Christmas Party and much more!

Metaha,

This is one of the classes that is best described by pictures. So I will keep the words to a minimum. We had a end of the year party/Christmas party for the children and their guardians. It was a great time. Singing, dancing, eating and playing games were just some of the activities. See the pictures for yourself! I will upload some videos of the singing and dancing later. The upload seems to be giving me some issues.

The Children, Guardians, Volunteers, and me!

Playing jump rope with a piece of cloth.

Kids playing with the balls, this one was coming right at me.

Plenty of meat!

Some guardians relaxing in the shade.

Showing off the marks. (grades)

Pumping the balls is a team effort.

Children helping cook.

Preparing the food.

Discussion with guardians, children, and volunteers.

Gaurdians served first, always. Served by the children.

Eating!

Eating!

On behalf of the children, volunteers and the guardians I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years. This being the last class of the school year we want to Thank you for all your support in 2009. Can't wait to see what 2010 will bring.

For now, Uhara Nawa

P.s. Sorry there is no spotlight child this week. We are busy rethinking the questions to make them more enjoyable. If you have any suggestions feel free to put them in the comments section of blog or email me at ewyni119@gmail.com.

English Comprehension Week 2

Metaha,

Our class this week was a duplicate to last week; the children who didn't get their Christmas present last week received their bags, and then the kids finished watching the movie. Once again the volunteers asked the children questions to help increase their understanding and listening comprehension.

At the end of the class the volunteers informed the children about a very special event: the end of the year party! The children were told to invite their guardians, and to get ready to have a blast. I hope the party goes off without a hitch!

Spotlight on Muarungantji

Q1. What is your full name and age?

A1. My name is Muarunganatji katiti. I am 17 years old.

Q2. When and where were you born?

A2. I was born in Opuwo in 1992.

Q3. What are the names and ages of your brothers and sisters?

A3. Mbota 22, Sema 11, Toini 8, Mbatenga and Muandaya 10, Monika 19, Inandit 15 Kavetuhumbu 13.

Q4. What is your favorite color?

A4. White Color.

Q5. What grade are you in?

A5. Grade 6.

Q6. What is your favorite subject in school?

A6. Mathematics.

Q7. What do you do for fun?

A7. I like to read and write.

Q8. What is your favorite food?

A8. Chicken and Cake.

Q9. If you could have one wish what would it be?

A9. I wish to speak english and write it better.

Q10. What is your favorite part of the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class?

A10. I like to learn about the Mathematics.

Thanks Muarunganatji!!

For now, Uhara Nawa.

Bolting into Christmas

Metaha,

This weeks class started with a big bang. The volunteers surprised the learners with new bright yellow backpacks. It was hard to tell which was brighter: the bags, the children's eyes, or the hot Namibian sun. The bags were donated by Bicycles for Humanity, Melbourne Chapter. So a big thank you goes out to them for the wonderful Christmas gift for the children. I hope the pictures show their happiness.

The children checking out the cool bags, look at those smiles!

A little posing with their new bags.

After giving out the bags, the children relaxed and took mental notes on the movie Bolt. It is a great movie for the kids, and they loved the action-based dog. While watching the movie, the volunteers would periodically pause and ask questions that were written on the white board. This helped improve the comprehension for some of the younger children. It was also great for the children to be able to see the words on the television as well as hear them.

Still wearing their bags while watching the movie.

Folo helping with the comprehension part of the movie.

Spotlight on Josophine

Q1. What is your full name and age?

A1. Josophine Thomas, 12 years.

Q2. When and where were you born?

A2. 1996-12-21 in Opuwo.

Q3. What are the names and ages of your brothers and sisters?

A3. Jeneveni born 1993, Abisai born 1986, and Shangeroo born 1991.

Q4. What is your favorite color?

A4. Red and Black.

Q5. What grade are you in?

A5. 6c.

Q6. What is your favorite subject in school?

A6. Social Studies.

Q7. What do you do for fun?

A7. I like to make many people laugh at the same time.

Q8. What is your favorite food?

A8. I like rice and chicken.

Q9. If you could have one wish what would it be?

A9. I wish to pass my exams.

Q10. What is your favorite part of the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class?

A10. I like to write.

Thanks Josophine!!

For now, Uhara Nawa.

Keeping Sharp

Metaha,

After a day of hard labor planting trees the volunteers decided to challenge the children's brains this week with a bit of math. Breaking out the math books, the children knew what was coming and were very excited to test their skills. This time we decided not to give the children the abacuses to see what other creative ways they could come up with the answers to the problems. It turns out the children are very creative. They were using tallies on paper, fingers, toes and anything they could use to count. It was great to see the children making the next step forward. Below are a few pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Older child helping a younger one with a hard problem.

Folo helping a few of the younger children.

Little finger counting never hurts to get the job done.

Having a bit of a competitive race on a page!

Spotlight on Venani

Q1. What is your full name and age?

A1. Venani Mbikiro, 13 years old.

Q2. When and where were you born?

A2. 1996/01/22 in the Opuwo Hospital.

Q3. What are the names and ages of your brothers and sisters?

A3. Vetumana 11, Ngatukumbe 25, Taimi 26, Unomasa 17, and Mahhony 32.

Q4. What is your favorite color?

A4. Orange Color.

Q5. What grade are you in?

A5. In grade 8.

Q6. What is your favorite subject in school?

A6. English.

Q7. What do you do for fun?

A7. I like to make many people laugh at the same time.

Q8. What is your favorite food?

A8. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken).

Q9. If you could have one wish what would it be?

A9. I wish that I would be a doctor.

Q10. What is your favorite part of the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class?

A10. I like to play soccer and learn.

Thanks Venani!!

For now, Uhara Nawa.

A Fruit Tree a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Metaha,

After pilling into the back of the truck all that could head was the screeching and yelling of the 30+ children on the way to the garden. Not only were the children happy about going to the OVC Community Garden to learn how to plant trees but were also very excited to be getting a ride in a truck. Even though many of us take having a vehicle or access to a vehicle for granted, these children do not and many of them may not have been in a vehicle for a long time. This made the trip that much more exciting.

Children ready for the ride, this is a normal way of travel!

Arriving at the garden with excitement.

When we reached the garden the children jumped out. They were very surprised at the size of the garden, 3 hectares or almost 12 acres but wasted no time and crowded together to get ready for their lesson. The volunteers taught the lesson in a type of show and tell learning/teaching style. The children took turns mock planing the tree with their suggested style all the while telling the others what they were doing . It was great to see how many different ways the children could come up with to plant the tree. After many different methods were shown the children discussed which would be the best. Amazingly enough the children described the method that the Ministry of Forestry suggested for planting fruit trees. Below are a few pictures showing the steps of planting with the children.

Blaundina explaining the process of fruit tree planting.

A little water for now.

Collecting the sticky mopanie bark for lashing.

Collecting maize stalks.

Many, Many stalks needed.

Lashing the sticks and maize stalks together.

The sticks and maize stalks give the tree protection.

Watering the newly planted tree.

2 trees finished...48 to go.

Spotlight on Ruben

Q1. What is your full name and age?

A1. Ruben Kandimba, 18 years old.

Q2. When and where were you born?

A2. 12-15-1990 at Ruacana.

Q3. What are the names and ages of your brothers and sisters?

A3. My sister name is Elise Tjuundukia born 1986-01-06.

Q4. What is your favorite color?

A4. My favorite colors are Green and Red.

Q5. What grade are you in?

A5. In grade 9a.

Q6. What is your favorite subject in school?

A6. English and Geography.

Q7. What do you do for fun?

A7. I like to read the Bible, play soccer,watch soccer, watch movies, and read magazines.

Q8. What is your favorite food?

A8. I like apples, meat, and bread.

Q9. If you could have one wish what would it be?

A9. I wish to become a soccer player or a paster.

Q10. What is your favorite part of the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class?

A10. My favorite part of attending this class is learning with the children and making things in my journal.

Thanks Ruben!!!

For now, Uhara Nawa

CrEaTiVe ArT X 3 = FuN

Metaha,

Well, after a great week last week the volunteers decided to extend Creative Art one more week. Seeing the children's eyes light up when they were informed made it seem to be the right decision. Sorry no pictures this week, its a surprise!

Spotlight on Lina

Q1. What is your full name?

A1. I am Lina Tjipito. I am a 15 year old girl.

Q2. When and where were you born?

A2. 04-08 in Opuwo.

Q3. What are the names and ages of your brothers and sisters?

A3. My brother is 13 and my sister is 12 years old.

Q4. What is your favorite color?

A4. My favorite color is Pink.

Q5. What grade are you in?

A5. I am in grade 7c.

Q6. What is your favorite subject in school?

A6. Social studys and Agriculture.

Q7. What do you do for fun?

A7. I like to play with my sister for fun.

Q8. What is your favorite food?

A8. Meat and Macaroni.

Q9. If you could have one wish what would it be?

A9. I want a house.

Q10. What is your favorite part of the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class?

A10. I like the games we get to play.

Thanks Lina!!!

For now, Uhara Nawa

CrEaTiVe ArT #2

Metaha,

Due to time constraints, many of our classes take two or even three sessions to finish. Creative Arts was one of them. It is great to see the children working on their own and expanding their creativity. This week we reached a new milestone in the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class: our first-ever class with over 40 children! This just goes to show that the word is spreading and the children are learning and having fun. Below are a few pictures of the class, along with a video of the children who arrived early playing games while waiting for the other children to show up.

Fun and games before the work starts.

Children hard at work.

Making some sketches in their journals.

Spotlight on Angula

Q1. What is your full name and age?

A1. Angula Titus I am 9 years old.

Q2. When and where were you born?

A2. In Ruacana on the 27th of 2000.

Q3. What are the names and ages of your brothers and sisters?

A3. Fite is 14, Tuaku is 18.

Q4. What is your favorite color?

A4. Green.

Q5. What grade are you in?

A5. I am in 3b.

Q6. What is your favorite subject in school?

A6. Otjiherero (language class)

Q7. What do you do for fun?

A7. I like to play.

Q8. What is your favorite food?

A8. Macaroni.

Q9. If you could have one wish what would it be?

A9. I wish to be happy.

Q10. What is your favorite part of the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class?

A10. I like that we can play and learn.

Thanks Angula!

For now, Uhara Nawa

CrEaTiVe ArT! (so i am not)

Metaha,

This is week one of a two week session on creative art. The entire idea behind this class is to help the children get out of the rigorous step by step, "write everything the teacher writes", learning style they are used to and open their minds. We have given the children some paper, pens, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and a few ideas, then gave them the go ahead to draw, write, color, or do anything they want on the paper. It is amazing what they have come up with so far. Can't wait for you to see it for yourself :-) Below are a few pictures of the children at work.

Some girls working on their creative side.

Hard at work!

Everyone heads down doing their best.

Spotlight on Toni

Q1. What is your full name?

A1. Toni Muhuka

Q2. When and where were you born?

A2. Ehomba Village, by Swartbooi Drift in 2002.

Q3. What are the names and ages of your brothers and sisters?

A3. Ukembaani 11, Mbapewa 9, Mbatata 8.

Q4. What is your favorite color?

A4. Yellow

Q5. What grade are you in?

A5. 2

Q6. What is your favorite subject in school?

A6. Math

Q7. What do you do for fun?

A7. I like to play tag. (okarombo)

Q8. What is your favorite food?

A8. Banana

Q9. If you could have one wish what would it be?

A9. I wish I can do math well.

Q10. What is your favorite part of the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class?

A10. I like when we can write in English.

Thanks Toni!

For now, Uhara Nawa

Evaluations and Spotlight Week 2!

Metaha,

This is the second week of evaluations and after correcting the children's work we have some good news to announce. If you recall, the children scored an average of 38 points out of 94 with the high score being 52 on their preliminary assessment. This time around the children did very well. The average score was 46.3 with the high score being 80 out of 94! I am very proud of the children for all their hard work and look forward to the next evaluation time so they can show off their skills.

Below are a few pictures of the children taking the evaluations and the soccer match that took place once they were finished.

The children hard at work!

Doing the math section of the eval.

Fun after the eval.

Spotlight on Faninya!

Q1. What is your full name?

A1. Faninya Tjipito

Q2. When and where were you born?

A2. 10-26-1996 in Okakarara

Q3. What are the names and ages of your brothers and sisters?

A3. Lina is 15 years old and Nouee is 13 years old.

Q4. What is your favorite color?

A4. My favorite colour is green.

Q5. What grade are you in?

A5. Grade 6.

Q6. What is your favorite subject in school?

A6. Science and English.

Q7. What do you do for fun?

A7. I like play for fun.

Q8. What is your favorite food?

A8. Chicken meat.

Q9. If you could have one wish what would it be?

A9. I wish to be educated.

Q10. What is your favorite part of the Omapitiro Weyuva After School Class?

A10. I like to read and write in my journal.

Thanks Faninya!!!

Until next time, Uhara Nawa