tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12820747647232061412011-11-30T23:13:17.948-05:00How does sand get stuck in flip-flops?Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.comBlogger1511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-3980690978573435052010-01-01T10:37:00.002-05:002010-06-18T11:06:08.850-04:00

People have warned us that we'll need a vacation from our vacation once we've finished in India. But I've been dying to travel this diverse land for years, so I'm not sure if that will be the case. I'm so eager to explore and anxious to experience the culture and the people and most definitely the food!We arrived in Mumbai after more than 72 hours of travel at 7 a.m. on New Year's Eve. We had no

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-1219383960670257532009-12-30T07:07:00.001-05:002010-06-18T07:58:18.441-04:00

Getting to Egypt was a bit of an adventure. After Katie and Dan dropped us at the East London airport in South Africa, we got a lift to our hostel in what we thought was a taxi (but actually turned out to be some random guy who offered us a lift). After the impossible task of locating Buffalo Backpackers (quite possibly THE WORST backpackers on earth), we headed to Spar to grab some dinner. We

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-81807663947402173702009-12-27T11:39:00.003-05:002010-06-12T12:05:43.382-04:00

I've spent Christmas in some pretty incredible places. Malawi last year, and before that, with my Namibian host family who welcomed as one of their own. (But I'd still have to say, Christmas at home with my own fam is probably the most incredible place of all.) This year's holiday was no exception. And it was particularly special because Katie and Dan were with us. A view of the countryside from

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-61082427477644488422009-12-23T09:23:00.009-05:002010-06-12T09:48:00.414-04:00

Rachel and I had already been to Cape Town, but that didn't make our second visit any less fantastic. That's because this cosmopolitan town had plenty to keep us busy and loads of delicious food for us to eat. (I had nachos twice in one day!) There were plenty of other RPCVs around, too, which made celebrating my final African birthday a real occasion. Especially since Katie and Dan, two of my

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-81380677420657057552009-12-17T08:09:00.001-05:002010-06-12T10:29:18.190-04:00

Today marked the start of two incredible journeys. The first, our lives as Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). The second, a five-month journey through South Africa, Egypt, India and Southeast Asia with Rachel, my CATJAR friend.We woke early and said our goodbyes to the few volunteers that still remained before hopping into a cab and heading out to the B1 for the last time. It was only about

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-8357870061685008602009-12-12T06:55:00.000-05:002010-06-12T07:51:35.098-04:00

Last week I watched Jessica leave Khorixas for the final time. A Ministry of Education car filled with two teachers attending a workshop pulled up to our flat at 7 a.m. and without much fanfare or emotion--she was suddenly gone. It was a moment we'd both been preparing for for months, but neither of us was actually ready. There weren't any tears and there was no hesitation--but when the door

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-34486088666966952972009-12-11T07:27:00.003-05:002010-06-12T06:55:57.392-04:00

After two years of uncertainties, hardships, successes and friendships, it's officially time to leave Khorixas. I am certain this will be one of the hardest things I ever have to do. I'm happy, because I feel like I'm leaving my home--I have a family here that I love as much as my own, and friends that I'm as close to as those I left behind in America. To me, that means I did my job. I integrated

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-612395367715213762009-10-31T02:03:00.003-04:002009-10-31T02:32:06.015-04:00

Updating my blog has been a pretty difficult task this month. Mainly because my computer blew up a few weeks ago, leaving me with nothing to type on and no way to keep everyone updated. It was traumatic at first (loss of technology here almost always is). But ultimately, it's been a bit of a blessing. It's freed up time to finish reading those last lonley books left sitting on my shelf, visit

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-57676649919797449752009-10-29T02:37:00.000-04:002009-10-31T03:01:39.873-04:00

No computer has meant plenty of time for literature. Here are some of my favorite quotes from my most recent reads.In a funny way, nothing makes you feel more like a native of your own country than to live where nearly everyone is not.-I'm a Stranger Here Myself, Bill BrysonThe creative mind plays with objects it loves.-Carly Jung Money is what's needed to survive. Time is what's needed to

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-88276925916321029642009-09-18T04:46:00.007-04:002009-09-18T13:52:51.717-04:00

Yesterday was a pretty amazing day. I learned that there's now a Namibian named Jill and I heard from one of my favorite GLOW learners, Zumbureeke. Then, as if I didn't feel great enough going two for two, I got to watch Lorain and Isabel conduct their very own dental outreach at Frans Frederick Primary School. It was incredible to watch these two dedicated ladies run the entire show. Together,

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-62980950507100269602009-09-17T12:01:00.005-04:002009-09-17T15:18:47.717-04:00

There's now a real live Namibian Jill!My friend Natasha, the one who recently had a baby, named her new daughter after me. (Or, perhaps more accurately, after us, since the little one's full name is Jill-Tasha.)She said she wanted her baby girl to be ready for America. I say that's the nicest thing anyone's done.Ever.

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-42547860778023289392009-09-11T08:40:00.004-04:002009-09-11T08:50:30.385-04:00

There’s an old Mexican saying that when the pots have been broken, we can all go home. Earlier this week, the remaining members of Nam 27 got together at a four star hotel in Windhoek (with hot showers, real beds and huge buffets) for our Close of Service conference. We talked about what we would do in our last three months of service. We talked with RPCVs about adjusting to life back in America.

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-3233153413124581342009-09-10T07:54:00.016-04:002009-09-11T08:24:41.873-04:00

Discovery Day is all about putting the lessons of Camp GLOW into practice and preparing to say goodbye to facilitators, campers, and PCVs. It helps campers process the new ideas they’ve explored and new experiences they’ve encountered before returning home.For many learners, this is the first they’ve been away from home, outside of their villages or interacted with peers from other tribes and

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-51710510160369080702009-09-09T05:41:00.000-04:002009-09-11T06:19:47.613-04:00

Camp GLOW teaches learners a lot about leadership and character, but it also provides them with an opportunity to realize their potential and plan for their futures. On Leadership Day, learners are introduced to new possibilities—career options, university studies, political activism and life in the big city. But unlike classroom learning, which offers education in the form of books and lectures,

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-87533330608129326432009-09-08T05:02:00.012-04:002009-09-11T05:22:20.831-04:00

Camp GLOW is all about leadership, which is why we have an entire day dedicated to helping these 80 promising learners become leaders in their schools and in their communities. Leadership Day focuses on identifying the qualities of a good leader, using teachers, friends, relatives and community members as examples. This year’s learners came up with a long list of impressive character traits—like

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-45442626500258717592009-09-07T04:00:00.000-04:002009-09-11T04:19:40.801-04:00

Learners in Namibia are used to getting information about HIV/AIDS. The prevalence rate here is just over 17 percent, and in certain parts of the country (particularly along the Caprivi strip), that number can skyrocket to about 49 percent. HIV/AIDS is a serious problem here, just as it is most of Southern Africa. And while the government has done its part to implement educational programs like

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-41358318088468718192009-09-06T06:18:00.030-04:002009-09-06T07:11:13.744-04:00

Team Building Day is by far one of the most fun days at Camp GLOW. Modeled after the Olympics, a series of games and physical challenges are meant to teach campers about teamwork, trust and communication. It’s particularly important to achieve these goals early on, so that campers feel comfortable with their teammates when the time comes to explore and discuss more sensitive subjects, like HIV/

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-50956439464057436022009-09-06T05:31:00.010-04:002009-09-06T16:01:19.903-04:00

Peace Corps volunteers in Namibia invite outstanding learners from across the country to attend this week-long leadership camp in Windhoek every year. And while it's an incredible experience to be surrounded by so many bright and caring kids, a few of their stories always seem to stand out and leave a lasting impression. This year, one of those learners was near and dear to me, mostly because he

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-56172457292139793142009-09-06T05:03:00.015-04:002009-09-06T15:53:15.938-04:00

Each day of Camp GLOW has a theme. A theme that lessons are planned around. That games encompass. And that facilitators are charged with driving home to the learners. It’s an effective way to make organizing and planning easier. And it also ensures that the main objectives of Camp GLOW (leadership, diversity, gender equality, HIV/AIDS awareness and future planning) are covered.Day one of this

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-36922341719131613622009-09-06T04:29:00.005-04:002009-09-06T04:45:02.433-04:00

There have been a lot of highs over the last two years. But the biggest one came last week, when after 11 months of planning, Camp GLOW became a reality. There were times when we questioned whether it would actually happen. Particularly when, nine days before camp, funding from the usual donors still hadn’t been approved. And again, with a week to go, when the government mandated all ministry

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-85315136929491584792009-08-18T12:35:00.005-04:002009-08-18T12:56:51.134-04:00

Life here can be stressful (especially when the government issues an order for all of its cars to be serviced the week they're supposed to be transporting learners to Camp GLOW). But that just means the little things--things that I may have overlooked in a previous life--end up meaning a whole lot more now. Like today, when 14 kids from the orphanage came knocking on my door. They formed a

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-90896878477402706652009-08-12T14:11:00.002-04:002009-08-12T14:39:42.061-04:00

Every once in a while, I forget that I live in Africa. After two years, the rocky ground feels more normal than blacktop. My walking pace has slowed. Hitch hiking comes as second nature. And I never worry about the weather because I know tomorrow will always be hot and sunny.But then there are days like this one that shock me back to reality and remind me of how truly unique my experience here is

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-47006737433661938612009-08-10T13:57:00.013-04:002009-08-10T14:36:33.040-04:00

Camp G.L.O.W. is still a couple of weeks away, but already we’ve completed one of the most important tasks: selecting the 20 out-of-school youth who will be charged with making this year’s camp the biggest success ever. Each year volunteers around the country are asked to nominate outstanding young adults whose leadership skills shine in the workplace or in the community. PCVs write

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-53432640745457438992009-08-09T11:41:00.029-04:002009-09-17T12:08:54.631-04:00

August has just begun, but already it's been a busy month!My friend Natasha had a baby.Mama and BabyJust One Day Old!Lorain and I conducted a dental workshop for patients in the TB WardAll the Patients with New Toothbrushes Three of my kids (Tommie, Nevinia and Katrina) finished their Hero BooksThe Kids Hard at WorkThere was a pool party for Ivy's birthday at the orphanage (where they don't have

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-16313020150557316202009-08-02T11:15:00.000-04:002009-08-09T12:40:50.970-04:00

It's been a while since I ventured west of Khorixas, but I realized today that I had yet to post pictures of my visit to Twylfelfontein and the Organ Pipes. These two geological (and artistic) wonders are about 250 kilometers away from my dusty town, off a rocky stretch of red and sandy land.The Organ Pipes, which are accurately named, since they strongly resemble the pipes of a church organ, are

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-29288407475089499402009-07-27T02:07:00.003-04:002009-07-27T02:20:51.176-04:00

Winter may be nearly over, but I doubt the kids at Sunrise Center much cared. When I delivered hats and scarves made by me and my knitting group (thanks to yarn donations from friends and family back home), they were so excited. They bounced around cheering, and fingered the brightly colored yarns. They swapped pink scarves with blue and eagerly bundled up for this photo:The desert sun heats

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-33695270597813509492009-07-20T00:31:00.002-04:002009-07-20T00:41:34.347-04:00

It's been a pretty big month for news in Namibia. Fidel Castro's brother arrived in the country this weekend to work on strengthening ties in Southern Africa, and these two big stories have been all the talk among both volunteers and villagers. (Here they are, in case you missed them.)African Women with HIV Coerced into SterilisationWomen in Africa are being sterilised without their consent after

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-819322101247917752009-07-17T01:44:00.003-04:002009-07-17T01:57:52.160-04:00

The Peace Corps Expansion Act was up for approval last week. It would have increased Peace Corps’ budget by more than $33 million in 2010, and gone a long way towards increasing programs and services, and supporting the work of volunteers like me.Unfortunately, it didn’t pass. It didn’t pass because while the Peace Corps mission has remained the same since 1961, the world has changed. And Senator

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-5197109783095763732009-07-15T03:46:00.002-04:002009-07-15T04:03:45.294-04:00

When I was growing up we spent Sunday mornings in church, and the ride home listening to Garrison Keillor on Prairie Home Companion. Sitting through one sermon was enough, and I loathed the wet voice and studio audience that came with tuning in to another. My parents loved his down home anecdotes and witty soliloquies, but for the 10 minutes it took to drive from the parking lot to our house, I’d

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-53150140530284232009-07-11T05:36:00.003-04:002009-07-11T06:00:52.598-04:00

Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or your predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.-William FaulknerThe most extraordinary gift you've been given is your own humanity.-Eustace ConwayA big heart is both a clumsy and delicate thing; it doesn't protect itself and it doesn't hide. It stands out...where you can see the soul pulse through.-Bird by BirdAbove me, wind does its

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-9771663136775301982009-07-09T02:39:00.000-04:002009-07-12T03:07:31.915-04:00

Today was a pretty big day, because today, I said goodbye to my very first Nam Friend. I met Speechless (who, for the record, is anything but) a couple of days after arriving in Khorixas. He did everything possible to make this strange place feel like home. He dropped by my old flat for visits, introduced me to everyone he knew, invited me to help out with weekend soccer tournaments and

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-60119814470092360302009-06-15T05:58:00.006-04:002009-06-15T06:17:12.776-04:00

Because one day in Khorixas is never enough, we stopped back for a visit on our way to the coastal town of Swakopmond. My family had met a lot of friends and colleagues during the braai, but had missed out on one major part of my Namibian life: Learners. We'd been in such a rush to see the place and prepare for the evening's events that we'd avoided the school almost entirely. But this time

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-64159879057798996422009-06-14T02:52:00.029-04:002009-06-14T04:22:51.880-04:00

We left Etosha and headed for Opuwo—a small town in the northern most part of the Kunene Region. While the place itself isn’t much to see, the people we met there made our visit memorable.We stayed at the Ohakane Lodge on my friend Obie’s recommendation. He knows the owners and promised we’d be treated well. (We were.) Daniel, Angela, Celeste and Chindo took amazing care of us. They spent the

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-24409266445237502312009-06-13T03:00:00.014-04:002009-06-13T07:07:23.931-04:00

I’ve seen a lot of Namibia, and having my family visit meant I could share my favorite places with them. But something I was looking forward to most was a stop at Etosha—the country’s largest game preserve. It was one place I’d never been and the thought of going somewhere new to all of us was pretty exciting. Etosha’s high cost and remote location keeps most Namibians (let alone volunteers) away

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-82426972428278664692009-06-12T09:18:00.016-04:002009-06-12T10:06:53.764-04:00

The next day, after a serious shopping trip at the local Super Spar, we left for Khorixas. I convinced my parents to make a quick stop in Outjo to not only eat breakfast, but also to meet Rosa, one of my favorite learners. Rosa used to school at Eddie Bowe, where she was a member of Youth Leads and our Girls Club. Last year I watched her go from a tiny rough and tumble troublemaker to just about

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-86708612988299125932009-06-10T06:27:00.013-04:002009-06-10T07:13:38.363-04:00

My family had never traveled outside of the US, so I was a little surprised—but also very excited—to hear they had planned to visit me in Namibia. More than a year and a half had passed since I said goodbye to my mom, dad and brother, and while they’ve kept up with weekly phone calls and regular care packages (both of which I truly enjoy), there’s really no substitute for face-to-face family

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-26302284871412319182009-05-14T15:19:00.002-04:002009-05-14T15:24:36.143-04:00

My friend Katie recently blogged about her Life List: a collection of places she wants to visit, goals she hopes to achieve and experiences she’d like to have. Joining the Peace Corps and living in Africa were two major things I always wanted to do, but they weren't on my Life List. Mostly, because I never had one.Luckily, I found this posted on my friend Frances' blog. It’s by no means a

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-70230903797798329492009-05-13T13:49:00.000-04:002009-05-13T13:50:04.634-04:00

In Khorixas, the donkeys bathe in dust. And these days, I do, too. That’s because on Sunday, a water pipe burst near the school. It flooded the yard in front of the hostels, the road in front of the gate, and the makeshift soccer field beside our house. There was water everywhere. For about three hours.And after that, there was no water at all.I used to live in a place where switches on walls

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-65845400914894399322009-05-01T03:08:00.002-04:002009-05-01T03:24:06.609-04:00

A handful of Nam 27ers discovered the album, NOW That’s What I Call Peace Corps! just before swear-in. It was a spoof on the yearly Top-40 compilation some American music label puts out. Only the songs on this album were hand selected by our predecessors in Nam 26. It was somehow tongue and cheek, but the titles hinted at what we were in for over the course of our service:Chain of Fools It’s a

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-47944245818438355132009-04-23T01:15:00.008-04:002009-04-23T01:38:30.605-04:00

I may have spent Easter in Luderitz, but that didn't mean the kids at Sunrise Center went without a holiday-themed project. My mom, who used to be a kindergarten teacher, sent all the art supplies (as well as jellybeans, Peeps and cupcake mix) to create Easter chicks. Katrina helped with giving instructions and as usual, the kids went wild.In fact, they enjoyed it so much, I'm not sure they

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-71928898065629132642009-04-22T04:30:00.030-04:002009-04-22T06:08:29.040-04:00

Namibia may be one of the least-densely populated countries in the world—but it’s certainly not one of the smallest. This fact became painfully clear on Easter weekend when 19 PCVs crammed into a combi built for 14 and headed south to the coastal town of Luderitz. There were no Herero hats threatening to blind us with their points or drunk men trying to get cozy during the 15-hour journey, but

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-38721494708682066502009-04-19T02:40:00.009-04:002009-04-19T03:28:57.153-04:00

When we arrived in Khorixas more than 17 months ago, women would stop us on the street to ask if we needed help with our laundry or with cleaning. It happened almost daily, and each time we'd smile, say, "No thank you," and continue on our way. We were on a tight budget, so paying someone to do what we were capable of doing ourselves seemed like a waste. We were still sorting out how to occupy

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-32364050238184096182009-04-17T02:28:00.009-04:002009-04-17T02:49:29.107-04:00

Things don't always go as planned in Namibia. So when our transport to Erwee arrived two hours late and Isabel (the dentist) called me too sick to participate, it was really no surprise. Likewise, when I realized I'd accidentally left all of the toothbrushes meant for grade 5 in Khorixas, I was disappointed, but not defeated. (Luckily, a nurse from the clinic agreed to deliver them today.)

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-76488831188233228452009-04-01T02:26:00.007-04:002009-04-01T07:55:27.641-04:00

Learners come by our house every day. It's part of life when you live at a school. Whether it's to borrow books, ask a question about homework, or just to drop by for a visit, it seems that these days we have an endless stream of kids coming through our doors.So it was no surprise on Sunday when two small boys peeked their heads inside our kitchen window. What they asked for however, was. "Miss,

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-38383781798784979592009-03-29T11:33:00.024-04:002009-03-29T12:39:10.349-04:00

The beaches of Zanzibar and the streets of Tanzania provided some much-needed relief from our three days of non-stop travel. The country has a rich culture that blends African and Indian traditions. We spent a night in Dar es Salaam (after finally connecting with Rachel's friend), then took the ferry to Zanzibar. An Indian man was kind enough to walk us from our hotel to the station, and since he

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-39205022111093002732009-03-29T09:55:00.003-04:002009-03-29T11:00:40.180-04:00

We had all been excited to see Lake Malawi. Other volunteers said it was absolutely amazing. And they were, without a doubt, absolutely right. And while Christmas in Nkata Bay had been fun, we were certain the highlight of our trip was still to come. A week in Tanzania. More specifically, Zanzibar. We’d had a couple of transport hang-ups en route to Nkata Bay, but it was nothing compared to those

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-9621234704980168782009-03-29T07:31:00.008-04:002009-03-29T07:47:25.470-04:00

Ever wondered what 28 hours in an outdoor bus terminal in the middle of Malawi looks like? Here's a peek.(Spoiler Alert: It's even less fun than it looks.)Hour 4, Mzuzu: Jeffie B., Dar, Rachel and AshHour 9, Mzuzu: Ash Catching Some Zs while a New Friend Reads Her BookHour 12, Mzuzu: The Group Gets Some Shut EyeHour 19, Mzuzu: Ashley, Me and Rachel Trying to Get Some SleepHour 22, Mzuzu: Jeffie B

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-14358872337770509042009-03-29T06:48:00.004-04:002009-03-29T07:27:04.500-04:00

People who prefer to live life with a sense of order and continuity will likely find this blog post--and the next--maddening. They're about the final leg of our Christmas holiday, which according to my calendar (and I’m assuming, also yours) should have been posted about three months ago. But the way I see it, better late than never, right?So here goes.If you remember, I headed out on a

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-6020056650671203402009-03-12T08:06:00.003-04:002009-03-12T08:14:49.866-04:00

Working as a health volunteer in Namibia has put me face to face with people who are suffering from TB, living with HIV, coping with poor nutrition or dealing with abuse. This week, my job put me face to face with death, too. Peace Corps warned us that as health volunteers we would likely lose a friend, a colleague or a community member during our course of service. I always imagined that for me,

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-52772097399417670732009-03-03T01:42:00.004-05:002009-03-03T08:32:21.438-05:00

I've never been much for crafting. But then an old friend sent me some knitting supplies and I realized now might be the perfect time to learn. So I found some women from Zimbabwe to teach me the basics. We spend Sunday afternoons chatting about our cultures and our countries. They show me stitches and techniques. I provide the yarn. I enjoy the social aspect of it. The chance to talk. The

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-59867780258118108642009-02-28T12:13:00.010-05:002009-03-01T01:03:46.955-05:00

Despite the initial transport woes, my first farm school outreach with our dentist (Isabel) and her assistant (Lorain) was a huge success. Together, we were able to educate an entire school in a single afternoon. We supplied more than 300 learners with their own toothbrush and toothpaste, and for the first time--thanks to Lorain's help with Damara--we talked to even the littlest learners about

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-2168451502440847142009-02-17T10:27:00.005-05:002009-02-17T11:06:26.043-05:00

I was lucky enough to observe last year's Camp GLOW and this year, I'm one of three PCVs charged with making the nation-wide event a reality. Camp GLOW is a unique experience for a lot of reasons--and it's a project that's near and dear to my heart. I'm certain that if you visit this site (where you can read stories from learners and watch footage and interviews from Camp GLOW 2008) it will

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-74586225137145463472009-02-14T06:30:00.008-05:002009-02-14T06:46:00.798-05:00

I may not have a Valentine, but today was fantastic just the same...My ValentinesThe Kids at Sunrise Center Coloring and CreatingMartelenaFriedrick ColoringIvy Showing Off Her Hard WorkMe with the Kids from Sunrise Center After a Morning Making Valentines

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-37240175319432391712009-02-13T01:08:00.005-05:002009-02-13T01:32:34.906-05:00

My friend Tina was a reading and writing teacher before she joined the Peace Corps. Now, a handful of kids in Caprivi are lucky enough to have her leading their classroom. I say lucky, because when Tina talks about her lesson plans or the programs she’s implementing, it’s always with passion. The kind of passion I don’t often see here—and rarely saw in America. It’s clear she loves teaching. And

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-76392556087660065662009-02-12T11:12:00.003-05:002009-02-13T00:05:19.480-05:00

Let the beauty of love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.--RumiThe act of making art exposes a society to itself. Art brings things to light. It illuminates us. It sheds light on our lingering darkness. It casts a beam into the heart of our own darkness and says, 'see?'--The Artist's WayOnce you have known need it is a phantom that hangs over any luxury--Julia

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-23756408936865647772009-02-12T08:33:00.002-05:002009-02-12T08:53:13.432-05:00

Today was supposed to be our first major dental outreach. The dentist, her assistant and I spent most of yesterday counting tubes of toothpaste for some 300 learners and dividing them into bags for separate classrooms. We made fruits, vegetables, candy and other foods from construction paper, cut dozens of sheets of stickers for rewards, and went over our strategy for tackling seven grades in a

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-18178891873971959902009-02-11T13:53:00.002-05:002009-02-12T05:24:39.781-05:00

We spent our last night in Zambia at a Peace Corps transit house near the Malawi border. After 14 hours riding a bus, seven hours waiting in a station and one night in a rain-soaked tent in Lusaka, we were ready for a break. The Zam PCVs welcomed us, and we stayed up late swapping service stories and contrasting our Peace Corps experiences. The tin roof, real beds, running water and hot showers

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-78764443771866905482009-01-25T01:50:00.015-05:002009-01-25T02:11:21.091-05:00

View of the Lake in Nkata BayThe Gang on Christmas DayChristmas Eve in Nkata BayA Traditional MacoroFishing Boats on Lake MalawiMorning Fishing in Senga BayMonitor Island in Lake MalawiMe on Monitor IslandWorld's Biggest Snail (You Can't Tell, but it was HUGE)Jeffie B Negotiating for My Birthday Turtle

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-27573759714685626842009-01-24T06:17:00.013-05:002009-01-24T06:39:29.412-05:00

Vic FallsView From the TopThe Boiling PointJolly Boys BackpackersTypical Trucking (It Means No Worries...)Cruising the Zambezi

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-41296907047993026542009-01-24T03:18:00.009-05:002009-01-24T04:01:59.977-05:00

This is me and my fearless team braving the white waters of the Zambezi River:And this is me, seven minutes later, fearing for my life, splashing frantically and watching the last 28 years pass before my eyes:I’d like to say that I got back into the boat after falling overboard and swallowing what felt like gallons of water. I’d like to tell you that I faced my fears, that I tackled the next ten

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-73190998711599329262009-01-23T03:47:00.015-05:002009-01-24T04:03:36.171-05:00

When I was growing up, having a birthday near Christmas meant celebrating with friends weeks in advance. Then, on my Big Day, we'd pile into the family minivan for an 8-hour road trip Upstate. My parents listened to Canadian talk radio while my brother did everything in his power to annoy me once the batteries in our Walkmans died. Being surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents was

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-37657851066585090502009-01-20T09:58:00.006-05:002009-01-21T01:23:03.410-05:00

New Era magazine recently interviewed a couple of PCVs (including two honorary members of the CATJAR--Juice and Jeffie B) for this story about life in Peace Corps, in Namibia, and in Nam 27. Riding a donkey, secondary projects and little victories? Sounds about right. (Although that part about Juice being white and Filipino? Not so much.)

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-23606801502200925412009-01-20T07:38:00.007-05:002009-01-20T08:00:50.682-05:00

It's hard being an American living overseas--especially today--when our first black president is being sworn into office. It's a moment I'd love share with friends, family, colleagues, and most of all, my country. Luckily, I don't have to go very far (even in this far away land) to find people who are celebrating, too. A Bus in ZamibiaA Chitenge in TanzaniaA Park in Zanzibar

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-32595112768334256192009-01-20T07:25:00.006-05:002009-01-20T09:49:16.968-05:00

You may have noticed that I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from writing here on my blog. That’s because, for the past month, I’ve been on holiday with other PCVs, traveling though Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. We were busy sorting out transport, flagging down buses and searching for accommodations. (Plus, Internet was pretty hard to come by.)So for the next week, you can expect to find pictures,

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-6943312935730495282008-12-07T02:27:00.004-05:002008-12-08T06:01:17.115-05:00

My Aunt Connie recently sent a package with some of the most delicious Christmas cookies I’ve ever tasted and a deflated soccer ball I foolishly assumed we’d have no problem bringing back to life.I knew our next-door neighbor, a teacher at Jessica’s school, made a habit of employing a bicycle pump and a handful of learners to fill the tires of his beat up four-door most Saturday mornings. Him

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-5340207689209920452008-12-05T05:13:00.009-05:002008-12-07T02:38:00.824-05:00

Last year’s Thanksgiving was a pretty lame affair. Jessica and I had just arrived in Khorixas for the first time and were still reeling from what I can only assume was pure culture shock. We headed to a rest camp outside of town and feasted on chicken and chips. And as we did so, we made every effort to pretend we were somewhere else. But this year I think we go it right. Mostly because this time

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-25572634099858173052008-12-03T11:39:00.002-05:002008-12-03T22:42:27.692-05:00

I've never understood a society of want. We don't have a society of want--not on a general level. We have a society of total surplus: unwanted goods. Unwanted people.--Studs Turkle, Hard TimesFinding yourself comes right after discovering your insignificance.--Zen and the Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceAt the approach of danger there are always two voices that speak with equal force in the heart of

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-3084112934403995932008-12-03T09:59:00.008-05:002008-12-03T11:37:35.901-05:00

School's officially out for summer, which means last week we said goodbye to our first ever African Stars Girls Club. It's been a pretty amazing experience watching these 13 and 14 year olds change and grow over the last year. So many of them have come into their own, developing stronger voices, gaining independence and finding new confidence.We taught them about teamwork and self-esteem, oral

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-29088888822117393222008-12-03T09:47:00.005-05:002008-12-03T11:38:20.132-05:00

A couple of weeks ago--after a long, hot and heinous hike--I came home to find four of our learners all dolled up in their Sunday Best. After weeks of classes at the local Catholic Church (some of which conflicted with Girls Club...ahem) these young ladies were confirmed. Best of all? They were nice enough to stop by to show off their fancy dresses!

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-13118864794492357472008-11-16T08:51:00.003-05:002008-11-16T09:04:40.135-05:00

When America elects its first black president, you kind of want to be there. But if you can’t be in America for such an historic event, Africa is probably the next best place.Now I realize polls closed a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve been slow on the take to post what the waiting game was like for those of us here in Namibia. Since friends and family keep asking, and since it was my first

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-16256955451314417802008-11-12T00:38:00.000-05:002008-11-12T00:39:30.837-05:00

Hope you have a great day!Love, Jill

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-7561866771546854102008-11-11T05:42:00.003-05:002008-11-11T05:48:22.911-05:00

Grade 5BGrade 5CGrade 6BGrade 7B

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-85220719460347530982008-11-10T05:13:00.006-05:002008-11-10T05:28:41.303-05:00

Learners here in Khorixas are busy preparing for final exams and the end of the school year, so this week’s oral care workshops will likely be the last of 2008. (But don’t worry—plenty more will happen in the coming year!) Since I started this project a few months ago, I’ve been surprised by how few children own toothbrushes, how unaware most are of proper brushing techniques and how almost none

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-68160958412234767582008-11-06T08:29:00.005-05:002008-11-06T13:58:15.212-05:00

We celebrated our one-year anniversary this past Sunday in typical PCV fashion: on the side of the road, in the blazing hot sun, trying to thumb a ride. It wasn’t a celebration, but still, it seemed, a moment to remember.I’d spent Halloween with other volunteers in a town far to the south. We wore makeshift costumes, “carved” tin can jack-o-lanterns and reminisced over home-cooked meals about

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-63032832273862544832008-10-22T07:34:00.005-04:002008-11-04T08:40:08.744-05:00

My friend Frances recently “tagged” me to list six of my strangest quirks here on my blog. In America, this would have been easy, because in America, it felt like I had a million of them. But here in Namibia, those quirks and ticks just don’t seem so strange. (In fact, they appear to be more like survival skills or coping mechanisms.) But after a bit of thought, and a few SMSes to PCV friends, I’

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-63933692999421353892008-10-21T15:09:00.002-04:002008-11-04T08:40:34.052-05:00

Think of the small as largeand the few as many.Confront the difficult while it is still easy;accomplish the great taskby a series of small acts.-Tao te Ching

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-85181030558440477542008-10-20T06:09:00.008-04:002008-11-04T09:37:28.125-05:00

Grade 5Grade 6Grade 7

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-73156386295728767952008-10-18T12:10:00.007-04:002008-11-04T10:31:40.287-05:00

The last time I answered the door on a Saturday morning, I was greeted by an aggressive drunk man with half a skinned donkey slung over his shoulder who was interested in getting friendly. So, needless to say, I was expecting something outside of the ordinary when I heard the voices of two learners yelling, "Miss! Miss!" at our window this afternoon.I walked into the kitchen where Kennedy and

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-62685965894159310162008-10-18T10:36:00.012-04:002008-11-04T09:38:38.538-05:00

These days, most of my Saturday afternoons are spent at the Sunrise Center. The three-bedroom orphanage is home to 20 children who are always excited about a chance to play games, kick a ball, or complete an art project.It turned out, they were no less eager to learn about oral care. After coloring pictures about healthy teeth and listening to stories about visiting the dentist, the kids lined up

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-33701916520979572582008-10-18T10:29:00.003-04:002008-11-04T08:43:14.106-05:00

When I’m not busy with work, I’m usually busy waiting.Waiting for transport to come. Waiting for meetings to start.Waiting for teachers to arrive.Waiting for funding to come through.Waiting for learners to listen.It’s one of those things that—until now—I’ve never been very good at. I like things to happen. And I like it best when they happen now.But these days, I’m getting a lot of practice with

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-45604818497184160922008-10-08T01:26:00.007-04:002008-11-04T10:30:17.529-05:00

It’s been 365 days since I left New York City.A year ago I was sitting on a stoop in Brooklyn with my closest friends, waiting with one massive duffle for a town car to whisk me away.To JFK.To Upstate.Eventually, to Namibia.I’d quit my job. I’d moved out. I’d spent two weeks couch surfing (an urban rite of passage) and filled my social calendar with more dinners and drinks that I thought humanly

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-78150373272565874442008-10-08T01:24:00.004-04:002008-11-04T10:31:03.622-05:00

I hope you have a fantastic day!LOVE YOU!-jnaw

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-70984678688075211142008-10-05T13:37:00.003-04:002008-11-04T08:49:08.786-05:00

It’s been a trying week.A friend was pretty seriously injured in a car accident. I saw a woman die. And I witnessed total disregard for human life by a man who had vowed to protect it. This week made me question people. It made me question authority. And it made me question myself. I’m not sure how I’d deal with this kind of adversity in America—mostly because I never had to. My life

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-34972702477914306432008-09-19T07:36:00.006-04:002008-11-04T09:39:18.088-05:00

!Gaeb Grade 7Eddie Bowe Girls' Club (well...half of it anyway)!Gaeb Grade 5

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-65587025957742880402008-09-17T08:28:00.007-04:002008-11-04T09:39:54.733-05:00

The first of my dental care workshops took place today in a Grade Six class at T.F. !Gaeb Primary School. The dentist gave me a huge pair of model teeth for demonstrations and I crafted giant fruits, vegetables and sugary sweets from construction paper for a game. There were handouts to color, stories to follow along with and stickers as prizes for the 29 students who seemed eager to learn. I

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-57395382839815269662008-09-15T07:48:00.008-04:002008-11-04T08:51:04.235-05:00

We spent our final day in Cape Town on a Cape Peninsula tour. We were told that the southern-most tip of Africa was a must-see spot for travelers because of its scenic views, lush landscapes and the chance to see some African penguins. The weather was—once again—clear, sunny and at least somehow warm. Perfect for our outdoor adventure that included hiking, biking and a delicious picnic lunch.

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-34313391023581530552008-09-14T09:23:00.007-04:002008-11-04T08:51:36.765-05:00

Namibia is home to a handful of lagers and just one brand of wine, so Rachel and I were eager to tour some of South Africa’s vineyards and sample the finest vintage the country had to offer. Our first stop, Fairview, was definitely the nicest. The vineyard sits on a grassy spread of land about 25 minutes outside of Cape Town, where rolling hills, wildflowers and grazing sheep line the country

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-28626764566755701012008-09-14T06:01:00.007-04:002008-11-04T08:52:08.646-05:00

My first trip to South Africa lasted less than 24 hours. Enough time to deplane, shower, eat and sleep, before boarding a second flight bound for Namibia. I saw only hotel room walls, marble lobbies and cool water pools. I left knowing as much about the place as when I’d arrived.So when the August holiday rolled around it seemed only natural to return to the country where Nam 27 had gotten its

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-72653622123415127832008-08-20T00:42:00.003-04:002008-11-04T08:52:40.003-05:00

Thanks to generous donations from friends, family and strangers, the first batch of toothbrushes and toothpaste (nearly 300 of each!) for my oral care workshops has been purchased. (As it turns out, a similar quantity of dental floss is going to be near impossible to find. I’m considering the alternatives as I write this.)Donated funds are in no way depleted, but unfortunately, the current stock

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-76127205654127042712008-08-20T00:37:00.008-04:002008-11-04T09:40:49.638-05:00

It’s been a couple of weeks since the Youth Leads kids hosted their own field day. But they did such a good job, and were so proud of their accomplishments, that I thought it deserved some recognition here on my blog. After 11 weeks of after-school training in sports, leadership and health, 15 learners in grades 5, 6 and 7 organized and conducted their very own field day for the younger kids. Our

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-77927611390399446672008-08-20T00:36:00.004-04:002008-11-04T09:41:13.301-05:00

Jessica spent a lot of time working with the science fair kids at Eddie Bowe preparing for the regional competition (held here in Khorixas). In the end, all that hard work paid off. Come September they’ll be heading to the nationals in Windhoek, putting their projects up against kids from all over the country. (So keep your fingers crossed!)Here they are after the big win.

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-13559229742966042192008-08-20T00:31:00.008-04:002008-11-04T09:41:48.114-05:00

It took months of planning to get our new gardening project up and running. But last week, a handful of orphans gathered to break ground and create seedbeds for carrots, potatoes and other vegetables. Our hope is that what’s grown in these plots can be used to feed these kids, who rarely have enough to eat. And that by learning how to cultivate their own land, they’ll be walking away not only

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-38639238311845136832008-08-05T04:03:00.003-04:002008-11-04T10:35:30.852-05:00

My post box is rarely empty. Friends and family are good about sending letters and pictures, books and DVDs, school supplies, stickers and other American treats. There are things to keep for myself, and others to share with the kids. Items to use with Girls Club or on other projects and causes. It’s nice to feel loved (especially when that love comes in the form of novels and M&Ms). The contents

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-60690803237235129512008-08-05T04:00:00.004-04:002008-11-04T10:32:53.350-05:00

We live in a hostel with about 400 primary school kids. So when there’s a knock on our door, on weekends or at night, it’s usually a learner looking for food, or eager to show off a new finger trick taught to them by Jessica. Sometimes it’s Kennedy wanting to practice his reading. Other times it’s friends, just wanting to hang out. But today, none of these was the case.Kennedy had already come

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-13288776684858902552008-08-05T03:59:00.002-04:002008-11-04T10:36:47.320-05:00

I remember the day I arrived in Khorixas. It was dusty and dry, unfamiliar and unreal. I couldn’t help but think, “This is going to be a challenge.”The job I’d been requested to do sounded a bit like a graphic design post anywhere else. They wanted me to create posters and pamphlets, graphs and charts, related to any one of the hundreds of diseases that plague the community. I thought it’d be

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-55437537203270805372008-08-05T03:55:00.006-04:002008-11-04T08:58:37.810-05:00

Dear Nam 28,Around this time last year, my roommate Danielle called my office from our apartment in Alphabet City. She tore open my much-anticipated invitation and as I held my breath on the other end of the line, she screamed that I’d be spending the next two years in Namibia. I remember being excited. But I also recall thinking, “Namibia—now where the hell is that?”So I can only imagine, at

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-78082187604659598242008-08-05T03:55:00.005-04:002008-11-04T08:58:07.644-05:00

The dental curriculum is done and scheduled to launch next month. Our new garden for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) is out of planning mode and finally coming to fruition. And at least one of my facilitator guides is ready for publication.I’m starting a reading program at the orphanage and preparing new lessons and activities for Girls Club and my Awareness group. Yet despite these

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-91027533957157029252008-08-05T03:53:00.001-04:002008-11-04T08:59:27.814-05:00

I’ve been pretty out of touch lately. Not because nothing’s been happening, but because my access to Internet has been extremely limited. For a while I was able to post updates from my computer using my cell phone’s Bluetooth connection. It’s a luxury that may only exist for Peace Corps Volunteers in Namibia. (And it’s one I’ve been extremely grateful to have up until now.)But this being the

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-65634029023199081282008-07-06T04:19:00.008-04:002008-11-04T10:37:30.126-05:00

It's been about three weeks since I first asked friends and family to consider donating money to my preventative oral care workshop fund. (You can read more about it here.) Since then, thanks to the generosity of college roommates, former colleagues, high school classmates and even strangers, I've managed to raise about 25% of my $6,000 goal. Enough for nearly 500 learners to get all they need

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282074764723206141.post-34587713714869640522008-06-30T17:54:00.004-04:002008-11-04T09:02:52.347-05:00

Peace Corps Volunteers aren’t allowed to drive. And since our monthly stipend breaks down to roughly $3USD a day, most of us couldn’t afford to even if we had the chance. Because of this, travel is always a hassle and ETAs are impossible to gage. Trips that should take just a couple of hours can often exceed five or six because so many variables are out of our hands. Rides in and out of our small

Jill Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13544404753719149628noreply@blogger.com6