Namibia Here I Come!

After a long month of not knowing exactly what I would be doing with my life for the next year or so, I have decided upon an amazing opportunity in Namibia (just north of South Africa). I am still waiting for finalized details, but I will most likely be placed in the Kunene Region in northwest Namibia living with and teaching the Himba tribe. Do a search on "Himba" and you will learn of a culture rich in tradition and virtually untouched by Western civilization. Also, please check out my "Himba Slideshow" on the left side of my page. They live in mud huts, the women do not wear tops, and they are semi-nomadic people. That's just a few of the obvious differences from our society. Most teachers live in "teacher's housing" which consists of a small concrete structure, but I have requested to live with a host family. I think it will be an enriching experience like no other. The program will begin in December of 2008, so I will have some extra time in the States to catch up with family and friends before I depart. The cost is still $6,000 and I am back on the fund-raising train! I have received amazing support so far and am very grateful for that. I look forward to even more support in the next couple months before I leave. Here are some things that I am looking forward to in Namibia:

• Teaching in a mobile school! WorldTeach has not sent a volunteer to teach in a mobile school and I am ecstatic to be the first if it all works out.
• Living with a host family, possibly in a mud hut!
• Experiencing a culture unlike anything that I could ever imagine!
• Learning to appreciate life from a whole new perspective!
• Being connected with WorldTeach, a great organization who has been in Namibia for 20 years now!
• Stepping way, WAY, WAY out of my comfort zone and learning a very different way of life!
• The opportunity to educate and raise their awareness about the AIDS pandemic that is destroying their country and continent!

FUND-RAISING ANNOUNCEMENT:
Saturday, March 29th--Mutual Kumquat (friends from college) is putting on a CD Release/Benefit Concert for my trip at Manchester College (IN). The show will be in Wampler Auditorium at 8pm. I will be there and would love to see anyone that lives in the Ohio/Indiana/Michigan area!

Saturday, April 26th--Danny Klingler (friend from college) is putting on a Benefit Concert for my trip at the Circle of Peace Church in Peoria, AZ (near Phoenix). The show will begin at 7pm. I will also be at this concert and would love to see anyone that lives in Arizona or somewhere else in the southwest (even though I don't know many)!

Please spread the word and forward this site to whoever might be interested in helping.

Suggested donation amounts: $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or however much you can!

My goal is to raise $6,000 to cover my participation fee and related costs.

To donate, simply click on the "DONATE" icon to the left. It is a secure link. If you feel more comfortable sending a check to me, my address is:

James Butler
1134 Lawson Lane
Austin, TX 78702

To make a tax-deductible donation, send a check made out to "WorldTeach, Inc." to WorldTeach. Please make sure that you note the donation is towards "James Butler--Namibia Year Program." If you don't mind, could you please send me an email (see my profile) when you send the donation to WorldTeach so I can send you a thank you letter? Thanks!

WorldTeach
c/o Center for International Development
Harvard University, Box 122
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge MA 02138 USA

Check out my current fund-raising progress...