thank you grade 7

The best Namibian Thanksgiving
Saturday, 27 November, 2010

Needless to repeat, I was homesick on Thursday. I felt ridiculous being homesick just two weeks before returning to the US, but I still felt that way know my family was celebrating, even separately instead of the big get togethers I miss.

This morning, Nicky and Thidjukwe showed up at my house around 9am to start preparing for the grade 7 party. They went to bring buckets to put food in after it was cooked, but Sophia and Muwara showed up not long after. Muwara handed me a bag of what I thought were beans and they both helped me finish washing my clothes. I later asked to make sure. They weren’t beans. They’re nyimu. Which might be in the bean family, but they’re not eaten the way I thought.

All of my plates, kitchen utensils, cooking utensils, bowls and buckets were taken for the task of preparing this party. Most kids were under the tree with three fires going by 10:30. It was mostly girls who had paid, so there were plenty of people there to work. Ngasia was put in charge of the key to unlock the tap since he wasn’t cooking. I sat with them for a while, making trips back and forth to my house as things were needed or as I got bored and needed a break.

I hadn’t stepped into the classroom where we were eating so had no idea plates were being made before the food was all cooked. The kids were completely in charge of everything and took care of it all. I just had to be there to share with them. I expected something similar to the grade 9 party last week, where we each sat at a table and ate.

I walked into the classroom and almost cried. They had arranged the tables so it was one long table with chairs on either side and a plate on each table. I was finally getting the family meal I wanted on Thanksgiving. We sat down and ate, some kids with their hands because between everyone there weren’t enough forks and spoons. Some kids shared plates. My chicken was put back on the fire to be braiied because it wasn’t cooked all the way. I helped clean up even though I knew they didn’t want me to.

And then it was time to go swimming. We spent about an hour at the river enjoying again, the same like yesterday.

Back at school, a computer was brought to our classroom and we spent about an hour listening to the same few songs over and over so the girls could dance.

As plates were once again served, this time to bring home instead of eating together, I made sure everyone was still around so I could say some.

“I don’t know if you made this party because it’s the end of the year or because I’m going, but for me, it’s more because I’m going. On Thursday was Thanksgiving, a big holiday in America, where my family gets together, makes a meal and enjoys together. I have been in Namibia for three Thanksgivings now, so have missed those parties. When I walked into the classroom today and saw that we were all eating together, it was the best thing ever!” I remember looking at Sawahenga at this point and she had a big smile on her face. “So thank you for the party, for eating together and especially for the last two years.” My voice started breaking and I knew I couldn’t keep the tears away, so I let them come. “I’ll cry even more on Friday when I go. I’m sad to be leaving you all, but I’m happy to know you.”