Heartbeat for Namibia

The following is a poem type writing I wrote during one of my last days at Steenkamp.  I read it today and all the emotions I felt that last week came rushing back.  I love Namibia with a special piece of my heart and it will be there forever!

Oh my heart beats to the tune of the Namibian anthem.  The children have reached into my chest and held my heart.  They have come to love part of me in a way no one has before.  When they call me miss and touch my hair it brings a smile upon my face.  Their hugs are warmer than the African sun shinning down on us as we play.  We enjoy the simple things of catching photos and making silly faces.  Enjoying sweets and eating the Simba chips in the deliciousness of the day.  Friendship across the seas and generations don't compare to ones of any other kind.  The days left are few, but the memories are many and everlasting.  Forever and ever will my heart beat to the tune of the Namibian anthem.

I will never forget...!

Namibia Land of the Brave

The Namibia National Anthem is a song that I definitely fell in love with over my time at Steenkamp.  The words are as follows:

Namibia land of the brave
Freedom fight we have won
Glory to their bravery
Whose blood waters our freedom
We give our love and loyalty
Together in unity
Contrasting beautiful Namibia
Namibia our country
Beloved land of savannas
Hold high the banner of liberty

Namibia our country
Namibia motherland
We love thee

Here is a link to the National Anthem that was sung at the beginning of the athletics competition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BVKOow-mq0

A Namibian Acrostic

Noticeable
Awesome
Moving
Inspiring
Breath taking
Incomprehensible
Amazing

Things Taken for Granted in USA Classrooms

The following is a list I built and kept throughout my time at AI Steenkamp.  I added to the list whenever I noticed something and felt that it was taken for granted back in the states.
-space
-being able to roam the classroom and reach student's desks
-being able to have quiet in the classroom
-having closets or lockers to put away backpacks
-carpet/flooring
-teacher supply room
-technology esp. document camera
-making copies
-printing documents
-worksheet printed assignments or loose leaf paper completed assignments that can be collected and graded later
-scheduling and sense of time/organized prompt time
-class sizes under 40
-only having 25 or so papers to grade for each class, not 38-44
-having whiteboards and markers
-accessibility of comment stickers with words like wow, good job, etc. (ex. from Target for $1.00)
-being able to type anything you want and having a computer to do so
-having enough textbooks (at least one per student)
-substitute teachers/students learning during teacher absence
-toilet paper and soap
-air conditioning and heating systems
-having desks left where they are when the room is cleaned at night
-being able to separate learners during a test

The Journey Home

Last Full Day in Windhoek

Saying Goodbye is Never Easy