Birthday Wishes

Subtitle: An Unabashed Appeal for Money

I will not sugarcoat it. Oshikunde is hard pressed to provide some of the most basic resources for its learners. A few days ago a man came from the government to “fix” our water. For two days (before it inexplicably stopped), questionably clean water flowed out of two taps located on the entire school grounds (one with a strong flow, one you could place your bucket and go for a stroll) to provide for 700 learners and approximately 30 staff. Granted a little less than half of the learners and two thirds of the staff live on school grounds, but the school still must provide for its whole population for a substantial part of the day for five days a week (and is it really that much better to say 1.5 taps of dubious water for 350 learners and 20 staff members for two days?) Also, the learners live in camping tents that are covered by enormous, evidently porous canopies. Paradoxically, in Namibia, at least among the learners rain is not welcome. I have come to grips with the fact that it is not possible for me to completely revamp this school and miraculously solve all of its problems. Fortunately the administration of the school has repeatedly demonstrated to me that it is working to address these matters with the government. Because the school is equally concerned with these circumstances and anything I may be able to do regarding the living situation will be only a band-aid fix, I have focused my thought processes on coming up with inexpensive and helpful projects that I will be able to leave behind to be sustained by school staff after I leave. Some ideas I have had are:

*durable, comprehensive English dictionaries, one for each of the 15 classrooms
*plastic buckets to be used as trash cans in the classrooms and around school grounds
*a book drive to improve and draw attention to the school library which is currently a closet locked behind a food storage room
*I have even been ambitious enough to consider purchasing a movie projector to display films on the sides of the school buildings for the hostel learners on weekends. I think this may boost morale among the struggling students and may have the affect of drawing more talented secondary learners to the school

For these reasons, as my birthday approaches, I would like to ask anyone who is reading that was considering buying a gift for me, to instead contribute towards a gift for the Oshikunde School. If you were planning on getting me a gift certificate, a movie, or a birthday meal, it is my wish that that money go to the learners. Even if you would have just bought me a beer at the bar (if I was successfully dragged from my basement), please consider using those few dollars on something that will significantly improve someone’s life and last. American dollars go a long way in Namibia. The current exchange rate is a little over $7 Namibian for every $1 US. Anything that you are willing to donate would be sincerely appreciated.

I would like to end by stating that although this appeal is unabashed, I am not asking for charity. Food is needed, but it gets eaten. Water is vital, but it gets drunk. These basic remedies provide relief but only push problems back because one little blog service project will not feed the country forever. I want this money to be a wise investment in the future of these learners’ lives and in the future of their country. With that said, I would also like anyone who donates to have a voice in how the money is spent. Please post any ideas for projects as comments on this blog.

If you would like to participate please send a check (cash works too I guess) to my parents, my USA HQ, at:

8429 Early Bud Way
Laurel, MD 20723

The impact may be small, but it will be positive, and it will last. The country’s progress will get a push and gain momentum, and you will be responsible.

Tangi Unene (Thank you very much)