Namibia
General Information
Namibia is a country in the southern region of continental Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to its west, Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east, and South Africa to the south. Namibia is a fairly new country, seceding from South Africa in 1990. Namibia is home to a number of ethnic groups, which are remnants of earlier colonization.
The largest of these groups are the Ovambo and Kavango people. While English is the most recognized language in Namibia, a high percentage of the population speaks other languages, including Afrikaans and German.
The Coptic presence in Namibia is localized near Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, and in northern regions of the country.
Fr. Mark Arsany leads the Coptic Church in Namibia and is under the control of his grace, Bishop Antonius Morkos.
Namibia has one of the most arid climates of the sub-Saharan countries. Chapstick and lotion are recommended to combat this. The nightly temperature in Namibia (at the time of the trip) is fairly cold. This is due to the fact that they are in the southern hemisphere and undergo winter during the American summer months. Heavy cloths are recommended. There is a low chance of precipitation in Namibia during the winter months.
Visa
A visa can be acquired at the time of arrival as long as travelers have at least two blank pages in their passports.
Past Service Overview
- Volunteers stayed at the Coptic church in Windhoek as well as a nearby guest house. Volunteers served a number of different children in and around the city of Windhoek. These children include Sunday School kids as well as children who attend Home of Good Hope, a soup kitchen that services over 500 children. The Namibian Ministry of Health also contacted volunteers through an outreach program to address a recent Hepatitis E outbreak in the country. It is unlikely that future trips will participate in this outreach program, though this is an example of potential projects that volunteers will be able to participate in.
- Volunteers participated in daily personalized prayers led by Fr. Mark Arsany, as well as liturgy services on Sundays. Servants also participated in day trips at their request. These trips included a safari, a trip to a beach, the largest sand dune in Namibia, etc.
Trip Logistics
- The program fees cover the cost of food, housing, and transportation for the duration of the trip. It is recommended that travelers bring at least $200 USD for any further expenses they may incur. These expenses include money for souvenirs, day trips, supplies from the supermarket, etc.
- Travelers will have limited access to Wi-Fi at the church and the nearby guest house. Travelers may also purchase a SIM card for their phone for further data usage at their desire.
Exchange Rates
The acceptable currency in Namibia is the Namibian or South African dollar. The value of the Namibian dollar fluctuates between 14 to 15 for every US dollar. Money conversions can be made once travelers arrive in the country.
Health Advisory
The CDC and WHO recommend that travelers to Namibia are up to date on their vaccinations, such as:
Red= mandatory
Yellow= suggested
Green= optional
Ø Routine Vaccines (measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella/chickenpox, polio, etc.)
Ø Hepatitis A Ø Typhoid
Ø Hepatitis B Ø Malaria
Ø Rabies Ø Yellow Fever
The full list of CDC recommendations can be found here
Travelers should only drink water from a safe source (church-filtered water) or sealed water jugs from the supermarket. Tap water is not safe for consumption. Food should only be eaten at the church or at a certified food retailer.