Leslie Michael writes from Africa
Editor's note: Leslie Michael, a 58- year- old

Richland School District One teacher left for Namibia,

Africa, in October for a 27- month assignment in the Peace

Corp. This is the a letter written by her to The Columbia

Star.

Happy Thanksgiving. At least I think it is Thanksgiving. I am in Swakopmund, which will be my permanent site starting in January. I am thrilled with this assignment. Swakopmund is a big city on the coast. The weather is cool (I've been chilly) and very pleasant. There are lots of shops and cafés, a movie theater, and four different kinds of food stores. The flat in which I will be living is a large two bedroom apartment.

Downstairs is one room that is the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The kitchen has two refrigerators, a stove, and lots of cabinets. There is also a half bath downstairs. Upstairs are two large bedrooms and one full bath. The bedroom that will be mine has three large closets. My flat is two blocks away from the beach. This is so much better than a mud hut. I feel I won the lottery!

I spent the week going around to schools and meeting the principals. All of the classes have between 40 and 50 learners (students) in each class. This must be very challenging. The TRC (Teacher Resource Center) where I am assigned is very nice. The TRC manager is Annie Einbeck. She is great, but I don't know how long she will be here.

I leave tomorrow to go to Mariental where I will shadow another TRC for a week. Then starting December 2, I will have my homestay in Omaruru, which is going to be very interesting living with a family. So far, the Namibians I have meet have been so nice. I learned that when you meet someone, it is polite to ask them how they are doing and exchange greetings. I have spent time just visiting with people. Most of the people I met speak English very well. I'm not sure how much Afrikaans I will learn.

Another volunteer told me it was more important for the Namibians to speak English to you than for you to speak Afrikaans. All classes are taught in English from grade five on. There are 13 mother languages that are used in grades first through fourth grades. English is taught as a second language in these grades.

I wish all a very happy Thanksgiving.

Leslie