Why hippos open their mouths...

When God created the Earth, he created the hippo. God wanted to put the hippo on land, but the hippo said to God “we want to be in the water”. God said to the hippo “No, you cannot be in the water, you will eat all of my fish, you are too big and must eat a lot”. The hippo made a deal with God, if God would allow the hippo to live in the rivers the Hippo would be a vegetarian and only eat grass. To prove this to God the hippo will open their mouths to show to god that they are only eating grass, not fish. God would be able to see that the hippo is not eating fish and he will continue to let the hippo live in the river.

Jonathan added to this, that the reason a hippo has a little tail that wags is to show God when they poo that there are no fish bones. The tail scatters their poo and God can see once again that they are not eating his fish. If a hippo eats a fish, it is only by accident because the fish was in the grass.

Why hippos open their mouths... According to Jonathan, our river tour guide.

 

 

 

The Kavango River flows along the northern border of the Kavango Region between Namibia and Angola. Both countries use this river for everything from fishing to washing laundry. The River provides life, not only to the people using it, but a variety of wildlife who live in and off the river.

 

 

 

Hippos and crocodiles are the largest animals in this river, and while they are the most exciting they are also the most dangerous. Many people are taken each year by crocodiles, in fact a small child was killed last week by a crocodile while he was bathing in the river. Goats and calves are eaten by crocodiles more frequently, but humans are always at risk when using the river.

 

This little guy was harmless, only about 3 feet in length



This is a crocodile swimming in the river, that we all somehow missed as we were passing. He was pretty big, as you can tell by his head. Some crocs get as big as 20 feet in length.

 

Look closely, you will see a cute little brown bird... I forgot what it is called...

Cattle Egrets sit with the weaver bird nests.

 

 The River, like any natural resource must be respected and protected. The Kavango river is referenced in many cultural dances and songs, and in general is a large part of life in the Kavango Region. The river allows life to continue in Kavango even when the country is facing drought. Crops have water, homes have water, and cattle still have water, all of this allowing people to eat and farm. It is the Kavango River that allows this region to have the potential to be the "bread basket of southern Africa".

My home away from home...

The title, Peace Corps Volunteer comes with an image... it gives people a certain idea about what the next two years of a volunteers life look like; I am here to clarify that image. People, including Peace Corps Volunteers before we actually get here, imagine volunteers living in huts, in small villages, fetching a boiling all water, going days without bathing, and only getting to talk to friends and family the one weekend a month that you are able to find internet. While this might be true still for some countries and even some parts of Namibia, that is not my Namibia.

As you all know by now I live in Rundu. I have 5 grocery stores, 2 hardware stores, a big soccer stadium and more taxis than a person can count... there are even a few BMW's driving around. I live... lived, in a nice flat with running water and electricity, about a 20 minute walk from town. Due to recent break-in attempts, I live in a guest house that also has running water, electricity, wifi and a nice TV in the front room. Most of Namibia is fairly developed, at least technologically... lord knows Namibians love their telenovelas, if DST (direct TV) shut down, who knows what would happen.

Part of my transition into my site was a host family that I was "assigned" to. I didn't live with them, I moved directly into my new flat, but Leticia quickly became my sister. I go to their home once and a while for dinner, I even baked a cake for Emmy's first birthday, but mostly I spend time with my youth or at work. While it is a luxury to have a nice comfortable flat with running water, most of the time, and electricity, something still felt like it was missing.

We say all the time that the key to success in Peace Corps is not comparing experiences, everyone has challenges regardless of wifi accessibility. For me, it felt like I wasn't making many connections, my language wasn't as strong as it could be, and I didn't have that family connection that many volunteers are fortunate to have. So, I decided to change that. Marisa is another Peace Corps Volunteer who lives in Rundu, and she and I became fast friends, after PST that is, she is now more of a sister than a friend. I look forward to the days that she comes into Rundu and we always manage to have a great time. One weekend after many reminders that I had not yet been to her village, Gove in Sambyu,  I decided it was time to pack a bag and head out to Gove. I fell in love! I was instantly welcomed by the family, Vanane (mother) and Vavava (father) were very happy to have me, and my little brothers and sisters immediately started calling me "sister Nepemba". Vavava even had my little brother catch a chicken that we cooked for Sunday dinner. There was no better way to be welcome to my new home away from home!

Gove, Sambyu

Kalumbu walking in Gove

 

Gove Pride!

Kalumbu has a little more village pride... she does live here full time after all.

Outside of the homestead

Entertainment, village style

Carrying water

 

Selling raisins
 

The girls before they performed at the school talent show

Around the Homestead

Inside the homestead, the last picture is the outside of Marisa's hut, then you can see the kitchen and the other side.
The thatched roofs keep it nice and cool during hot days.



Kalumbu & Jeppo inside Ris' hut

Vanane



Baby Jeppo... she's the best!

Sister Mutongo

Sister Wanga

Brother Sevia


Brother Dion... He's my favorite!


He is just so damn cute!


Until he gives me looks like this and tells me that I will never catch him...


The boys playing around.


The family has some Mahangu plants, this is a staple crop in Namibia. We dry the white seeds and grind them
up and use it to make porridge... it's pretty tasty, until some sand gets in it.

And then... I found BABY GOATS... and practically lost my damn mind!!!!!!!!!

Just so cute!!!!!!

I couldn't handle it... I mean, seriously....

 

AH!!!! I want to keep them all!!!

 

These new mommas had a long morning. Look at the little guy, standing up for the first time. So cute!

Munchin on some food after a long morning. 

 

Just the best!

 

 

See ya next time...

 

 

xoxoxo

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rundu Catalyst Youth Group

The Rundu Catalyst Youth Group is the group of youth that I am currently spending most of my time with. This group is a branch of the national group OYO, Ombetja Yehinga Organisation who's purpose is to reach out to the youth of Namibia through drama's, song and dance. The messages shared by the OYO groups focus on issues that youth in Namibia are facing, teenage pregnancy, HIV/Aids, sugar daddies, baby dumping, peer pressure and many others. I was fortunate enough to join the Rundu group on their week long tour to the southern Namibian tour of Mariental where they spent the week performing for different schools and community members in the area.

Not only did it make me fall more in love with the kids, but it gave me the information needed to help the group continue performing and working together here in Rundu. I spend every day with this group, and although sometimes they make me want to rip my hair out, I love them... and one day, when I leave the land of the brave, saying goodbye to these youth, will be the hardest part.



The entire group

At the school in Aranos

 

The ladies

The boys... clearly not gentlemen...

Outside Mariental... which way should we go?

During a show... We Believe in A, B, & C; Abstain, Be Faithful and Condomize... that last part always makes the learners laugh.

Doing what I do best, giving tests to the learners and holding the snapbacks.

These little girls were a big fan of the white lady.

 

Playing around after the show, waiting for the learners to return their tests.



Performing in the rain

They love to dance

Performing before dinner

Viewers from afar.

Performing in Aranos

 

Cassie hanging himself after he is infected with HIV... it has its intense moments

 

They will perform anywhere they can get an audience, even if that audience is sitting in a fallen tree

Hanging out with my two favorite guys!

Me and Beja, the leader of the group

 

Looks kinda like home

The sky has to be bigger in Africa...

A beautiful sunset on our last night of the tour.