How long has it been?

Wow!  I truly cannot describe how crazy this year has been and how fast time has gone.  Somehow Term 3 is almost halfway done bringing my year two to an end as well.  As usual, I owe anyone reading this blog an apology for not posting much this year.  Like I said, things have been wild.  I will do my best to explain.

It's hard to know where to even start.  My last post was in February and since then a lot has happened.  Overall and to my surprise, this year has been a lot more difficult and frustrating than expected.  Although my confidence, preparation, and management of teaching is much better and has contributed to a more flowing and successful class, nothing else has gone as planned.

As many of you know, my main goal for 2012 was to upgrade the existing technology at the school.  After meeting with some computer experts in the USA while I was home last December and purchasing some needed supplies, I began this year confident I would have things up and running in no time.  I quickly discovered this was not a reality as viruses, poor internet, failing computers, incompatible software, high voltage electricity and many other problems continued to arise.  It was definitely a case of one step forward, two steps back.

After a few months of work, it seemed as if I had accomplished nothing.  No computer network, no shared printing, and only one computer that was working well.  Although there were still 40+ weeks ahead, I felt time ticking down and my goals becoming wishes.

Fortunately, and although this would mark the beginning of bureaucratic hell, things started happening toward the end of Term 1 when it was suggested that, to truly have functional computers at the school, unlimited internet was necessary.  Unfortunately the school had not budgeted for internet this year, but with the cooperation of 8 teachers (now up to 12!) agreeing to share the cost, we decided to move forward on internet.

When I tell people about what happened next, I laugh and have to explain it sounds easy, seemingly able to take weeks, but the next 3 months were truly the most frustrating ever.  Starting in April and lasting until installation in July, I was led on a wild goose chase trying to get internet.  Every person put me in touch with someone else, and time and time again the person I was working with would seemingly disappear or encounter a problem leading the process to start over.  Finally, I got in touch with XNet, an organization subsidizing internet for schools, and, to my surprise, when I called Telecom one afternoon to set up an installation appointment, I was told they were on their way.  I cannot explain the pure elation when they left and Omungwelume SS finally had unlimited internet.  Unfortunately my computer was electrocuted that day and killed, one reason this blog has been down, but I was on such a high, it didn't even matter.

With the help of many donors (Donation Spending 2012), especially St. Mary's High School  in Independence, Missouri (THANK YOU SO MUCH SPANISH CLUB!!!), I purchased 3 new computers for the school.  Two have been placed in the library for general use and and one has been placed at reception with the secretary to host the printer.  The wireless range was poor to begin with, and I was scared the co-op would be unhappy, but an antenna extended it from the library to the staff room, relieving my fears.  After a few more setbacks in August and September, my quest came to an end last week when wireless printing was finalized.

It has been awesome to see everyone at the school enjoying and learning about the incredibleness of the internet.  Everyday it seems like I help someone create a Gmail and Facebook account, the first two things everyone wants.  Learners who have never used a computer are learning for the first time and are wowed by the information, pictures, and videos they are finding.  Most importantly, everyone's computer is up to date, clean of viruses, and running well.  Even writing this post makes me so stoked.

In addition to technology, for the second year I repaired some desks.  My grandfather and cousin arrived the first week of June and over 3 days at the school we attached brand new desktops to 20 frames and repaired any loose or broken ones we could find.  Over two years I have repaired over 60 chairs and 50 desks which has allowed the school to furnish all the classrooms with a few to spare.

I also have been working hard on getting the new library properly arranged.  With a ton of my time going to technology most of the year, it has been a slow process, but we are getting close to finishing.  With the help of the Ministry of Education,  a community volunteer, and colleagues, we have made a huge dent organizing and cataloging.  Hopefully we can finish soon.

Besides working on projects for the school, I have had some time to do a little traveling and have been able to experience various aspects of Owambo culture, including my first wedding which was a great day filled with tons of food, dancing, and singing.  Instead of having one reception, both houses are responsible to take care of the guests who come to that side.  When we went south of Ondangwa to the bride's parent's homestead, we attended the wedding, then went to her mother's homestead, ate, went to her father's, ate and finally headed home around dark.  I was so full I could hardly move.  When we got back we were greeted by the elders and other women who were dancing and singing to welcome the groom home.  They even had more food waiting for us and I ate again, unable to pass up delicious meat.  The next day the groom's family was up cooking at dawn, working all morning to prepare for the bride's guests to come to the groom's house.  They prepared so many different salads, slaughtered 2 cows, and made traditional Owambo chicken.  The bride and her family came in the early afternoon.  They first went to the grandfather's house, ate, then came to the auntie's house, ate, and this time the party continued into the night.  It was a great experience to see and I was so glad to be able to attend.

As I mentioned previously, I was lucky to have my grandfather and cousin visit in June.  In addition to the desk project, we traveled to the Maun, Botswana and the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta for an overnight safari.  It was an awesome experience driving long distances on isolated roads and then entering an area of the planet renounced for it's diversity of wildlife.  Previously I had only done day trips through Etosha National Park, but this time we were able to camp in the park.  It was crazy to camp out with impala and zebra around and to hear elephants during the night near our camp.  When we woke up the next day, we drove less than 100 yards and came across the 20 or so elephants we had heard tearing down trees the night before.  Our guide was so knowledgeable about all the wildlife and was able to spot things so hidden.  Truly a great experience.

Anyway, it has been an amazing 2 years and I'm sad this year has just flown by, but I am looking forward to  starting something new.  Thanks again to donors for making these projects possible and to everyone who has read this blog.  Questions or comments welcome, keep in touch, and enjoy the pictures.

Grandpa Hubbard and my cousin Chase with learners.  Everyone wanted a photo with them.

Moremi Game Reserve

New Library

Putting in book pockets and cards

Culture Festival

Wedding - My friend Angelina and I.  I'm wearing my new traditional Owambo shirt, a gift from my principal.

School Tour to Etosha National Park, Swakopmond, and Walvis Bay