Experience report of volunteering with children in Namibia

The idea to go to Africa to do volunteer work has always been a big dream of mine and I am very happy and happy that this dream has finally come true. I was in Namibia with a friend for 7 weeks to volunteer there. We worked in a kindergarten and in the end we worked in the soup kitchen several times.

Life in Windhoek

The people were all so nice and open with us. They all welcomed us very warmly and hugged us as soon as they saw us. The children were very happy when they saw us and already fell into our arms on the first day. The children enjoyed our attention to the fullest and were very happy that we were there. When we went into town on the first day, people looked at us very closely and with interest. This feeling was very uncomfortable for us at first, but over time it passed and we felt very comfortable in a very short time. Feeling this feeling was unpleasant, but also interesting, because now we can deal with it completely differently at home and know how it is to feel foreign in a country.

The work in the project

Our working day always started at 7:45 am when Matthew (our taxi driver) picked us up from the student house and took us to our kindergarten. We were in the kindergarten from around 8:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. and played with the children the whole time, drew and sang together. We took the children to the playground and during mealtime we helped and supported them with their meals. What touched me the most about working with the children was seeing how bad things are for these children and how little things can make them happy. The kids had a lot of fun as we sang and danced with them, painted them with face paint or just held them in our arms. With little things like that, we were able to put a smile on these children's faces and that was the best thing for me.

My personal opinion:

During this time I have learned so much and experienced so much. I've learned to value what you have at home more, just be happy with what you have and not always wanting more and more. The people who live in the slums of Namibia have put together houses made of corrugated iron, have no electricity and no water, but are so happy with what they have and appreciate it very much. You always have a smile on your face. The differences between rich and poor are very big and that makes me very sad.

I was also able to get to know the beautiful animal and natural world of Namibia and I am simply fascinated by it. You can't even imagine how much a foreign country and children can give you. Namibia was and will always be the best and greatest time of my life for me!

Report of volunteering with children in Namibia, by Michaela N., 12.02.18