A NGO kind of day

Today was full of adventure. We met our awesome guide for our NGO visits at 9 a.m. We decided that we were going to take public transportation instead of calling a taxi. I have written about public transportation before, and since then, things haven't really changed. Traffic is crazy, fast, busy, and hot, but the change this time around is that I am actually starting to enjoy it. My first few rides I would grip to my seat and pray that we wouldn't hit the person running through the traffic or the motorcycle making a quick pass around us. Now, I can take it in, and I actually really enjoy it. I even sat in the front seat, a challenge I NEVER thought I would take. 

After multiple bus changes and a decent walk, we reached our first NGO. At this NGO there are women who are amazing seamstresses who make headbands, purses, aprons, table runners, hats, etc. Their work was beautiful, and the fabrics are varied with different patterns and colors. The women were all so kind, and so willing to show us their work, but also to smile at us, laugh with us, and even to sit through 2 minutes of group picture taking. The women next to me hugged me tight, said she was blessed to meet me, and welcomed me back whenever I like. Even though we were with them for a short time, they brightened my day, and made me wish that I could spend a lifetime getting to know them and learning from them.

Some of the ladies :)

We then took a quick break, and headed on our way to our second NGO. At this NGO, there is a group of men who make products out of cow horn. I was stunned to see the beauty of craftsmanship, but also the connection they all have with each other. This group was created by bringing street boys together to focus on a craft skill. It was clear, even though I couldn't always understand what they were saying, that they were a close-knit group of individuals. Although most of their inventory was currently not at the site, they shared their work with us, and invited us back next Tuesday to see the whole cow horn process take place. We are still deciding if we can, and I really hope we will be able to! 

Unfortunately, our time at the NGOs took a bit longer than expected, so we were not able to visit the primary school today. I won't lie, I loved the NGOs, but I really did miss hanging out with the kiddos. Even more than teaching, I missed the walk back from school, when I have 2 girls who always take me by the hand, ask me questions, and share about their day. I felt slightly incomplete without them today, andI felt like there might be a small sadness that would follow me for part of the day. We had lunch quickly, and then it was time to head back to my room before leaving for the tech school. As I was walking, I heard a voice yelling, "Teacher Leah! Teacher Leah!" When I turned around, low and behold, one of my little girls that I walk with started sprinting up the hill to me. Automatically a smile came across my face and I started to walk to meet her. She continued running and running, until finally she collided into me with the biggest bear hug I have ever experienced. She said, "Teacher Leah, I missed you today! I am so happy to see you now. How are you today?"

Wow… honestly. Wow. I am in love with the children here. Beyond in love actually. This little girl's love and enthusiasm for her friendship with me blew me away, ad still continues to. I am really starting to worry about how much I will end up missing every little smile, every little hug, every little "I am fine", and every little laugh that I hear from so many children every day. 

I have been so blessed to work with all of them, and I am pretty positive that I will miss them every day for the rest of my life. They have taught me so much as well. They have taught me love, kindness, faithfulness, and thankfulness. Even though I am there teaching them something every week day, I think I am learning more than I every thought I would. Through this teaching, I can tell that there is a transformation happening. I can't wait to see what the next 21 days will bring. 

With my love, 

Leah