, how a school dance has given them the opportunity to have fun, a field trip to a game park has opened their eyes to a small part of the world that they would have never seen before, and a book on Nelson Mandela has given them the confidence that anything is possible. These were small acts that required little effort, but had such an enormous effect on the community. It did not cure HIV or provide jobs, but it gave hope- something that is needed for everyone in this world.

As I begin my final months here, I wanted to reach out to all of you and include you in my efforts. If the tiny assistance from me could have such a beneficial outcome, the effect of many will be tremendous. When put together, we have the power to change the world and unite with a small community in northern Namibia. I am asking for your help because this is a rare occasion in which each of you can feel connected to your contributions, as I will be able to keep you updated on the actual status and effect of your donation. The money that I receive will ALL go back to the school. Books, proper school supplies, and a computer could change the atmosphere forever, providing new opportunities that do not exist here. If anyone doubts the effect of a few dollars or a small gift, I ask you to try. ONE person has the power to change the world, and the results of these donations will prove that.

If you would like to join me in my efforts, checks can be made out to
“Scott Karrel” and mailed to:

Scott Karrel
586 Hamilton Place
River Vale, NJ 07675

Thank you and I look forward to sharing my experience with all of you when I return. Miss you and hope all is well!

Sincerely,

Scott Karrel

ONE PEOPLE

*This blog post follows the same path as the previous one I just posted, however, the sheer influence that the subsequent event had on my life, made me create a new blog post to share it with you.*

My day last Wednesday started like any other. I woke up at 5:30 am, had an apple, prepared my starbucks instant coffee (thanks deb and dean), and walked to school at 6:20 am. My first period class is grade 7 social studies. We are studying the causes of conflicts/violence and how people resolve them, so I brought in some newspaper clippings of currents events happening around the world. I noticed in class that one girl in the back was writing the entire class time, but with a class of 35 kids, I assumed she was taking a lot of notes. I finished my lesson early and quickly headed to my grade 6 where I was administering a topic test on Namibian culture. Midway through the period, another teacher called me outside in an urgent manner. He immediately informed that a girl in my grade 7 class, wrote a suicide note to a friend claiming she was going to kill herself today. With my heart beating fast and my brain going in every which direction, I made him instantly take me to see her. The girl, about 15 years old, was sitting in our make-shift library, huddled on the floor and crying.

I know that suicide is a worldwide problem, and threats happen quite frequently, but I was naive to the issue. I NEVER thought I would be caught in a situation like this. I stood there, watching a girl who was only perhaps hours away from taking her own life, and I am now the adult supposed to help. Unfortunately, due to the lack of education on psychological issues, many of the teachers were unsure on how to deal with the issue. Therefore, I decided that although I was not trained in social work, my experiences in the US prepared me a little more than the other teachers. My first goal was to determine the issue behind her threat. Since she was not speaking, I decided to bring my laptop into the room and have her listen to music and show her funny pictures of me throughout my time here. With her laughing now, she was more open to talk. She translated each word into English. The note spoke about how she does not have a father and her mother currently lives 30km in the bush. She is living with Aunt now, who wants to send her back to her mother for doing poor at school. The girl’s frustration stems from the fact that if she was sent home she would never attend school again because of the location in the bush, and the beatings she would receive from her other family members.

I listened to her talk about the death of her father, the separation from her mother, the beatings she received when she was younger, and her desire to remain at Divundu Combined School and continue her education. I was on the brink of tears, but I had to keep composure to show some stability. By killing herself (which was definitely intended, as she said she had the pills ready), she would not have to deal with any of the issues that confronted her: no family that supports her.

Ultimately, I thought of the one thing that reminds me everyday of who I am and my goals in life: the ONE bracelet I wear. I have worn a white rubber bracelet that just says ONE on it since I was 16 years old. It symbolizes that we are all ONE people, ONE family and the simple premise that ONE person can change the world. An hour into our session, I took off the bracelet and put it on her wrist, signifying that although she doesn’t have her mother and father with her, she is my family, the teachers are her family, the learners are her family- we are ONE family.

The day ended with her Aunt making a judgment to bring her to the hospital for a proper social session with a doctor. In the end, my learner did not kill herself, however a thought like that does not just leave in a day. My goal throughout the remainder of my time here, is to remind her each and every day that someone is always there to help you in a dire situation.

This weekend I saw that same girl at the local bar, with two beers in hand. For this, I know the know the challenges that tomorrow will bring, and the next day, and the next month, and the next year will be the greatest in her life, but at least she knows she is not alone. The ONE bracelet has helped me in hard situations and now it is passed on to her to assist her. Hopefully, when she feels in the right place, she will pass it on to someone that needs her help to.

I learned a great deal from this day, however I hope I will never have to do it ever again.

ONE

Scott

ONE Family

Upon entering Divundu, Namibia you will see a petrol station on your left, Divundu Combined School set amongst the bushes on your left, and a location straight ahead (a location is an impoverished area where people are usually refugees or lack the money to buy a plot of land, hence it looks like a shanty town). After the location, there is the majestic Kavango River and the start of the Caprivi Strip, gateway to Angola, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. On all sides of this tiny town, lie hundreds of huts, homesteads, mud houses, and of course goats, chickens, pigs, and cows everywhere.

The area in which I live is hot, dry, and vast. I have currently been here for four months, and it has NOT rained once since I have been here. Yup that’s right, I have not seen rain in four months. Besides the lack of rain, the people face such issues as unsafe drinking water, unemployment at over 60%, illnesses (HIV, malaria, and TB are ravaging sub-Saharan Africa), technology shortage, and the sheer distance it takes from place to place (Namibia is huge- and everything is very spread out). Despite these daunting obstacles, the Mbukusku people (the tribe with whom I live with) still manage to go to school, look for food, walk dozens of kilometers for water, and travel great distances by hitch hiking. They know that the road may be steep, the weather may be hot, the food may be little, and the education may not be the best- but they do it to live.

What I have noticed here is that it does not matter where you came from, who you are, or how old you are, they all care for one another. They are all ONE family. Aunts, uncles, grandpas, grandmas, and cousins all live in the same homestead because the thought of leaving someone to fend for themselves is unheard of. If someone doesn’t have food, you share the bread, if someone is sick, you go to church to pray and scrounge any money for a doctors visit, if you need to go the city over 200km, you hitchhike with someone going in that direction. Last week, my roommate and fellow teacher began shivering and throwing up during school. It turned out he had malaria. As I was flipping out and unsure what to do, one teacher with a car rushed him 50km to the hospital, 5 learners used their little money to buy him bread, one teacher prepared a light meal for him, one learner sent his mp3 player in a car to the hospital for him to borrow, and 3 learners boiled water so he would have clean water upon his return. As his temperature rose over 104 degrees, I watched with a glazed stare as members of the community did whatever they could do to help. Luckily, over the past week he has recovered to full health. This type of assistance and support for those who are ill, happens everyday as someone new is diagnosed with malaria, TB, Bilharzia, or the countless other diseases that exist here.

On Tuesday, Divundu had one of its daily blackouts, however this time it was longer than usual. When the power goes off, unfortunately the cell network, the lights, and the water are also disabled. As I tried to help the learners go to bed with my mini-flashlight that can barely illuminate 4 feet in front of you, a car pulled out in front of the learner’s hostel. Surprised and startled by any movement this late at night, I walked outside to see 20 little children with a pillow and blanket in hand. The truck was an OVC (orphaned and vulnerable children) vehicle sponsored by UNICEF. Being the only teacher on duty that night watching the learners, I approached the truck and spoke with the driver. The 20 children were OVCs on a field trip with UNICEF and had no where to sleep that night. With no electricity, a packed hostel, and no water, you could imagine what my face looked like. In a matter of only 10 minutes, my learners started giving up their beds so these young, new children could have a place to sleep. Without any hassling from me, the girls and boys at my school had created a mini- hostel for these OVC children without complaining, or fussing over it. Some even agreed to sleep on the floor, so these other kids could have a proper bed. This moment is truly a telling moment to the type of kids they are.

Everyone in Divundu understands the enormity of the task that lies in front of them, however they do not give up. If any of you are worried of how far I am from home, you can be comforted that I live amongst people who really care about each other with myself included.

Hope all is well

Peace,

Scott