Working the first week

After a week of work, I was really looking forward to the weekend. I can't really say why, but I'm not completely satisfied with the work so far.

One of the goals of my volunteer work should be to help the children here. But at the moment, I unfortunately feel like I can't help either the teachers or the students. Mostly due to the language barrier, but also due to a lack of materials and my lack of experience as a teacher.

Even though I have now completed my bachelor's degree, I don't really feel capable of teaching. If I had to do this in Germany, I would seek help and collect materials and would have to prepare for teaching for a long time and intensively. Here, I have neither materials nor anyone to help me, let alone be able to tell the children what I want from them. In addition, the children are not used to real teaching and are very restless, "disobedient," and sometimes disrespectful. All of these circumstances are making my work difficult and causing me some distress.

I think I need to give myself and the project some more time. Try to become proficient in sign language and let go of the desire to receive tasks from the teachers.

It would probably be easier and better to give the children tutoring, but on the other hand, I don't want to always be at school until the afternoon or on weekends. Even if that may sound a bit selfish.

I probably just need some more time... On Monday, I will talk to the principal again and hope that I can change teachers (at least temporarily), as I could learn sign language better with other teachers, and I just don't particularly like the math teacher, especially because he treats the children poorly. But most of the other teachers are very nice 😊

That all sounds rather negative, but I'm still doing well. The other volunteers are very nice, and the atmosphere in the house and around it is very nice. We do a lot of fun things together, go out, go shopping, cook, and eat together. Last week, we were invited to a restaurant by the owner of a guesthouse and a farm, and it was super delicious. In general, I don't eat rice and beans every day here, as you might expect 😉, but you can actually get everything you need here, so I eat similar to at home. Most groceries are similar in price or slightly more expensive than in Germany, only meat and in restaurants are cheaper. This morning, we went to an organic market and then to a shopping mall. In both places, we felt very safe because there were mostly white and wealthier people. Shopping always helps when you're feeling down 😉

On February 4th, the Victoria Falls trip starts for me and most of the other volunteers. I'm very excited to see more of Namibia and also parts of Botswana and finally be able to use my camera 😊

Sending hugs!