Joseph’s Visits
Joseph mbamba
“The 11th April 2015 was the day of set up from Mayana to Windhoek….be reminded that this is the first time that one of Mayana travels back with the team from MCP…... 9.30 was the time of taking off and I was very, very scared for 1 hour. But later it was calm again and the ride got more interesting while in the air…”
These words are taken from the diary of Joseph Mbamba, the first participant in an MCP Project Trip from Namibia to Europe. Thanks to Joseph’s willingness, the support of MCP, and the interest of five different schools across Germany, April 2015 was a month of collaboration, education, friendship, and fun. Joseph spent 21 days in Germany. His goals were clear: to deepen the relationship between the Mayana community and the MCP supports in Germany; to educate and inform people about the real difference MCP makes; and to give Joseph, as a representative of his community, the opportunity to see what happens in and around Germany to make MCP’s progress possible.
For those students, teachers and friends who have been on a project trip it was a moment of reunion, for those going or thinking of going, it was a period of inspiration.
Joseph's first stop was Heidelberg International School, where he met students, staff and parents who had lots and lots of questions. “This was a very first, interesting and lovely day to meet amazing children that are so very independent and open to ask questions,” Joseph wrote. “One of the question from the student was do you have toilets and shower? And do you have TV in your home? My reply was no, we use the river to bath and to do our laundry but still using the bush as toilets. Mayana community does not have power or electricity so it is not so important to have a TV that will be just decoration.” It was immediately clear that Joseph was going to be open and honest, answering with patience and understanding. Thanks to this, he endeared himself to everyone in the community immediately.
It was vital that Joseph met all sections of the school communities, and, in presentations to parents, he spoke frankly about the need for money as tool, but the absolute importance that those using it know how to do so responsibly. He stressed the positive impact that the MCP project trips have on both the student participants and the community members in Namibia. He also gave a poignant reminder to us all, by sharing stories of his own family, that parents are parents wherever they are in the world and just want the best for their children.
After Heidelberg, it was off to Bonn International School where Joseph received another warm welcome. In his diary he speaks of the caring people at Bonn international school and thanks the staff for introducing us to the student to have time to interact with them and thanks for all the student that have shown interest of Make Change Possible.
During his stay at Leipzig International School, Joseph got to take part in a football game, giving him the chance to practise one of his hobbies. Again, everything he did was done with good grace and humour. “This was a very interesting and funny game on that day in Leipzig and I will not forget the team spirit we all had in the pitch. The final score was 7:5 or 8:4 and this depends to whom you are talking t o!” Vital to the success of this trip were the human connections made between Joseph and his hosts - connections that he built in the classroom, around a campfire, or, as here, on the football field!
From Leipzig, Joseph continued on Blankenfelde near Berlin, where he visited the Korpernikus Gymnasium. During that trip be continued as an ambassador for his community, meeting their whole school community and learning a thing or two himself… Joseph thanks them” for their very wonderful preparation of my visit at this school and for exposing me to their Historical place and for introducing me to a new sport of freezbe that I had enjoyed so much. During this visit, the school hosted a BBQ, giving Joseph time to socialise and connect with people further. He remarked on the opportunity for good discussion as they were very committed to get to know MCP better than before.” Discussion, sharing, and building the future remain constant pillars of this wonderful trip.
Joseph rounded off his tour of schools at the MTL school in Karlsruhe, before returning to Heidelberg; three weeks, five schools, hundreds of people met and inspired.
Joseph’s visit exemplifies the work of MCP in the amount of knowledge and improved understanding that went both ways, from Joseph to the many people he met and vice versa. Having visited, various different German cities, he was also able to benefit from new perspectives. Here is Joseph’s reflection on Berlin:” As we were sailing along I was able to see the parliament also and under the bridge I could see some tents pitched which I was told this are homes of somebody where they can sleep. I was imagining as many people at home think that having a white skin is a symbol to have everything in life, instead they are from the same mankind and they have the same challenge as black men do.”
Joseph’s diary is as full of thanks for all those that welcomed him. It reflects the success of this trip in his own words and is a powerful message to us all about the importance of the work that MCP does. And so this article ends as it begins, with Joseph’s reflection on an MCP milestone:
“Sitting around the fire was so a very good memories as I was sharing with the team the last reflections of my days based on highlights and challenges during my interactions at different schools with the students Wow this is a wonderful moment that will contribute to my days to remember as I will be back home soon. Well better to say I salute you MCP and I wish you all the best and long life MCP. Long live.”
JOSEPH’S SECOND VISIT
Joseph arrived for his second trip to Germany from the 24th April -14th May 2017 and after landing in Frankfurt continued on straight to Leipzig. There he stayed 3 days at Leipzig International School visiting many classes. A charity run for kids was organized that where not able to participate in the Harambee Challenge on the 28th April from Leipzig to Berlin.
The weekend around Labour Day Joseph saw some parts of Berlin and reunited with team members from the Harambee Challenge in Namibia. This was followed by a visit to the Kopernikus Gymnasium, Blankenfelde where Florentine, Florian and Tom presented about their trip to Namibia to the school. And also met the MCP working group there.
Two days with an agricultural focus followed where Philippe shared his knowledge about compost production and orchards, as well as a visit to a small chicken farm from Michel and a visit to a water powered mill. A visit to Sindelfingen International School followed where he was part of the celebration of International Day.
The last week of his trip Joseph was engaged at Heidelberg International School with a full timetable. A farewell get together ended his time there. During his trip he met close to 2.000 people of all ages and answered countless questions. It was also an opportunity to meet past project trip members. He truly lived up to be an ambassador of Meho and MCP!
Enjoy some highlights and challenges from Joseph’s diary:
“ What stands/action is the community taking against these practice of corruption? This was a challenging question from some students.”
“We had quite an interesting day as I had participated a event of fund raising for the first time and I was very impressed, that was my biggest highlight of the day.”
“I put my bag to the bus knowing that after the run I stay in Berlin, we drove to the meeting station and got all the runners & cyclist were ready waiting for the announcement of the program. I could feel inside in my heart the love the care, that the people were showing to make this challenge possible for my voice/my community’s voice in order to be heard all over the world, were this message have reached across, children, teenagers, adults, teacher and parent and all for the children of the Mayana community to receive change.”
“ Kefah and I were to take the last stretch of 20km, I do not speak so much German and my friend Kefah does not speak so much English but the Harambe spirit motivated us to move on while behind us was Simon with his bicycle. He did a great job breaking my communication with us since he speaks Germany and English. This was a very remarkable day for both of us. Kefah and me since the Harambee Challenge connected us together.”
“I was given a test by Monika and Christiane to find out if I will know at which place to go and wait for the train, it was very challenging, but I have to try my best. Making me independent in the future, so I was leading to find the right place, of departure and find the right train, the train ticket indicated the departure and time of arrival and also the name and number of the train, so this information guided me to know exactly of what I was doing and I got into the right train. My way from Berlin to Mannheim made me feel confident as I was travelling alone and independently.”
“Later they introduced me to the Cinema were we watched a movie. It was so very interesting since this was my first time to be in the Cinema.”
“I was tasting all the food from table to table and I realized how exceptional all the people are in the world regardless of their color, culture, origin and religion. This was a very unique day.”
“I had a very busy week as I was going from class to class just like a teacher and had a great time with the children. I have seen, learned and carry lot back home in my mind.”
“I arrived in Mayana the same time of day as I had left from Germany, I was very tired and exhausted but yet I was very happy to be back home knowing that the mission has been completed. I salute you all and may the Spirit of Harambee live forever for our sons and daughters.”
