The Home Stretch

 In exactly one week, we will be boarding the plane that will whisk us away from Windhoek, Namibia and on to Cape Town, South Africa. Just yesterday, we finished our final week of classes, and all that remains for us is to complete and present our wrap-up projects. Also, we're all looking forward to cooking our own Thanksgiving for ourselves and the CGE staff/professors, though it will certainly be bittersweet to miss out on celebrating with our families. 

   Since I posted last, there have been some memorable experiences to share. About 3 weeks ago, we traveled to Southern Namibia to learn about the tourism industry in Namibia. Each night, we camped at a different campsite, owned and run by the government, a community-based group, or a private company, respectively. We learned about the difficulties of community-based tourism, the development that affects these communities, and the troubles with remaining a sustainable, eco-friendly business.  In addition to learning, we also got to spend some time with an HIV/AIDS awareness club at a local primary school, and hike to the top of a dormant volcano near one of our campsites.

    In the past week, I also finished up my internship at The Big Issue Namibia. I had a really good experience working there, though it was certainly a challenge that I will never forget. While I never really got to do the arts and crafts focus that I was told I would be able to do, I still managed to make the most of my time there and do my best to get The Big Issue some funding in order to make those arts and crafts for street women a reality in the near future! The kindness and committed spirit of social responsibility the people at the Big Issue certainly inspired me to live a life set by their example to care and advocate for others whenever possible-- even if it means receiving no salary for 5 months! 

     Just yesterday, our group visited Penduka, the most successful women's craft cooperative in Namibia. It was an amazing place, where women with disabilites and sicknesses like TB or AIDS are trained and hired to make embroidery, batik, pottery, beads and dolls to sell for profit at various Craft markets in Namibia. I fell in love with the place, and I now want so badly to go back there and learn how their organization works so that I might be able to start up such a successful and beneficial organization one day...

     Well, that's about it for now. I'm off to the farmer's market with a few friends to peruse the homemade cheeses and tzatziki sauces and German breads...This may well be my last post until I return home to Denver, as I won't have much internet access in Cape Town. Cheers!