Take 2: Namibia!!

So the past month has been a bit of a roller coaster to say the least. First, I was delayed until August due to issues with our visas and the upcoming Presidential elections in Mauritania. Last Tuesday, I read where an American aid worker was killed after an attempted kidnapping in the capital city of Mauritania and shortly after learned that Al Qaeda took responsibility.Not good. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE55P2L420090626

Wednesday, I received a call from the Peace Corps informing me that my program was canceled in Mauritania. I was bummed...but when Al Qaeda enters the game...I'm out. The Peace Corps didn't speak of the incident that occured on Tuesday...stating that they decided to go ahead and cancel our group since our visas still weren't working out. Today, I learned that the Peace Corps is giving the current volunteers over there the option to stay in country or terminate their service early and come back to the US. All that said...I'm not supposed to be there.

The GOOD NEWS!! So, after waiting since last Wednesday to hear where I would be reassigned I finally got the email today!! I'm headed to Namibia on August 19th!!!!! While completely different from Mauritania I couldn't be happier.

Quick Facts:

Country: Namibia (Southern West Coast of Africa, bordered by Bostwana, South Africa and Angola)

Official Language: English!!!! (German and Afrikaans are both widely spoken as well)

Assignment: English teacher to Upper Primary and Secondary students (grades 6-12)

Government: Democratic Republic (thank goodness), multi-party system

Religion: 80% Christian

Capital: Windhoek

Orientation in US: August 19-20, 2009

Training in Namibia: August 21-October 15, 2009

Service in Namibia: October 16, 2009-October 17, 2011

Shiloh Jolie Pitt was born in Namibia (maybe Brad will come visit me while paying homage to his daughter's homeland)

Mail: The postal system is reliable, but service to the more remote villages is often slow. Mail from the United States to Windhoek, the capital, can take up to two weeks. From there, it could take two more weeks for mail to reach your village.

Telephones: Telephones are available in most towns and villages, along or near main roads, and in most schools. No international telephone companies (e.g., MCI or AT&T) operate in Namibia,
so you will be unable to make collect calls or use calling cards purchased in the United States. Calling cards are available in Namibia for use in-country and internationally. International service from the larger towns is good, but calls must be made from a telecommunications office or a private phone. Cellphone usage and coverage is increasing rapidly in Namibia, especially in urban areas. All Volunteers are expected to purchase cellphones, and the cost is included in their settling-in allowance. Only a few PCVs will lack coverage at their sites, and they will be able to use their phones by traveling a short distance for weekend shopping. Text messaging is quickly becoming a preferred means of communication between Volunteers and with the PC office.

Computer, Internet, and E-mail Access: Access to e-mail is available in Internet cafes in Windhoek and other larger towns. As telephone service expands, so will Internet access. Some teacher resource centers provide public access to e-mail but not the Internet.

Housing and Site Location: Housing varies considerably. Your site may be a Western-style
cement block house, usually with electricity and running water; an apartment attached to a student boarding facility (hostel); or, in the case of more rural junior secondary schools, a room with a local family. As the government has invited assistance from a variety of sources, you may also be asked to share a two- or three-bedroom house with one or two colleagues (either Namibian or Volunteers from other countries). Our expectation is that you will have a private bedroom, but remember that there is a shortage of housing for government staff in most areas in Namibia. The ministry/hosting agency to which you are assigned is responsible fo paying your monthly utilities and providing you with the basic furnishings (e.g., bed, chairs, tables, stove, and gas refrigerator).

That's all for now! Thanks for all of the congratulatory emails and calls!! More info to come as soon as I have a chance to read up on my new home!!