Program Description

Namibians have made great strides toward ameliorating the educational inequities of the apartheid era, and they have done so with a focus on highly progressive, learner-centered methodologies. The Namibian school system has been restructured, virtually all curricula rewritten, and the medium of instruction changed to English from Afrikaans. Since 1990, WorldTeach volunteers have supported Namibia's educational reforms at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels as subject teachers, English language resources, and in a variety of other capacities.

Namibia needs volunteer teachers now more than ever. It has always faced a severe shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in the fields of mathematics and science, and WorldTeach volunteers have served in posts that otherwise would have gone unfilled.

Now, as student populations are exploding, AIDS is hitting Namibia hard. With an HIV infection rate in the range of one-quarter to a third of all Namibian adults, the strain on Namibia's education system is increasing exponentially. As Namibia loses teachers and parents who should be in their prime, it needs volunteers to stem the damage AIDS is causing its youth and education system.

Working as a WorldTeach volunteer in Namibia at the turn of the 21^st century presents unparalleled opportunities and meets critical needs. Although living and working conditions in Namibia can be very demanding, the rewards of helping to build a new country are tremendous.

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Volunteer Role

WorldTeach volunteers work as English, mathematics, science, and computer studies Subject Teachers in a wide range of schools, including primary schools, secondary schools, and adult training facilities. Most volunteers will be responsible for 20-25 hours of classroom teaching, including lesson preparation and grading. Some may be asked to also work in the school library or computer room.

In addition to their subject teaching, interested volunteers are also encouraged to serve as HIV/AIDS Resource Teachers. As an HIV/AIDS Resource Teacher, you will help facilitate HIV/AIDS awareness programs, such as clubs or activities that build life skills and empower learners to make healthy decisions. You may work with teachers and administrators to integrate HIV/AIDS awareness into subject teaching and throughout the school.

"One of the most positive things about my experiences so far has been the welcoming and appreciation I have received from my fellow teacher and the community I live in.  It definitely made the adjustment a lot easier having a group of people who were so supportive and welcoming."  Christine Guarino, Namibia Year

Volunteers often engage in other secondary projects, such as teaching extra English classes, coaching sports, starting art clubs, developing the school library or computer room, or establishing scholarship funds to help learners access further education. Volunteers have a prime opportunity to contribute their skills and interests to the broader needs of their school and community.

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Placement Sites, Housing and Food

Volunteers are typically placed at government, community-based, and church-affiliated schools. Church-affiliated schools are not "religious" schools and in general follow the same curriculum as government schools. Host schools provide volunteers with housing and a living allowance. Many teaching placements are in relatively remote rural areas, where the roads tend to be good but the public transportation and traffic limited. Most volunteers are able to secure a ride to the nearest town when needed.

Placements are typically individual, so that the maximum number of schools can be served. While you are likely to be the only WorldTeach volunteer at your school, there may be other WorldTeach volunteers in the town or region, or teachers from other international volunteer organizations at your school or nearby.  WorldTeach volunteers may be placed throughout the country, but most are likely to be placed in the northern regions.

Volunteers are placed in a variety of living situations. At government schools, volunteers may share a house with other teachers on school property. A few live in the community, either alone, with housemates, or with a host family. Some volunteers live and eat at mission stations, which, in remote areas, often provide the only room and board options.

Volunteers will have their own furnished room, although they might share common rooms with other teachers or staff. Buildings typically have cement walls and tin roofs, and volunteers live in quarters that have running water and electricity.

Spanning across diverse cultural groups, Namibians uniformly love meat. The staples are beef, chicken, goat, and mutton. Barbecues, locally called braais, are the focus of most festive occasions. Depending on the region, other staples include porridge, spinach, and sour milk. Volunteers either cook for themselves or eat with other teachers or with mission staff. Vegetarian and other diets can be accommodated.

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Length of Program

Up to 12 months, beginning in December (usually after the Christmas holiday).  After orientation, volunteers are contracted to work at their host school for a full academic year and attend an End of Service conference with the entire WorldTeach group.

Cost of Program

$5,990. This includes pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare, health insurance, in-country orientation, transportation to your site, meals and housing during orientation and throughout your teaching service, and 24-hour field support.  Please read more about costs and services.

Learn about our Namibia matching grants!

Requirements

Volunteers must be native English speakers with a Bachelor's degree (in any subject), flexibility, and a desire to teach in Namibia.

For more information, please read our Volunteer Stories and Sample Placements.

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