Hello from Namibia!

Pauline says hello from Namibia! Since August 2022, she has been with us in Namibia for one year through the weltwärts programme of volunta gGmbH, supporting children and young people at steps Okakarara with great dedication. Pauline tells us about her first tasks and experiences here: 

I am Pauline and have been a volunteer at steps for children in Okakarara since August. At the project in Okakarara, I have various tasks.

In the morning, I do sports every day before breakfast with one of the five kindergarten and preschool groups. After breakfast, it is time for art with one group or Mousebook in preschool. My fellow volunteers and I have divided up these tasks according to the day of the week. In addition to the kindergarten, there are also income-generating steps. In Okakarara, these include the guesthouse, the sewing workshop and the garden. On Mondays, after breakfast, I go to the garden in Ongombombonde to pick up vegetables for the soup kitchen at the project. In the afternoon, After School Care takes place for the Schutzengel children. Here, I help the 5th to 7th graders with their homework. Once they have finished, we play games together.

I would not have expected beforehand that I would get used to the daily routine so quickly and that the Otjiherero language would be so relevant.

I particularly enjoy the variety of tasks at the project. I work with children of different age groups and am also allowed to get involved in the steps garden and the guesthouse. The garden is a few kilometres from Okakarara and is more like a small field. The green plants in particular provide a beautiful contrast to the sand that otherwise surrounds me here. That is why the garden is also one of my favourite places at the project. I also like that we volunteers have clearly assigned tasks, but are given a lot of freedom within those tasks, for example when designing the sports or art lessons.

What surprised me was how quickly I learned many different new things, for example how to drive on the left side of the road or come up with exercises for sports. I would not have expected beforehand that I would get used to the daily routine so quickly and that the Otjiherero language would be so relevant. 

Most of the kindergarten children speak very little English, so I quickly learned a few words.

I was particularly pleased by how warmly I was welcomed by my colleagues. I am happy here in Okakarara and very excited about what else awaits me during my time at steps for children.

Dear Pauline, thank you very much for your commitment to steps in Namibia.
We look forward to further reports and wish you inspiring experiences!