EDU TRIP 2019

The 4 youngsters from Mayana, Damian, Dominga, Michael and Salome, aged between 14 and 19 years, started their journey and adventure to get to know some more about their country on the 12th August. Most of them had not travelled further than 100km in their lifes before, never seen mountains and none had ever seen the ocean.

Reaching Swakopmund after a very long drive and setting up camp, the plans for the following three days where made and the coastal weather added to the challenges.

Day 1 was dedicated to the topic of nature with visits to the beach, Dune 7, salt basins ,Krystall Gallery and the Snake Park.

Day 2 was dedicated to the topic of soccio ecconic experiences with an extended visit to Karakulia Weavery where they learnt about the work process of carpet making as well as the personal history of Moses „from a cleaner to a shop owner.“

Day 3 led us to DRC (Democratic Resettlement Community) one of over 300 informal settlements in the country. Informal settlement have no infrastructure which includes no schools. More than a third of the population of the country lives in settings like this. The visit to a Kindergarten there and to the womens project in house made of plastic bottles, added to the surprises.

After their return to Mayana they presented their experience to a small audience including some members of the Mayana Meho Foundation.

We wish them that these impressions, are motivating them in finding their own way in life and withstand the call to move to cities where they are told that the grass is greener. Just in the line of the statement one of them made "...seeing is better than believing!"

EDU TRIP 2018

The MCP Edu Trip is a new feature and aims to provide an opportunity for people of Mayana to get to know and experience their own country which can assist them to make informed choices about their future. They also shared their impressions with the youth of Mayana upon their return.

The team consisted of Erick, Kristantia, Markes, Monika, Silke and Tekla. We went on a 5 day trip to Swakopmund. The first day was dedicated to the topic of nature, the second to socioeconomics and arts and the last day living and learning conditions in the informal settlement called DRC (Democratic Resettlement Community).

Here some impressions of the participants;

„On this trip I have learned to know more and believe less!“

„I learned again about how they harvest salt in our sea. Our elders told that salt comes from people, like in the bible when Loths wife turned around.“

„Edu trip is good, because we learned more about our country and it is our first time and it is the first time to happen in our village. I want edu trip to continue, not for me alone but for all students or our village and to learn more about their country. I think it will be a message to the students at home when they hear about the story of their country. It will atrract them for next year. I can see we have learned lot. We can clear the story of our elders , we have to check with our own eyes, but not to tell about someone.“

„. I have seen a carpet before and I thought they are cutting it out from the cloth and now I know that it is many different steps.“

„I am so excited to see it because I never knew that I will see it in my life. In DRC I am so sorry for the life they are living. Our life is better than in DRC. We can make our own food, good houses. Not paying rent for the houses or water. We can plough and make our own food.“

„The Kindergarten in DRC, I was very angry to see that the children are drinking the water from the dustbin.“

„ And I was more happy to see the sea , birds, stones and I really felt I was somewhere else, not in Namibia anymore.“