Peace Corps Namibia Welcome Book - July 2008
Peace Corps Namibia Welcome Book - July 2008
Peace Corps Namibia Welcome Book - July 2008
NAMIBIA
A P E A C E C O R P S P U B L I C ATI O N
FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS
July 2008
A WELCOME LETTER
Dear Prospective Namibia Volunteer:
Hannah Baldwin
Country Director
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Map of Namibia
A Welcome Letter 1
Packing List 83
Pre-departure Checklist 89
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NOTES
The peace plan that was finally ratified in December 1988 paved
the way for a cease-fire in April 1989, elections in November
1989, and independence on March 21, 1990. In the years since
independence, Namibia has made social, political, and economic
gains, promoting national unity, improving equitable access to
social services, and maintaining an upward trend in economic
growth. In 2005, Namibia held national elections that resulted
in the democratic and orderly transfer of power to its current
government of President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
Government
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legislation of regional concern. The independent judiciary is
composed of a supreme court, a high court, and lower courts.
The role of regional and municipal governments continues to
grow, and the national government is working to decentralize
many social services, giving responsibility for them to the
regional councils.
Economy
Environment
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to the Kunene River in the north. About 60 miles wide, this
area is mostly uninhabited. The eastern part of the country,
which forms part of the Kalahari Desert, consists mainly
of sandy stretches but provides some grazing ground. The
Etosha Pan in the north is the focal point of an important
national park and game reserve.
Namibia boasts clear skies for more than 300 days of the
year, providing brilliant days and star-filled nights. The varied
landscape provides opportunities for hiking, camping, bird
watching, and game viewing.
www.countrywatch.com
On this site, you can learn anything, from what time it is
in Windhoek to how to convert from the U.S. dollar to the
Namibian dollar. Just click on Namibia and go from there.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
Visit this site for general travel advice about almost any
country in the world.
www.state.gov
The State Departments website issues background notes
periodically about countries around the world. Find Namibia
and learn more about its social and political history.
www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm
This online world atlas includes maps and geographical
information, and each country page contains links to
other sites, such as the Library of Congress, that contain
comprehensive historical, social, and political background
material.
http://www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation3/menu/
advanced.asp
This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical
information for member states of the U.N.
http://www.worldinformation.com/woi/start.asp
This site provides an additional source of current and
historical information about countries around the world.
www.rpcv.org
This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made
up of returned Volunteers. On this site you can find links to
all the Web pages of the friends of groups for most countries
of service, made up of former Volunteers who served in those
countries. There are also regional groups who frequently get
together for social events and local volunteer activities.
http://www.rpcvwebring.org
This site is known as the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
Web Ring. Browse the Web ring and see what former
Volunteers are saying about their service.
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www.peacecorpswriters.org
This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers.
It is a monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer
accounts of their Peace Corps service.
www.namibian.com.na
A Namibian English-language newspaper
www.mg.co.za
The site of South Africas Mail and Guardian, with articles of
regional interest
www.parliament.gov.na
The site of the Namibian Parliament
www.usaid.gov
U.S. Agency for International Development
http://www.unaids.org
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
www.undp.org
United Nations Development Programme
Recommended Books
1. Bridgman, Jon M. The Revolt of the Hereros
(Perspectives on Southern Africa). Berkeley:
University of California Press, 1981.
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4. Hessler, Peter. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze.
New York, NY: Perennial, 2001.
Telephones
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Living Allowance and Money Management
Transportation
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Geography and Climate
Social Activities
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Excessive drinking is widespread in Namibia. Volunteers
may come under social pressure from colleagues or
other Volunteers to drink, often to excess. Because of
the Volunteers unique status in the community and as a
representative of the American people, they are on duty 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. As such, Volunteers are expected
to comport themselves in a professional and culturally
sensitive manner at all times. Peace Corps/Namibia has strict
regulations concerning the excessive consumption of alcohol
and these rules are enforced. We look to PCVs to model
alternative behaviors, particularly for youth, as they work in
Namibian society.
Personal Safety
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NOTES
Technical Training
Technical training will prepare you to work in Namibia by
building on the skills you already have and helping you
develop new skills in a manner appropriate to the needs of the
country. The Peace Corps staff, Namibian experts, and current
Volunteers conduct the training program. Training places
great emphasis on learning how to transfer the skills you have
to the community in which you will serve as a Volunteer.
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Language Training
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will find that language skills
can significantly contribute to your personal and professional
satisfaction during your service. While these skills are not
as critical to your job performance, they help you integrate
into your host community, and they can ease your personal
adaptation to the new surroundings.
Cross-Cultural Training
As part of your pre-service training, you will live with a
Namibian host family. This experience is designed to ease
your transition to life at your site. Families have gone through
an orientation conducted by Peace Corps staff to explain the
purpose of pre-service training and to assist them in helping
you adapt to living in Namibia. Many Volunteers form strong
and lasting friendships with their host families.
Health Training
During pre-service training, you will be given basic medical
training and information. You will be expected to practice
Safety Training
During the safety training sessions, you will learn how to
adopt a lifestyle that reduces your risks at home, at work, and
during your travels. You will also learn appropriate, effective
strategies for coping with unwanted attention and about your
individual responsibility for promoting safety throughout your
service.
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Midterm conference (done in conjunction with
technical sector in-service): Assists Volunteers in
reviewing their first year, reassessing their personal and
project objectives, and planning for their second year of
service.
Close of service conference: Prepares Volunteers for
the future after Peace Corps service and reviews their
respective projects and personal experiences.
The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary
immunizations, medications, and information to stay healthy.
Upon your arrival in Namibia, you will receive a medical
handbook. You will receive a medical kit with supplies to take
care of mild illnesses and a cookbook. The contents of this kit are
listed later in this chapter and the kit includes a first aid book.
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During pre-service training, you will have access to basic
medical supplies through the medical officer. However, you
will be responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs
and any other specific medical supplies you require, as we will
not order these items during training. Please bring a three-
month supply of any prescription drugs you use, since they
may not be available here and it may take several months for
shipments to arrive. After three months, Peace Corps will
only supply you with prescribed medication you indicated on
your application form and approved by the Office of Medical
Services prior to your departure. Most of your medical
conditions will be managed by the medical officer and you
during your stay in Namibia.
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Most feminine hygiene products are available for you to
purchase on the local market; therefore, the Peace Corps
medical officer in Namibia will not provide them. If you
require a specific feminine hygiene product, please bring a
supply with you.
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Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-the-
counter medication you use on a regular basis, including
birth control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot
reimburse you for this three-month supply, we will order
refills during your service. While awaiting shipmentwhich
can take several monthsyou will be dependent on your
own medication supply. The Peace Corps will not pay for
herbal or nonprescribed medications, such as St. Johns wort,
glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant supplements. You are
advised to bring a sturdy bottle (e.g., Nalgene) to carry water
for drinking at all times to prevent dehydration.
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Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteers
risk, many of which are within the Volunteers control.
Based on information gathered from incident reports
worldwide in 2004, the following factors stand out as risk
characteristics for assaults. Assaults consist of personal
crimes committed against Volunteers, and do not include
property crimes (such as vandalism or theft).
Location: Most crimes occurred when Volunteers
were in public areas (e.g., street, park, beach, public
buildings). Specifically, 43 percent of assaults took
place when Volunteers were away from their sites.
Time of day: Assaults usually took place on the
weekend during the evening, between 5:00 p.m. and
2:00 a.m. with most assaults occurring around 1 a.m.
Absence of others: Assaults usually occurred when the
Volunteer was unaccompanied. In 82 percent of the
sexual assaults, the Volunteer was unaccompanied and
in 55 percent of physical assaults, the Volunteer was
unaccompanied.
Relationship to assailant: In most assaults, the
Volunteer did not know the assailant.
Consumption of alcohol: Forty percent of all assaults
involved alcohol consumption by Volunteers and/or
assailants.
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overseas operations and direct the Peace Corps safety and
security officers who are located in various regions around
the world that have Peace Corps programs. The safety and
security officers conduct security assessments; review safety
trainings; train trainers and managers; train Volunteer safety
wardens, local guards, and staff; develop security incident
response procedures; and provide crisis management support.
1The average numbers of incidents are in parenthesis and equal the average
reported assaults for each year between 2001-2005.
2Incident rates equal the number of assaults per 100 Volunteers and trainees
per year (V/T years). Since most sexual assaults occur against females, only
female V/Ts are calculated in rapes and minor sexual assaults. Numbers of
incidents are approximate due to rounding.
3Data collection for Namibia began in 2001
50 PEACE CORPS
The chart is separated into eight crime categories. These
include vandalism (malicious defacement or damage of
property); theft (taking without force or illegal entry);
burglary (forcible entry of a residence); robbery (taking
something by force); minor physical assault (attacking without
a weapon with minor injuries); minor sexual assault (fondling,
groping, etc.); aggravated assault (attacking with a weapon,
and/or without a weapon when serious injury results); and
rape (sexual intercourse without consent).
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Security Issues in Namibia
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Volunteer training will include sessions on specific safety and
security issues in Namibia. This training will prepare you to
adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment
that promotes safety and reduces risk in your home, at work,
and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout your
two-year service and is integrated into the language, cross-
cultural, health, and other components of training.
56 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
60 PEACE CORPS
socioeconomic scale tend to have less authority and control
over income, spending, and reproductive health. This situation
is driven as much by the lingering pattern of migratory labor
(i.e., adult males working away from the homestead) as by
tradition. Thus, many rural communities do not have much
experience with women who take on professional roles,
remain unmarried, and live away from their families. Because
of the differences in cultural norms for women and men,
female Volunteers may receive unwanted sexual attention
and need to practice discretion in public (e.g., not smoking or
drinking).
Volunteer Comments
Volunteer Comments
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I try to understand how oshilumbu should be translated.
In general, people say it means white. My learners would
probably tell you Im oshilumbu, which is a surprise to me,
having spent the last quarter-plus century calling myself
black. Once I got over the shock, I couldnt help feeling
offended. I guess it goes back to the days when one of
the worst taunts for a young math-and-science geek was
accusing her of trying to act white.
Volunteer Comment
64 PEACE CORPS
practices. Community members frequently ask Volunteers
about their religious affiliation and may expect them to
attend a community church. Volunteers not in the practice of
attending Christian churches may be challenged to explain a
decision not to attend.
Volunteer Comment
68 PEACE CORPS
owned motorized vehicles. On very rare occasions, a Volunteer
may be asked to drive a government vehicle, but this can
occur only with prior written permission from the country
director. Bring your U.S. drivers license with you in case you
find yourself in this situation.
70 PEACE CORPS
advisable to exercise caution in storing the laptop safely.
A security cable is highly recommended and insurance
coverage for the laptops and other valuables is advisable.
74 PEACE CORPS
To be fair, the integration part worked wonderfully. I have
been to Magdalenas home twice and eaten mahangu (millet)
porridge and mutete (a wild spinach-like green) with her
and her extended family (the first time I was even offered a
rooster!). We have come to know each other quite well and
I consider her a friend. The fact that whenever shes at the
health centre and catches sight of me, her face lights up and
she throws her arm around me, and tells me she feels the
same way.
And, as for the secondary project part, well that has a
happy ending too. With the help of the Namibia Craft Centre,
we held a weeklong quality and design workshop for basket
weavers in Shambyu last November and the craft centre has
agreed to buy all the baskets that meet its standards. Best of
all in terms of sustainability is that there is now a system in
place whereby the weavers can sell directly to Christina and
Agnes two Namibian women who will come to the mission
once a month and purchase the baskets directly and then
grade and send them to the craft centre in Windhoek.
So this story definitely has a happy ending: Sister Adelheidis
can retire knowing that her beloved basket weavers have a
market and I have found other worthwhile projects to work
on. I just hope that Magdalena will continue to visit me and
that she and some of the other women will bring a very
special basket or two to the mission now and again to offer to
me first.
I have also sent baskets to a friend in California who sells
them at fancy prices and sends the profit back to Namibia.
That money is being used to pay for driving lessons for four
young people from an HIV/AIDS awareness group I work with.
But thats another story
Kami Lee
76 PEACE CORPS
expected to give? You begin to even grow cynical about the
true intentions of others.
Finally, to end on a high note, the students themselves are
great to work with. They are very motivated and disciplined.
They will become your best friends (if you let them). Even
though they have so little, they very rarely complain.
I am very happy to be in the Kavango region. Its
combination of local friendliness, beautiful scenery, and
underdevelopment make it quite a unique place. Im very
satisfied with my placement and feel like Im getting an
immersive and important experience.
Benjamin Sigrin
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meaning I get first dibs on the food. Anyone who can get to
Namibia in two weeks is welcome to be my plus one.
Elise Perry
You can feel so alone when you havent left the village for
quite some time. And when its 8:30 on a Saturday night and
the familys stereo, which is always tuned to Oshiwambo radio,
is, for some strange reason, playing Phil Collins Just One
More Night, it will make you feel much lonelier than you were
before the song began. It always seems to be a song that will
enhance your sad feelings, make you want to cry and think of
the things that were once called home.
Its found in the small things. I often question what legacy I
will leave behind. Either way, theres no turning back now. My
perception has changed, as well as my beliefs; however, the
young children I work with every day always manage to put a
smile on my face.
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fascination was evident and I was making her laugh.
On the way home, walking past the same homesteads I
passed just hours earlier, the kids spirits were still filled with
joy, as they slowly disappeared into the bush one by one on
their way home. Soon I was all alone, walking my own path.
I took pleasure in watching the sun melt into the distant
horizon, highlighting the thunderheads behind me with a
magnificent ruby orange. Small boys were bringing in their
goat herds. The sounds of thunder made me chuckle as I
remembered the time a whole herd of goats broke into Grade
Fives classroom to escape the nights downpour. The goats ate
the books and sprinkled the floor with their droppings.
I soon came to the pastors homestead. The lot was now
vacant. It was a missed opportunity I regrettably failed to
capitalize on. His pre-independence stories were rich and
honest. Now hes gone and so are the many stories I never
found time to hear. Approaching my own home I was greeted
by my dog Booty. Whenever Im in sight, he runs straight
toward me, wagging his tail. Today he was giving me one of his
famous smiles that looks more like an angry growl. I was home.
Its these small delights that have kept me above ground:
frustrations are matched with unexpected simple pleasures.
Both will surprise you and make you come alive.
Jeremy Waldron
General Clothing
Shoes
Shoes are key. Everyone will walk many miles each week.
Volunteers recommend four pairs of shoes. Bring newer
shoes, as your shoes will wear out quickly. The Volunteers
also recommend more expensive footwear, just because its
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better and lasts longer. Some female Volunteers say one pair
of trendy sandals or shoes is also nice, as there are chances to
go out and dress up a bit in Windhoek.
Note that people with large feet (especially men with size
11 or bigger) should bring an extra pair or two of shoes or
sandals, as larger sizes can be difficult to find in Namibia.
Kitchen
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U.S. postage stamps for sending mail with Volunteers
who are traveling to the United States
Two sturdy water bottles (e.g., Nalgene)
For women, feminine hygiene items like tampons, pads,
Diva Cup, the Keeper, GladRag, etc, are somewhat
more expensive than in the U.S., but you must balance
considerations of space and weight available when
making a decision to bring these supplies.
Favorite recipes
A few books (you can have some sent, trade with other
Volunteers, buy them here, or make use of the Peace
Corps in-country resource center)
Small book bag or backpack for work and weekends
Enough stationery to last you during pre-service
training
Family
Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps Office
of Special Services at any time if there is a critical
illness or death of a family member (telephone number:
1.800.424.8580, extension 1470 or 202.692.1470).
Give the Peace Corps On the Home Front handbook to
family and friends.
Passport/Travel
Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork
for the Peace Corps passport and visas.
Verify that luggage meets the size and weight limits for
international travel.
Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after
your service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will
expire three months after you finish your service, so
if you plan to travel longer after your service, you will
need a regular passport.)
Medical/Health
Complete any needed dental and medical work.
If you wear glasses, bring two pairs.
Arrange to bring a three-month supply of all
medications (including birth control pills) you are
currently taking.
Personal Papers
Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.
Voting
Register to vote in the state of your home of record.
(Many state universities consider voting and payment
of state taxes as evidence of residence in that state.)
Obtain a voter registration card and take it with you
overseas.
Arrange to have an absentee ballot forwarded to you
overseas.
Personal Effects
Purchase personal property insurance for the time you
leave your home for service overseas until the time you
complete your service and return to the United States.
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Financial Management
Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or
loan service.
Execute a Power of Attorney for the management of
your property and business.
Arrange for deductions from your readjustment
allowance to pay alimony, child support, and other
debts through the Office of Volunteer Financial
Operations at 1.800.424.8580, extension 1770.
Place all-important papersmortgages, deeds, stocks,
and bondsin a safe deposit box or with an attorney or
other caretaker.
For Direct/
Questions Toll-free Local
About: Staff Extension Number
Responding to Office of
an Invitation Placement
Africa
Region Ext. 1850 202.692.1850
Medical Handled by a
Reimbursements Subcontractor 800.818.8772
94 PEACE CORPS
P EAC E C O R P S
Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters
1111 20th Street NW Washington, DC 20526 www.peacecorps.gov 1-800-424-8580