June 20, 2020
3 years ago, I was staying with the Angie Vroutjie Gomkhaises family, in Swakopmund, Namibia, and each weekday morning I would be awoken by the singing of children, with different songs each day. After of few weeks of this I decided to see, who these morning alarm clock angels were. I made a new friend on the way Se L Ma, and when I got to the 2 room school, I found it filled, with near 80 preschoolers, singing their songs and learning a common language to unite them. Now, this last week I found they, like the rest of us, had been in lockdown, and their lockdown would end in a week’s time. To open up for the new school year, New Age Kindergarten, needed to take the precautions we all have to take with this virus we share. 76 masks, two Infrared thermometers, disinfectant, and hand sanitizer was needed. Having a friend in good places, his helpful. I contacted my good friend and community activist Katrina Garises who helps with the Democratic Resettlement community, Women’s Safe house and a myriad of other projects for help. From the time Patemoshela Haulyouke contacted me, to the time Kartina delivered the supplies was just less than 48 hours. Shela and her helpers, will now have what the need, for their students to have what they need to be safe, to sing and learn once again. The video is a combination of photos and video I took in 2017, along with video they took to show their appreciation, of the items needed. Once again despite my isolation and theirs, we were able to make a connection. It is nice to live in a world connected. New Age was created by Patemoshela Haulyouke who has a teaching degree and started the school on her own, and has friends who assist. During this lockdown time she has cared for 5 students, that did not have a home to stay. She is funded only with monies, families can afford to donate, which is not much. She and Katrina Garises both are strong women, in challenged times, who help to make life better in the place they live. The do a lot with a little.
Swakopmund, Namibia Africa where I went from a wandering wonderer to a compassionate, purposeful person. I have arrived at my self discovery point, and will share about the lives I have had the pleasure to share in. You will learn of our pasts discovered our present shared and futures hoped for.