I'm sorry I didn't realize earlier that because you are 22 you are so much better than me. I can't believe that I am only now understanding how amazing you are, how much smarter you are than I, how much older you are than me. I mean, wow, five whole years. I'm sorry for all those times that I even tried arguing with you. Looking back now, I can't believe I even attempted to refute the incorrect statements that you made towards me. I was at fault, any way. Gosh, what can I ever do to make it up to you? Oh please, help me, guide me, I am only 17. You are so mature and so knowledgeable, I just don't know how I would survive here without you.
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Rozein is twelve years old. Her mother has five children. Rozein is the oldest. The next is Christopher. Christopher has a different father than Rozein. After Christopher is Rivaldo. Rivaldo has a different father than Rozein and Christopher. The second youngest is Clair, and the youngest, whose name escapes me, is only a few months old. The two of them have the same father. All four fathers of these children are long gone. A new man is in the house, Rozein tells me. And the kids don't like him.
Rozein: I love my mother with all my heart.
Me: What about your father?
Rozein: Oh, I love him too. Very much. But I love my mother more.
Me: Is she a good mother?
Rozein: She is a great mother. I love her so much.
Me: Where is your father?
Rozein: In South Africa. He is not Namibian.
Me: Do you want to meet him some day?
Rozein: Oh, yes. I would love to meet him.
Me: Do you think your mother will have another child?
Rozein: I don't know. I don't think so.
Rodney seems to really be enjoying school. Edelsien seems to be doing better this week. She has been wanting to play a lot of games and chat with me. She even wanted a piggy back ride today. I was happily surprised. Oh, and she gave me a bracelet at the end of the day.
Bula, a little 8 year old girl, told me today that her teacher beats the kids in her class with a pipe, usually on their wrists or back. Apparently that is totally allowed in most schools, as long as the rest of the class is present, or if other teachers and student witness the beating, so that it's not allowed to get totally out of control. MB was telling me early this afternoon that mostly, the teachers beat the children for talking back, bad behavior, or violence. But sometimes they even beat for untied shoes, incomplete uniforms, or stupid things like that. Helton told me that his teacher beats kids with a stick. Esme told me the same thing.
Today some kids from St. Paul's school in Klein Windhoek came to volunteer. They will now be at the center every Wednesday from around 2:30-3:30. I spent a lot of time talking to them and teaching them some of the games that we have at the center. Most of them are 13 and 14 and in 8th grade, although if you ask me they look like they are 16 or 17. And they thought I was 14. Great.
It was also really nice to see Rita, who is 14, socializing with the St. Paul's girls. Actually, all the kids who came today are black or colored, which I was very surprised about. They are most likely from parents who hold government jobs. I think it's good for them to spend time with girls like Rita who have nothing compared to them. They were blown away to hear that the teachers beat the kids in the schools in Katutura. Then Maroldi asked one of the St. Paul's girls what her braces were. When Maroldi walked away, I told the St. Paul's girl that there is really no dentistry in Katutura. She tried to tell me that there is an office in the shopping center, but I assured her that none of the kids at the center could afford dental treatment. And then I explained that Maroldi herself is getting work done on chipped teeth, all paid for by Catholic AIDS Action and done at an office in Windhoek.
Tomorrow morning I am going with Bianca to the Tourist Center to register for a 3 day Crazy Kudu trip to Sossusvlei. This is where the huge sand dunes are. I think we will go next weekend. Hopefully we will also get to Etosha at some point as well.
I think it's really funny the way some of the kids say MB's name. Esme says it like "MerryBof". It cracks me up every time she shouts it across the center. I love Esme.
I'm very sick with a terrible cold. You know, the usual stuffy, runny nose and sore and itchy throat. Plus I have this terrible pounding pressure in my head. MB says it may be from the changing air pressure. Apparently "it wants to rain so bad but it can't". Maybe this all has to do with being at such a high altitude. Even high than Denver, or so I am told.
This morning I got up at 8am because I couldn't breathe and that made it hard to stay asleep. So I got up and had some toast and did two lads of wash and then went back to sleep until noon. I've been taking Sudafed and Suzanne gave me an Airborne tablet today. I'm not even in the cold of NY like all of you sick kiddos over there. I can't believe I couldn't even escape a wintertime cold.
The kids sing a funny uma rope song, and it goes like this: (in Afrikaans, no idea how to spell some of it...sorry)
Katrina on the way (Katrina on the way)
come slaap by met bame (come sleep with me)
oh anadina anadina
bene bo for me (put up your leg for me)
ooh la la
wys, wys, wys your panty wys (show me your panties)
ooh la la
wys, wys, wys your panty wys (show me your panties)
And I've been learning some hand games as well.
I just sat in the rain for over an hour. MB brought Joe Bear outside in a pick-and-pay bag poncho so she could sit with me. Sometimes you just have one of those days, you know?
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4 comments:
Katrina, I guess a couple of those days are inevitable, no matter where you are. It has been weird at school with the constant lock out and having to go through a security check every morning. Did you hear about super Tuesday--primaries in 24 states. Obama got more states than Clinton, but Clinton got NY and CA. It will be interesting to see who gets the nomination. I voted, but dad was in TN and it was too late for him to get an absentee ballot.
I have an idea for Namibia. Not sure how to fund it, but there should be Montessori schools everywhere. Education, with a little health care thrown in, would go a long way to improving life.
Well, I am sorry you won't get to travel as much as you would like, but I also know that you will find a way back to Africa.
Joe Bear must have looked cute in his pick and pay poncho! Post a photo. Miss you and love you lots!
mom
Hey K,
Got your post card! Didn't take too long. Francis loves it, Holly cas says "whatever!".
Wish I had had more $ for you!
Just have a great time traveling, and come home safe! If you get to Victoria Falls, take lots of pictures, then we can get one blown up for me!
Love Aunt Jack
KJ,
We wallow in it, then we get up and keep moving. Let yourself do what you need to do to get back on your feet again. Remember, "this too, shall pass," although right in the middle of "this" it doesn't seem likely.
We love you and miss you! Have safe travels and take loads of pictures. We can't wait to see them.
Loads of love, hugs & kisses
Geo
I dont think that what you experience is an age thing.
Some people just dont get it. Some people need to put other people down in order to imagine that they are better than those around them.
I seem similar behavior in my life -- you and I see it a bit in the activities at home that we share together.
Like we have always taught you -- be the bigger person and just quietly do the right thing.
It pays off in the end. Maybe not obviously and maybe not always. I can promise you that you will sleep better.
Do you think that the people with whom you interact and experience "rough edges" could have done what you are doing at 16 - 17? If you ask them I and sure that they would say "yes."
So ... why didn't they then.
It is like the people who criticize you for volunteering and helping people outside of the United States. Then we learn that they dont volunteer for ANYTHING. (Just once I would like one of those people to have to call 911 after they have been critical of you only to have YOU show up! :-) )
Just always do the right thing.
If that doesn't work try Plan B.
Plan B always involves a Teddy Bear (like Jo) and a bit of Chocolate. I think that solves everything. On this trip to Tennessee I learned how to get the "good" chocolates from housekeeping when they come for evening turn-down service. As for the bear ... I only have a small rubber duck wearing wearing a purple and green juster outfit.
It's a long story.
I love you very much and am so incredibly proud of you.
Save the world -- PLEASE! It needs it and you.
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