Living Conditions in Namibia

General considerations

To learn more about living and working in Namibia, applicants are encouraged to connect with a recruiter to discuss any specific considerations that could affect their service. In addition, please visit the U.S. Department of State's Namibia travel information pages for the latest on travel advisories, local laws, and special circumstances.

Applicants who undergo an interview will have additional opportunities to raise questions or concerns. If, upon learning more information, an applicant would like to be considered for a different assignment from the one they have been assigned to serve in, the Peace Corps can often find an alternate option that may be a better fit.

Communications

Mail

The postal system is reliable, but mail from the United States can be slow and take from three to six weeks. While it is possible to receive mail (flat mail and packages) from the U.S., shipping costs for packages are typically high, and may incur significant customs charges. Given that most essential items are readily available in-country, most Volunteers choose not to have packages sent to them during service. It is important to share this information with friends and family before they decide to ship packages to you.

During pre-service training you may use the Peace Corps office address:

“Your name,” PCT
Peace Corps
PO Box 6862
Ausspannplatz
Windhoek, Namibia

During pre-service training mail will be delivered weekly to the training site. Once you move to your permanent site, you will use your organization’s address or set up a private post office box.

Mobile phones

Upon arrival, Trainees receive a local SIM card (physical or e-sim) to ensure immediate connectivity. Cellular phone services are widely available across Namibia, though a small number of Volunteers may experience limited coverage at home. In such cases, reliable access is available nearby.

Cell phones purchased in the United States are not likely to operate in country unless they are unlocked. Text messaging through WhatsApp is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to communicate with fellow Volunteers and staff, as well as family and friends back home.

Internet

Most Volunteers, but not all, will have internet availability (via cell phone signal), at their homes. Volunteers tend to bring their own laptops or tablets into country with them, which in addition to personal use are important for work and Peace Corps reporting.

Housing and site location

Volunteer housing in Namibia varies widely depending on location. Most Volunteers live in cement block houses or apartments, while a few reside in more traditional structures such as mud or aluminum huts. Some Volunteers live independently, while others share accommodations with same-sex colleagues or live with host families (always with a private bedroom).

Housing generally (but not always) includes electricity (220 volts) and running water, though occasional outages may occur, especially in rural areas and at certain times of year.

Host ministries or organizations are usually responsible for covering monthly utility costs and providing basic furnishings, including a bed, mattress, table, chairs, cooktop, and refrigerator. Some housing will come with more furnishings than others, but all will include the required basics.

Your final placement is determined in cooperation with training staff who make a recommendation based on an assessment of your skill levels in technical, intercultural, and language areas, and the needs of the host organization. Peace Corps medical staff are also consulted on your site placement to ensure adequate medical support.

Living allowance and money management

Volunteers receive a monthly living allowance so they may live modestly by the standards of the people they serve, but without endangering their health or safety. Living allowances are based on local living standards will vary between countries. The Living Allowance includes funds for food, local transportation, communication, household supplies, and clothing. Living modestly is a cornerstone of service that allows Volunteers to gain community trust and to more fully understand local development challenges. Post conducts a Volunteer survey every year to help determine whether the living allowance needs to be adjusted.

Volunteers sometimes wish to use personal savings for vacation travel. For travel, it is best to bring a valid credit card rather than cash and be able to access a U.S. bank account with an ATM card. Most ATMs in Namibia accept major U.S. debit cards, allowing withdrawals in Namibian dollars. Volunteers are encouraged to add a trusted family member or friend to their U.S. bank accounts or grant power of attorney, as managing banking issues from abroad can be difficult. It’s important to ensure debit and credit cards remain valid throughout service and to notify your bank (if necessary) of international travel to avoid service disruptions due to flagged transactions.

Food and diet

You will soon become familiar with pap (corn or millet-based porridge), spinach, and braii (barbequed meat). Fresh fruits like mangoes and clementines are seasonal in rural areas but some fruit and vegetables are available year round in the nearby shopping town (i.e. apples, bananas, tomatoes, carrots, onions). Canned goods are widely available throughout Namibia.

Namibia is known for its high-quality meat, especially beef, which is a central part of the local diet. Vegetarians and vegans have successfully maintained their diets by stocking up on staples like beans in larger towns and, in some cases, growing their own vegetables.

Transportation

Volunteers will most often walk to work. Volunteers who live far from their workplace may be issued a bicycle and helmet. Large, more modern buses are readily available for travel between major cities/towns, while travel options to other areas can be more limited (minivans and shared “taxis”). Given the low population density in Namibia, preferred transportation options may not be available every day of the week, especially in rural communities, which requires prior planning and flexibility on the part of the Volunteer. Peace Corps staff provide Volunteers with information on travel options travel during training.

Social activities

Social activities will vary depending on your community. In rural communities, social activities may include visiting neighbors and attending church and family gatherings with local friends and colleagues. Cultural festivals, sporting events, weddings, and even funerals provide opportunities to meet and socialize with community members and their extended families. Groups of teachers sometimes go to town to shop and relax on paydays before heading off to visit their families. Social activities often involve “braii” which is a barbecue of various meats.

Namibia’s rich geography provides many opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, including national parks and conservation areas. Volunteers sometimes visit each other or meet in larger towns for shopping, socializing, or going to a movie. Although the Peace Corps recognizes that periodic visits to towns is important for shopping, networking and support, Volunteers are encouraged to remain in their communities as much as possible, to develop language competency and integrate into their communities.

Professionalism, dress, and behavior

Maintaining professionalism in the Peace Corps requires awareness of host community workplace norms, cultural values, and personal presentation. Volunteers may need to adjust aspects such as dress, hairstyles, facial hair, piercings, and greetings to show respect for local customs and maintain a positive reputation.

In Namibia, neat and culturally appropriate attire is highly valued, especially in professional settings. Volunteers are expected to wear pants, khakis, skirts, dresses, or professional tops for work. Lightweight clothing is recommended due to the heat, but shorts and spaghetti-strap tops are not appropriate for professional environments. Flip-flops should be avoided at work; sandals or dress shoes are preferred. Layers and some warm clothing is needed for winter.

Volunteers should also be prepared to cover large tattoos and remove non-ear piercings (particularly in the beginning as first impressions are made), as these may not be accepted in some communities. While personal appearance may be seen as self-expression in the U.S., in Namibia it often reflects respect for others and the community.

Volunteers are encouraged to spend time in their communities, to develop their language skills, and to get to know the individual members of their community to better understand their traditions, culture, and local norms. As mutual trust is established over time, there may be opportunities for Volunteers to adjust their personal appearance and dress outside of the more rigid local standards. Volunteers are encouraged to discuss these potential adjustments with staff and other cultural mentors.

Although heavy drinking as part of a social activity is common in Namibia, Volunteers are encouraged to approach these situations with professionalism as representatives of the American people who are “on duty” 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As such, Volunteers can expect to comport themselves in a professional and culturally appropriate manner. Volunteers are encouraged to model alternative behaviors, particularly for youth, as they work in Namibian society.