After School Program closed for Term 1 on Thursday. Strangely enough, it was a rainy afternoon! Namibia’s right at the end of the rainy season and though we might get some light showers into May, the heavy thunder showers we had on Wednesday and Thursday are quite unusual. The rain has ushered in some chilly nights and cool days – at least by Namibian mid-Autumn standards!
Attendance at the Program dropped off following Easter as the children were busy with exams but the average daily attendance in February and March was 69. March saw the highest attendance figure on one day of 90 children!
The school holidays are for four weeks so the children will only be returning to school on 26 May. Next week we’re holding a mini-workshop for the After School volunteers to build their skills in working with the children, then they’ll have a well-deserved break before planning for Term 2 takes place the week before school starts.
Home Based Care
In the last month or so, Jogbeth and Aline have contacted two new clients each, which brings the total of clients being visited weekly by the three ladies to 12.
The first support group meeting for the clients was held at the end of March. An HIV-AIDS support group is important for those living with HIV and AIDS to be able to share experiences, support and encourage each other. Three clients and two Carers attended the meeting and they had a great time of fellowship. We’d like to start having these meetings on a monthly basis, so please pray that more clients will be able to attend the next one.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
No longer home alone
“I really like it here,” Tjingaitjita says earnestly. “As well as my homework I get help with extra English and Maths – that’s important for school you know.” Never silent for very long, his sister, Hitjitevi, chimes in, “And the singing! I like the singing!”
Tjingaitjita, who’s in Grade 4, and Hitjitevi, Grade 3, started coming to the After School Program (ASP) at the beginning of this year. They refused to go to the previous after school care they attended because it was “boring” and their older sister was desperate to find a program that would help them with their schoolwork.
Their cousin Sutuu, who is a volunteer helper at the ASP explains, “Their mother passed away last year and so they are living with their father and sister. Their father works and their sister is in her third year of studying law, so most of the time there’s no one at home when they come back from school. I told the sister about EBC’s Program and asked her to try it – after all, it’s also very close to where they live. So they started coming.”
The children have been attending the ASP for two months now and their sister is happy with their progress. “Tjingaitjita and Hitjitevi like it and find it helpful…[on most days] they get all their homework done…I’m now waiting to see the results on their school reports at the end of term.”
Hitjitevi (left) and Tjingaitjita get some help from Mercia
“Yes,” says Hitjitevi, “learning about the Bible helps you not to be bad to other people but treat them nicely.”
Tjingaitjita, who’s in Grade 4, and Hitjitevi, Grade 3, started coming to the After School Program (ASP) at the beginning of this year. They refused to go to the previous after school care they attended because it was “boring” and their older sister was desperate to find a program that would help them with their schoolwork.
Their cousin Sutuu, who is a volunteer helper at the ASP explains, “Their mother passed away last year and so they are living with their father and sister. Their father works and their sister is in her third year of studying law, so most of the time there’s no one at home when they come back from school. I told the sister about EBC’s Program and asked her to try it – after all, it’s also very close to where they live. So they started coming.”
The children have been attending the ASP for two months now and their sister is happy with their progress. “Tjingaitjita and Hitjitevi like it and find it helpful…[on most days] they get all their homework done…I’m now waiting to see the results on their school reports at the end of term.”
Hitjitevi (left) and Tjingaitjita get some help from MerciaShe also thinks that what they learn about the Bible at the ASP is very important. She is a Christian but their father isn’t, so she tries to teach the children about the Bible but often does not have enough time. Now she can see that their understanding is growing through the weekly Bible Club lessons.
I ask the children what activities they enjoy at the ASP. “Sports!” says Tjingaitjita. “And the Bible Club, I like learning the verses and learning about God.” When I ask why it’s important to know about God, he thinks for a moment and then says, “If you don’t live the way God wants you to, you’re probably going to do bad stuff and go to prison.”
I ask the children what activities they enjoy at the ASP. “Sports!” says Tjingaitjita. “And the Bible Club, I like learning the verses and learning about God.” When I ask why it’s important to know about God, he thinks for a moment and then says, “If you don’t live the way God wants you to, you’re probably going to do bad stuff and go to prison.”
“Yes,” says Hitjitevi, “learning about the Bible helps you not to be bad to other people but treat them nicely.”
Friday, April 10, 2009
After School Parents' Evening
A happy and blessed Easter to everyone! Although I’m out in the bush for our church’s Easter Camp, thanks to the marvels of modern technology I can also post this.
On Monday evening we had a parents meeting for After School. About 25 parents and 65 children came and we had a great time.
Tangee was officially introduced as the new Coordinator and told the parents a bit about what their children actually do at the Program. The children had practiced three songs (under Lazarus's patient direction) and the parents really enjoyed their singing.
Two of the “littlies” in Grade 2 said memory verses from Bible Club lessons and some of the children from the Life Skills group performed a drama based on what they learn in the lessons about choices, standing up to peer pressure and abstaining from sex.
On Monday evening we had a parents meeting for After School. About 25 parents and 65 children came and we had a great time.
Tangee was officially introduced as the new Coordinator and told the parents a bit about what their children actually do at the Program. The children had practiced three songs (under Lazarus's patient direction) and the parents really enjoyed their singing.
Two of the “littlies” in Grade 2 said memory verses from Bible Club lessons and some of the children from the Life Skills group performed a drama based on what they learn in the lessons about choices, standing up to peer pressure and abstaining from sex.
Tangee provides some moral support for Queeny as she says her memory verse
The children also got a chance to talk, with George (Grade 8), Kapaa (Grade 8) and Kuvaza (Grade 7) saying what the Program means to them. They talked about what they enjoy at the Program – the different activities and the help they get with their schoolwork. Kuvaza was introduced as the “After School Veteran” as she’s been attending ever since the Program started in 2004 – when she was in Grade 2! 
(Top to bottom) Kuvaza, Kapaa and George
Then it was the parents’ turn and it was hard not to get emotional when George’s mother stood up and talked about the change the Program has made in the lives of her children (she has three sons). Before George started at the Program, she said, he was failing at school and didn’t care – when he came home from school he would just play soccer with other kids in the street instead of doing his homework. But after coming to the Program he managed to pass at the end of that year (2007) and has been doing well ever since. Now when he comes home from school he grabs his books and is eager to get to the Program.
The parents were unanimous in their thanks and encouragement to keep the Program going, to help their children.
After a cup of coffee and some cookies for everyone, the evening was declared a success…and then we had to clean up!
The parents were unanimous in their thanks and encouragement to keep the Program going, to help their children.
After a cup of coffee and some cookies for everyone, the evening was declared a success…and then we had to clean up!
Zeka seemed to enjoy washing all those cups!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
A positive change
From Jennifer, one of our home based care clients:
I am a 30 year old female Namibian and I am HIV-positive. I’ve been living with HIV for about 10 years now and lost my second-born child to HIV-AIDS. I’ve been diagnosed with full-blown AIDS and am receiving antiretrovirals as treatment.
Since I have been introduced to the EBCAIDS Home Based Care my life has improved tremendously. This is due to the food, love and support I receive from this ministry. I currently do not have a job and through the Home Based Care visits I have been encouraged and counseled to live positively even in the face of this, and other, difficulties. I really thank God who keeps me alive day after day, and because He has used His servants from EBCAIDS to help me accept my condition and live a happy and productive life.
Aline has been visiting Jennifer for about seven months now. Jennifer lives by herself (her first child stays with his father) and she often got discouraged by the emotional and health problems that come along with HIV-AIDS. Since Jennifer has been receiving the home based care, Aline has seen a real change in her attitude and life.
“She is a lot more positive now that she can talk about her problems with someone. It also helps that we pray about the issues she has to deal with and I encourage her that God hears our prayers and will answer them,” Aline says. “Also since I started visiting her Jennifer has started her own small business of taking wedding photos. This means that she isn’t just depending on the food that I bring her each month, but is also able to make some money for herself. That has really improved her outlook on life.”
I am a 30 year old female Namibian and I am HIV-positive. I’ve been living with HIV for about 10 years now and lost my second-born child to HIV-AIDS. I’ve been diagnosed with full-blown AIDS and am receiving antiretrovirals as treatment.
Since I have been introduced to the EBCAIDS Home Based Care my life has improved tremendously. This is due to the food, love and support I receive from this ministry. I currently do not have a job and through the Home Based Care visits I have been encouraged and counseled to live positively even in the face of this, and other, difficulties. I really thank God who keeps me alive day after day, and because He has used His servants from EBCAIDS to help me accept my condition and live a happy and productive life.
Aline has been visiting Jennifer for about seven months now. Jennifer lives by herself (her first child stays with his father) and she often got discouraged by the emotional and health problems that come along with HIV-AIDS. Since Jennifer has been receiving the home based care, Aline has seen a real change in her attitude and life.
“She is a lot more positive now that she can talk about her problems with someone. It also helps that we pray about the issues she has to deal with and I encourage her that God hears our prayers and will answer them,” Aline says. “Also since I started visiting her Jennifer has started her own small business of taking wedding photos. This means that she isn’t just depending on the food that I bring her each month, but is also able to make some money for herself. That has really improved her outlook on life.”
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