Peace Corps: Through the eyes of the volunteers

To reflect the experience in the Peace Corps, Namibian Sun asked two volunteers out of 53 who arrived in the country and are currently getting cross-cultural training in Okahandja, before they are dispatched to different regions in Namibia, as well as their hosts, to share their experience of living together.Peace Corps volunteers work at grassroots level to create change that lasts long after their service. Upon arrival in the country they are placed with a host family. They then learn a new language, culture, create a working portfolio for themselves and try to figure out how to survive the heat in Namibia, amongst other things. Every volunteer knows that the lessons learned during service can be enduring, eye-opening, even life-changing. This can change how they see themselves and how they see the world. Some stay and finish the two-year service; others pack up and return home, unable to withstand the change in lifestyle.The volunteers who come into the country are from all over the United States. Some come as vegetarians and quickly give it up, confirming that Namibian beef is just too good to pass over.Aimee Allworth, 22, is one such person who gave up her vegetarian status of ten years saying that she found a new appreciation of meat in Namibia. The young graduate from Seattle says that she was nervous to come to the country as she has never been anywhere in Africa and did not know what to expect. “My parents were supportive and somewhat happy that I was not travelling to a war-stricken country,” she says. She learned about the Peace Corps through teachers at her school. After university she wanted a different perspective on life and applied to be a volunteer in Namibia, a country she only heard about through South African friends.“A lot of things in Namibia are different and day by day I learn to appreciate them. Back home people on the street hardly greet each one another; people try as much as possible to avoid each other. It''s so different here. Everyone is friendly and stops to speak to me. Also, in Seattle it rains a lot and I miss that, but this is a different experience which I''m willing to fulfil.”Aimee will be located in Lüderitz after her training in Okahandja. She will be teaching natural science at a local school in Lüderitz. “It is the best place for me in terms of the weather and the Afrikaans language which I''m learning. Aimee is expected to learn a local language to help her navigate the community. “I have been doing quite well because everyone speaks Afrikaans in the house. I help the children with homework and cook for the family when I''m not at the centre every day. Also, there has been a lot of house cleaning, something I do not do a lot back home,” she says chuckling. The volunteer says that Namibia has a beautiful landscape and when she gets time off from teaching she will be doing a lot of travelling. Gertuida Sprinbok her host says that they have grown fond of each other. “She is a wonderful person, even though sometimes I think she is scared of me,” she says laughing. She further says that hosting is something she has come to enjoy as it gives her and her two children a chance to learn about different people and their way of life. “It is the second time I''m hosting a volunteer so the children know that they have to share their space. I spoke to them prior to her arrival, my son was very excited. So excited that he kept asking if we will be hosting a male after I told him it''s a female, I think he wanted someone he can play soccer with.” She further says that she wants to expose the children to different people at a young age so that they can learn to appreciate and accept the differences of people. “One never knows, maybe someday they will be guest in someone else''s home,” she adds.Another 22-year-old volunteer Gracia Mehlhaff, from Oregon says that after learning about Peace Corps she knew there will come a time where she had to eventually join their work. She did not want to visit the country for a couple of weeks and feel like a tourist, but wanted the whole cultural experience. Gracia previously stayed in Chile for six months learning Spanish. “The language will not help me much here, but I''m here to learn a different language which is Nama/Damara,” she says.She further says when she was accepted to volunteer she wished to be hosted by a family with lots of children. “My wish came true because the house is full of girls; we play soccer a lot and jog in the afternoon. I want to be an exemplary teacher who everyone looks up to.” She adds that social media has made it possible to keep in touch with her family on a daily basis.Gracia wants the Peace Corps service to shape her into a better global citizen, so that she can be equipped with the important ability to approach a different culture with humility and respect, to listen, and to understand.She is being hosted by Patricia van Wyk together with her daughters. Patricia says that hosting Gracia has been fulfilling in many ways. “The children at home are excited to have someone from a different background in the house. They hardly let her sleep and bombard her with a lot of questions. She is an introvert but I make her feel welcome and that makes it easier for her to integrate. I have taught her how to do laundry by hand and how to iron her clothes. I''m still to teach her how to cook porridge.” Patricia has previously hosted a male volunteer and says that their bond is strong and that they are in touch regularly.Her wishes are that Peace Corps will create more awareness programmes to teach the community about their work. “Many people are not aware of the work and purpose of the volunteers and are surprised when they see them walking in the street.” The Peace Corps Trainees will be distribution by region where eight volunteers will be placed in Omusati, six in Ohangwena, two in Oshana, four in Otjozontjupa, six in Oshikoto, four in Omaheke and Kavango, one in the Kunene 1 and four in Hardap. Limba Mupetami

Peace Corps: Through the eyes of the volunteers

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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Peace Corps: Through the eyes of the volunteers

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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