“Sir, you made me feel like a little girl. Thank you,” said the twenty year old Grade Eight learner as she sat down with teary eyes.  An odd compliment, that was followed by many thank-yo’s from learners from all the grades.  Some learners that I never even taught came and shook my hand, thanking me for being at Eloolo.  This happened throughout my last couple of days at the school, commencing in a surprise-going-away party, thrown by the staff for me. I walked into the staff room to a standing ovation.  Then, each staff member, had something genuine and unique to say about how I affected the school, the learners, community, and even them.  They even presented me with a traditional cup and bowl carved out of Mopane wood. Needless to say, this all touched me and each thank-you made my final good-bye even harder.

            Yet, I feel like I should be thanking them.  I hope that my colleagues, community, and learners understand that this was a mutual exchange.  Many of the presumptions about Africa that I had have been shattered. At the same time, the many stereotypes of America that my friends and students had, have also been corrected.  But the exchange goes further than that.  The wonderful simplicity, friendliness, and generosity, that comes with being a Namibian, will certainly stick with me and hopefully make those who I come into contact with in the future, have a better life. I learned those things through sharing, conversations, food, training, and much more. These have all led to my ability to see people as individuals and a culture, and will help me to become the enriching teacher I hope to be. 

            Before my last few days, I was unsure of the impact I left.  Yes, I knew I had helped in many simple ways, but would I leave a lasting effect on this school and the community.  Again, the thank-yous began to confirm that I had helped many learners.  But, maybe I had just helped them by providing them a break? Maybe I was the teaching-clown that allowed them to relax and be entertained?  These thank-yous seemed heartfelt, but I still could not confirm that I had really made a difference. But, one of the teachers pulled me aside and informed me that he had heard many of my learners talking about how the exams they just took (English writing), had been the easiest they had ever taken, because of my teaching. Further, at the staff meeting, many of the teachers thanked me for being a ro-model to them.  I did not expect this.  Teachers who were older than me said that they had learned from my personality, commitment, teaching strategies, etc. that surely have changed them for the better.  I was at a loss for words. 

            This probably sounds like I’m boasting, but I don’t want it to.  Actually, I want to let the people who have helped me come to Namibia know that they are the reason for these thank-yous.  From my family, friends, teachers, and anyone who has ever helped me become who I am today, thank you.  Everyday, I thought of you.  What would you do if you were here?  Would you be lazy? No.  Would you be uncommitted? No.  You would treat everyday as a rare opportunity to learn, teach, and explore.  In the classroom, when I was out on a run, when I was conversing in a bar, I thought of you.  I pushed myself to represent you and me as best I could, everyday.  My successes are equally your successes, and I hold these meaningful thank-yous as a toast.

            So, how was my time here in Namibia?  I can’t explain it in words, but I promise you that it has been an invaluable educational experience that Namibians and Americans have benefited and will both benefit from.   With the most conviction text can give, thank you for helping me along the way and to reach this point.  One of my most memorable experiences here was after a good history lesson.  A learner came up to me and said, “Sir, you taught very well today, thank you.”  That gratitude, my lessons, my time in Namibia, I dedicate to you. 

Written a few days ago

My last week begins today and teaching will end in only a couple days.  In Namibia, national exams in all subjects take place near the end of each term.  On Wednesday, the learners will begin.  That means the school basically goes into shut-down mode, dedicating the upcoming weeks to exams.  Makes me feel at home again almost! 

            During the days, I’ll be doing a few different things.  I promised one class that I would bring in two types of peanut butter and have a blind taste test to see which one is better.  They have done very well, so in reward, Tuesday we will have peanut butter day, they are all very excited.  But it’s not just a party for the next two days.  I’ll be doing exam-prep, whatever I/they feel is most critical and beneficial.  I think the main area we will focus on is the extended response question. 

            Many learners have trouble with reading comprehension.  This leads to confusing and lack luster responses.  Throughout the past two months I have emphasized reading and writing in my classes.  With this extra push and some response practice, I hope they will be able to perform better. I dug up a few old exams and many of the questions follow a typical format.  Using topics that they can relate to, such as music or essential life necessities, I’ll have them respond to the questions, emphasizing providing examples and counter-evidence to back up an argument.

            Previously, I have tested them using questions like this on my own exams.  But again, they seem to have trouble comprehending and then explaining themselves in English.  This gets at the point I want to briefly write about; the problems in the Namibian education system.

            I won’t drone on about how bad the ministry is or the schools, because really they are improving everyday.  But, there are a few glaring problems that must be fixed if Namibia wants to obtain their 2030 goal of a highly educated population.  One; English must be taught at the primary level.  Although, English is a second language for many, it is now the official language of Namibia.  That means it should take precedent inside the language sphere of the classroom.  This is happening in most grades past seven, but in the lower primary level grades, there is a minimal amount of English being taught.  When the students are expected to abstractly respond on their exam questions, they fail to do so, because they just started to learn the basics of English grammar a couple years ago.  If the foundation of a building is weak, it will not stand, and the same goes for language.  However, if primary teachers can incorporate English into their classrooms, and for those that are, use more effective strategies, I think language will substantially improve and help the total Namibian education push.

            However there are a few things.  One, many primary teachers, at least at the schools I have been exposed to, cannot speak fluent English.  If a teacher cannot speak the language, there is no way that they will be able to teach it.  Yet, this is not completely their fault.  Twenty years ago, Namibia became independent and just a few years ago, English was made the official language.  During their schooling, English was merely given a glance, while Afrikaans was the major second language studied.  With future generations speaking more and more English, the upcoming teachers will have a much stronger base than the current teachers, undoubtedly increasing learner language performance. 

            Also, I am not for a complete English domination.  Oshindonga, the local language, is extremely important too.  If English erases this traditional language, a serious loss of culture will take place.  That should not happen, as any native culture should not be forgotten.  They help make the people who they are and create the wonderful thing of diversity in this world.  Oshindonga should be taught equally (splitting the language allotment 50/50) or as a second language.

            Finally, as I have just mentioned, many of the current primary teachers (again, not all and at least to the schools that I have been exposed to) have a tough time with English.  How can they be expected to teach it if they themselves don’t fully grasp it?  They should not, but that doesn’t mean that Namibia should wait for the next generation of teachers to begin.  Teacher training and education, rides right along side with learner education.  The 2030 goal should include an effective teaching force, which can be obtained with more training. 

            These primary teachers should be made or have the option to attend training.  This would help them revamp their classrooms and take a proactive approach in teaching.  This should not just be for English or for primary teachers, but for all teachers.  More emphasis needs to be placed on current teacher training.  For example, many schools have computer labs.  Great! What a trophy! But a trophy is merely a symbol.  The computer lab itself shouldn’t be something to boast about.  Yes, they represent modernity, technology, communication, etc.  But if the lab is only a symbol for these things, it has little use.  Teachers must know how to use the computers.  Just like English, schools can never help their learners achieve better computer skills (which I have taken for granted and now feel very thankful for having) if the teachers and administration cannot use them.  The labs should come paired with a training system.  Not just some do-it-yourself software, but a face-to-face ICT instructed program.  Obviously this would cost money in many different ways, but the computer labs are more of a waste in just sitting there, gathering dust.  I came here to help teach ICT and was put on hold, because of the apathy and uncertainty of management.  If 2030 should succeed, more effort, time, and money, needs to be put into teacher training, on many different levels.

            So, if you are still reading, I apologize for this rant.  If the ministry remains active, I am confident that giant steps in learning can be made.  But, this is my last week, and I feel it necessary to express some of the things that take away from this education system.  By doing this, I hope that people can begin to understand some of the reasons why volunteers are needed in Namibia and that these suggestions create awareness.  Many of you helped send me here, in one way or another, and I think it is important for me to report back to you.  Hopefully through reading this blog, you can get some sense of exposure to Namibia and feel culturally connected to the larger Africa, just as I have been fortunate enough to.

            I’ll post once more before I leave, sometime later on in the week.  After that, I’ll be in the states and will be able to put up a few pictures a day, so you can actually see (yes!) what I have been seeing.  Best.