Springboks, Workshops and my very own medical practice

Hello Everyone!

November it is, the leaves aren´t changing colour, it’s not getting colder and we don´t have to rake leaves every other weekend. On the contrary, it is getting warmer day by day. If I needed any more reminders that I am not in Europe anymore, this would be it, were heading into summer while messages from the home front lament about single digit temperatures and that pesky November drizzle. To make things even weirder, practicing Christmas Carrols at 32° C outside creates stark contrast to Santa and his reindeer. I have had some really exciting weeks since my last post, so happy to catch you up.

Our school offered a workshop to teachers and parents on how to best educate children about sexuality. Things we as students also covered somewhere in 7th grade. It was interesting to see these topics covered in a different cultural and social context where there is less openness and transparency in this regard. Yet no matter where you are in the world, this topic is as relevant for society as it is in the net place. I really enjoyed being part of this day seeing different approaches and techniques trying to bring this topic more in to the mainstream of the local curriculum supported by services and advice not only inside, but also outside the classroom.

We also caught the rubgy bug that had been going around the world these past two months. Sadly, the Nambian team had to content with a rather early exit from th World Cup without having won a single game, their neighbour to the Southeast had been faring much better. Namibia became a giant Springbok supporter and I found myself right in the middle of that. We decided we wanted to be amidst other fans while watching the the boks in the semi-final so we went to a sports bar nearby. It was a really unique experience to say the least. The bar was an incredibly lit up and noise place. So much so that the actual music coming out of the speaker overpowered the commentators of the game by far, so we essentially watched a silent movie with uncoordinated music accompanying it creating a wonderful cacophony of dissonance. The boks eventually won the match heading for the final. I knew which type of watching venue was not going to be my choice of place. Siitting on a couch with a bunch of friends and some snacks seemed the much more likely option. It all came differently though and we found ourselves on the day of the final at the Windhoek version of the Oktoberfest watching the All Blacks battle it out with the Springboks. We had organised tickets for that day knowing that we had other volunteers not only from Windhoek, but other places in Namibia in town. We really had a good time at the Fest enjoying some German traditions typical for such an occasion. Just with my father, however, the liking to beer never manifested itself with me, so I gunned for a nice Brezel instead jumping into another German tradition. The highlight of the weekend was then definitely the rugby final and the eventual victory of the Springboks. I already sang my heart out at the SA national anthem and marvelled at the traditional NZ Haka. I love both of those nations and their traditions and customs. Ultimately though my heart beats African, so all my energy went into keeping my fingers crossed for the Boks and my face paint in line with the right colours. At the final whistle, I joined all the rest of the audience in shouting out all that was left in me to get the team to lift the Webb Ellis trophy. What a remarkable achievement of the nation of South Africa. If all moments in that country could be as peaceful and harmonious as the team appeared to be. For one moment, all of South Africa was united, however. While this moment might not last and translate into all communities across this beautiful nation, at least though it makes yet another contribution to the long road to Madiba’s dream of the rainbow nation.

On another note, I feel like at the end of this year, I could almost open my own medical practice. We recently had a boy who was knocked on his head brought to the office where my fellow volunteer, Leon, and I happened to be at that time. The boy was tripped and hit his head. We went through some basic exercises like asking basic questions, asking him to follow movements with his eyes, etc. to get a first impression while waiting for his mother to arrive, who eventually decided to take him to the hospital for a full check-up. We also had to attend to a few sprained ankles, cuts and bruises and other minor injuries. We seem to have become to go-to team for the students. Most often, however, it is really about attention and mental massages to get things right again and we are gladly there for that. On top of that , I was in the pool again a few times to rescue children, who overestimated their swimming abilities. I have quite some work still to do to get everyone comfortable with water and relaxed in it. We have a good basis though on which to build and I am confident that at the end of my stay, all the boys and girls in this school can wim with confidence and have fun doing so, including the ‘deep’ end.

I am looking forward to these next few weeks as we are winding down the term with a series of exams and then head into the Christmas recess. I will be heading to South Africa soon to visit the University Stellenbosch as I am interested in their sports psychology programme and will be meeting up with a Prof. and other colleagues to see if studying there down the road is feasible and something I would want to consider in more earnest.

Stay tuned in and receive warm greetings from Namibia.

Zoë