ICT 2 - Mariental
on Marika VSO-ing in Namibia (Namibia), 20/Apr/2010 19:12, 34 days ago
Off we head, Rani, Manna and I, a mere 1500km to the South of Namibia, into the Tropic of Capricorn and approximately 35 gravelly km or so from Mariental in the Hardap region (re-known for a huge Dam we didn't manage to see) to meet a little oasis in the middle of the savannah bush. On the edge of the Kalahari Desert, this is probably one of the most remote places I have been to yet.‘Flat as a pancake’ (as my dad would say) and no landmarks in sight. What a perfect location for ICT 2 – the second part of our In-Country Training organised by VSO Namibia.Involving about 13‘longer-term’ volunteers, 4 from my January arrival group and the rest from the March intake, it was a lovely chance to meet up with and also get to know others who are otherwise so scattered around the country. The venue chosen so far away for budgeting reasons was ideal and run by a quirky butincredibly friendly Afrikaans lady. We shared tents with super comfy mattresses and nice hot-water showers, and so it felt like a week of luxury. On the edge of a game park (I still wonder how the animals survived in with so little vegetation) with a water hole (all the water taken from just 2 boreholes), and huge skies allowed for awesome sunsets to end our 8-5 daily schedule. Other treats involved a little drive round the game park and up a mini dune, all piled onto the back of a ‘bakkie’ for transport. We also were treated to a slightly touristy show of music and traditional dancing bythe local ‘Nama’ people. In true Namibian style, we had our overwhelmingly daily doses of meat and the wouldn’t-miss-opportunity ‘brai’ (BBQ).The week involved a series of‘development sessions’ on topics such as History, HIV/Aids, Gender, Disability, Culture, Health, Business&Economics. If only I could retain all this information and write more than I am allowing time for. There was also an opportunity as in ICT 1 where we go round interviewing local characters on a hot topic such as Rural Development to present back to the group. Most interesting was looking into how things have changed since the 1990 Independence and how the various communities co-exist. If anything, it emphasised the diversity of culture groups in the country and makes you wonder what unites them all as a nation. There was also an opportunity to discuss some of our placement‘issues’ (i.e. get some things off our chest so we could then enjoy the week more), regardless of whether anything will be dealt with or sorted out before the next group arrives in July (delayed due to the world cup). I even managed to get a taste of at the UK headlines, primarily the pre-election debate and volcanic ash stories. Did it make me miss home? Not quite sure...With overnight stops in Windhoek and Rundu on the journeys, the week overall allowed for me to meet many more (heard-of) VSO volunteers who seem to be consistently able to find an excuse for a gathering on each stop. I managed to add some structure to my planning for my approaching holiday and splash out on a few overpriced food goodies at the Windhoek supermarket, especially visited to find luxuries one can’t find in placement such as pesto, pine nuts and fresh basil.On the return journey, we dropped off Rani and Mana at the airport as they visit their newborn grandson and easily filled the GRN car with Rundu volunteers for the last stretch to Katima. As the last time I did this journey was in my first using the overnight Intercape, the landscapes kept me interested to contrast the longest, flattest and straightest roads I have ever driven on. It’s hard not to notice the difference as you cross Namibia’s ‘Red Line’ that separates the commercial cattle ranches of the south from the communal substinence lands to the north. It bars the north-south movement of animals as a precaution against foot-and-mouth and rinderpest and the animalsbred north of the line are not exported overseas or even sold to the south. It effectively marks the boundary between the ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ world, (although I am aware these definitions are controversial in themselves). You see the change in landscape as the road fence fades andyou begin to see cattle, donkeys, elephants and people roam carelessly across the road and contribute to the increase of road accidents.Back in Katima now to what I thought would only be one more week of term, but is looking more like two, as the schools feel the need to supplement the examination year groups with extra classes following their exams, as they are disheartened by their results. I must admit, although I wasn’t very surprised at the poor results, I was still optimistic and this is another reminder of what a small effect each of our work is having in the big scheme of things.