This weekend we headed out to NaDEET, the Namib Desert environmental education trust. They work to educate people about a sustainable lifestyle while also living it. Environmental issues are a huge problem in Namibia. Despite emitting less CO₂ gas, they are more affected by climate change due to their already dry climate and lack of infrastructure to deal with the problems.
Additionally, there is an awareness issue because many people do not know what is happening to the climate or what to do about it amidst their other daily concerns like having enough food and water. At NaDEET they use solar powered cooking or fuel-efficient stoves that are powered by fireballs, basically paper trash balls, if it is too dark. We helped make the fireballs and I couldn’t imagine the look on my Dad’s face if he could see me playing in “soupy trash.” It functions as an alternative energy source though. They also power their electricity through solar power. They try to conserve as much water as possible, which includes having drop toilets where human waste can naturally decompose outside without water and bucket showers where you can easily switch the water off. They also challenge the people staying there to use the least amount of water compared to the other cabins. Most of the days all of the student cabins used about zero water. The cabins are built with mesh windows so that you are able to see the stars at night. NaDEET is in a nature reserve called NamibRand, which is one of ten International Dark Sky Reserves and is the first one in Africa. When we went stargazing, you could see why. I had no idea how many stars there were or how they could just surround you before I came on this trip.
On our first full day there, we woke up early to go on a dune hike. Along the way, our guide told us about the plants and showed us animal tracks. He showed us a dancing white lady spider by pulling it out of its hole. If you know me, you can guess that I was freaking out the whole time and refused to take my eye off of it, in case it came near me! We also got to see Oryx, a large type of antelope, and vultures. We had breakfast on the dunes out by the mountains. It was a gorgeous view. Later that night, as we were heading to bed I looked out the window and saw a shooting star. The longer I stay, the more I believe Namibia is the prettiest country I have ever visited.
The longer I stay, the more I believe Namibia is the prettiest country I have ever visited.
The next day, we went on a hike in the mountains. We rode in the back of the truck with mountains surrounding us. It was incredible to be out in nature with the wind in your face and Oryx all around. We got to climb up the mountain and the view from the top was breathtaking. You could see the expanse of the land and the various mountain ranges. It was one of the times when you are just happy to be alive and exist. Later that day, we got to go dune boarding. The hill wasn’t as steep as in Swakopmund, but we still had a great time. Even if it was mostly to laugh at each other trying to get down the hill. We also got to climb the nearby dunes and just stare out at the scenery. At night, we played cards in one of the cabins. Our one friend couldn’t leave to go to bed because there was an Oryx right outside the door!
Our time at NaDEET had come to an end so we had to clean up and say good-bye to everyone. As we headed back to Windhoek and are preparing to return home to the US, we can only make sure that we remember these lessons in our daily lives or we will ruin our environment for good.
The organization’s website: http://www.nadeet.org/