iluvsouthernafrica:

Namibia: 1978

(Then) South-West Africa’s first independent elections with a nationwide electorate.  (Please click on photos for captions.)  More information here.

Photos by Peter Marlow

Photos and captions of Namibia’s past.

29 plays

 by The SWAPO Singers from SWAPO Freedom Songs

iluvsouthernafrica:

Namibia:

“Africa”, sung by members of the political party SWAPO during the fight for liberation in (then) South West Africa, circa late 70s, early 80s.

So much better than the music that streams out of the shebeens now.

(via dynamicafrica)

heritage1960:

CNN | The Namibian Women Who Dress Like Victorians

Their style of dressing was influence by the wives of German missionaries and colonialists who first came to the country in the early 1900s.

The long dresses are heavy and reflect the style of the Victorian period with numerous petticoats worn to add fulness to their skirts.

They are hand-sewn by the women who add their own personal style and flair.

Continue reading the story here.

(via dynamicafrica)

pritheworld:

In impoverished urban neighborhoods in Africa, children face many obstacles to obtaining a good education. One is simply getting to school. 
Those who can’t afford bus fare must often walk for miles and risk being mugged - or worse - on the way. 
In the latest installment in our “School Year” series, set at a Cape Town high school, The World’s Anders Kelto joins one student on his long morning walk. http://ow.ly/kZnPS 

pritheworld:

In impoverished urban neighborhoods in Africa, children face many obstacles to obtaining a good education. One is simply getting to school. 

Those who can’t afford bus fare must often walk for miles and risk being mugged - or worse - on the way. 

In the latest installment in our “School Year” series, set at a Cape Town high school, The World’s Anders Kelto joins one student on his long morning walk. http://ow.ly/kZnPS 

(via npr)

senerii:

Victoria Fall’s - Zimbabwe by lostin4tune on Flickr.

peacecorps:

Peace Corps Volunteers, trainees, and staff were just a little excited to meet President Obama in Costa Rica last week!

your 'final post' is probably the best written post about the Peace Corps I have read. It's truthful and very moving. I'm going to serve in Madagascar in July and I'm nervous that I won't be able to persevere. I want to and I believe I can, but I say this on my comfy, bug-free bed. I'm trying to prepare myself for the hardships you and other volunteers have mentioned. I guess I'm trying to say: I'm glad I read your post :)

Asked by ecologyy

Thank you so much for the nice compliment. I am so jealous! Madagascar! wow. You are going to have some amazing experiences! Don’t think too hard about it, and enjoy the ride. It’s going to be great, and the time will seriously fly. Looking ahead 26 months sounds like a huge amount of time, but it really, seriously flies. I cant wait to read all about your adventures, trials, and tribulations there. You are going to be great!

My Final Post: Reflections on my Peace Corps Service

image

It has been six months since I have completed my service in the Peace Corps and returned to America, and in full disclosure this is the fourth attempt I have made at writing a final blog post to sum up my experiences, convey what I have learned, and generally distill 26 months of service into one final post.

I will tell you right now that it is impossible. There is no way for me to accurately convey all of the life changing experiences, from the mundane to the earth-shifting, that I have experienced. Nor will there ever be a way to tell how much of an impact I have might have had on the people of my communities in Namibia.

Continue reading…

peacecorps:

Collaborate. Share. Act. End it.

peacecorps:

Collaborate. Share. Act. End it.

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Angelou (via kari-shma)

allons-y-mon-cheri:

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.
The Peace Corps’ mission has three simple goals:
Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/ to find out how you can help the global community!

allons-y-mon-cheri:

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.

The Peace Corps’ mission has three simple goals:

  1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
  2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
  3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/ to find out how you can help the global community!

(via travelnerd)

Hello There. Whether you meant to get here or not you have somehow managed to find my blog. This isn’t any old blog, you know. This is my attempt to document my time spent serving with the Peace Corps as an education volunteer in Namibia. There will be good stories, photos, and perhaps a short movie or two.

Disclaimer
The contents of this Web site express my own views and do not reflect the position of the U.S. government or the U.S. Peace Corps.

The Haberdashery