Guests compensate flight by supporting ǂNabasib

“What an experience.” “Very intense.” “Touching.” The four guests of BüllsPort were visibly impressed on the way back from their excursion to the nearby ǂNabasib primary school. Two hours of insight into an area of Namibian everyday life beyond the lodges and animals. And a “give & take”, in two respects…

This is exactly what the two married couples who were guests at BüllsPort at the beginning of September had wished for. “In view of the increasingly serious consequences of climate change, we want to compensate at least a little for the long-distance flight and support a concrete project,” they had written by email a few weeks before the start of the trip.

“We gladly like to support something you do at Büllsport or at ǂNabasib, in connection with the school for which you built the well. If you have any ideas…” The guests had heard about the borehole project for ǂNabasib in April, from BüllsPort’s newsletter (see subscription option below this message).

Teacher shows guests around ǂNabasib school

They immediately agreed to the suggestion to visit the nearby primary school ǂNabasib. The school management confirmed the date for the tour: Monday afternoon, around 3.00 p.m., thus after classes.

Teacher Augustinus Ortmann welcomed the guests, showed them the secretary’s office and two of the classrooms. He described the daily school routine, listed the subjects and gave them examples from the lessons. These included the spelling and pronunciation of the four click sounds in Khoekhoegowab, the language of the Nama and Damara.

There was no sign of the nearly 200 pupils from grades 1 to 7 who attend the primary school. “From noon onwards, they are in the boarding house next door,” explained Ortmann, who teaches classes 5, 6 and 7 in Afrikaans, Natural Science and Social Studies.

Children perform traditional songs and dances

The multi-purpose hall of the boarding home (“Paul Peter Land Heim”) marked the end of the tour. The cherry on the top, as they say. Because here, the whole school was waiting for the guests. At least it felt like it. The cultural group led by teacher Petrina Goeieman sang songs and performed dances of the Owambo, Baster and Nama with obvious joy.

The cultural group of the ǂNabasib Primary School led by teacher Petrina Goeieman singing a traditional song of the Nama. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender

At the end there was a big mutual “thank you”. And a touching handing over of the envelope with the amount from the four guests for the two-hour activity. Which the government school can use for buying additional teaching materials. The state funds are limited and are only enough for the bare necessities.

At the same time, the income is recognition and motivation for the children and teachers to maintain the culture and tradition of their ancestors. In effect, a double give & take.

But that is not all. On their departure the next day, the two couples donated a considerable amount each to the Naukluft Foundation. Founded by BüllsPort and the Ababis Guest Farm, this foundation supports the ǂNabasib Primary School whenever it is needed. Like in March with the new borehole.

Teacher Augustinus Ortmann explaining the teaching process at the ǂNabasib Primary School to guests of BüllsPort Lodge & Farm on a tour. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender