MaryBeth in Namibia!

Dear Family and Friends, Greetings from Namibia! I am laughing as I write this, because this time last year I was sending you a letter from Bangladesh, and the year before that, from El Salvador! I wonder where next year’s letter will come from! (Actually, I hope to stay here for at least three years, and I HOPE that I will write to you at least ONCE before next year!) For those of you who have not heard from me in ages (and I apologize to you!) here is a brief update:

I was living and working in El Salvador for six years. I totally loved the people and my work with the children, youth and elderly. I could have stayed there forever. But I kept getting email letters from two dear Maryknoll priests in Africa asking me to come as a volunteer and work with children affected by the AIDS pandemic. At the same time, I read an article in the Maryknoll magazine about an elementary school run by the Maryknoll sisters in Bangladesh. They were also eager for me to come and teach for a semester. So, I spent the last twelve months in Namibia and Bangladesh. And, when all was said and done, I realized that there is GREAT need to empower people in ALL developing countries in so many different ways. BUT, what tugged at my heart were the children here in Namibia. They have watched as their parents and relatives have died of AIDS. They have no security, they don’t know where their next meal will come from, who they will be living with or if they will be able to continue in school. Many are physically and sexually abused and have no way to escape. For them I left my beloved Salvadoran friends and my darling students in Bangladesh and came to live in Namibia.

Although I miss you ALL very much, I have no regrets about coming here. I am living in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. When I was here a year ago, I met an amazing woman named Jutta Rohwer. She is German and came to Namibia about 30 years ago as a member of the Red Cross. Since her retirement she has built homes for abandoned children, a center for the physically and mentally disabled, began a women’s sewing cooperative and has established dozens of kindergartens and soup kitchens in the urban slums in Katatura. A quick phone call to Jutta a week after my arrival had me off and running! She hooked me up with John and Patricia, a lovely couple from Zimbabwe who are directing the Children’s Hope Initiative project in the shanty town of Okahanja Park. Every day I ride my bicycle for 30 minutes into this slum area (informal settlement). These are people who live in shacks of scrap metal, cardboard and plastic. There is no electricity, running water or plumbing. They have come to the city to find work in the factories or anywhere they can. Most are unemployed and have little or no income. We set up folding tables in the shade of the trees and teach literacy and math to children who don’t go to school. Most are orphans; their parents have died of AIDS and they are living with neighbors or relatives. These families are too poor to take care of their own kids, let alone someone else's. We also give the kids breakfast and lunch.

Patricia is a social worker and she and others give psychological support to these children and try to work with their caregivers to provide safety, structure and stability. I work on the educational part, making the ABC’s and 1, 2, 3’s as fun and exciting as possible! I use bottle caps, milk cartons and cardboard to create all sorts of hands-on lessons which keep their minds and bodies active! And I read, read, read! They just LOVE listening to stories and beg me to let them touch and hold the books! We have classes from 9:00 am to noon. There are about eight young Namibian women also working as volunteer teachers, and they asked me to share my ideas and methodologies with them. So, on the weekends I have been giving little workshops on classroom management, cooperative learning, home-made educational games and strategies. They have been very receptive and gracious and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them, too! At noon I hop on my bicycle and ride to the Bernard Nordkamp Center, also in Katatura. There are about 135 kids who come daily for soup, which is often their only food for the day. After they have finished, there is supposed to be an after school program. But when I arrived it was total chaos. The young man running it, Nelson, admitted he was completely overwhelmed and welcomed any help I could give him. We immediately went to the local high
schools and universities and BEGGED the students to come and volunteer.

The response was wonderful, and I was elated, until I realized that there is no public transportation in this country. The only way for the volunteers to get to the center (since they do not own cars) is to take taxis, which cost $3.00 per person, each way. Being DESPERATE for their help with the children, I agreed to pay their taxi fees. This has helped immensely, and they are coming regularly and are crucial for the success of the program. Our hope is to divide the children into small groups based on their grade levels, and work extensively on their math, reading and writing skills. Even though the kids at the center go to public school every morning, (their school fees and uniforms are provided by a wonderful organization called, “Catholic AIDS Action”), most of them cannot read or write even in 5th grade. When I asked a 7th grade student to spell her name so that I could add her to the roster, she couldn't do it. She insisted that I give the paper to her, and she wrote her name on it. She has never learned the alphabet.

When I play BINGO with the children and ask the 8th grade students to help the little ones, I notice that they themselves are struggling to understand the numbers from 1 to 100. So, right now we are trying to structure the program with educational games, soccer (“football” as it is called in most places of the world), singing, crafts and storytelling. The more volunteers we get the more we can do with the children. So often, the children have come from such chaotic home situations that I just keep trying to get them to stop fighting, be respectful and calm down! It is HARD! Sometimes I feel more like a police officer than a teacher! I have to be patient, for it will be a long, slow process. But, there is hope, and I must ALWAYS rejoice in even the smallest accomplishments! I have received tremendous support here from Maryknoll Fathers Rick Bauer and Dick Albertine. They have been overwhelmingly generous with their time and resources and have made sure that my every need is taken care of. I feel proud and fortunate to have them as mentors and friends. The Maryknoll sisters also live around the corner, so it
has been a blessing to spend time with them and to drop by at dinnertime and be invited in for a
delicious meal!  They are sweet and eager to assist me in any way they can.

Between these two homes I feel loved, supported and cared for. I also had the pleasure of becoming a member of Rotary International when I was in New York in January. After being a guest speaker several times and attending meetings with my father, the Ossining Rotary Club sent me off to Windhoek with their blessings and support. I wasted no time in hooking up with a club here in the city, and attend meetings every Monday. All the members have been warm, cordial and eager to help me with my volunteer work in Katatura (one of the poor areas of Windhoek). It is a nice way to socialize, meet some great people and be a part of the wonderful works of Rotary! I live in a small room behind the house that John and Patricia are renting. It is the perfect set-up because I can pop into their home when I want to hang out with their four lovely children, or when I need to talk to them. And yet I have my own little bathroom and shower and all the privacy I need when necessary. I have a little electric stove for cooking, but I hardly use it, as I eat dinner every night with Rick and Dick. They only live about ten blocks away, thank goodness! I spend most of my free time making games for the children (BINGO, Scrabble, Connect-4, Othello, Dominoes, Checkers, etc.) and planning the lessons and workshops. I have also been teaching bracelet making to many women’s groups who want to use them as part of their income generating projects. Actually, everyone who sees me asks me to give them a bracelet, so instead of doing that, I whip out my little baggie of beads and string and teach them how to make their own. I think that after three years everyone in Namibia will be wearing their own, hand-crafted bracelet!

I don’t have a telephone at home, so I have no email access during the week. On the weekends I go to Rick’s office where I can use the computer and check email. So, if you don’t hear from me, please be patient! I will try to respond to your letters as soon as I can! I also discovered a bunch of guys who play friendly, pick-up soccer games every Sunday at 11:00 am at the National University. I have gone the past two weeks and have THOROUGHLY enjoyed it! Hooray! I was beginning to go through soccer withdrawal! The guys range in age from 15 to 50, and they are all out there just to exercise and have fun. I am already asking them to assist with our soccer program at the Nordkamp center! (Hey, there’s no harm in asking!) That cuts into my email time, but I KNOW you understand! (Don’t you?)

So, now that you see what fun I am having over here, I am sure you will all want to come and volunteer, right? I am already quite the tour guide as my friend Ginny arrived a week after I did and we explored the sights of Namibia together! Fr. Fred Lucci, a dear friend and Dominican priest, is due to arrive on May 4th, and others are planning on coming in the summer. (Well, summer to those of you in the northern hemisphere, it will be winter here!) So, save up your vacation days and your money and come on over! If you like working with children, this is the place for you! And, if you cannot come over, I would LOVE any support you can offer. I am MOST grateful to those of you who collected children’s books and had them shipped over here, and to you who contributed puzzles, educational games, duplo and lego blocks, soccer balls, uniforms and pinnies. Those materials have made it possible for me to SURVIVE the afternoon program at the Nordkamp Center when none of the other volunteers can come! Last autumn and winter, when I was in New York and California, I had the privilege of speaking in many elementary and high schools. I was amazed at the response of the children and teens, and how they took it upon themselves to collect books, games and other materials for the children here. They also had fund raising events for the children in El Salvador, and Kaitlin, a high school student in Westchester, even went down to El Salvador to volunteer for six weeks! In addition to those delightful school presentations, I was invited to several parishes where I also received so much love and support.

I met many people who are eager to assist me with my mission work here. I CANNOT thank all of you enough for your financial contributions. I could not be here without you. Your donations make it possible for me to live in Namibia and be of complete service to the people. You make it possible for me to help put kids in school or to contribute to their daily bowl of soup. With your donations I can pay for the taxis so that the volunteers can come to the center, and for any other necessity or emergency assistance as it arises. There are so many of you that I want to thank personally in this letter, but it would be another five pages long! So, please forgive me, and be assured that I remember you and your loved ones in my thoughts and daily prayers.

Whenever I have a tough day, all I have to do is think of all of you, and how you have supported me for YEARS in my mission work, and I realize I cannot give up. Your faithfulness and dedication inspires me and empowers me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For those of you who are willing to make a contribution to my work, your tax deductible donation can be made to:

“MARYKNOLL”, and mailed to my personal secretary, (my
wonderful Dad):  John Gallagher 56 Sunset Drive
Ossining, NY  10562 Telephone:  (914) 941-4686

My Dad will take the checks up to Maryknoll and deposit them into Fr. Rick’s account so I will be sure to get 100% of the money and it will go directly to my work with the children. Maryknoll will send you an acknowledgment for your tax purposes, but they promised not to send you any other solicitations! PROMISE! If you have any concerns or questions just email me or call my Dad!

And, just to give you a quick glimpse of my first few days here in Namibia, I have attached two photos. My Uncle Andre gave me his digital camera, so I hope to send you photos every month or so! A picture says a thousand words, and there I am reading stories to the children and posing with a bunch of kids at the kindergarten in Okahanja Park. Thanks, Uncle Andre! To all of you I send my love and my deepest gratitude.

Thanks for putting a glimmer of hope and happiness into the lives of the children. And thanks for being the flame that keeps my heart glowing.

Comments

[Denise LeMay]

As my children are getting older I need to clean out their toys. I would like to know where I can send their old puzzles and games (that are still in great shape) for Marybeth's use.

[André]

You will always be my favorite niece. Love, We Three

[Caroline Fleming]

MB, You are such an inspiration to all of us!! In your letter you keep expressing gratitude to us, but it is you that we should thank as you do the work that some of us only dream of doing. The people of Windhoek are so fortunate to have you in their lives. I would like to engage my students in helping you out with either toys or books or whatever. What is your biggest need, and how would we get a big box of things over there for you?? Thank you for sharing your incredible experiences with us, MB!
loads of love,
Caroline

[Mary]

Hi MB!

How wonderful to hear from you and to learn of your work in Namibia. I spent the weekend with my daughter, Maura, who is playing softball for Seton Hall University.

We promise to keep you and those you are serving in our prayers. Please keep the up-dates coming.

All the best to you. Love ya.
Mary, Jim, Matt and Maura

[Alan Karboousky]

Hello MB,

Thank you so much for taking the time to create this blog and keep us updated. I think you -- and the lovely work you are doing -- are simply fabulous. Be assured of our daily prayers and BIG support from the Left Coast!!

XOXO
Alan K
Santa Rosa

[Kelly (Ford) Dodson]

I'm so thankful for periodic updates from our former roommate! I think of you often and would love to be able to catch up with you! I've missed those brightly decorated envelopes over the years!
Love,
Kelly

[Rich Tamisiea]

Marybeth, so good to hear from you and the wonderful, spiritual work you are doing in Africa. I am so envious of all that you are accomplishing. Please keep us all informed of your needs and I will try and do whatever I can to help. Hope to see you and get a chance to witness the work you are doing personally when I travel to Namibia in September. Rich Tamisiea

[Gustavo Martínez]

Hola Maribel !!!!! que gusto es tener noticias tuyas..... para nosotros es muy motivante el trabajo que estas realizando en Namibia, es realmente deificil la situación de vida en esas ciudades y la única manera en que nosotros podemos colaborarte es brindandote nuestro apoyo espiritual animandote a continuar trabajando al servicio de los más necesitados.
Que Dios te bendiga !!! :-)
Paz en Cristo .... Gustavo

[masum]

fine

[Mary Beth]

Hey, MB. Just wanted to let you know that I got your letter from Dennis. It's always AWESOME to hear from you. Is this your only e-mail address, or is there somewhere else I can write that would allow me to say things that I WOULD RATHER NOT POST ON THE WEB!!!!

Love ya,

The REAL MB

[Tess Hagemann]

MaryBeth, I heard you speak at St. Leo's Church last year.
You exude joy and caring and have such a commitment to being Christ in our world.
Bless you, bless you for all that you do.

Tess Hagemann

[Irene Bachelder]

Dear MaryBeth~
Thank you for keeping us updated on your wonderful connections and progress with your new community and these beautiful children. I pass your story on to others for we so need the inspiration of your passion for giving to others.
I will be making my second trip to El Salvador this June with the organization, Seeds Of Learning. I have an opportunity to take a donated wheel chair to give to someone in need. Do you have any specific contacts of persons or organizations who would like to receive a used wheel chair? Please email me when you can.
Peace & Love to you, dear MaryBeth! ~ Irene Bachelder, Kenwood/Sonoma Valley, California

[Jackie Armstrong]

I am a teacher in Canada and am interested in volunteering in a school or aids orphanage during the summer holidays. I heard about you from a student teacher in the Brock Program. I have read about the wonderful work that you have been doing; please let me know how I can best help.