Watch out Onayena!

My home for 2009 will be in the village of Onayena, in the Oshikoto Region of North-Central Namibia! I will be one of nine teachers at Lano Primary School, which serves about 250 students (“learners,” as they are called in Namibia), grades K-7. Because the area is so sparse and spread out, the school is a “hostel school”, which is like a boarding school, and most of the students (and teachers) live there. I will have my own room in the hostel with a bed, fridge, and hot plate! I don’t know what my Grandma is gonna do with all those 2x3 ft. quilts she made for the “cot” she was convinced I’d be sleeping on in Africa…

Onayena (you pronounce it Oh-Nigh-Na) is a 6km walk to the nearest tar road! I get a kick out of that. Once there, it’s about 20 km (about 12.5 miles) from Ondangwa, which is a town where I’ll be able to get supplies. You can see Ondangwa at the very top/center of Namibia. I'll be close to Etosha National Park, which is a world-famous wildlife preserve. I don't know if you know this, but somebody, maybe me, probably me, kinda likes animals. A lot.

(This is actually from Etosha!)

Bowling for Africa

Oh my goodness...the bowling fundraiser was fantastic, we raised $1,300 at the event, and outside donations have totaled an additional $1,500...how incredible is that?

Bowling was crazy and chaotic, I felt like a bride, my cheeks hurt from grinning so much. There are some wonderful, generous, helpful souls out there, and I cannot thank you all enough. I feel lucky and grateful every day for the support I’ve been given the last several months. My superstar assistants this time around include my mom and stepdad for doing absolutely everything I needed (whether I knew I needed it or not), Katy and Margaret for running sales, Brian for recruiting a large chunk of the attendants, everyone who found items for the raffle, and of course everyone who showed up or sent their love! I wish I could list all 86 of you… :)

Me and my endlessly giving Mom

My super helpful sister Katy


Some of my fan club sportin' Lindsey to Namibia shirts

Our oldest (Gma, above) and youngest (Emerson, below)

Bowlers from 2 to 86!

Next up: Friday, November 14th is the drawing for the current raffle. We are selling tickets at $1 each, and there are some really great prizes to be won, including Detroit Symphony Orchestra tickets, Andiamo’s gift certificates, my Grandma’s homemade quilt, and the grand prize, tickets to a Pistons game with dinner, drinks, and shuttle provided by Hoops. The drawing will be held at a pizza party at Gilbert’s Lodge in St. Clair Shores at 6 p.m.