Gobabeb Training and Research Centre P.O.Box 953, Walvis Bay, Namibia P.O.Box 24673, Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264-64-694199 Fax: +264-64-694197 Email: gobabeb@gobabeb.org www.gobabeb.org
INFORMATION FOR INTERNS The Gobabeb Training and Research Centre is an internationally recognized Namibian and SADC (South African Development Community) Training and Research Institution. For nearly 50 years, Gobabeb has been conducting environmental and ecological research in the Namib Desert. In addition to its highly regarded research, environmental education is a cornerstone of Gobabeb. Our mission is: ― To contribute to improved, sustainable, natural resource management in arid environments through enhanced decision making and appropriate training ‖. This brochure outlines the details of the Gobabeb intern programme—how to apply, what to bring, and what to expect. A stay at Gobabeb is a memorable and rewarding experience and we hope you apply. WHERE EXACTLY IS GOBABEB? Gobabeb is in Namibia in South Western African. Namibia is situated between South Africa, Angola, and Botswana. More specifically, Gobabeb (2334’S, 1503’E) is located in the Namib Desert, one of the oldest and most spectacular deserts in the world, within the Namib-Naukluft Park. It is ideally situated at the convergence of three different ecosystems: the Namib sand sea, containing some of the highest dunes in the world; the Kuiseb ephemeral river, only flowing a few times per year, and the gravel plains. The nearest town is Walvis Bay which is 120 km away. WHO LIVES AT GOBABEB? Gobabeb is home to a diverse group of people, including scientists, students, interns, and members of the local Topnaar community. At Gobabeb there is a mix of long and short-term residents. Generally, 15 to 20 people reside here at any given time, a combination of permanent staff, long-term MSc and Ph.D students, and short-term interns. Gobabebians come from all around the world—Namibia, SADC countries, Europe, Asia, and North America. WHY SHOULD I COMPLETE AN INTERNSHIP AT GOBABEB? Interns come to Gobabeb for many reasons: to contribute to a widely respected nongovernmental organization; to satisfy a university practicum requirement; to gain valuable work experience; or simply to experience the beautiful Namib Desert with a group of fun and interesting people. WHAT DO INTERNS DO? Interns apply for a placement, a specific work position, which focuses their duties and major projects (see appendix for descriptions). Interns also assume basic station duties to help facilitate operations at Gobabeb. Duties include helping with student groups, recording weather data, working in the library, helping researchers with field and lab work, leading station tours for visitors, as well as completing individual station assignments. Interns work 40 hours per week and receive two days of leave per month. Interns will be asked to submit reports detailing their progress and highlighting their accomplishments.
WHEN DO THE INTERNSHIPS BEGIN? Gobabeb accepts interns throughout the year. Internship start/end dates are arranged according to the intern and the station schedule. Interns are generally expected to stay for at least three months, although longer stays are encouraged and shorter stays can sometimes be arranged. ARE INTERNS PAID? WHAT DOES INTERNSHIP COST? Interns from Namibia and other Southern African Development Community countries are offered a stipend of N$1600 per month for their work, plus free accommodation. Internships for non-SADC citizens are non-paying positions, but accommodations are provided. Foreign nationals doing any length internship are charged an intern fee of N$ 2 500.00 that goes towards costs for upkeep. ARE THERE ANY OTHER FEES? Tea club- N$20 per month: for tea, coffee or hot chocolate twice daily Old House dues- N$25 per month: for communal cooking and cleaning supplies, social gatherings, and going away parties Laundry- N$10 per load: laundry soap can be purchased at Gobabeb. There is no dryer, but there are plenty of clotheslines and the desert sun does quite a good job of drying clothes Energy consumption – approx. N$40 per month HOW DO I APPLY? If you are interested in becoming a Gobabeb intern, please apply to the training facilitator (through gobabeb@gobabeb.org), by email or post. Include a CV (resume) as well as a statement of intent, indicating the dates you are available, your interests, reasons for applying, and relevant skills. ACCOMMODATIONS Interns are housed in caravans (trailers), luxury tents or bedrooms in ―Old House‖. Bedding and towels are provided. All interns cook in the communal kitchen in ―Old House‖. COMMUNICATIONS Gobabeb has satellite card-phone, fax, e-mail, and internet services, although download size is limited due to the satellite. Flexi-cards for the phone are available at the station, on a cash only basis, but these can sometimes be in short supply, so it might be wise to bring your own; they are widely available across Namibia. For international interns, it’s quite expensive to call home, but Skype works well in the evenings. The number of the public flexi-card phone is +264-64-694995. There is very limited cell phone reception at Gobabeb. The post address is C/O Gobabeb Training and Research Centre PO Box 953 Walvis Bay, Namibia, SOUTHERN AFRICA and is checked approximately once every two weeks. You can receive personal mail through this box, but the postal service can be quite slow. WHAT ABOUT FOOD AND SUPPLIES? Gobabeb is about 1.5 hours from the nearest town. There are monthly supply trips to Walvis Bay or Swakopmund, where there are supermarkets and other shops. Other trips do leave from Gobabeb, which you can either join or send a list of supplies for another staff member to purchase. At Gobabeb, you will have access to a fridge and deep-freezer. The kitchen has gas stoves and ovens, but no microwave oven or other electric appliances. 2
VISAS - FOR INTERNATIONAL INTERNS Please note that Namibian tourist visas are valid only for tourists, not for professional or educational activities. Foreign interns must get a study visa. It is advisable to get your visa through an independent consultant in Namibia instead of dealing directly with the Ministry. Gobabeb recommends GK Consultancy Services in Windhoek. Call and ask for Gudrun, (tel: +264-61-241786/241913; fax: +264-61-242318, gkcons@iway.na). Processing could take anywhere from 3 weeks to several months, so please apply early. Gobabeb will support your request with a letter of recommendation, but you will have to cover the fee for this service. The following documents might be required when you are applying for you visa (first confirm with consultant): 1. Copy of passport 2. Copy of qualifications (certificates, degrees etc) 3. Letter of support from DRFN (Gobabeb) 4. Letter from your University to confirm your stay 5. Police clearance certificates. 6. Medical certificate - standard form
.MONEY
The Namibian dollar is tied to the South African rand, and both currencies are accepted throughout Namibia. Automatic teller machines are common in most towns, and credit cards are also widely accepted, so there is no need to bring a huge sum of money. At the station, you will need to pay for all costs in cash. The intern fee of N$ 2 500.00 can be paid in Namibian dollars or in US dollars using the most recent exchange rate. BACKGROUND READING If you would like to read up on Gobabeb’s surrounding environment before your arrival, we suggest these books: Ephemeral Rivers and their Catchments (1995) by Jacobson et al. The Namib (2000) by Mary Seely VACCINES Please talk to your doctor about which vaccines are currently recommended for travel in Namibia. Most likely, you’ll need yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis (A and B) vaccines, and a current tetanus booster. Malaria is not a problem around Gobabeb, but if you plan to travel to the north (Angola region, Etosha National Park), talk to a doctor about getting anti-malarial medicine appropriate for that region. YOUR ARRIVAL IN NAMIBIA Unless you are coming from Germany, you will probably fly through South Africa. Some interns choose to spend a few days in South Africa before flying or bussing to Namibia, while others fly straight into Namibia. Interns are responsible for getting to Walvis Bay, where Gobabeb staff will pick them up. There are bus services between Windhoek and Walvis Bay (passing through Swakopmund), the main ones being Welwitschia Shuttle and Intercape Mainliner. Ask about schedules and tickets at your backpackers. On occasion, interns can arrange transport from Windhoek. If you obtained your visa through a consultant, you will have a fax of the visa. While passing through Namibian passport control, be sure to stress that you will be studying. You should get a large square stamp in your passport, and the officer will hand write the details of your visa. The officer will also stamp the visa fax. If you can, try to keep this paper. 3
If you are looking for a place to stay in Windhoek, ―The Cardboard Box Backpackers‖ (+26461-228994; cardboardbox@bigfoot.com; 15 Johann Albrecht St.) is good value, and very near to the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia’s (DRFN) office. Chameleon City Backpackers is also a good choice (+264-61-244347; info@chameleon.com.na; www.chameleonbackpackers.com). If you arrive in Windhoek by air, take a taxi to the hostel, if you arrive by bus, you should be able to arrange a free pick-up by the hostel. While in Windhoek, take a walk down to the DRFN offices (7 Rossini St.) and introduce yourself. If you obtained your visa through a consultant, you may want to meet with your consultant and have them look over your passport to ensure that everything is in order and settle outstanding payments. OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND You’ll do your shopping in the last town you are in before coming to Gobabeb. You should buy enough supplies for 4 weeks, though trips to town occur about once every two weeks. Electricity at Gobabeb is available 24 hours via solar irradiation during the day and from batteries at night. As a result high voltage appliances are not permitted at Gobabeb (toaster, hairdryer, kettle), so no need to bring them! The tap water is potable. Mosquitoes do occur at Gobabeb, however it is not in a malarial zone. At Gobabeb, temperatures can range from mid 40’s to nearly freezing – any time of the year! Bring clothes for all weather, and do not forget sunscreen and a hat. At Gobabeb, we have a VCR and a DVD player, bring movies and you will be a big hit around the station. If you have a driver’s license in your home country, try to get an international drivers license (it’s generally free with an automotive association membership). You probably will not be driving while you are here, but sometimes drivers are needed for emergencies, etc. Your home country license will be valid in Namibia for three months.
Drafted August 2005 Updated July 2009
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