The Kupembonas

The day after we met our host family was the day we actually moved in with them, which gave me ample time to prepare myself for two months of being unloved and rejected. I wasn’t too thrilled about the idea of leaving all of my new friends and fellow trainees and living with strangers; however, things turned out to be much better than I could have imagined.

No one could have picked a better family for me to live with. The Kupembonas are some of the most decent and thoughtful people in Namibia, make that the whole world. They took me into their house for two months and really made me feel like one of the family. They cooked some incredibly delicious vegetarian food (which that alone made me incredibly lucky since other vegetarians were served canned fish, butter sandwiches, or other inedible looking “meals”), they took the time to get to know me and bond with me, they were always looking out for me (sometimes a bit too much, but it always made me feel special), and they really do care for me (my host dad looked so proud at our swearing-in ceremony and they call me sometimes more than my real family, which is huge in Namibia since calls seem so expensive). Here’s a brief description of my wonderful Namibian host family.

Veronika is a teacher at a local school, and also makes really nice bedding as a side job (she made me a beautiful African print duvet). The madam (what they sometimes call women over here, I believe partially inspired by soapies or other foreign media) is quiet at times, but really a funny, intelligent and caring woman. Nicholas is a police detective for the Okahandja Police Department. He’s a hard worker, an honest and caring man, and really progressive as a Namibian male (hopefully I’ll explain some of the Namibian male behavioral patterns later on).

Sien is currently working to improve his college entrance examination score so he can go to University. He was working for a warehouse until he was exploited by the management and paid the equivalent of 10 US dollars for a full week of work (the cost of living is not justifiably less than it is in America for that “salary”). Sien is a smart, funny boy who is so positive and always seems to have a smile on his face. Nikoleta is a learner (what they call students here). She is extremely intelligent, very caring and sensitive, and just an all-around great kid (she is always laughing at me too, the things I say, the way I do things, etc). Then we have Marina who is also a learner. This one is totally out of control, she’s wild, loud, crazy, and just a complete mess…but I love her for it. She always keeps things entertaining. Down at the core she is truly such a bright and caring, wonderful young girl.

The Kupembonas were extremely hospitable to me, and really made me feel like I had a home here in Namibia for my two months of training. They are incredible beyond words and I am forever grateful for having them in my life. I honestly couldn’t have been placed with a more perfect family for me. Once again I did not get my way (Thank you God), and once again things turned out better than I could have imagined. I guess I owe you an apology my little boot puzzle piece, you paired me with a truly wonderful family and home.