Last Thursday we left for Swakopmund (where Angelina Jolie gave birth) ! It was breathtaking and so peaceful. It is Namibia's little resort town tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib desert. While we were there we learned about what life is like for the large majority of the residents who are (damara/nama) we visited the informal settlements and saw the way life was like for those without electricity or running water in the desert which is right next to the mega mansions people call there second homes! It's always shocking when we see the vast amount of inequality that exists in Southern Africa. This time around we got to see it from the perspective of the children who never seem to notice how little they have. We visited an after school program where they performed a tradition Oshivambo dance for us and the entire time the children were laughing and goofing around just happy to see a set of new faces walk in the doors. Despite the fact that there are not the funds to provide for all the children they will never turn a child away and stretch every last dollar to attempt to give every last kid a sanctuary. After, we went to a sort of half way house for children, they were laughing and playing and just wanted to show us new games. However, these children had been beaten, left in toilets, left in the garbage, or starved before finding their way to the community center. Proving that at the youngest ages humans are resistant, courage, full of love, and most of all full of forgiveness. The woman who runs the center keeps it spotless and uses every connection she has to make sure the children receive everything they need to ensure that they don't have to grow up to fast and can remain kids. It really shows the amazing love and self lessness this woman and the volunteers have. Behind the ocean front views and fancy restaurants still lies injustices that we got to see and hopefully can help correct. After some learning lessons it was time for some fun! Climbing to the top of dune seven in eight minutes in the NAMIB! was a rewarding experience, the views were out of a computer screen and I had to pinch myself several times in order to make sure it was real life. We also went quadding in the dunes which of course was exhilarating (going half up the dune sideways like a roller coaster what could be better!) Not to mention sandboarding which reminded all of us of sledding in the US. It truly was an amazing incredible words cant even explain trip and certainly one that I will remember for a life time
Later
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