Moro Moro (= hello in Otjiherero) from Okakarara, Namibia!

I am Magali, 34 years old, a childcare worker, and in 2021 I successfully completed my bachelor’s degree in social work. I decided to support the steps for children project in Okakarara as a short-term volunteer from September to December 2022.

I have various tasks in the project in Okakarara.

In the mornings, I lead the morning circle at the ECD Group (early childhood development). We organise the morning circle in such a way that the children are aware of each other, which encourages respect for one another. In the morning circle, we greet each other, sing, make music, play or talk about a specific topic, e.g. spring or feelings. This fixed ritual is particularly important for small children, as it offers them orientation and security in their daily routine. After breakfast, there is art for one group, which is done by me or one of my fellow volunteers depending on the day of the week.

At steps in Namibia there are also income-generating steps

In addition to the kindergarten, there are also income-generating “steps”. In Okakarara, these include the guesthouse, the sewing workshop and the garden.

I am allowed to assist in the sewing workshop. Various projects are carried out there. They sew the steps clothing, commissioned work and stock our showroom, where visitors can buy souvenirs from the project, such as bags, purses, pencil cases, cosmetics bags and similar items.

After-school care for the guardian angel children takes place in the afternoon. Here I take turns with other volunteers to help the 1st to 4th graders with their homework. Once they have finished their homework, we play games together or make and design various works of art, such as bracelets from toilet paper rolls or stars from newspaper.

As I work as an educator in a crèche in Germany, the ECD Group is one of my favourite places in the project. I can share my ideas with the nursery teachers there and they are very open to new ideas.

I particularly like the variety of tasks in the project. I work with children of different age groups and can support the seamstresses in the sewing workshop.

Best wishes and Kaende nawa (goodbye in Otjiherero)

Magali

Dear Magali, thank you very much for your commitment! We are delighted that you are with us and wish you a continued exciting and eventful stay in Okakarara!