SWAN World

SWAN World in Namibia:
Books distribution at Peri Naua Otjiwarango School

English has been Namibia's official language since the country became independent. The language was chosen for its neutral character although there are a lot less English speakers then there are who speak German, Afrikaans (languages stemming from colonization) and many other local austral African languages such as Khoekhoegowab or Rukwangali.

The Khoekhoe language or Khoekhoegowab is the most widespread of those languages of southern Africa which contain many «click» sounds. It belongs to the Khoe language family, and is spoken in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa by three ethnic groups : the Nama, Damara, and Hai//om.
Kwangali, or Rukwangali, is a Bantu language spoken by 85,000 people along the Okavango River in Namibia and in Angola. This language is spoken by the Kavango people.

Many children, especially among the most disadvantaged, do not know any English. This turns out to be an insurmountable handicap as soon as they start going to primary school.
We think it is vital that these children can become acquainted with the English language at an early age while maintaining their level of writing skills in their native language, which they know and speak with their parents.
"Khoekhoegowab/english for children" and "Rukwangali/english for children" offer up to 500 common English words illustrated with their translation in Khoekhoegowab or in Rukwangali. For children who are native Khoekhoegowab speakers or Kwangali speakers, these books are an essential first encounter with the English language which will be the language of their future school and professional life. It may also be of good use to tourists who are travelling in Namibia and austral Africa and would like to please their interlocutors by speaking a bit of Khoekhoegowab or Rukwangali with them.

These books are the result of a collaboration between the French assiociation Peri Naua (which is supporting sustainable micro development projects initiated by Namibians ; is working in the fields of education, health and culture for the children stemmed from disadvantaged families), a French volunteer in Namibia (Hiu BONNIN), a French teacher for young children with special needs (Annie ROUSHDI) and a namibian teacher (Abrams GOMHETAMA/AWA-EISEB)... and SWAN World! (French publishing house)

SWAN World offered a book to every child from Peri Naua school of Otjiwarango. Damara children received a copy of "Khoekhoegowab/English for children". Kavango children received a copy of "Rukwangali/English for children".
This Friday 22 March 2013 is the great day, the children will receive their book !
From left to right : 1) Hiu BONNIN, French volunteer who made one of the main part of the work, receives the parcel from France ; 2) Monique ESCURAT, Peri Naura school manager with the books ; 3) and 4) The children are excited to wait the books.

From left to right: 1) Monique ESCURAT with two Peri Naua teachers ; 2) 3) and 4) Hiu opens the parcel with the children.

The children have now their book. How will they react ? For the most part of them, it is the first time they possess their own book !

Amazing reaction from the children.

Most of them sitted down and wisely looked at the book.

To see namibian children discovering their first book. One of the most beautiful SWAN World stories.