Ku Cwani!

First off, I have a cell phone now.
Country Code: 264
My cell phone number: 0813642888
I can receive text messages, as well.

If you would like to help me with my teaching, please send any of the following, although the priority would be any sort of reading material appropriate for grades 3-8. Ship anything in a padded envelope or taped up REALLY well. Write in red marker “Sister Tina Greene” along with “Jesus is watching” or other religious statements.
Grade 3-5 short reading passages
Grade 3-8 novels
Picture books
Magazines
Stickers
Word search puzzles
Any sort of games
Pencils
Pencil sharpener
Printer

And now, a little bit about my experience so far...

Greetings from Namibia! I am currently typing this under the clear African night sky watching Goonies on a projector screen. One of my fantastic roommates is the movie night brainchild so we could all have a small taste of home while soaking in the glorious spring weather.

Departure from DC was not without interesting twists and turns as I got a shot for yellow fever and started Malaria medication. I then spent fifteen and a half hours in a center seat. I don’t do well in confined spaces and I struggled to maintain my sanity after about seven hours. In fact, another fantastic roommate of mine and I started to watch the blinking light that was outside the plane. We could see this light from a camera feed to our monitor in each of our chairs. It was a long flight, but worth every minute.

The climate in Namibia is mild right now. It feels similar to Colorado’s summer because it is incredibly dry, and endlessly sunny and hot. At night, it cools down and I can throw on a jacket and gaze at the stars. I woke up yesterday morning for a jog at 6:30 am and there was a cold drizzle, which made me feel like I was home as I ran head on in a stiff wind. The landscape reminds me of Western Colorado, but the mountains are not as tall. I must admit I have not seen much of this country, but it is exciting to start learning about so many possibilities for adventure here. Windhoek is tremendously clean and surrounded by mountains. Many people claim they saw baboons and giraffe on our ride from the airport. I did not see any baboons until a few of us hiked to the top of a local mountain, where we heard and saw them.

I do have more news on my teaching assignment. I am headed to the northeast corner of the country to live out my two years in a thatch hut. I will be in an area that has not had a Peace Corps Volunteer in several years, and my understanding is they have never had an education volunteer. The four teachers going will be the first. I feel privileged to have the opportunity. I am cautious, but ecstatic, to try something entirely different than what I am used to. It is a good thing I spent so much time in the woods, huh. I will be schmooing in the woods for quite awhile. I don’t know my exact assignment right now, but I am hoping it will be teaching English and remedial reading to 8-10th graders. At then end of this week, I will find out for certain. In addition, I will be gone for six weeks starting at the end of this week. My time away from the training center will include a home stay with a Namibian family, shadowing a current PCV, and continued language and cultural training.

I think about you all when I count the hours back to figure out the time in Colorado. I hope to hear from everyone and I hope you are all doing well. I run most mornings (and see several Dachshunds on my run), and some of us have been playing soccer in the afternoon at a local field. I am really sore since I have not actually played soccer since college. We have met some precious kids in town who are teaching us their local dialect, and everyday I walk to the store and get a Coke and a skoetsol, which is this amazing pastry that I am almost positive I am spelling wrong. However, it tastes oh so right! Last night, a bunch of us went to a local pizza, yes pizza, place here for a celebration of my birthday. I enjoyed a Windhoek Lager with my ‘za, and it was the largest beer I have ever had. Overall, it was one of the most memorable birthday’s of have ever had and I have my fabulous roommates to thank for it all.

This is an amazing country with interesting people and I am excited to one day leave the confines of training and start life in my permanent site. I will write again when I can. In the meantime, take out your favorite pad and pen and write me about all I am missing back home.