Support Anna's Studies at St. Catherine University

Anna Shilongo, an active member of the Young Achievers Empowerment Project* and an inspiring young Namibian woman, has been admitted to St. Catherine's University in St. Paul, MN.  However, she has only been given a partial scholarship and is fundraising to make up the rest of the needed finances.  You can help her by either donating to her campaign, or sharing her campaign with your friends.  Thank you so much!

http://www.gofundme.com/2uhs58

*The Young Achievers Empowerment Project is a group of young people who meet regularly to inspire each other to achieve their vision for their life.  It was founded by two former CGE Namibia staff people and we continue to have a close relationship with them.

Congrats, Angela!

Congratulations to CGE Namibia alum, Angela Bonfiglio, on receiving the Marina Christensen Justice Award at the Augsburg College commencement ceremony this spring. Angela was a student in the 2012 Namibia summer program, Social Change and Development in Southern Africa.

The Marina Christensen Justice Award recognizes Angela as the graduating senior who best exemplifies Augsburg College's motto, "Education for Service." Angela has been involved in a variety of community engagement and community based learning experiences during her time at Augsburg. While studying with CGE in Namibia, Angela interned with the Namibian Women's Health Network where she was worked side by side with Namibians hoping to impact change around issues of HIV and gender equality.

We are so proud of Angela for her achievements and wish her all the best as she begins her new journey as a college graduate!

Follow the link below to read Angela's article, "My Sources of Inspiration to Create Change," on the Democracy U blog. http://democracyu.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/my-sources-of-inspiration-to-create-change/

Another great semester comes to an end

Can you believe the semester is over already? It is amazing how quickly time flies by when you are engaged in so many exciting adventures with CGE! The students wrapped up the semester with Integrative Project presentations the American Cultural Center before traveling to Cape Town to explore South Africa's complex history of slavery and concepts of "coloured" identity created during Apartheid.

CGE Namibia Spring 2013 family photo

We wish all the Spring 2013 students the best of luck as they move on to new adventures back in the United States and hope they will keep these experiences close to their hearts as they continue to study and work towards a better world. Thanks for a great semester!
 

On the boat to Robben Island

Learning about forced removals and demolition of homes during Apartheid at the District 6 Museum

Internship Presentations

Hannah and her supervisor from Family of Hope Services

Last week, students invited their internship supervisors to a farewell party at the CGE house. Students talked about their experiences and achievements throughout the semester and thanked their supervisors for all the support they have provided.

This semester, interns were placed at organizations including: Out Right Namibia, AIDS Care Trust, the Namibian Women's Health Network, Katutura State Hospital, the Namibian Horticulture Trust, Hope Initiatives of Southern Africa, and more.

View the video below to hear about Jacquelyn's experience at CLASH, The Association for Children with Language, Speech, and Hearing Impairments in Namibia.

Fat Cakes in Worcester!

Emily and Charise were students on our Spring 2012 semester program.  We recently received an update from them that they made a batch of delicious fat cakes, using Sara's recipe and helpful hints. The Clark Study Abroad Office hosted a "Taste of Study Abroad Event" where students shared food from the country where they studied.  Emily and Charise report that they had a great time making the dough, frying them up and topping them with cinnamon and sugar.  They were also much easier to make than they thought, so give making them a try, if you haven't already!

And obviously everyone at the event loved them!  I'm getting hungry just looking at these delicious pictures! 

We welcome updates from alumni of our programs.  Let us know what you are up to, even if you are just making fat cakes!

Charise getting ready to put the dough in the oil

Frying the fat cakes

Emily and Charise with the finished fat cakes

Mmmmm..... A tray full of delicious fat cakes!!!

Planting trees in Berseba

During the travel seminar to the South, CGE students teamed up with high school students to plant trees in the rural community of Berseba. The community requested we plant trees to bring shade to the school's courtyard. After a morning of gardening, students shared songs while enjoying a picnic lunch. CGE students were able to find out more about Namibia's education system, the opportunities available to young people in the south, and the economic challenges facing this rural community.

Teaming with high school students to plant trees

CGE staff members, Passat and Freddy, were "hard at work"

Posing next to the newly planted tree

Trip to the South

Over the weekend, the CGE crew ventured to the South to explore community-based natural resource management. Students spent 2 nights at community-owned campsites and 1 night at a privately-owned lodge to compare the pros and cons of the public vs. private sector of eco-tourism.

Students also met with representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Namibia Development Trust to hear about the challenges that community conservancies face in the region. 

Check out a few pictures from the trip:

View of Brukaros Mtn from Ganigobes campsite (night 1)

Enjoying the natural hot spring at Ganigobes campsite

Exploring a nearby waterfall at Ganigobes campsite

Teamwork! Cooking chili dinner and grilled cheese

A view from the hike up Brukaros Mountain

Finally made it to the top of the mountain!