The beginning of the end...

I have always known that goodbyes were hard, but I never thought they would be this hard. Yesterday marked the first day of saying goodbyes. We had our last day at the primary and tech school, which started the long goodbyes. 

Friday morning, we made a brief pitstop at the kindergarten school to say hello, and once again, we were greeted with some of the warmest smiles and laughs. We had just stopped by to drop off some photos, but the teacher insisted that we stayed and taught her class a song. After her class sang 2 songs to us, we then shared our song with them. It was fun to have such an impromptu teaching opportunity thrown at us, and the smiles of the children really warmed my heart.

After our brief kindergarten visit, it was time to head down to the primary school for our last day. We first met with the teachers of the school while the students had their short recess break. When we met with the teachers, they expressed how grateful they were for the time we had spent with them. Although we primarily worked with the children, the teachers said they learned so much from us. They appreciated the ideas we brought, but also enjoyed being able to listen to a "native" English speaker. Many begged us to come back, and for a very brief moment, all I could think about was never coming back to the United States and staying in Rwanda to teach forever. These teachers opened their classrooms to us, and gave us total control of their students. They trusted us, even when we had just met them. One teacher said that we have given them so much, but I can assure you that we received so much more than any of them could imagine.

This is my favorite teacher. She is one of the Primary 5 teachers, and her class was my absolute favorite!

We were able to take some photos, but then it was time to get back to class. This Friday, I was able to teach in all 3 of the Primary Grade 6 classes, and had such a blast. In my first class we made a paper chain for art, with each student writing or drawing what was important to them, and it was incredible to watch them work together to create the final chain. Each piece was individually beautiful, and the final result was astonishing. This made me really think about us as humans. We are all so beautifully individual with our own talents, gifts, and so much more. We can do great things, but when all of us come together, the final product is bigger and better than we ever could have imagined. 

In the next class, we did the life journey project once again. Again, I was so happy to see the events that students had added to their own personal life journey. Since these students were a bit older, I could tell that they had some extra experience to add, and was able to have some rally great conversations with them. My heart almost broke when one of the students randomly walked up to me while we were all working, and clung to me so tightly. She told me that she wished I would just stay forever. In all the power I had, I remained in a non-crying state, and realized that these goodbyes were going to be the hardest ones I have ever encountered. I have had to say many goodbyes, but these ones are different. It is hard to say goodbye because I know there is a chance that I might not be able to return. And if I do return one day, it won't be very soon. It is hard to say goodbye to these people who have given me so much insight into life and love and happiness and thankfulness, and I can tell that my the end of my last few days, I will have cried more than I ever have. 

Chatting it up about our families and life events :)

Me with the P6 B class!

We also taught computers, and did a fun lesson on writing acrostic poems about Rwanda. It was really fun to watch the kids work, and boy… they were very creative. During the lesson, I even had a visit from one of my favorite kindergartners.

Honestly.... what a cutie!

 Once our final lesson was done, it was time to walk home, and I made sure to have my last walk home with my favorite student here, Angal. Angal and I have walked home together every day while I have been here. She is a 2nd grade student, and has a passion for singing, smiling, and playing with her brothers and sisters at the orphanage. She gives the best hugs, and has a steel trap memory. She can remember everything I tell her! Angal promised that she would never forget me, and I made her a bracelet so she would have a little piece of me to hold on to. We had probably the longest hug goodbye ever, and as she walked away, I knew that she would always hold a place very close to my heart. She literally is my little "angel" who will always be with me. 

Me and Angal

Once we were done with the primary school, it was time to head to the tech school. We have had the honor of spending 3 hours with these students 4-5 days a week, and I have really learned so much from them. They are all high school aged, but have so much more knowledge, wisdom, and insight than any high school student I have ever met. Through debating, chatting, singing, and taking photos with them, I have created some amazing life long friendships. They have really shown me what it is like to be a young adult in Rwanda, and it has been so much fun to be with them. Our day was really spent relaxing and hanging out. One of the students wrote us a song, saying how much he has appreciated our presence, and wishing us blessings as we soon depart. Today we bent the rules and ended up staying about an hour past the time we usually leave, and goodbyes lasted for about 10 full minutes. As tears started to fall, and hugs were exchanged, I was also hopeful. These students are all going to make huge differences in this world, and I am so excited to see how they will continue to grow and prosper. Thankfully, they all have Facebook, so we will be able to stay in touch via the internet! 

Erica and I with some of our tech school friends

This is Joha. She and I really bonded at the tech school.

While at the tech school, we were all interviewed by a man making a documentary about SOS. he asked us about our emotions prior to coming to Rwanda, but also how we felt at the end, and what we have learned from this experience. His final question was, "What would you say to your pre-trip self if you had the chance?" I never had really though about this, and all that really could come out was, "Be ready to have your life changed and to always yearn for and love Rwanda."

Now thinking back to this, even though it was less than a day ago, it is true. Rwanda has changed me, and there is a huge part of my heart that has Rwanda stamped all over it. As the next days happen, and as goodbyes continue, I will remember that Rwanda has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, and I can't wait to share this experience with others, and hopefully return here someday.

With my love,

Leah

Our last walk home. What a fun group of kiddos!