A weekend in Sossusvlei

A couple of weeks ago two of the guests staying at Elonga/Kleines Heim went on a self-drive trip to Sossusvlei in the southern part of the country. They embarked on their tour no Saturday morning and stayed through until Monday afternoon.  It took them roughly 7hours to travel from central Namibia to southern Namibia, Sossusvlei is located 400km from Windhoek. They drove on the C26-C14 passing through Gamsberg Pas getting the opportunity to see the beautiful landscape.
On the journey they came across horses, donkey’s, cows and monkeys crossing the road all at different points on the journey. They stop at Solitaire and had some of the famous apple pie, visited a museum that showcased racked-rusty old cars.
They stayed at a lodge in Sesriem.  They took part in guided tours at 5 in the morning to get a chance to the sunrise. That same day they drove to big daddy and deadvlei had breakfast in the desert. They then spend the rest of the day in the swimming pool because it was a very hot day.
They drove back passing through Mariental arriving in Windhoek late afternoon the Monday.
Some of the activities that can done in Sossusvlei include visiting the Sesriem Canyon, Climbing of Dunes, Quad biking, Natue walk and so much more..A couple of weeks ago two of the guests staying at Elonga/Kleines Heim went on a self-drive trip to Sossusvlei in the southern part of the country. They embarked on their tour no Saturday morning and stayed through until Monday afternoon.  It took them roughly 7hours to travel from central Namibia to southern Namibia, Sossusvlei is located 400km from Windhoek. They drove on the C26-C14 passing through Gamsberg Pass getting the opportunity to see the beautiful landscape.
On the journey they came across horses, donkey’s, cows and monkeys crossing the road all at different points on the journey. They stop at Solitaire and had some of the famous apple pie, visited a museum that showcased racked-rusty old cars.
They stayed at a lodge in Sesriem.  They took part in guided tours at 5 in the morning to get a chance to the sunrise. That same day they drove to big daddy and deadvlei had breakfast in the desert. They then spend the rest of the day in the swimming pool because it was a very hot day.
They drove back passing through Mariental arriving in Windhoek late afternoon the Monday.
Some of the activities that can done in Sossusvlei include visiting the Sesriem Canyon, Climbing of Dunes, Natue walk and so much more..

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A weekend in Swakopmund

Some of the guest staying at Elonga/Kleines Heim decided to visit the famous coastal town of Swakopmund over the weekend.
 
They departed Windhoek at 13:00 in the afternoon passing through Okahandja they arrived in Swakopmund at 17:00. Swakopmund is situated nearly 350km west of Windhoek so it is quite a drive, however, while driving you get to witness the beautiful landscape so it actually is an interesting drive.
 
The team was welcomed into Swakop by the smell of the sea and the cool breeze, immediately booking into the accommodation they decided to set out and see Swakop for themselves.
 
So which place do you go to first..?..without any doubt the sea.
The team decided to take a walk on the jetty which is 262m long and dine at the jetty restaurant. They preferred sitting outside to see the sunset and enjoyed some sea-food while at it, oysters,prawns and salmon was everyone choice.
The only place in the world where the sea and the dunes meet “Swakop”, after dinner the team drove to he famous dunes competing to see who gets to the top of the dunes first.
 
The next day they engaged in some fun activities including boat rides where they got to see seals and pelicans up close and of
course taking thousands of Pictures.
 
Swakopmund provides endless activities some include quad biking, sky-diving, sand-boarding and camel rides through the beautiful dunes.
 
Now who would not want to experience that first hand, Swakopmund really is living up to our expectations.

Some of the guest staying at Elonga/Kleines Heim decided to visit the famous coastal town of Swakopmund over the Weekend.
 
 
They departed Windhoek at 13:00 in the afternoon passing through Okahandja they arrived in Swakopmund at 17:00. Swakopmund is situated nearly 350km west of Windhoek so it is quite a drive, however, while driving you get to witness the beautiful landscape so it actually is an interesting drive.
 
 
The team was welcomed into Swakop by the smell of the sea and the cool breeze, immediately booking into the accommodation they decided to set out and see Swakop for themselves.
 
 
So which place do you go to first..?..without any doubt the sea.
The team decided to take a walk on the jetty which is 262m long and dine at the jetty restaurant. They preferred sitting outside to see the sunset and enjoyed some sea-food while at it, oysters,prawns and salmon was everyone choice.
The only place in the world where the sea and the dunes meet “Swakop”, after dinner the team drove to he famous dunes competing to see who gets to the top of the dunes first.
 
The next day they engaged in some fun activities including boat rides where they got to see seals and pelicans up close and of
course taking thousands of Pictures.
 
Swakopmund provides endless activities some include quad biking, sky-diving, sand-boarding and camel rides through the beautiful dunes.
 
Now who would not want to experience that first hand, Swakopmund really is living up to our expectations.
 

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

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We from Elonga Internship and Kleines Heim Guesthouse would like to wish you all a blessed festive season with love and happiness!! May you all enter the new year with good health, love and happiness.

With love
Gerda, Paula, Berfina and Fiina 🙂We from Elonga Internship and Kleines Heim Guesthouse would like to wish you all a blessed festive season with love and happiness!! May you all enter the new year with good health, love and happiness.

With love
Gerda, Paula, Berfina and Fiina 🙂

The joys of the Spitzkoppe trip

Sarah, Geraldine, Elodie and Rounja had a blast at Spitzkoppe. After a week of hard work they decided to visit the rocky landscapes which are popular among campers. Spitzkoppe is  located in western Namibia between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib desert.  The eye-catching granite structure is more than 700 million years old and the highest point is up to 1, 784 meters above sea level.

Sarah, Geraldine, Elodie and Rounja had a blast at Spitzkoppe. After a week of hard work they decided to visit the rocky landscapes which are popular among campers. Spitzkoppe is  located in western Namibia between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib desert.  The eye-catching granite structure is more than 700 million years old and the highest point is up to 1, 784 meters above sea level.

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An internship is more than Monday to Friday

As I found out this weekend, one of the best aspects of an Elonga Internship is the chance to make some fantastic new friends and explore Namibia with them.

Over the weekend Dani, Miriam and I headed out to the Heja Game Lodge. This 20,000ha game farm is a mere 20 minutes from Windhoek and offers some spectacular game viewing.

While there we saw a huge array of animals including: White Rhino, Ostrich, Giraffe, Water Buck, Black Wildebeest, Zebra just to mention a few.

After our drive we were treated to some yummy cocktails by our guide, this was followed by dinner in the on-site restaurant and an impromptu late night game drive in search of the elusive Pangolin. While we didn’t find the Pangolin we had a lot of fun under the beautiful Southern night sky and there was hot chocolate back at the lodge to warm us up.

Just another weekend in Namibia!

Remember an internship isn’t just about what you do Monday to Friday, on the weekend you are able to have some amazing experiences as well.

Cheers, Kristin.As I found out this weekend, one of the best aspects of an Elonga Internship is the chance to make some fantastic new friends and explore Namibia with them.

Over the weekend Dani, Miriam and I headed out to the Heja Game Lodge. This 20,000ha game farm is a mere 20 minutes from Windhoek and offers some spectacular game viewing.

While there we saw a huge array of animals including: White Rhino, Ostrich, Giraffe, Water Buck, Black Wildebeest, Zebra just to mention a few.

After our drive we were treated to some yummy cocktails by our guide, this was followed by dinner in the on-site restaurant and an impromptu late night game drive in search of the elusive Pangolin. While we didn’t find the Pangolin we had a lot of fun under the beautiful Southern night sky and there was hot chocolate back at the lodge to warm us up.

Just another weekend in Namibia!

Remember an internship isn’t just about what you do Monday to Friday, on the weekend you are able to have some amazing experiences as well.

Cheers, Kristin.

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Praktikum in IT/MultimediaInternship in IT/Multimedia

Arbeitsgebiet: IT und Multimedia Unternehmen in Windhoek

Aufgaben: Unterstützung der Unternehmen in den Bereichen Webdesign, Gestaltung Templates, die Integration von CMS-Systemen, Multimedia-und Grafik-Design, Applikationsentwicklung, usw.

Geeignet für: IT Studenten oder Webdesigner

Dauer: ein bis sechs Monate

Voraussetzungen: Persönliches Engagement, Englisch Grundkenntnisse, Interesse und Fähigkeiten im IT-und / oder Multimedia.Field of work: IT and Multimedia company in Windhoek

Tasks: assisting the company in web design, designing templates, integrating CMS systems, multimedia and graphic design, application development, etc.

Suitable for: IT Students or people with affinity in IT

Duration: One to six months

Requirements: Personal engagement, English basic knowledge, interest and skills in IT and/or Multimedia.

Ein Eindruck von Elonga Praktikantin CarinaAn impression from Elonga intern Carina

„Carina, schreib doch mal einen kurzen Text über Deine Zeit in Namibia.“ Das, liebe Marieke, ist nicht möglich. Ich habe in den drei Monaten so viel gesehen und erlebt, dass ich, wenn es überhaupt in Worte zu fassen wäre, einen ganzen Roman darüber verfassen könnte. Aber ich versuche es mal.

Das Land selbst zu beschreiben, ist völlig überflüssig, weil man es nicht beschreiben kann. Das muss man selbst erleben und sehen, um zu verstehen, wie toll es dort ist. Darum nur so viel: Ich will wieder zurück dorthin!

Das Hostelleben ist super. Wir haben zeitweise mit 15 Menschen dort gewohnt und es gab ungelogen keinen Streit oder Zickereien. Die Küche war manchmal ein bisschen unordentlich aber das bleibt nun mal nicht aus bei so vielen Menschen und auch das war in den Griff zu bekommen. Wenn man wollte konnte man sich ins große Wohnzimmer setzen und hatte immer jemanden zum Quatschen oder man ging ins Zimmer oder in den Garten und hatte tatsächlich seine Ruhe. Gemeinsame Wochenendaktionen, wie eine Fahrt in die Etosha oder nach Sambia gehörten ebenso dazu wie das gemeinsame kochen, wenn man es denn möchte.

Ich habe durch Elonga viele viele Leute aus, in meinem Fall, allen Teilen Deutschlands kennen gelernt, mit denen ich auch jetzt noch guten Kontakt habe. Bleibt man eine gewisse Zeit findet man schnell Freunde, die auch welche bleiben, wenn man zurück „nach hause“ geht.

Zu meiner Arbeit: Ich habe ein Praktikum im Montessori Kindergarten gemacht und es war unglaublich schön dort. Die Kollegen waren super nett und haben mich in alles mit einbezogen. Ich durfte Aktionen und Unterricht gestalten und durchführen und hatte auch sonst in der Gestaltung meines Arbeitsalltags freie Hand. Der Weg dorthin ist komplett organisiert, auch wenn man sich erst an die afrikanischen Zeiten des Abholdienstes (der grundsätzlich min. zehn Minuten zu spät kam) gewöhnen muss 😀

Ich würde allen einen Aufenthalt in Namibia empfehlen. Es ist eine komplett neue Erfahrung und ich kann euch versprechen, dass ihr es nicht bereuen werdet! Verwendet so viel Zeit wie möglich darauf! Ich war, wie gesagt, drei Monate dort, und muss es sagen, dass es viel viel zu kurz war!“Carina, can you please write a short story about your time in Namibia?” That, dear Marieke, is not possible. I have seen and experienced so much in these three months that I – If I would be able to put it all into words – could write a novel about it. But I will try to do so.

Describing the country is difficult, because you cannot describe it. You have to experience it yourself to understand how great it is. Therefore I can only say this: I want to go back there again!

The life in the hostel is great. We have temporarily lived with 15 people and there was honestly no dispute or bitching at all. The kitchen was sometimes a bit messy but that’s what it is like when you live with so many people and we could get a grip on it. If I wanted to I stayed in the large living room, where there was always someone to chat with. Or I went to my room or the garden to be by myself. I had great weekend activities, such as a trip to Etosha National Park and to Zambia. But even just cooking together was fun.

At Elonga I have met many people from – in my case – all parts of Germany, with whom I’m still in touch. If you want to, you can easily make friends; friends who remain friends also when you go back ‘home’.

I did my internship at the Montessori Kindergarten and it was incredibly nice. The colleagues were very friendly and they included me in everything. I carried out lessons and I was free in the design of the everyday work. The kindergarten provides you with transport to and from, but I had to get used to the African time, which means that the driver usually came at least ten minutes late.

I would totally recommend to stay in Namibia. It is a completely new experience and I promise you that you will not regret it. Use as much time as possible for it! Three months was actually too short!

So go and travel to Namibia!

Love, Carina

Praktikum in einem AltersheimInternship at an elderly home

Arbeitsgebiet: Altenheim

Aufgaben: Die Betreuung von älteren Leuten, Organisation und Schaffung von Aktivitäten

Geeignet für: Studenten aus sozialen Felder und Volunteers

Dauer: Zwei Wochen bis sechs Monate

Zustand: Persönliches Engagement und grundlegende Deutschkenntnisse, um das Interesse mit Menschen im Alter zu arbeiten

Beginn: jederzeitField of work: Elderly Home

Tasks: Taking care of elderly women and organising and creating activities

Suitable for: Students of care / social fields and Volunteers

Duration: Two weeks to six months

Condition: Personal engagement and basic German knowledge, affinity to work with people of age

Beginning: Any time

Meme Mia

Der Ticketverkauf für das Musical ‘Meme Mia’ ist eröffnet! Sandy Rudd, Direktor des National Theaters, verspricht eine ‘weltklasse’ Produktion mit professionellen Schauspielern und Tänzern. Ein wahres namibisches Musical hier in Windhoek. Wer ist mit dabei?

http://allafrica.com/stories/201210160553.html

The ticket sale for musical ‘Meme Mia’ has launched! National Theatre director Sandy Rudd promises a ‘world class’ production starring a talented cast of professional actors and dancers. A real Namibian musical right here in Windhoek. Who will join us!?
http://allafrica.com/stories/201210160553.html

Farms, flu and newcomers

Das Hostel war letzte Woche proppevoll, aber einige von uns haben ihr Praktikum diese Woche beendet und sich diese Woche auf eine Farm aufgemacht, um mehr von der Landschaft Namibias zu sehen. Martin gefiel sein Praktikum als Englischlehrer an einer Regierungs High School in Windhoek und er hilft nun auf einer Tierfarm in der Nähe von Omaruru. Anna-Lena und Claudia sind auf einer Araber-Farm in der Nähe von Gamsberg, um ihrem Lieblingshobby, dem Reiten, nachzugehen.

Gerda hatte am Wochenende die Grippe und war sehr unglücklich darüber, aber glücklicherweise ist sie langsam wieder auf dem Dampfer und geht sicher, dass sich jeder wie zu Hause fühlt. Wir haben auch ein paar neue Gäste und Team-Mitglieder willkommen geheißen: Valencia ist neue Praktikantin bei Elonga! Sie studiert Kommunikationswissenschaften an der Philosophischen Fakultät der Polytechnic University hier in Windhoek und trägt seit Mitte Februar zur Kommunikation und PR der Elonga-Organsation bei.

Nadine aus Göttingen ist am Freitag in Windhoek gelandet und hat ihr Praktikum an der Regierungsschule am Montag begonnen. Sie mag die Kollegen und Kinder und wird in den folgenden Wochen alles über die namibische Sekundarstufe erfahren.

Diesen Sonntag ist Marieke, Elongas Vertreterin in den Niederlanden, für einen Besuch nach Windhoek gekommen. Sie arbeitet momentan an Elongas Marketing und Social Media in Holland. Außerdem frischt sie im Hostel ihre Deutschkenntnisse wieder auf!

Stephie ist am Dienstag aus Berlin eingeflogen. Sie genießt ihre ersten Schritte auf afrikanischem Boden und bewundert das Klima und die wunderschönen Vögel Namibias.

The hostel was packed last week, but some of us have finished their internship and have gone to a farm this week to see more of the country side of Namibia. Martin enjoyed his internship as an English teacher at a secondary government school in Windhoek and now left to help at a game farm close to Omaruru. Anna Lena and Claudia have gone to a arabian horse farm close to Gamsberg to practice their favourite hobby: horse riding.

Gerda had the flu this weekend and was very unhappy about it, but luckily she’s slowly getting back on track again and is making sure everybody is feeling at home.

We also welcomed some new guests and team members lately: Valencia is the new Elonga intern! She studies Communication at the Humanities Department at Polytechnic University here in Windhoek and started in the beginning of February with contributing to the communication and PR of the Elonga organisation.

Nadine from Goettingen has landed in Windhoek on Friday and started her teaching internship at the government school on Monday. She is enjoying the colleagues and the pupils so far and will discover all about Namibian secondary education this coming weeks.

Stephie flew in from Berlin on Tuesday and already enjoying her first time on African soil and admiring the wonderful climate and beautiful birds of Namibia.