Last days- 7/23, 7/24

              Yesterday was our last day teaching at LOAMO. We will still be going to the school on Thursday and Friday, but because they are doing exams, we can’t teach. It’s sad to think about leaving so soon, but I know that what we’ve done won’t be forgotten.

               I was talking with a group of my girls from Class VII and they were asking me tons of questions about my life, my family, and America. They wanted to know so much and I had so much fun answering their questions and talking with them. I really connected with them and we were all laughing and joking around. Then, someone asked when we were leaving. I told them we were leaving on Sunday, but that Friday would be the last day I’d see them. Their faces all turned from big smiles to frowns and disappointment, and they told me that they would miss me so much and to never forget them. In an effort to lift their spirits, I quickly responded that another group would be coming on Tuesday. One of the girls I am closest with looked at me and said, “It won’t be the same, though.” This really hit home for me because I have always been on the first trip in Cambodia and Nicaragua, so I’ve had the excuse “another group is coming” to try and ease the pain for them. But, after hearing that from her, it hit me that each thing we do is individual, and no other person can have the exact same impact. What this group has done here can’t be compared to what the next group will do.

            I’ve never been good at goodbyes and each time hurts. You’d think that going on two previous trips, I would’ve learned some trick to handle goodbyes, but it never gets easier. Each place I go, I leave a piece of myself behind. The connections you make are irreplaceable and some of the strongest I’ve ever made.
            Today, we arrived at LOAMO just before the first van of kids arrived and I saw one of my favorite teachers from Class 1, Madame Lillian. I told her how much I missed her class and her in particular. She was so kind to me and always welcomed me to teach and help her. She opened not only her classroom to me but also her heart. She said that she would miss me very much when we left. But then, she started to tell me how much she and the whole staff appreciated what we were doing. She said that the school had never had people as kind and helpful as us come to help the school. She said we had inspired the whole school and that we would always be welcomed back as family. She gave me a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek and asked for my contact information so we could keep in touch. Each day I am more and more surprised at just how amazing the teachers and students at LOAMO are. It was a true honor to work here. I think we all ended up learning more than we could’ve ever taught them.