June, In Namibia: 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.