Dirk J van der Merwe

I was born in South Africa. My family moved to Namibia when I was about 15. I dropped out of school after I first failed grade 9, and then grade 11. Not because I was dumb, but because I couldn’t ...показать большеI was born in South Africa. My family moved to Namibia when I was about 15. I dropped out of school after I first failed grade 9, and then grade 11. Not because I was dumb, but because I couldn’t relate to the dumb data that the educational system passed on to me, and then declared me intelligent if I manged to scrape by in an exam. However, that changed when I discovered my passion in life; namely, to make this planet a better place for all. Unfortunately I made the mistake so many ‘driven’ youth make; I believed the means to that end was religion. So I enrolled at a theological college where, after 3 years, I passed with distinction. Two years later I was ordained. Approximately 4 years later my late wife, Elsie, and I, together with with Riana, Zouna and Dirk Junior - our 3 children - emigrated to Canada. In due course we all became naturalized Canadians. About 2 years into our stay I resigned from organized religion - and then recanted the faith for freethinking. I’m neither an atheist nor an agnostic. After Riana’s body died I upgraded my education to become a qualified counselor. I presently live in New Zealand.показать меньше