Namibia: A Service Learning Opportunity

Published in Volume 48, Issue 4.

This past winter break, I had the opportunity to go to the country of Namibia in Southern Africa as part of the Study Abroad program through the UW Colleges. The program, offered as an education or natural science credit, focused on service learning—a first for the UW Study Abroad program. The service was done at the Bernhard Nordkamp Center (BNC) in the capital city of Windhoek. This afterschool program helps over 200 underprivileged children in a region of Windhoek called Katatura. Many of the children come from homes that have been affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic or have single parent households. They attend school in the mornings but the education system in Windhoek is very weak, resulting in students being about four grades behind an American grade level. The program at the BNC is well respected for helping its children achieve higher results in academics ranging from first grade to high school. The school is run by a woman named Marybeth, who dedicated herself several years to helping the children of Katatura. However, she relies heavily on volunteers from the United States, Canada, and Europe. Our group, which consisted of twelve UW students and three professors, worked hard during the three weeks we were there on a variety of activities. Many of the classes were held in small, cramped rooms, so some students cleared out more space to teach while others painted the walls with educational material. Other students worked by weeding the playground and planting seeds that will be used to help the children in their learning. When all 200 students returned from winter break, we all took grade levels and assisted in teaching classes.

The children in the classes were very excited to learn and sometimes would rather sit in the library and proudly read aloud instead of going outside to play. So many of these children have the potential and desire to be great. However, they do not have the opportunity that children in America have. The BNC gives children a better chance of succeeding. In Namibia, 30 percent is the required grade to pass a class, but many of the children who have spent considerable time in the program pass with 65 to 70 percent and are at the top of their class in reading, writing, and mathematics.

It was very obvious in the time we were there that the children at BNC were open and receptive to learning. They were also very appreciative of the work that we did for them. On the last day, the kids all sang for us before we got on the bus for the last time. The songs and their appreciation brought many on the trip to tears, a sign that the service we had done was not only life changing for the kids of the BNC but also for the volunteers. A reason for the change was that every person on the trip gained a special connection with at least one child who was there. Every day the children were waiting at the gate for us and walked us to the bus as we left. It was a very touching experience.

Overall, the trip was a wonderful experience. For anyone who is interested in learning more about the Bernhard Nordkamp Center is encouraged to visit www.volunteer-namibia.com.