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• China Summer
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• Namibia Summer
  • Program Profile
  • Country Info
  • Namibia Summer NOW!
  • Day in the Life
  • Photo Gallery
• Poland Summer
• South Africa Summer

Program Profile

In 2001, WorldTeach Namibia augmented its established yearlong program to include a summer program.  The summer program was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education, in conjunction with local NGOs and Microsoft, to promote the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to support education as well as develop computer literacy skills.  Not only can technology, and computers in particular, improve educational outcomes as well as assist with administrative tasks efficiency and effectiveness, ICT literacy is necessary for Namibia to be a relevant member of the global economy. 

In 2006, the Ministry of Education developed its ICT in Education Initiative, and WorldTeach was founding member of the Steering Committee tasked with designing its implementation plan.  Since that time, over 300 WorldTeach Namibia summer volunteers have been integral in actual implementation of the Initiative's goals, working with both teachers and students to improve computer literacy as well as promoting ICTs for more effective teaching.  The WorldTeach Namibia summer program is an exciting opportunity an opportunity to contribute to nationally-driven educational reforms by addressing "digital divide" issues at the most grassroots level.

Volunteer Role

WorldTeach Namibia summer volunteers serve as ICT teachers to both students and teachers/administrators, which practically means acting as a resource for improving basic computer literacy, and how to use this technology to make teaching as well as learning more effective and efficient.  Moreover, because this instruction is done in English, volunteers are secondarily improving English-language skills, which is deeply needed. 

Not only does Namibia lack qualified teachers generally, there is an even greater shortage when accounting for the those that lack the ability to teach in English, as mandated by the government.  Moreover, such shortages are exacerbated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  As such, most volunteers are also asked to serve as teachers in other subjects, especially English, as time, scheduling and interest allows.  In addition, volunteers have the chance to become involved in extracurricular activities, within their school and/or community, in a variety of areas. Many choose to teach HIV/AIDS awareness classes, athletics, and work remedially with students that need extra assistance in certain areas, like reading.

Please note that volunteers participating in WorldTeach summer programs are not eligible to receive WorldTeach TEFL certification.

Placements & Housing

Volunteers will be placed in primary or secondary schools, in both rural and urban areas, participating in Namibia's ICT in Education Initiative. Placements are typically individual (one volunteer per school), so that the maximum number of schools can be served.  While you are likely to be the only WorldTeach volunteer at your school, placements are clustered so that volunteers are within visiting distance of other volunteers.     

Volunteers live either in government-provided teacher housing at their school, typically with other Namibian or volunteer teachers, or with a host family.  Volunteers will have their own furnished room, although share common rooms with their housemates, if they have them.  WorldTeach requires that all housing have running water, electricity and fully-equipped kitchens. Volunteers are expected to be able to cook for themselves, though will often share these duties with housemates or with their host family.

Financial Information

The cost of the Namibia Summer program is $4,990. This includes pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare, health insurance, week-long in-country orientation, transportation to your site, meals and housing during orientation and throughout your teaching service, and 24-hour field support.  Matching grants for up to $500 available.

Many volunteers are able to successfully fundraise all or a significant portion of their volunteer commitment. Please refer to our fundraising guide for more information about fundraising possibilities.

Read more about costs and services here. 

Requirements

Volunteers must:

• Be a native or native-level English speaker
• Be between the ages of 18 and 65
• Be flexible, open-minded and patient
• Possess a desire to teach in Namibia