Family History

Her family comes from a long line of farmers. At the time of the First World War their farms were right on the front lines and had to be evecuated. On their return at the end of the war there was not a single brick left standing on top of each other. With typical Belgian fortitude they rebuilt their lives and became properous again. One section of the family remained in France and became the envy of the locals as their hard working farms prospered.

Bea was born the middle child of five children in Hasselt, Belgium (if you want the date look at her CV), to a prosperous Flemish family. She has two elder brothers, one younger brother and a younger sister.

Her schooling took place in all girl schools where she learnt to speak Dutch, French, German and English, all of which she does very well.

On leaving school she went through six years at the Catholic University Louvain, where she attained a Licentiate ( equivalent to a Masters) in Education. This time was not all hard work and Bea spent a day in a Belgian police cell for student protests.

Bea's first job on leaving University was as a private tutor of two Belgian children in Nepal. Nepal was a wonderful time for Bea, she made many friends and experienced the hospitality of the locals, which has left her with many fond memories. Her ten month sojourn in Nepal ended in a month long over-land trip across India.

Returning to Belgium, Bea began working at the Rehabilitation Centre in Lanaken as a psychological counsellor. This was a difficult, but rewarding job. It was also, at times, frightening, as some patients were so disturbed as to threaten violence. Luckily, Bea escaped unscathed! She also helped plan and run a study planning work camp for school children and worked as school guidance counsellor in Maasmechelen (her home town).

In April 1991, Bea became a United Nations Volunteer Specialist (UNV), and headed for Namibia. She first was posted in one of the most isolated hamlets in Namibia, Aminuis. There she taught Maths among the Herero for ten months before being transferred to Rehoboth, where she taught Maths to the Baster people.

After Kirsten's birth she started a second UN contract. This time she was an advisor for Special Education, and worked with mentally handicapped children and did teacher training.

Brendan was born at the end of the second contract and she set up as a private Education Counsellor.

In June of 1997 the family immigrated to Sydney, Australia. In the first few months Bea organised schools, social contacts and other neccessary settling in details.

Wayne:

Part of Wayne's family is descended from the 1820 settlers. These were mostly British soldiers and their families sent out to farm in South Africa after the end of the Napolenioc wars. They had to live or die in darkest Africa. Many died, but others lived, often with the help of the despised Boers. This makes Wayne a ninth generation African, and Brendan and Kirsten tenth generation.

On the other side is a Welsh missionary from Harlech who arrived in Natal, South Africa in the mid to late 1800s.

Wayne was born on 21 January 1969 in King Williams Town, South Africa. At the age of 18 months his family emigrated to Canada fot two years. His brother was born there, in Wainwright, Alberta.

They returned to South Africa to live in Alice. Alice was the home of Lovedale Mission, where N'Kosi Sikele was first published. At the age of eight they left Alice to go to Llandudno, Wales for a year. Wayne's father was studying at the University of Wales.

They returned to Alice, only to leave again when his family heard that Namibia was to become independent fom South Africa. Another ten years later, and the dream was realised!

At the age of fifteen the family were off again. This time to Edingburgh, Scotland. Dad was studying again. Wayne spent nine months feeling wet and cold!

Back to Windhoek, just in time for Wayne to finish his schooling. He then attended the University of Namibia, in an attempt to aquire a B.Sc in Computer Science. Along the way he spent 7 days in an Apartheid prison cell for protesting the South African occupation of Namibia.

After graduation Wayne began work as an Informix programmer, a line he has kept to since then, as well as dabbling in other lines in his spare time. This includes running a fledgling Web Pagedesign company called Frontline Software.

He first saw Bea on the 13 April 1991, and knew that this must be the one. Some complications later they were married, and now have two great children.

Wayne enjoys squash, dabbling in computers and reading SF/Fantasy books. See our links for more information on this. Wayne is also an extremely amateur poet, and the co-clerk for Namibia Allowed Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.

Kirsten:

born in Windhoek, Namibia on the 12 February, 1994. She has the most beautiful red/blonde hair and blue eyes. The cleverest toddler in the world, she loves books, computers and rabbits! Anyone know of good shareware programs suitable for three year olds, please let us know!(Picture to come) Kirsten has just started at Montessori Pre-School, and loves it tremendously!

Brendan:

born in Windhoek, Namibia on the 24 August 1995. White, white hair and very startling blue eyes. Brendan currently has four teeth, the rest seem to want to wait awhile. He runs around the place giggling madly and calls Wayne "Mama", even though he can say "Dada" when hr really wants something.(Picture to come)

Current:

We are resident in Windhoek, Namibia. Bea runs her own Education Consultancy and Wayne works for Quantum Systems Namibia. We attend the local Windhoek Allowed Meeting of the Quakers, or Religious Society of Friends. Bea has reached level 2 at the Windhoek Toastmasters Club. We have two dogs, Clyde and Kaalo (Kaalo is Nepali for black).

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