2 April 2014
If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan.
And guess what they have planned for you?
Not much...............Jim Rohn
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| The Original Cupie Doll |
13
March We met with Elder Carl Cook,
First Counsellor in the Area Presidency.
He commended us for the good things happening in Self Reliance and
counselled us to lay the foundation that processes and successes continue after
the Senior Missionaries have returned home.
He invited the entire Self Reliance Team to attend the Area Presidency
meeting next week to give the Area Presidency a “feel” for what is happening.
15
March Elder Adams and Elder DaBell
taught 15 participants in Self Employment workshop at the Kwa Thema Ward. A group to follow up was formed with Peter
as the group leader. We will return on
26 April to review the group’s progress on Business Plans.
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| Elder has an answer for reading the small print! |
16 March
We attended church at Birch Acres Branch (home of the triplet 3 year
olds). President Mabaso, Branch
President, was the concluding speaker and gave some very good “fatherly advice’ on Self Reliance and
Commitment. We find the Gospel taught in
a very “pure and simple form” here in Africa. We had one more look at the triplets.
16 March (Sunday) flew 2 hours from Joburg to Windhoek, arriving at 9 pm at the airport and proceeded approximately 40 km to the Safari Court Hotel and stayed the night.
17 March (Monday) After breakfast, rented a Toyota “bakkie” and visited the National Ministry of Health and Social Services and discussed both vision care and wheelchairs being funded by LDS Charities. We delivered lenses to the Windhoek Central Hospital to the two resident Ophthalmologists.
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| Ministry of Health |
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| Dr. Sven on the right. |
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| Dr. Indume |
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| This young man was writing on a leaf. I don't know if it was all he had or if he was conducting an experiment, but we gave him some paper, and he returned a big smile. |
18 March (Tuesday) We visited the Occupational Therapy wing of the Hospital to begin a wheelchair project. Unfortunately, the head Physical Therapist was reluctant to give us a tour and discuss the possible project because the Administration had failed to give him direction and the appropriate “go ahead”. Oh well, a project for the next Humanitarian couple to follow up on.
We then visited a school sponsored by an Evangelical Church and enjoyed singing and taking picture of the children. They are very fortunate!!!!!
The Head Teacher then accompanied us to a rural school and kindergarten sponsored by another church that desperately needs a “water or toilet” project. This school was called the Hallelujah School.
There was a medical clinic attached to the church building. The mothers waiting outside were waiting to see the Dr./Priest, to gain forgiveness for being pregnant out of wedlock.
The conditions were poor, but the children were still smiling and happy. Next to this school was a public school. These students thought high five was pretty cool!
We proceeded Northeast towards Etosha National Park. We stayed the night at Eldorado Guest Farm just outside the Park.
Etosha National Park is a huge, flat plain, with a salt bed. It reminded me of the Salt Flats in Utah.
We proceeded some 400 km north to Oshikati and delivered additional vision equipment to the hospital there and 3 Ophthalmologists. When the Dr. Gustave and Dr. OnePhillips saw the cataract equipment, they actually kissed the instruments. They are so appreciative for the Humanitarian efforts of the Church. These instruments will help treat Cataracts and Glaucoma
We then visited a school sponsored by an Evangelical Church and enjoyed singing and taking picture of the children. They are very fortunate!!!!!
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| The Preschool |
Lots of singing for us............Beautiful!
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| A Classroom |
The Head Teacher then accompanied us to a rural school and kindergarten sponsored by another church that desperately needs a “water or toilet” project. This school was called the Hallelujah School.
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| Lunch is pap and spinich. |
There was a medical clinic attached to the church building. The mothers waiting outside were waiting to see the Dr./Priest, to gain forgiveness for being pregnant out of wedlock.
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| This baby is just 1 week old. |
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| I LOVE YOU! |
The conditions were poor, but the children were still smiling and happy. Next to this school was a public school. These students thought high five was pretty cool!
We proceeded Northeast towards Etosha National Park. We stayed the night at Eldorado Guest Farm just outside the Park.
Etosha National Park is a huge, flat plain, with a salt bed. It reminded me of the Salt Flats in Utah.
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| The letter X |
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| The letter Y |
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| And the ZEBRA |
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| Rhinoceros are not seen very often....... |
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| Oryx are not found in all of the parks, but we saw some in Etosha |
We proceeded some 400 km north to Oshikati and delivered additional vision equipment to the hospital there and 3 Ophthalmologists. When the Dr. Gustave and Dr. OnePhillips saw the cataract equipment, they actually kissed the instruments. They are so appreciative for the Humanitarian efforts of the Church. These instruments will help treat Cataracts and Glaucoma
We attended a "hand over" ceremony........
19
March (Wednesday) We proceeded to the very
Northern part of Namibia and drove to the East to Rundu where we bought food
supplies for needy families we would visit later.
We then proceeded 100 km East of Rundu to Nyangana and met Richard and Rufine Matanda. They are a young couple from DRC. He is a director for Elder Gay’s NGO, Engage Now Africa, (google engagenowafrica.org) and she is a physician at the Catholic Hospital in the rural area of Northeastern Namibia. They have a 17 month old son and are expecting another child in August.
We stayed at the Kavango River Lodge.
Some of the children are from the Saan Group. They used to be called Bushmen, and were hunters. Their circumstances are very poor. Uniforms are not affordable. Most don't have shoes. Feeling accepted is difficult in the school. Attendance is sporadic, traditions do not change very easily.
Richard and Rufine are the only members in the area and are doing a great work in both health care and Self Reliance. The hospital has 150 beds. Rufine is one of three physicians. To do surgery, she anesthetizes the patient herself and then does the surgery.
Above, the Nurse in all white is from India She has been at this hospital for 14 years. The one on her right is the director of nursing.
Labour and delivery area.
This little girl's mother is participating in a self employment program by EngageNowAfrica.
The organization provides no interest micro loans of small amounts for businesses like produce sales, etc.
We went with Richard Matanda and his team to visit some rural villages and hand out the food we had purchased to very needy individuals. 5 kg of mealy meal, 5 kg of pasta, and 1 litre of cooking oil.
Many that we visited were GoGos “old grandmas” who didn't even know their ages. They were very appreciative and we were humbled to once again witness some of God’s children living in such meagre circumstances.
This lady is nursing her baby. She also has a laborours "uniform" on. She could have a job.....
The next area we visited was in a cluster of small "compounds" more like "town" There was the usual Shebeen (bar) with a lot of people around it.
Below: This young girl of 13 lives with her father and mother in the collapsed hut behind her. There was a fire in the hut and this is what they live in now. She attends school sometimes, but is only in the second grade. As we talked with her, her parents came over from the bar.
We were visiting amongst ourselves wondering if this young girl could possibly qualify to live in the hostel with some of the other Saan students. We also in passing asked how much it would cost to put up four walls and a roof.
That evening, we visited and dined with the Clark’s and stayed our second night at the River Lodge.
Victoria Falls is at the east end of the narrow pan handle at the top of the country. Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia all meet together there.
We then proceeded 100 km East of Rundu to Nyangana and met Richard and Rufine Matanda. They are a young couple from DRC. He is a director for Elder Gay’s NGO, Engage Now Africa, (google engagenowafrica.org) and she is a physician at the Catholic Hospital in the rural area of Northeastern Namibia. They have a 17 month old son and are expecting another child in August.
We stayed at the Kavango River Lodge.
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Angola is just over the river.  Paper was not as plentiful in this school. Most things are learned by rote. |
Some of the children are from the Saan Group. They used to be called Bushmen, and were hunters. Their circumstances are very poor. Uniforms are not affordable. Most don't have shoes. Feeling accepted is difficult in the school. Attendance is sporadic, traditions do not change very easily.
 The teachers have contributed to build their own bathrooms. Obviously there is a long way to go on this project. They plan on flushing toilets. 
We joined the hospital admin, doctors and nurses along with Charles and Cheryl Clark, owners of Impilo Medical, for lunch and a demonstration of the Ultra Sound Equipment the Church and EngageNowAfrica had combined to give the Hospital.    |
Richard and Rufine are the only members in the area and are doing a great work in both health care and Self Reliance. The hospital has 150 beds. Rufine is one of three physicians. To do surgery, she anesthetizes the patient herself and then does the surgery.
Above, the Nurse in all white is from India She has been at this hospital for 14 years. The one on her right is the director of nursing.
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| The hospital was presented an ultrasound machine. It is state of the art. In the training three expectant mothers were looked at. Two of them had problems with their pregnancies. One nurse had a painful back ache. Kidney stones were found. Advanced training will be offered. This machine will make a huge difference in the health care available to these wonderful people. |
Labour and delivery area.
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| "Hand Over " ceremony included lunch. |
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| Richard and Rufine have so much to give....and do it so willingly. Rufine looks very tired. I hope there are other doctors available soon! |
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| Office staff at EngageNowAfrica Office |
This little girl's mother is participating in a self employment program by EngageNowAfrica.
The organization provides no interest micro loans of small amounts for businesses like produce sales, etc.
We went with Richard Matanda and his team to visit some rural villages and hand out the food we had purchased to very needy individuals. 5 kg of mealy meal, 5 kg of pasta, and 1 litre of cooking oil.
Many that we visited were GoGos “old grandmas” who didn't even know their ages. They were very appreciative and we were humbled to once again witness some of God’s children living in such meagre circumstances.
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| The handshake with the arm across the body is a sign of respect. |
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| At this home we had a welcome and a good bye at the "gate." This lady even did a dance for us as we left. |
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| She is very fortunate to have her bed off from the ground and mosquito netting. These little huts are about 6' x 6'. Keeping your eyes downward is a show of respect. |
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| The team would always approach first to see if we could enter the compound. |
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| The Kitchen........... |
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| This is millet. It is added to ground corn to increase the nutritional value. I guess it doesn't make anything taste better, though.... |
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| Large abdomen would indicate that the diet is lacking in protein. Kwashiorkor. |
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| See the boat? |
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| Friends |
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| The blue wire is a radio antennae. The radio is probably battery operated. |
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| Eating melon. Not much protein, though. Look at the little guy's belly! |
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| Corn drying. It will be ground. |
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| The chickens are not only for meat and eggs, they clean the kitchen and eat the scorpions. |
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| Gathering wood. |
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| Pay close attention to the tool she is carrying. One is being forged in a later picture. |
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| This fencing is made of soda pop cans. |
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| A solar panel! |
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| Not too big for a home, and no windows. |
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| Pop bottle caps used for membrane entry grommets. Clever! |
The next area we visited was in a cluster of small "compounds" more like "town" There was the usual Shebeen (bar) with a lot of people around it.
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| From the back. |
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| As we were talking others came around. This lady has twins, and her husband died leaving them nothing. |
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| Very obviously the lady in the pink was not in favor of anything she was hearing. And I suppose she is right. We just quickly moved on to our next delivery. I hope, though, the young 13 year old girl can move into the hostel, and have an opportunity for schooling. |
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| This delivery showed us how a blacksmith runs his business. this gentleman was making a garden type tool. it was fascinating to watch. |
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| Pumping the bellows...... |
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| The lady at this delivery was sleeping. We didn't wake her. |
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| See the grandchild sleeping behind her..... |
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| Many of the GoGo's care for their grandchildren. |
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| The drum shaped thing is a pestle for grinding dried corn and other grains. |
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| Drying chilies. |
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| Notice the flowers........... |
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| Shopping trip...... |
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| Gathering wood |
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| The cart before the horse or donkey as it were |
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| Herd boy |
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| Thatch |
That evening, we visited and dined with the Clark’s and stayed our second night at the River Lodge.
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| Namibian Flag |
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| Country of Namibia Map. Nyangana, Kavango, Namibia is just below the last A of Angola on the map, Rundu is just below the first A of Angola..Oshakati is in the middle at the top. Windhoek is in the middle of the map, and Swakopmund is to the west of Windhoek on the coast, just above Walvis Bay. |
I look at these pictures over and over again, and just think, wow! If they can do hard things, I surely can, too. Love each picture! They all tell a story.
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