On 1/15/2009 9:17:10 AM Deborah Ripka wrote

Editor's note: Deborah Ripka, wife of Command Sergeant Major Mark Ripka, senior enlisted leader for U.S. Africa Command, is a gifted resource teacher in the Norfolk School District in Norfolk, Virginia. The following blog, which was submitted by Mrs. Ripka, documents her trip to Namibia in July, 2008. Her itinerary was coordinated by the U.S. Embassy in Namibia.

I had the privilege to accompany my husband, Mark, to Windhoek, Namibia from July 7-11, 2008. Knowing my background was in the educational field, Lieutenant Colonel Christian Ramthun, the defense attach at the U.S. Embassy, created an itinerary for me that he thought I would appreciate. He was correct and what followed was one of the most incredible experiences in my life.

July 7, 2008

We arrived in Windhoek and after checking into the Windhoek Country Club, visited the U.S. Embassy. This trip would contain many firsts for me, and meeting an ambassador was one of them. Ambassador Mathieu welcomed us and made me feel that my role was an important one.

July 8, 2008

Dr. Aune Naanda, the U.S. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Project Manager, was my escort for the next two days. Our first stop was coffee with Stephanie Ramthun at her home. She would share with me some of her experiences in Africa. As military spouses, we found much in common. I never ceased to be amazed at the strength and flexibility of military spouses. Stephanie exemplifies these qualities.

From here Aune and I went to USAID to meet Education Team Leader Martin Tjituka. He described the Namibian education system to me and some of the issues facing teachers and students. Many of these have to do with the change to English as the official language after independence in 1990. They are working very hard to train their teachers to face these challenges. They also have new testing procedures that have many in the educational field concerned.
After lunch we traveled to the Katutura Youth Enterprise Centre (KAYEC). This center is run by the KAYEC Trust with most funding coming from the European Union. The center services students after school. The school day in Windhoek ends at 1:00 pm with few after school activities available, so KAYAC provides a place for students to gather and learn everything from persuasive writing to plumbing. Flordeliza Nagar-Escultura, our guide, has been with the Center for five years as a volunteer from the Philippines.

This is where I learned about the exam given to all tenth graders. If they fail this exam they are finished with high school and labeled "tenth grader leavers." Sixty-five percent of all tenth graders fail this exam, so about 17,000 students in Namibia are released from school each year! KAYAC is trying also to meet the needs of some of these students.

That evening we had dinner at Iituma with local sergeants major who had graduated from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. The Sergeant Major of Namibian Defence Force and his wife also attended. This was a special evening of fellowship and eating of many things I had never eaten before.

July 9, 2008

We started the day at the Penduka Woman Co-op. Penduka means "Wake Up!" This non-governmental program encourages and supports previously disadvantaged women to take charge of their lives through crafts and embroidery. We visited the workshop and saw the women making linens, glass beads, and ceramics. Afterwards we went to the gift store where we were able to purchase items. Aune knew that I was looking for somewhere to give monetarily. She mentioned how a classroom would love to have a set of the aprons made in Penduka, so I ordered thirty of them for Aune to pick them up when they were finished. My lasting impression of Penduka will be when a young deaf girl was explaining to me, using hand signals, how she fired the glass to make beads. The smile on her face spoke all the words that were needed.

(Click here to see a photo of Mrs. Ripka at Penduka Woman Co-op.)

From here we traveled several kilometers north of Windhoek to view a local informal settlement. This is a group of homes made from corrugated tin or planks of wood. There was no electricity or plumbing. We stopped and visited with a young mother who had three children. As all mothers do, she talked of her children. We then visited Five Rand Primary School that services the children from the settlement. As we sat talking to the principal, Aune said this would be a great place to donate the aprons. When we explained to Mr. Nakapand, the principal, that we wanted to give the school this gift, he was very touched.

(Click here to see a photo of Mrs. Ripka and Mr. Nakapand, principal of Five Rand Primary School.)

We visited a kindergarten and first grade classroom. This was the most emotional time for me: a classroom of young children singing a welcoming song to a complete stranger. Again their smiles spoke the universal language of hope. I visited the library and we discussed with Aune a partnership with this school and the schools where I work. USAID will pay for the shipping of old textbooks, and this seemed to be one of their greatest needs. One look at their library was evidence enough. My office in Norfolk is in a room with hundreds of old edition books that are just waiting to be discarded. Surely we can connect the two!

(Click here to see a photo of Mrs. Ripka with the kindergarten class at Five Rand Primary School.)

(Click here to see a photo of Five Rand Primary School's first grade class).

At this time my itinerary showed a trip to Gros Barman, a hot springs resort. Lieutenant Colonel Ramthun must have known that I would need some time to absorb all I had experienced so far.

From here Aune took me to tour NIED (the National Institute for Educational Development), where the country's curriculum is written. AIDs and HIV are a major issue for the country. Almost 20 percent of the population is infected. A curriculum specialist explained to me that AIDs/HIV is written into every discipline, not just the sciences. Awareness and prevention are the goals.

Aune felt for me to truly understand the complete Windhoek life, I needed to visit a typical four room home. So she took me to her childhood home, where she and nine siblings were raised. As we entered the home, I was embraced by her parents. They treated me as if we had known each other our whole lives. Again, their smiles left such an imprint on me. As I was leaving, they gave me gifts that they had made. When I display them in my home, I will be forever reminded of the kindness of the African people.

Mark and I spent the evening at Ambassador Mathieu's home with selected NDF representatives, German sergeants major and spouses, and other embassy staff.

July 10, 2008

The Community Liaison Officer (CLO) took me on a walking tour of Windhoek and its Craft Market. The city is a former German colony with many names and buildings still bearing German influence. It is a modern city with malls, restaurants, and traffic. Since Namibia is modeling many of its customs from the United Kingdom, they drive on the left hand side of the road. The steering wheel is on the right hand side on the vehicle, so there were many times I wanted to help Jeff, the CLO, drive from my side of the seat!

The Craft Market is a place where local merchants can bring their products. Visitors are encouraged to support the Windhoek people through purchasing at the Market. So I did my part. It was a great place to get a feel for African craftsmanship.

Lunch was at Heroes' Acre. This is a place similar to our Arlington Cemetery. Heroes from Namibia are buried here.

Mark and I finished our Namibia experience at Okapuka where we went on a game drive and witnessed a lion feeding.

July 11, 2008

As we left Namibia, I had much to ponder. I had met people with so little but willing to give so much. I had learned that there are many agencies around the world trying to help the African people achieve the same dream we all have -- hope for the future. But it will be the children who leave the greatest impact on me. Their smiles and enthusiasm for life will be a lasting image; it will be what I carry back to the children I work with and remind them that some things are the same no matter where we come from.

I am truly thankful for this opportunity and will forever be changed.

On 10/3/2009 4:28:24 AM Roger Pociask in Greensboro, NC wrote
As an American married to a Namibian, I am not surprised by the hospitality and respect you were given during your visit to Windhoek. Are you aware of the history of Namibia's war of liberation and how the USA was perceived by many as an obstacle during their struggle against apartheid? I have a solid bead on Namibia's quiet yet deep seated uneasy feeling towards the USA that our leaders are blind towards. I hope we open our eyes. Thank you for your efforts. Namibia is a precious jewel that few like you and me have known.

On 1/23/2009 LTC Christian Ramthun in Namibia wrote
Deb, It's Friday 23 Jan 2009 and your words have touched me to the core. Thank you to your husband for showing me this blog. Thank you for sharing your experiences and giving me a renewed faith in the things INDIVIDUALS do that makes a change. Your aprons, your books, your generosity will not soon be forgotten.