Volunteering with children in Namibia Experience report

My name is Ramona, I'm 20 years old and I'm studying psychology at the University of Vienna. For a long time I had the idea of ​​going abroad for a few weeks to get to know a new culture, a new country and also different living conditions. Africa has been appealing to me for a long time and after a short research I decided on Namibia.

Choice of land and project

There were several reasons for this, on the one hand it is one of the safest countries in Africa and on the other hand reports and photos from friends convinced me. Since it was very important to me to gain insight into the poverty that is widespread in Namibia, I decided on level 2. A very good decision, since this kindergarten has far worse conditions than those of level 1 and therefore urgently needs help and can use support.

My place of employment: A Kindergerten stage 2

The children and the teachers in the kindergarten gave me a really warm welcome. The little ones were fascinated by my skin, my birthmarks and my hair until the end. When I arrived in the morning, everyone jumped up and hugged me. The kindness and warmth I received from these children is indescribable and has often moved me to tears.

Everyone wanted to play with me, sit on my lap, etc. I worked daily from about 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and was allowed to decide for myself which group I wanted to be in. I switched from time to time. At the very beginning I was with the older children, towards the end then more with the 2-3 year olds and with the very small ones. Help was always needed, especially with the babies, as one teacher was responsible for around 16 children.

My activities in the kindergarten project

My activities included playing, singing, diaper changing, feeding, etc. However, there is also a bit of teaching. The children learn to write a few words and do arithmetic and the most important facts about animals. I was able to do a lot with the children because the educators accepted my suggestions very well and enthusiastically. Not only the children were fascinated by paper planes, sidewalk chalks, various games, soap bubbles, etc. You can give the children a lot of joy with such small things. Especially with balloons!!!

A big farewell

In the 6 weeks I spent there, I grew so fond of the dwarves that saying goodbye was very, very difficult. Tears flowed not only from me, but also from some of the kids. That touched me deeply and I will never forget the little ones!

Living in the Student House and Leisure Tips

Life in the student house was always fun and you quickly find friends and companions for weekend trips. I was out every weekend and tried to see as much of Namibia as possible. The country has an incredible amount to offer (a few tips: Sossusvlei and Naukluft Mountains, Waterberg, Erindi or Etosha, Lüderitz, Kolmannskuppe, Quiver Tree Forest, Naankuse, ...). In Windhoek you can also go out for a delicious meal, which we often did. The meat in particular, whether oryx, kudu, springbok or beef, is extremely good!

Donation appeal: With little effect

What I can also recommend is to start a small appeal for donations with friends and family. You see so much poverty, you get to know lovely people who may need help and you can achieve a lot with little money. It was a lot of fun for me to see how happy people were about small things. I have never received so many tears of joy, grateful faces and hugs.

Support by RGV

RGV is a great organization that I can only recommend. You are supported in everything, you can always come to the employees in Munich with questions and concerns, and thanks to Steffi and Anita you are never alone with any problems on site.

Conclusion for my time in Namibia

All in all, my time in Namibia was simply indescribably beautiful, I enjoyed every second of it and would have loved to have stayed longer. Nobody can take this experience away from you and it enriches life enormously. You also learn to appreciate the little things again and to be satisfied and happy with what you have. The 6 weeks in Namibia are among the best of my life and I definitely don't rule out seeing them again.

Volunteering with children in Namibia Review by Ramona G, 02.09.16