Anecdotes of Service

Today was payday at my project. As most paydays go, the money the women had earned for the month was desperately needed, so they were excited and the atmosphere was positive. Usually the ladies at the project make a group lunch on paydays, splurging on cool drink and meat. Today was no exception. By 10am, meat was in the frying pan, rice was being boiled, and a delicious smelling sauce was bubbling on the stove.

There are usually a few of the women's children around, some on school break and some too young to attend school. One of the ladies' daughters had been playing with friends from around the neighborhood. When her mother called her to lunch, she innocently asked if her friends could have lunch too. The ladies told the friends, a little boy and girl, to go ask their mother if she had money to contribute to the meal. They came back empty handed.

The daughter said, "It's ok, I'll share my meal." She then took her small plate of food and let the friends eat as much as they wanted, only taking a small portion for herself. One of the ladies, realizing how hungry the kids clearly were, put together every bit of leftover rice and sauce they had and gave it to the kids. The little boy and girl eagerly scraped the pot and didn't let a single grain of rice go to waste. Afterwards, they thanked every adult on site and complimented them on how good the food was.




Stories and scenes like these are not uncommon to Peace Corps Volunteers. They make take a different form, but the general principle is still the same. Sometimes kindness overcomes dreadful circumstances.

Namibian (and a few places close by) Bucket List

My time in Namibia seems to be speeding by. I'm almost one year into this crazy, and often surreal, experience. But I feel like I've barely scratched the surface of all of the travels and adventures I want to have in and around this country. So to keep myself accountable, I'm busy compiling a list of all of the fun things I want to do and see in the next 15 months. Here is a peak at all of my ideas so far.

• Skydiving in Swakop
• Vic Fall's New Years Carnival
• Crayfish Festival in Luderitz
• Stay at my first hostel
• Sandboarding on the dunes
• Play in the snow during winter
• Go on a safari and jam to Toto's Africa
• Win a game of pool on our L-shaped pool table
• Run Lucky Star 10k and Half Marathon
• Boat ride on Zambezi River
• Swimming at Hardap Dam
• Go to a big name music concert- like Gazza, The Dogg, P-Squared, etc
• Sundowner at the Botswana border
• Karaoke Night in Windhoek
• Attend an Afrikaner dance
• A scenic flight around Swakop
• See a meteor shower in the desert
• Sharkdiving in Cape Town
• Picture at Tropic of Capricorn
• Have a poitjie or braai with locals
• Make a snow angel in Kalahari red sand
• Spend a day at Swakopmund Beach (and eat fresh oysters)
• Swim in Devil's Pool at Victoria Falls
• Play barefoot soccer with local kids
• See Damaraland rock art
• Take a Springbok shot
• Climb Big Daddy or Dune 45 
• Go whale watching in Swakop or Walvis Bay
• Watch rugby... while eating Schnitzel
• Wine (or more likely whiskey) tasting in Cape Town
• Travel to the following major landmarks:
• Spitzkoppe
• Etosha Park
• Sossusvlei
• Kolkmanskop
• Skeleton Coast
• Fish River Canyon
• Ruacana Falls
• Brandberg Mountain
• Epupa Falls
• See the following animals:
• Giraffe
• Elephant
• Hippo
• Zebra
• Springbok
• Lion
• Rhino  
• Oryx
• Kudu
• Impala
• Wildebeest
• Meerkat
• Baboon
• Hyena
• Cheetah  
• Leopard
• Warthog
• Seal
• Penguin
• Whale
• Dolphin
• Eat the following meats:
• Oryx
• Kudu
• Crocodile
• Donkey
• Warthog
• Sheep
• Goat
• Zebra
• Ostrich
• Springbok
• Mopane worms (I guess it's meat?)

***I know this may look like I just want to travel around this country like a tourist, which is pretty close to the truth. But I promise I'm working most of the time sometimes!!!

Hard Work

"There is never just one thing that leads to success for anyone. I feel it's always a combination of passion, dedication, hard work, and being in the right place at the right time."  - Lauren Conrad

(Make fun of me all you will, but I can't resist a good LC quote.)

Today, I want to share a little bit about the project I am devoting my time to. Since arriving in my community, I've been assisting my site mate, Julia, with a killer project that she founded over her service. The idea originated from a group of women that wanted to generate stable income for themselves and to provide social services for their community at large. Many women here are quite skilled in sewing and needlework, so that seemed like the natural basis for the project. Months and months were spent trying to define exactly what they wanted to make and how they would produce, market, and sell these products. The name they decided on for the project was 'Aitsama Huisen'. In Nama, this basically means to help yourself and do for yourself.  

Fast forward to about 3.5 months ago to when I arrived- my site mate, Julia, had applied for a Peace Corps grant to host the initial training of women in making the purses and cosmetic bags she had been designing with the women.  I jumped right in by assisting in any way I could. The grant was approved for over N$100,000 to purchase sewing machines, fabric, food, and everything that goes into training about 15 women over the course of 2 months. In addition to the grant, the community also contributed by donating a location for the training, additional food, and fabric. The training focuses on the technical aspects of making the products in our catalog, while also incorporating business skills and lessons in health-related topics. 

The idea of this project is to have an all-encompassing impact directly on women's lives. First of all, we aim to provide a safe working environment for women to feel empowered and supported. This means they will have a reliable and fair source of income if they put the work into making the products to our quality levels. They will also be trained in aspects of running a business, like how we calculate their labor rate and the selling price of our products. We will be meeting with each woman to go over her finances. The goal is to teach her how to budget her earnings and come up with a consistent savings plan, so that her income will provide stability to her home. We also will be going over all of the health basics; which includes education in HIV/AIDS, substance and alcohol abuse, maternal and child health, and nutrition. 

After an application process, interviews, and countless meetings, the initial training class of 18 women was chosen. And last Monday, February 1st, our first day of training began! Some of the women chosen already have businesses out of their homes where they make dresses or school uniforms. But due to the irregularity of business or the prices they sell their goods at, they are not making enough money to sustain themselves. They have chosen to be a part of our project, where they can supplement their income and their skills. These women make up our advanced class. We also have a group of women in our beginner class who have only sewn by hand or have never sewn before at all. These women are using our project as an opportunity to learn a new skill and empower themselves. 

Although the classes have not gone perfectly, they have been incredible to watch. Some of the scenes I have witnessed will be ingrained into my memory for the rest of my life: The nervous laughter that erupted when the beginners turned on their machines and made their first stitches. The lead instructor taking a moment to do finger exercises with the women because they were too stiff. The advanced class requesting for their lunch break to be shorter, because they wanted to get back to work. The children that follow their moms and grandmothers into class everyday and slowly make their way over to play with Julia and I. The original committee members leading a prayer and song every morning, to lift the women's spirits and get them motivated for the day. 

The work isn't over yet. This is only our first week. But if the women dedicate themselves to this project, I know it will be successful and long-lasting. It has the possibility to make a permanent, positive impact on the women who are participating. And hopefully that will extend to their partners, children, and extended families! 

My dream is that 20 years from now, I can return to Namibia and visit the Aitsama Huisen Project- where hundreds of women have been employed and accomplished their personal goals. Or to be shopping at a fair trade store in the states and see Aitsama Huisen products on the shelves, with customers impassioned by the stories of the women who made their coveted bag. These dreams may not become a reality, I know those are big goals. But over the next 15 months, I'm going to dedicate my hard work to the women of the project and helping them to be as successful as they possibly can be. This is what my service is about and I'm so thankful for my project. 

  

  

Peace Corps Packing List

With a new set of PC Nam volunteers departing in a few months, I thought I would go ahead and share my packing advice. I fully admit, that I packed the absolute wrong way. I focused too much on some things and not enough on others. In the end, I spent a lot of my American savings to make up for things I should have gotten in the states prior to departure. I hope you can learn something from my mistakes.

Luggage

1 Hiking Backpack- At least 60L
1 Large Rolling Duffle Bag- At least 32 inches tall
Carry-On Bag

I made the huge mistake of only bringing two large rolling duffle bags and have regretted it ever since. I looked at hiking backpacks before I left, but I was somehow convinced that they could not hold as much as actual luggage. I was wrong! A hiking backpack is the only way to travel around the country. When you are leaving your site for more than 5 days, you end up taking more clothes and gear than a weekend bag will fit. And since we are walking long distances, hitch hiking, and packing into combis- rolling around a duffle bag is impractical. I am using my site mate's pack now, because the ones in country are about a month and a half of earnings to buy.

Tech Accessories 

External Hard Drive (1 to 2 TB)

Again, I didn't think I would need one. I thought my Kindle would be enough and anything else I wanted to watch, I could just use my laptop for. Nope. Within about a month at PST, I went to the tech store and bought a hard drive. It was more expensive here than you would get in the states. And you will be bored at site and just want to binge watch Parks and Rec sometimes. Just prepare and spend the $50- $80 now. 

Kindle

This is the best thing I brought with me. I've read over 50 books since coming to country and it's how I wind down every night. You have a lot of downtime and long travel days. The batteries last forever, which is a bonus if you have unpredictable electricity. I think I acquired over 2,000 Kindle files from other volunteers. So don't worry about books so much, just get the hardware. But another cool thing is that on Amazon your friends and family can purchase new books for you and then it will be delivered wireless-ly next time you hook it up to the internets. 

Unlocked Smart Phone

I brought my old Iphone 4s and it's been great. I mostly use it for pictures and sometimes playing games. You will likely purchase a really cheap phone in country for regular use, because your Iphone can make you a target in Windhoek and other towns. But in my town, I can use my Iphone without worry of being robbed. 

2-3 Chargers for your smart phone

Chargers are expensive here and sometimes hard to find for your smart phones. So if you lose or break the only one you have, it could be a bit before you can afford or find a new one. Bring extras, they don't take up much space. 

An inexpensive laptop

Emphasis on being inexpensive. The heat and sand are rough on electronics so bringing your nice, new Macbook could be a mistake. I purchased a cheap Chromebook for about $299 before I left. Although it being a Chromebook presents it own set of challenges, (can't play all media types, don't have Microsoft Office, etc) I am happy that I brought a cheap one. Plus it gets the job done for getting on the internet, emailing, filling out PC reports, and playing some things from my external hard drive. 

Ear buds or head phones- Because duh. 

Cases for everything

Again, the sand, heat, and traveling are rough on things. Go ahead and get a sturdy case for all your tech items.

Clothing

This is a harder category to define, since it's mostly dependent on your personal preferences. So I will just list categories of items and you can decide how to divvy it up from there. But don't be shy about bringing clothes you would frequently wear in the states. Namibians are fashionable in the workplace and around town, you don't need to wear zip off cargo pants and a Columbia fishing shirt because you are now a Peace Corps Volunteer. 

Formal clothes- More than likely your daily attire will be business casual, but a few business formal outfits will also be used for big PC events. 

Business Casual- See above. Dresses/skirts should be below the knee or worn with leggings. Some communities may disapprove of spaghetti or tank top style, so cardigans are a good thing to have. But otherwise, bring a variety of items that you feel comfortable in and can work in different business types (since you won't know what place you will be working at until you get here).

Recreational- Athletic apparel to workout or hangout in and at least one or two swim suits. 

Casual- 99% of the time that I am not required to wear business casual, I am in jeans or shorts and a t-shirt. 

Winter Clothing- I know this is Africa, but it does get frigid in the winter. Bring a winter jacket like your Northface or Columbia. For work, think about a few thicker, basic sweaters that you can wear often and can be hand washed. Layering may be your best bet. 

Sleepwear- I mostly sleep in Nike shorts and an oversized t-shirt, so this goes under my casual category. But I have a few onesies for winter months and sleep overs. So whatever floats your boat. 

Underwear/Bras- I personally brought 65 pairs of underwear with me initially and don't regret it one bit. I've even had more sent in care packages. They don't take up much room and you will end up hating laundry days. So do yourself a favor and don't make underwear the reason for wasting a Saturday hand washing til your arms are sore. 

Socks- Same as above. Bring a lot. You will lose them. 

Accessories- Scarves and a baseball hat are pretty useful. I also brought a lot of jewelry with me, but I honestly don't wear that as often. Again, it can make you a target in big cities and I'm lazy so I don't dress up much. 

Shoes

I think this warrants its own category. I personally over packed on shoes, but it has given me a variety to wear depending on my outfit and how I will be getting around that day. You gotta have options. The biggest thing to consider, is the durability and comfort of the shoes. You will be walking everywhere, and it likely will not be on a sidewalk. Think of that when you are deciding whether or not to bring those cute flats that kind of pinch your toes or rub a blister on your heels. 

Sandals- It's hot, sometimes you don't want to put on close toed shoes for work. In my case, that's ok. As long as I am not wearing flip flops, my sandals are generally acceptable. I brought a few pairs from Target and Steve Madden before leaving. I wear them almost every day. I also have a cheap pair of Old Navy flip flops I walk around the house in. 

Running shoes- You may be an avid runner or you may just prefer walking around town in these for comfort. This may even be preferable to you instead of hiking books. I use mine for all of the above. 

Casual shoes (like Toms, Vans, Converse, etc)- If I'm not wearing sandals, I'm wearing one of these. You would be surprised with how often you can get away with Toms for business. 

Flats- I don't wear these as much, but they do work for formal events since I'm not much of a heels fan. My basic black flats and Minnetonka slim moccasins have worked for most events when a closed toed shoe is necessary. 

Toiletries

Again, this is going to be mostly based on personal preference. But the following items are where I would concentrate if I were you. Either these items are hard to find in Namibia or expensive to buy on your PC budget. 

Deodorant- You can find it, but it's kind expensive and I haven't ever seen my preference of Degree Women. 

Razor and Blades- My Venus replacement blades cost about N$200 for a pack of 4. That's about 10% of your monthly budget. 

Shampoo and Conditioner- It's not too expensive here and you can find brands like Tresemme or Pantene. But I just brought a big bottle of shampoo and conditioner and it's lasted me almost 9 months. So if you are picky about your brand, bring it and learn to adapt to what's available later. 

Contact Solution- Although you are not allowed to wear contacts by PC rules and I would never break the rules... I haven't seen this in stores. 

Pocket Anti-bacterial- I loved my little anti-bacterial key chain from Bath&Body Works back in the states. It will come in handy during your service when you use a questionable bathroom without running water or soap. 

Chapstick/Lip Balm- I'm a Burt's Bees addict, so I brought it from the states with me. Your lips will get chapped from the sun and wind. If you are particular about your brand of lip balm, bring it with you. 

Dry Shampoo- If you are like me, you may start washing your hair just once a week. Dry shampoo is impossible to find here. It will come in handy if you start to embrace dirty hair over a cold shower. 

Sunscreen- PC provides you with sunscreen as often as you need it. But if you want a nice face sunscreen or are sensitive to different products, bring your own. 

Pumice Stone- Your feet get janky. I easily bought one in country for cheap, but it's something to consider if you are already stocking up on other things to bring. 

Hair Accessories (like headbands, hair ties, bobby pins, etc)- I always have a hair tie on my wrist and when my hair gets dirty, a headband covers that up perfectly. Right now, since it's a million degrees, my hair is usually in a messy bun on the top of my head. Bring a lot of everything, since you will probably use them a lot and they are easy to lose. 

Face Wipes or Wash- Both are needed and hard to find. I have sensitive skin, so I did not want to mess around with finding an alternative brand here. I brought a ton of face wipes. The make it easy to clean yourself up when water may be cold or non-existent, and when you're feeling lazy and just don't want to get out of bed at night. And despite the fact that I don't wear makeup anymore, my face is 10x dirtier at the end of a day here than it ever was in the states. 

Feminine Hygiene Products- To be really honest, I'm lucky because I have an IUD and don't need these anymore. But from what other female volunteers tell me, it's better to bring them from the states. The quality here is just not the same.

Toiletries Not to Worry About

Makeup- I brought my full makeup bag with replacements from the states. I have probably only worn makeup about 10 times in 9 months. Bring a few things for formal events or nights out, but chances are you will not need 10 tubes of lipstick or 5 Naked pallets. 

Lotion- It's readily available here and for a decent price. Don't waste the weight in your bag. 

Bath Soap- See above

Hair Spray, Heat Protector, or Curl Spray- I brought it, but have not used any of it. When I rarely straighten my hair, I don't need the products to assist me. Plus with the climate here, your hair may behave quite differently than it does in the states. If you really need it, you can find it in stores here. 

Hair Straightener- I brought mine, and again have probably used it about 5 times. Although I love my Chi, it's just not a priority for me to straighten my hair everyday like I did back in the states. If you really need a hair straightener for an event or a night out, chances are you will find another volunteer (like me) who brought one that you can borrow. 

Toothpaste- The big brands like Crest, Colgate, etc are here. Obviously bring some with you, since you will need it everyday before you get to Namibia. But don't worry about stocking up on it and packing it in your bags. 

Must Haves

Nalgene/Camelbak- I don't go anywhere without mine. I actually have two and rotate them in/out of the fridge. Go for a 32 oz if you can, since you may be stuck away from water sometimes and also don't want to have to fill it up every five minutes. 

Small Backpack- I used this everyday to get my training materials to PST. I now usually use it when I'm walking into town and don't want to carry my purse. It's handy for transporting groceries, work papers, and everything else you need for the day. 

Headlamp- I'm lucky and have electricity. But I frequently use this when I read at night and don't want the main light on.  Or if the power goes off, it's right next to my bed for emergencies. It's also handy if you are traveling and go camping, which you will probably do at least once in your service. 

Pictures- I brought pictures of all my friends, family, and my dog from back home. They now adorn my wall in my room, to cheer me up when I'm feeling a little down. There are places to print pictures here, but they are usually only in larger towns or Windhoek.

Journal/Diary- I never used a journal in the states. It just wasn't my thing. But I've learned that writing down funny moments will be interesting to look at when you get back home and in years to come. Plus it's good for the more intimate things that you don't want all over the web because you wrote them on your blog. 

Favorite Snacks, Spices, or Sauces- There are a ton of American products here like Coke, Oreos, Lay's, etc. But if you have a favorite sauce or spice (like Sriracha or Tony Chachere's), bring some with you. In moments when you've had a rough day, coming home and knowing you can eat something that will remind you of home makes all the difference in the world. Also, Crystal Light packages have been nice so I'm not stuck just drinking plain water or soda all the time. Care packages can make up for this though. 

Coffee- It's here, but it's expensive and usually only available in an instant/chicory variety. Pack a bag or two of Dunkin Donuts, you won't regret it. 

American Cash- Don't convert it all at the airport. When you are applying for some travel visas for vacations, the embassies will only take American cash. And once you are here, that can be impossible to get sometimes. Keep at least $200 USD, stored away in a secure place. 

Leatherman- It is so useful. It may not be the most exciting thing to purchase, but it will come in handy when you randomly need tools to put a fan together or are trying to open a can without a can opener. Plus the knife makes me feel more protected, even if I would probably never use it in a dangerous situation. 

Gifts for Host Family/Namibian Friends- You can find gifts here but it means so much more, for most Namibians, to get something from the states. Things like maps/post cards from your home state, baseball hats with NFL, NBA, or MLB teams on them, shirts with famous musical artists, or even political things like Obama apparel are all appreciated and something they could only get from you. They will love it, even if it seems dorky to you.

Sentimental Items- Whatever it is that makes you happy, bring it. I personally used a lot of my packing space to bring a quilt my grandmother made me. You are going to get homesick, there are going to be frustrating days at work, and you will probably cry at some point. Bring at least one thing that will cheer you up in those moments.  (Secret- I also brought a stuffed otter named Mr. Bates with me. I know I'm 26 and a full fledged adult, but it's nice to just be able to hold something at night when my cat doesn't want to cooperate.)

Other Random Things Not to Worry About

Adapters/Converters- It's better to buy them once you get to Namibia so you know you are getting the right ones. There are few different varieties of Namibian, South African, and European. They will show you where you can buy them in Okahandja the first day of PST.

Bedding- Your host family should have bedding for you to use during training. You will probably not know what size bed you have at your permanent site until you get there. Just wait until shopping day. 

Towels- You will need one to use the first night of training, but don't waste too much space on more than one. If anything, bring a quick dry towel you can take with you during traveling. Otherwise, wait to buy them here.  

Solar Chargers- Chances are, your site will have electricity. And if you are one of the lucky folks to get a mud hut without electricity, your workplace will have power. Most volunteers that brought these have since given them away or put them in the back of a closet. 

Camping Accessories (if you are not a regular camper)- You will have the opportunity to go camping as often or as little as you would like. So if you are not usually into camping, don't go to REI and spend a whole bunch of money on things like that before you leave. If you don't camp in the states, you probably will only go once or twice in your service. And in those cases, you can borrow from other volunteers if you really need a tent or camping pot. 

Well, I think that's it for my now. I may edit this as things come to me later. But hopefully this will give you a good idea/start for your own packing. My last pieces of advice:

Don't over stress about packing. I was freaking out the night before I left because my bags were over the weight limit. I was eliminating weight t-shirt by t-shirt trying to get it down to exactly the right number. Then when it came time to check-in at the airlines, they didn't even care that I was overweight. Something about them trying to check-in 30+ Peace Corps volunteers all at once, makes airport employees let things slide. And if you forget something, you can either buy it here or have a really kind family member/friend send it to you in a care package. 

Save some money. I've burned through my savings pretty quickly because I have a tendency to go over my PC budget. You can definitely live within the PC budget they give you. But if you are having a bad day and just want to buy a new outfit or buy some drinks at the bar, it's probably better to just do it with your American money and think of the consequences later. Plus traveling is expensive and you will want to travel while you are here. 

Eat all of your favorite foods and don't care about gaining weight from it. I know I gained like 15 pounds because every meal was 'my last'. You will shed the weight once you get here and every taco/pound will be worth it. I can't even tell you what I would do right now for a bowl of queso and unlimited chips, it's too inappropriate.

Enjoy your time with your family and friends before you go. Be present in the moment and absorb every laugh, smile, or tear. Don't take any of that time for granted. It might be 27 months before you see them again, so have fun. Even if it's just sitting around watching Netflix together, you will miss those lazy moments. 

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer

Sorry for the lapse in blogs followers (or my only reader, Nini). I've been traveling all around for the holidays and frankly too busy living my life to inform you all of my comings and goings. Hey, that happens sometimes right? Anywho, to finally fill you in on my holiday adventures. I'll keep it brief and mostly give you pretty pictures to look at.

I spent Christmas with another volunteer, Sinthu, and her coworkers. We did all the obligatory Christmas tradition things, like watching Elf and Home Alone. Well really those are the only traditions I care about, so they are the only ones that had to happen. It was wonderful to be with another volunteer for the holiday, but my struggle with homesickness was real. I wanted to be Nae Nae-ing with my niece, poking my sister's pregnant belly, and eating my Nini's ham then stuffing my face more with her chocolate pie. But I conquered my first Namibian Christmas with a minimal amount of tears, so I'll consider that a win.

After Christmas, I traveled to Swakop again to spend New Year's with my favorites (Kevin and Stephanie). I arrived around 4pm and just in time to change quickly and get to a braai with a whole bunch of other volunteers. As we indulged in good music and a game or two of beer pong, it felt more like I was back at home. This is probably exactly what I would have done with my friends back in Austin and it felt right. A few hours before midnight, we went to a local dance bar and proceeded to take over the dance floor. At midnight, we cheers-ed with a shot of tequila and immediately regretted that decision. Or maybe that was just me. But I left the bar sweaty and ready for bed, so I'll call it a successful night.

On New Years day, I sat on the beach and absorbed the ocean breeze while some of the guys played football. The only thing that would have made that picture complete would have been a Dirty Arnold Palmer. But that's #poshcorpsproblems. The next day a group of us packed up and prepared to go camping at Spitzkoppe. After driving for what felt like hours trying to find the right campsite, we finally found a little alcove that suited us just fine. I enjoyed the sunset on top of on of the hills (is that even the right term?) all by myself and really had time to reflect on my life. My thoughts- I'm in Namibia, watching a spectacular sunset, surrounded by a landscape that looks like a scene from The Lion King. Who am I???

A few days later, I gladly returned back to my site aka 'home'. I missed my cat, I missed a real bed, and I was refreshed and ready to get back to work. It was a hard holiday as far as homesickness goes, but I'm glad I had every single moment of it. It was a once in a lifetime holiday, as I will probably be back in the states for vacation next year at this time.

When I think about my service here in Namibia, it just keeps feeling shorter and shorter. If you asked me a year ago, I would have told you that two years would feel like a lifetime. Now I'm 9 months into my service and realizing that as many of my experiences here in Namibia are firsts, some of them are also lasts. It's crazy how fast time is moving.