There was a lot to do even before corona

Christine Leege, social educator and head of her own childcare centre in Norderstedt, awarded as „KITA21 – the future shapers“, was before the start of the coronavirus crisis again in Gobabis and worked here as a social educator. In her report, she describes her impressions and the development on site.

Yes, what does this year look like in the project?

The economic situation in Namibia is also partly difficult at the beginning of this year: long periods of drought in recent years and the heavy rain at the beginning of this year have had major economic impacts on some of the farmers. During the drought, the harvest dried up, many cattle did not find enough fodder and had to be sold at a poor price. During the rainy season, the seeds were washed away in some areas and animals have partly drowned.

The two newly built classrooms, financed by the Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY&HELP, make teaching in smaller groups possible. I am always amazed by the commitment with which the teachers educate the children despite all the problems surrounding them. Some children speak only their mother tongue, no Afrikaans – the language of instruction. English is taught, but due to the starting conditions that is progressing slowly. At home, all children speak their mother tongue; English as the official national language is used in only a few families.

Painting with watercolours and brushes is not entirely easy for the children, whose fine motor skills still need to develop. But good, patient guidance builds trust, and every brushstroke gives courage and the desire for more. 

Playing with brush and paint appeals to all steps children. It is not done very often, as resources are scarce and must be used carefully. 

Maths – for some a tough subject, others are allowed to immerse themselves playfully in the fabulous world of numbers with building blocks. There is so much to discover! 

More children also took the warm lunch home with them. For me, a sign of hardship in the families. What I noticed positively was that this year many more children wore shoes and clean clothes. Also, virtually all children came to the project every day. The families appreciate the admission and work in the project – certainly also because of the daily warm meal and the educational activities.

The housing situation

The Living conditions and Environmental awareness are, however, still very poor. Corrugated iron huts stand side by side, not always intact; without a front door, without a floor (just sand), with a small fire pit in front of the hut. This February there was a lot of rain. As a result, the children came to the project very tired. Due to leaking hut roofs and water coming up from below, they could not sleep because of the damp and the cold. They sat outside with their families around the fire... and were tired the next day. A poor basis for concentrated learning

Environmental awareness

There is a municipal rubbish collection service and there are large open rubbish containers in the residential areas. Unfortunately, the wind often blows the rubbish out of the containers into the natural surroundings, where it then remains. Or rubbish bags are simply disposed of in the natural environment on open land. Teachers in the project try to teach the children to put paper and other rubbish (mainly plastic waste) into the available bins and not just drop it. Not an entirely easy undertaking.

In the end, my stay in Gobabis was once again marked by wonderful and important impressions. I always enjoy working there. 

Kind regards