Namibian Village Life: My Morning Routine! | African American Expat 

🌍 Hi, thanks for watching! 👉🏾 So how can you too move to an African country? Here my advice on 5 ways you can do it: bit.ly/2HCWqpF 👉🏾 Need help deciding which African country to visit first? Here's how to figure it out: bit.ly/2L3sIwp 👉🏾 Thinking about starting a business in Africa? Then read this! bit.ly/2N54Ysr 👉🏾 Looking for more reflections/tips from other African Americans living ALL around Africa PLUS advice on how to relocate to an African country, be sure to visit my website, "African American In Africa": www.aainafrica.com Thanks as always for following my journey :)

You were raised well. Your parents should be proud. Your husband is lucky to have you. Most African American girls would have been complaining about everything. You are just so pleasant.

Listen. You're American and you've managed to adapt to village life whenever you visit. I'm Tanzanian and if I were left in the middle of a village with nobody to help me, I would panic. I don't think you realize how many continental Africans you put to shame, myself included. Lol. Can't wait to see more of your vlog videos.

This is a real woman. So much respect and admiration.

These people help out each other no matter what. This is how we are suppose to be as True Black Children of the Sun.

This is how African Americans grew up in the south. My grandmother parents were sharecroppers as a child she worked in the fields. When she was a teen she was a housekeeper. In NYC at our home, she still had a scrub board (for hand wash items) a bucket and clothesline to dry clothing. a sewing basket, a cast iron skillet .... I miss her.

I am Namibian, from Okahao and I absolutely love your vlogs, blog and experience of our culture. You may be amazed but it gets just as much with the cooking, heat and chores around the house with us as well. And Girl, nobody washes pots and dishes at night hahaha, exact same soaking and scrubbing struggles in the morning, especially if you have kids at home who always need to eat. And the Omahangu Pap, we have been learning our whole lives, it just gets better with experience. The time will just come when you know that you have put in enough flour when you stir. I temporarily live in Cape Town and I honestly screamed when that notification came in because I was getting to see home :-). I have shown your videos at home and my Oshiwambo parents were so happy to just see their culture being experienced by someone from a different culture. They could not get enough because it gave them an idea of what struggles their 'guests' may have in terms of adapting to their lifestyle and were so excited to identify familiar faces in the wedding videos. And my aunt saw you at church during holidays and she was like the lady with the cute son on your computer was at church today with her husband lol. Thank you and keep sharing.

.I love the way u are coping. As a wambu person who grow up in the village I know how tough it can be . But u are doing just great.😍😍

Hey gal!,I'm African American of kenyan descent living in boston and I just wanted to tell you that that's now your village and home too! ,as africans, even if you live in the city, your in laws home /village is your place too and when a dressing pple you should refer to it as my village.

I loved the energy of this video; it felt authentic. It may take alot of work & adjustment when you're there but I'm sure when you get back to the modern lifestyle you feel reinvigorated for being in a simple, natural environment. Your husband sounds like a wonderful man...no judgement here about tables; or what he has/hasn't provided for your comfort ...you're a young family you'll get there eventually . Thanks so much for sharing; it's such a privilege to share in your inspiring journey!

Not eating as much meat or meat products in the summer is another way to keep cool, because meat will cause your body temperature to rise, which will in turn make you feel the heat more.

Wow, you’re a strong woman. As an African myself I know what it means to visit the village; the challenges and what not. I love that you appreciate your husband and his people, keep it up.

You are amazing! How great it must be to live in nature and not be so spoiled by all the amenities of America. You get a well rounded world experience that we only imagine. Your son Lance is getting so big! He looks healthy and happy too. Thanks for your video.

watching this amazing because africans are moving to US and black Americans are moving to Africa

Thank you for sharing this video and for being so meticulous capturing various aspects of your life there. It is truly an humbling experience for you. It appears overwhelming at times when you are among your in-laws in the village. But I see that strength and resilience in you. You have a really good spirit and comes shining through as I watch this particular video. Your honesty is also refreshing. Please keep these videos going and sharing and I appreciate you tagging us along this tremendous experience!

Am humbled by your humility, well done and so inspiring

An honest soul-filled video. To me it doesn't matter that you find some aspects of village life challenging, that's no surprise, as you are not accustomed to the lifestyle. But you are doing it and living it when you are there. I find your videos uplifting and encouraging. Keep em coming please!

Good Morning from Louisiana, First, You are a great mom!! My husband is from Cameroon, we are constantly sending camping supplies to the village to make life a little easier. My recommendation for teaching lil Lance to potty,is take him to the bathroom when you or your husband goes. He's also still young be patient he will get it(I have 4 kids) lol. Also if you save a gallon milk/water empty container you can poke holes around the lid or the neck of it, fill with hot/cold water and shower. Next time pack a hand saw, this makes life easier too. I am 37 and was taught if you give a dish you return the dish with something. This is a old practice but very important one. I love how somethings are so simular. Anyway, Love your videos.

I love how most of these ppl that you are sharing your experiences with are so encouraging. It’s like they are being family to you and helping you go through the process with much love. These ppl you should embrace like family. It takes a village to nurture and help family from the US who feels overwhelmed, and your striving/surviving well. ❤️👊🏾✊🏾✌🏾👸🏾

The "giving" and the "getting" of gifts is a form of reciprocity; a way of building ties to each other. Nice to see you again. Great video.

WOW. Wow. wow. In a way I'm a little envious ..it's like you're on this great adventure.

wow you are adopted so fast and i like the fact that you don't sugar coat, u really show the people how us Namibian live in the village, very authentic. Proud to be Namibian, especially when we go to the village, away from the city lights, its calming and home is home. keep vloging

Village life is hard work, I'm not gonna lie I don't know if I'm about that life...

Your ancestors Are very proud of you❤️❤️❤️✨✨✨✨You Are really really a blessing to yr hubby As a kenyan living in Europe i really admire You n the life you living Your village looks like our kenya village💃🏿😍 You Are blessed to have a mother in law that takes You Like Her dotta May your family keep blessed❤️❤️❤️❤️✌🏾

Thanks for sharing your morning routine. It looks like it takes some getting used to but you are doing a good job. It’s great that his mother has welcomed you and gently encourages you to learn the traditional practices as well. Good luck on the potty training! Maybe ask mom in law for some tips.

I'm so proud of you, seeing how much you have adopted to the life style in Namibia. I'm Namibian (owambo) living in Europe for over 20 years now. It's funny that I had trouble adopting to the European lifestyle the first time I got here. I was just 18 at the time and even though I was born and raised in whk, alot of things where similar but different ways of doing things,the language (UK English) for starters 😁. But I think it's not the same way as for you. You had to completely change your lifestyle, and much more. I Salut you sis. I love watching your video and somehow I feel close to home. I admire everything about you and the strength to stay in a country totally different from what u are used to. Thank you very much for your stories and your lovely smile.

That's super-duper. That's how we do things in villages; nothing really wrong. The good thing, you are coping despite working under hot temperature. Am amazed, you're taking Ontaku. Incredible!

Welcome to Namibia, you are strong, not everyone can do all those things, thats why we came to towns...

I enjoy seeing that you keep your footage raw and uncut, it gives you a great feel of how it is in Africa. My wife, children, and I currently live in Ghana and have been here for more than 2 years, so when I seen the jerrycan, the washing basins, and the stove top I was like 'LOL the new African American's in Africa Frontier United.' Good job sis. I will check out the video you have of your son going to school, I'm not sure how long ago it was that you sent your son to school, but my wife and I just sent our children to school here in Ghana annndddd it's going really smooth. Talk to you soon my sis.

It's so interesting how things are done there. Thanks for sharing your life.

His sis you are my biggest inspiration, I love your video, I am from Namibia grow up a village, and leave in England now but when I go back I always adapt to the village life. I am a herero women and I can relate to everything in your video.

A chicken, a pig...My cousin married a man raised in the desert Nomad tradition of Mauritania (I do not remember the tribe), but they live here in the States. She had to get used to arriving home after work, or waking up in the morning to people camped out on her living room floor. It was traditional hospitality extended to family and neighbors who had recently immigrated. She never visited his homeland because life on the desert walking behind a camel was just too much for her to deal with. I'm so glad that your mother in law is so welcoming to you, and it is wonderful that Lance is given the opportunity to learn the culture first hand. Put that table on your cell "to do" list!

As an Africa woman living in America, I really admire you. We grow up surviving the way you are living right now

Hello AA . I m TRUST from the NETHERLANDS . I saw one of your videos - titled : ´ My mourning routine ´ in a namibian village . I was genuinely impressed . You´ve coped very well . I know the challenges , i´m from there , similar , Nigeria . Now , i´m one of your subschribers . I will wacht your other videos . Should i say - you´re missing one ellement though , ´ the stream ´, it´s very important in the village . That´s how you combat heat during the day , you take a dip in the stream . Keep the videos coming . thanks .

Hey everyone! I've linked to a few articles and other videos that I've written and published about my experiences in Namibia and the ups and downs of integrating into the local culture. Check out this video's description box for all the links! Also, Lance now knows how to go to the potty on his own, but ONLY if he has no pants/pull-up diaper on. Otherwise he will most likely wet himself. Any tips on getting him to communicate that he has to "go" are welcome! I have heard I need to take him to the potty every 15-20 mins all day for a few days? 😦 LOL Thanks so much for watching! 👍🏾

Your videos are really beautiful. I love them and enjoy watching each one of them. My home village is around the same region, in Uukwambi right before Okahao, but I'm based in the capital. I discovered your blogs a week ago, I wish I found them earlier 😍. It's amazing how the chores and routines especially the washing of dishes part are exactly the same in all households. Also, you could try washing some dishes at night, just before it gets completely dark, that way you'll just have a few to wash in the morning😅. And by the way, you are doing great, even better then many born into it😅😅. And you explain it soo explicitly and embrace the culture so beautifully . It gets even better and greater with time but you're already perfect. Thank you and blessings to your family

If your son doesn't have an allergy to it, dried nuts and berries, like raisins, cranberries and almonds or cashews are very great snacks with water that can hold his hunger while waiting for food. They don't need to be cooked or refrigerated so their shelf life lasts long. Fresh carrots or cucumbers make good snacks and last a little while unrefrigerated

You are just an amazing human being with a higher spirit.

So EXCITED about you sharing village life. It seems very hard and you are a strong woman. I recently visited Senegal and learn a lot about living simple and appreciate the small things and be more mindful of the food, and water. I received so much love from People, hopefully one day I can move to Africa, that Is my dream. Your litle boy is so big and handsome. Sending you much love and positive thoughts 😚💖

I think you are beautiful woman inside out. you are so real, I couldn't help but to fallow you life story. although I'm from Africa, I learned from you so much. I really thank you for the bottom of my heart for sharing your life story. What you and you husband doing is the nobility at it core. my God bless you and your family. much love and respect😍😍

i was a few years older than your son, when my father moved the family to the country in the US,, and we moved from a big city, living in the country was different.. we had a out house, we pumped our water, grew our own food.. more than half the time we had no elecrity so we used laterrns and candles.... no television most of the time...I can appreciate the fact that I learned great surivial skills. . so living in Ghana is home for me.... your will adjust better and better

Hello lady. My 13 y/o son and I moved to Nigeria for a year. For less than $1000 usd, we bought solar panels and had 24 hour refrigeration 2 ceiling lights 8 hrs of use per after Sun hours w/ an additional outlet for 8 hour tv or computer/printer use. Due to. visa issues, I had to come back to the U.S. Watching your video makes me long for the simple life again. Do you have toilets or have you cut a hole in a plastic chair and put a bucket under it for a makeshift toilet?

Thank you for showing your pride in AfriKa to all the world. You are very true to the term "African American" because of your mental embrace of AfriKa. Success to you!

I'm so so so so proud of you keep it up. I know it might be difficult but you are doing a great job. I will be there soon.

You're one well disciplined woman, l really admire your tenacity.

Sister I love the way you accepting our Continent situations, being born in a Big fancy City New York, wow 🤗🤗💖💖 much love for you baby, and you not complaining at all, down to earth , Jesus👐, God Bless you lovey.

Baby Boy is Soooo Adorable...singing his little song ❤️😇👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

This is so real maybe a bit to real for me and I was born and raised in SOWETO Sourh Africa but I love who you are. Very humbling given where you come from NYC. A really BEAUTIFUL, GREAT BLACK WOMAN❤

Thank you for sharing such an honest and beautiful video of your home and village life in Namibia, Africa. You are a beautiful, smart and strong woman. God bless you and your family.

Back in the day when I lived with my grandmother the sink wouldn’t drain, so we had to use basins to wash the dishes and throw the water out the door when we were done.

Kaylan you are doing good! This is from a city girl- Nairobi Kenya. But i also got used to village life and slowly modernised my home. You will get there.... and Lance is soo cute!

Girrrl, you are tough. I am omuwambo but I still find it hard to adapt at my village. Proud of you. ...

Your son looks just like you! I’m happy with your adjustments to African village life

I think you can try soaking the pot at night after you finish cooking poridge! it will be easy to use in the morning

Thank you for sharing all your experiences.It is inspiring and full of great useful, practical information.Your experiences are not only valuable to the diaspora but also to Africans who live on the continent and are considering relocating elsewhere most specific to Namibia,since it is a great country.Please continue to share .Thank you.

I have never been to the village in Namibia yet. At least when I visit there one day, I can have an idea of what to expect. It is somehow so similar to our province in the Philippines, where everything is so simplified, and really basic. Thanks for sharing your experience. It is somewhat an eye opener for most people who have never experienced the village/province life. One day when I go back to the Philippines for a visit, I think I will also vlog our similar experience there, so that people have an idea that it is not just Africa, but Asia as well.

wow i wanna go soooooo bad!!!!! I am the only one in my family who want to go to Africa ( so sad). So right now just looking for someone to go with hopefully i can meet you this summer!

You are so brave and strong living and experiencing life as a wambo ... its not what you're used to but you're a tough cookie. Being a namibian myself the room you're staying in is not the best but it's what life is like... just do whatever you can to make yourself comfortable. Adding a table and making it okay looking helps... but not judging it at all... its life and that's just how it is for most up north, especially because you and hubs don't have a permanent home yet... Hopefully once you guys build your house you can design the kitchen etc .

wow I love this lady so humble. amazing

A couple stacks of cinderblocks can hold up a makeshift countertop or sheet of plywood. One for the kitchen and one for the bath. Maybe another as a breakfast table too.

stay strong sis. I know its not easy but overall worth it.

Thanks for sharing! I have been eargerly waiting for a new video. I have one comment: 1. For your safety with the gas, strike the match, place next to the burner, then turn on the burner with your free hand. You don't ever want to turn on the gas then strike the match. As always, thanks again for sharing and allowing us in to personal life. Bajan

You are an amazing woman. Thank for sharing this

In rural areas in the South, it was customary for decades (even as recent as the 2000s) for someone who received visitors to give them a gift to leave with. The gift was usually food from their garden or their fields, etc. It would have been insulting NOT to take the gift.

I must commend you because you understand the psychology of men and women who understand this win the heart of their with greater commitment. Kudos to you and somehow I have to watch your current videos and seen the tremendous progress you have made.

Hi there! Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your family's life, but something I truly appreciate. Watching this gave me even more of a perspective of how I take many things for granted, like how much water I use to wash dishes. This is how our ancestors did things and how many people are clearly still doing it today. I think you handled your family's business with grace and I heard no complaining. I heard a woman expressing how real it is from going from a certain way of living to another way of living. Again, thank you and you have a new subscriber. I'm SO looking forward to binge-watching your videos from the beginning. You're doing an Awesome job and your little one is the absolute cutest! ☺

Just getting around to watching this old video. I LOVE that you've repurposed an old bed frame into the "stove top." So clever.

I really enjoy your videos, being a Namibian from the city i comment you for all the stuff you do out there. It's so much fun to watch you doing regular things with your unique perspective. BTw we own a farm so that's totally different. This makes me miss visiting my other family in the village.

It seems like Namibian villages are much like Zimbabwean villages in my province, and I feel for you gurl. I was raised in the suburbs in my city back home (I'm in North America now). When your family is in the middle of talks for you to get married you have to meet and live with your husband's parents for a few days or more and be sure to impress them with your domestic skills so they know you were raised well, so I always had in the back of my mind that I'd have to do all this including farming and stuff on the regular for a while (not married so that's still a possibility). So I'm quite impressed that you're adapting well coz even though I've been to the rural areas a few times in my adulthood, I've still managed to evade most of it coz yo... its a lot! Lol. Kudos to you!

The only channel I'll turn post notifications on for! Thanks for sharing 😊

you are now a true african makoti "wife"....you are adapting pretty well to the culture

I love your videos have been following since day one you have a beautiful family as an african american im so proud of you retuning to the motherland an making a life for yourself you are an inspiration to me an my family god bless you n your family

I can't stop watching your video I am so proud of you seeing you doing this things ♥️ it reminds living in the village with my grandmother and my wife in Nigeria

Great to see another video! Your locs are growing beautifully. I cut mine after 5 years and I quickly grew th em again. Low maintenance.

I LOVE this kind of life my mother, grandmother lived it. Its a much healthier life to live, compared to the cnveniences of america. If i can save enough i will come there to live forever.

In order to clean a used pot with porridge, add a little water to it on the stove ire. Bring it to a boil and use a cooking utensil to loosen the dried on food while the water boils. The food residue should come right off for you to easily wash it from there.

If you can find a squirt bottle, that will help with rinsing soap off your body after washing hands or bathing. Use a clean damp rag to remove any remaining soap. Also there are water containers with nozzles on them that open and close to control water flow and can mimic running water.

LanceI is BEAUTIFUL!! Girl I miss carrying water in Panama. Odd, I know. But it was my workout. Yes, i am in the US now and can go to the gym but I love the idea of getting exercise out of necessity. But yes, I understand the heat wears you out so you are the REAL MVP!! THank you for sharing.

Can you please add a video of your journey learning Oshiwambo 😊... Great videos by the way, been following your channel since you first entered Namibia.

I love your videos! Honestly, I think your experiences are so amazing! Anytime I visit my boyfriend's family (whose from Sierra Leone) im always looking for ways to integrate more into their culture. So interesting. How often do you go home to the US? I would love to see videos of your time visiting your family! Also, can you do a hair video on your hair?

Very raw and real video, I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for being back. Following from Botswana 🇧🇼

Just found your channel and I’m so in awe of you. I’m African American living in Japan right now and I can’t wait to visit the continent one day(not sure which country I want to visit yet). As far as potty training, boys are a little different. They’ve been said to take longer than girls so 2 1/2 isn’t bad. My son started around that time because I was expecting a new baby and didn’t want to have two in diapers (he had shown interest many months prior but i wasn’t as motivated as I was when baby #2 was coming, lol!). Don’t pressure yourself but I do know of a lady who potty trained in a weekend. But most importantly your kids will show interest in it when they’re ready. I’ll find the link though.

Do you have access to canned goods where you are? Keeping a few cans of chunky soups can substitute a meal quickly when you don't have time to prep and cook. Add dried veggies, and pasta to the soup while heating it to add more substance.

Sing baby!!! He's so big now. Time is flying. Thanks for the video.

I'm sorry but I found that so funny. I was talking to my friend who also comes from Africa and he was talking about doing the same as your son as a kid: chasing chickens and turkeys. but come 5 pm when you get that total darkness he would be asking: "When are we going home daddy?". The cool thing is that you could use your village home as a sanctuary by doing some simple (but slightly expensive) things as follows: 1. plant some trees for the shade on your land between the huts (great for shade and act as AC when slight wind blows 2. put up a water tank in which you pump all the water and then have running taps into your and your mother's kitchens (important as she grows older and less able) 3. put up a a thatched gazebo outside for cooking and eating your meals during the day and night 4. get some solar lights instead of candles (much cheaper in the long run and safer for Lance) 5. get a DIY kitchen sink integrated with a platform for the gas stove Another trick is to start a vegetable garden of your own so you can get fresh food for when you are there. BTW, the dried meat you were talking about is also found in the US and the rest of Southern Africa called Beef Jerky or Biltong respectively. The strong smell is because it's largely organic and has to be cured with salt and sometimes chilli.

I’m proud of you and you are doing a great job. You will figure it out one step at a time, transitioning ain’t easy but you got this 💪🏾

A lamp with wax ( so like a hurricane lamp)} that is safe for lance too. Those wood can make an awesome table . slice in two, flat side up and cut four legs .There is a whole lot of sunlight.

Guess what? I am now looking for rural land in Southern Africa partly because of your videos. My plan is to build an eco friendly but comfortable home on rural land where I can also grow my own food and use as a getaway (which would be ideal for a writer like yourself). I was in Zimbabwe where I saw rural homes which are quite comfortable, eg: 1. Solar power & hot water 2. water tank for sewerage, bathing and cooking 3. modern brick house (in some cases mansions) This kids maintain the connection with the village as well as most kids in Africa stop going to the village once they get to a certain age because of the discomfort. It would be nice to see the home you are building in the village.

Good stuff! Love it! All the best! Kind regards from Angola!

Oohh my kids were 5, 16 months and 7 weeks old....my 5 year old caught mumps(had all mmr in states) 2 months after we arrived, my younger ones had mysterious fevers as well as myself, twice, and the babies got really ill...but upon returning stateside they NEVER get sick!!

Lance is getting so big and he looks so happy! You're doing a wonderful job! If you don't mind me asking, is your husband camera shy or private? We never see him.

Waiting for your book to get a more detailed in depth understanding of what it's like living there. What do some Namibians think about you leaving the States to live there?

That means he’s ready when he goes away to relieve himself! All it takes is repetition, motivation, and patience!😊

Thank you for sharing this, you did very well. I'm sitting here turning into Macguyver, trying to figure out how I would engineer a sink with a drain and how to make a shower. When I visit I'm definitely taking some basic engineering diy. Blessings.

Wow I can relate to this. I’m Zimbabwean been abroad 2 decades slowly been building more structures at our farm.

Suggestion: Fill the empty pot with water over the fire, let it boil and then clean it that night. Make a plan for the village routine asap. You got this. 😊

Great to see another video... Its funny because Ive been watching a lot of people living in their vans and cars....and their challenges are somewhat similar... but with tenacity, determination..their creativity always surfaces... when you're in the city do you plan out the things that would nake your visits to your village easier?? and make that a part of your prep? like containers to put your food away, things to scrub your pot-- garbage containers- just like recycling here in the US. a sturdy folding table to use as a counter for your dishwashing and cooking..think camping... each time you visit you make a list( simple)of things to make your stay less challenging.

I know this video is old but as far as washing the dishes in the basin that is on the ground, some women have a small wood stool that they sit on and it puts you at the level of the basin to wash the dish.

I'm totally a spoiled American and I love AC.