Report from a day care center in Namibia

With a girlfriend on to Namibia!

When I decided to go to Namibia for 2 months after graduating to work voluntarily in a kindergarten there, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that I was super excited and excited and that I wanted to get to know the country and the people as best I could. On June 3.06.2016rd, XNUMX my girlfriend and I finally got going and we couldn't wait any longer!

Our accommodation in the Student House

We lived in a student house where African students live, which made it a lot easier to make contact with the locals! We were greeted happily by all the locals and roommates as well as the other German volunteers and after a week at the latest we have really settled in! Due to the good location of the student house, it was a 20-minute walk to the city center, which is small but beautiful compared to other cities in Germany! My girlfriend and I lived in a double room for 2 months, which was totally sufficient! The living room was always crowded, so there was always someone to talk to.

My project: A kindergarten level 1

I worked in grade 1 in a kindergarten in a suburb of Katutura. Thanks to our amiable and fun-loving taxi driver, the 15-minute drive was mostly characterized by conversations about the country and the people there, so that we learned something new every morning, which was very exciting!

I worked every day from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. During this time, I support two educators in looking after a group of about 30 children aged 3-4 years. The day started with a small bowl of porridge for each child. After that there was mostly singing and teaching the colours, names of fruit types or numbers. I really enjoyed my 2 months there, I grew so fond of all the children that the time passed far too quickly and I would have liked to have stayed longer!

Volunteering = learning to understand and accept other cultures

However, one must also be aware that not every day is easy. A lot is different and unfamiliar to us. Because the manner of dealing with the children is different in some situations than we are familiar with in Germany, so that you occasionally reach your limits. But that's exactly where volunteer work begins, because it also means mastering such challenges, understanding and accepting other cultures and having the courage to try out your own behavior options.

The children are happy about every little thing, because the equipment in the kindergarten is not very varied. Whether it's pens, soap bubbles or balloons - it was always one of the most beautiful moments to see how happy children can be about such small things! Even if it may seem a little difficult at first to bring in your own suggestions, every educator and every child is happy when you take the initiative and teach them German songs or games. All in all, this time shaped me a lot and I will never forget the children and the educators. It was an incredibly great time that brought me priceless moments and experiences.

Leisure activities in and around Windhoek

We spent most of our time in the Student House, chatting with the locals and fellow residents who we grew to love. Or we explored Windhoek. The city center consists mainly of Independence Avenue, where you can find many African souvenir and clothing shops. The Craft Market is highly recommended! We spent most of the weekends in Windhoek, as we had already booked a round trip from home. However we still visited Naankuse and Okapuka which are close to Windhoek and where you can do game drives or other activities which is highly recommended!

Conclusion about my volunteer work in Namibia

Overall, this time was so wonderful, with unforgettable moments! I can only recommend the project and the accommodation. I took the children and the people so close to my heart that it was really difficult for me to say goodbye! I clearly made the best decision by choosing Namibia and the project and going abroad in general. You get to know so many great people and new friends, something like that can only be recommended.

Experience report from a daycare center in Namibia, Jana S., 30.08.2016