Our last day started out similar to all the other days, but
something felt different. The kids all knew we were leaving, and it was sad to
think that in about five hours we’d be saying goodbye to the kids with whom
we’ve made such strong bonds. We were going to see Class VI and VII later at
the dance, but we still had to say goodbye to everyone else at one.
When lunchtime
finally did come around, everyone was hugging and getting goodbye notes; you
could feel the love in the air. I had to say goodbye to Class I, which was
really hard. It was the first class and first students I ever connected with. I
got a note from one of the little girls who spelt my name “Eijei”, and it had a
little picture with it. Receiving these notes makes you feel special and like
everything you have done and the connection you created was worth it. I told
them all goodbye and that I loved them so much, but that I would never forget
them. We got in the car, unrolled the windows, and waved goodbye to all the
smiling faces.
After leaving
LOAMO, we went back to the guesthouse to prepare for the dance. We had to cut
fruit, make bread, and decorate cupcakes while the five other students went to
Massai Camp to set up. The dance started at 4:30 and the prep-group arrived at
3:00. On the wall, we spelt out the word “LOVE” in huge lettering made with cut
out hearts that had each of the kids’ names on them. We had pizza, peanuts,
popcorn, oranges, fruit salad, and fairy bread. We wanted the kids to be
stuffed full when they left. The only thing we needed were the kids.
When they
arrived, they all got out of the buses with new outfits on and the school
uniforms gone. The girls had dresses on and the boys had on nice button-ups and
new shoes. It was absolutely adorable. Everyone went inside and, after about
five minutes of talking, the dancing began. The way they can dance so naturally
and effortlessly yet make it look so good made us mazungus look awful. But, I
have never had more fun at a dance than with all of them. It was hot and
everyone was sweating like crazy, but no one cared. Everyone was laughing and
smiling and dancing, and it made me so happy to see every single one of the
kids laughing and dancing their hearts out.
When 6:30
rolled around we all went outside. Nicodemus, the headmaster, gave a small
speech before introducing the manager/founder, Loserian. He gave a speech on
how thankful he was and then afterwards, he had all ten volunteer students line
up. Ten students from LOAMO came up and each one presented us with two flowers
and a bracelet. Their generosity is so inspiring. They make little to no money,
and yet they take the time to get us ten bracelets and twenty roses. After, Teacher
Lillian came up and led everyone in a short prayer for thanks and safe travels
to us all. When the prayer came to end, Lillian pulled me aside and thanked me
for a letter I had given her earlier. As I hugged her, she started to cry in my
arms and told me she would pray to God that someday we would meet again. She is
an inspiring woman and I will be praying that we can meet again, too. The
goodbyes with the kids started and I instantly felt an aching in my heart that
felt familiar to something I have only felt two other times in my life –
leaving Nicaragua and Cambodia. To have one of my favorite girls come and hug
me and cry while I held her in my arms was absolutely heartbreaking. Holding
their hands while the buses pulled away and hearing them yell my name and say
goodbye was hands down one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. You see them
go and you feel a piece of yourself going with them.
My
experience here in Tanzania was absolutely incredible. We came to teach, but I
learned so much more than I could’ve ever taught. LOAMO school and every staff
member and student will always be in my heart, and always be apart of me. They
taught me to be kinder, more generous, open, and caring, but most importantly
they taught me to love one another unconditionally, and for that I am forever
grateful.
No comments:
Post a Comment