Wealth does not guarantee class. Trump proves it repeatedly. Or has some would say, ‘You can’t make a silk purse out of sow’s ear!’
The president of the US never ceases to shock the world with his spontaneous remarks.
A tour in Namibia
Disparaging remarks have been allegedly uttered recently by the Commander-in-Chief, south of the border. The so-called ‘sh—hole’ countries of the world were the focus of his tirade. While I agree that being a tourist in a country has a different perspective, nevertheless, the slums, the poverty the immediate challenges of the population cannot escape one’s notice. I visited a number of African countries in the fall of 2017. Yes, these countries were very poor, badly in need of foreign, monetary aid, of humanitarian aid and governments willing to walk the extra mile for the well-being of their people.
Namibia was our chosen country at this time. The government has a tight grip on the country and its people; survival in such dismal conditions was bleak, and opposition in any way was not tolerated. And yet, people smiled, children laughed and adults went about their daily lives behind makeshift tents, huts, and straw lean-tos. They didn’t know any better. Children, those who were lucky, attended school for a few hours, twice or three times a week. Teachers came and went, depending on the whim of the district, or if they felt like being in a classroom with 45 students of all grades and abilities, with no educational tools, no display materials, no readers. But they were all in uniforms because the government provided those.
Food was mostly foraged or grown because these items were not always readily available. Women made hand baskets, carvings, beadings to sell to the handful of tourists who came by. Some families grew their own vegetables and raised a few goats, wild chickens, wild boars. Running water was not to be found anywhere. Women trekked to the shores of the Zambezi River to fill two large containers with water to last the family for several days. Dangers of the Zambezi River were always on their minds.
Opportunities to get ahead, to get out of poverty, to provide for the family, are really difficult to find.
Is it any wonder then that people desperately want to leave this life behind for the promise of a better one especially for the children? They need dignified solutions, not insults to forge ahead for a better future!!!!
I am just saying!
Christuskirche Museum, Windhoek, Namibia
