Otjikondo

You will be volunteering in Otjikondo, a remote farm, situated an hour’s drive west of Outjo and south of the Etosha Game Reserve.

Volunteers live independently onsite at the school.

Whilst English is the official language a wide range of dialects are spoken from Bantu to other Oshiwambo dialects.

Namibia enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year!

Your Project

The farm is owned and run by Reiner and Gilly Stommel, who have established a school to cater to the needs of their own children as well as those of other farm workers’ children who would otherwise have limited access to education. There is a strong sense of community at Otjikondo, and you will find Gilly, your host, to be motivating and hardworking, yet also very friendly and supportive.

There are opportunities to apply your musical, sporting, artistic and dramatic skills to the life of the school. You will teach formal lessons in some of these subjects as well as organising extra- curricular activities for the children. Every year the Volunteers organise the school musical, with past years managing to perform Peter Pan and Oliver amongst others. This is hard work but rewarding to see the final performance. The school is well equipped, allowing you to become involved in many of the school’s activities and perhaps start some of your own. You will also be involved in maintaining the library and helping small groups of children through remedial Maths or Literacy, running the Art department and taking PE. The children live in dormitories and are looked after by a Hostel Mother or Father. Your help is welcomed, especially at the weekends when you will be responsible for TV time with all the children. You will work seven days a week, with free-time on most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the occasional long weekend off and long school holidays. The project requires a great deal of commitment and enthusiasm but is tremendously rewarding and great fun. A potential highlight of the year is giving out shoeboxes filled with donated gifts to the children at Christmas!

Accommodation

You will share a flat on the farm, near the school. It is very comfortable with each of you having your own room and bathroom. You will be cooking for yourself and you are provided with an array of healthy ingredients to choose from. There is also a farm shop located next door where you can splash out on a few treats from time to time.