I have written this blog entry many times and cannot finish it without crying. I have less than 3 days left and I find myself anxious to get home and see my family and friends and sad that I have to say goodbye to people that I have fallen in love with. The saying goodbye takes on a new dimension because I know that most of these amazing human beings I will never see again in my life-time. How does one say goodbye then with that knowledge? The Tanzanians deal with it with a sense of calm and peace and they say, “God Willing Mama Kel we will see each other again.” Myself, I cry uncontrollably. 
I think of:
Sarafina, who lost her father to AIDS and whose mother is sick with the virus. She wants to finish her education, but knows that it may be cut short because she may have to take care of her younger siblings if her mother gets too sick or succumbs to the disease.
Gloya, (who cooked for me regularly) who is raising his three children on his own and has to choose between leaving them for great lengths of time to finish his education or stay with them and not improve his standard to living.
Elesante, who also want to continue his education, but his family can’t afford it.
Marcelin, who watched his father killed by the Hutu at age 8 and later came to Tanzania to go to university not speaking any Swahili nor knowing where to study n order to improve his families (mother and two sisters) life back in Rwanda when he finishes his studies.
Josiah, (my co-teacher, whose sarcastic wit kept me laughing all day.) from Kenya and is working on becoming a minister. He wants to return to his wife and child and spread the word (along with his humor) to others.
These are common stories not exceptions.
I think of all of the children that I met many of them with former presidents names like; Nixon, Regan, Kennedy, Carter, Clinton, Johnson and Lincoln.
I think of all the Tanzanians that I have met some that are HIV positive, that live daily with the threat of typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis, and the Nairobi fly, and yet giggle at the simplest things and love to hug and be hugged.
I think of the laughing and singing everywhere on the mountain. I think of the Vistas, which are breathtaking and the walks through the jungle. I think of all the animals and how fragile life is for all of them.
I will miss the greetings and the hand holding. The appreciation and laughs at my attempts at Swahili (the little kids were the best teachers) and the gentle corrections.
I will miss the patience of the people.
I will miss the hospitality of strangers who have become family. I will hearing, “Hi Teacher.”, “Hello Kitchenee Mama.”, “Madame Kel, how did you sleep.”
I have given away all my leftover food, my raincoat and umbrella. I shared my toiletries with the girls (they are very curious about the deodorant and the crème rinse) My tennis shoes and flip-flops went to kids that had none and my first aid kit went to Rosemary (Queen LaTifa of Meru Peak Schools)
My socks were coveted and I had to give these away in secret for I did not have enough for everyone.
My days move quickly now that it is almost over and my feelings remain mixed. I want to get home badly, but there is so much work to be done here.
Every hug brings tears to my eyes. I say goodbye to my students and sing Skid-a-ma-Rink with them one last time.
Saying goodbye to Headmaster Joseph was especially hard. He is 68 (well above the 55 life-expectancy) and we both new the odds of ever meeting again were slim. He is a very formal man and to receive a hug from him was one of the best gifts of all.
UAACC through me a party, complete with drums, dancing and a cake. It was awesome. After the party Marcelin escorted me back up the mountain for one last tour. He wanted to stop at his church to say a prayer for me. His prayer was in the form of a song on the piano. (He plays by ear) It was beautiful. I cried the whole time. He also sang me a song in his native Rwandan. I have never been so touched.
We then walked back to UAACC where he and my co-teacher Josiah (along with a driver) took me to the airport. We all hugged and cried, including the driver, one last time and I walked inside.
Tanzania and the wonderful people of East Africa are now part of my soul and I am a better person for it. I have become part Tanzanian and am proud.
God willing I will meet my friends again.
I think of:
Sarafina, who lost her father to AIDS and whose mother is sick with the virus. She wants to finish her education, but knows that it may be cut short because she may have to take care of her younger siblings if her mother gets too sick or succumbs to the disease.
Gloya, (who cooked for me regularly) who is raising his three children on his own and has to choose between leaving them for great lengths of time to finish his education or stay with them and not improve his standard to living.
Elesante, who also want to continue his education, but his family can’t afford it.
Marcelin, who watched his father killed by the Hutu at age 8 and later came to Tanzania to go to university not speaking any Swahili nor knowing where to study n order to improve his families (mother and two sisters) life back in Rwanda when he finishes his studies.
Josiah, (my co-teacher, whose sarcastic wit kept me laughing all day.) from Kenya and is working on becoming a minister. He wants to return to his wife and child and spread the word (along with his humor) to others.
These are common stories not exceptions.
I think of all of the children that I met many of them with former presidents names like; Nixon, Regan, Kennedy, Carter, Clinton, Johnson and Lincoln.
I think of all the Tanzanians that I have met some that are HIV positive, that live daily with the threat of typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis, and the Nairobi fly, and yet giggle at the simplest things and love to hug and be hugged.
I think of the laughing and singing everywhere on the mountain. I think of the Vistas, which are breathtaking and the walks through the jungle. I think of all the animals and how fragile life is for all of them.
I will miss the greetings and the hand holding. The appreciation and laughs at my attempts at Swahili (the little kids were the best teachers) and the gentle corrections.
I will miss the patience of the people.
I will miss the hospitality of strangers who have become family. I will hearing, “Hi Teacher.”, “Hello Kitchenee Mama.”, “Madame Kel, how did you sleep.”
I have given away all my leftover food, my raincoat and umbrella. I shared my toiletries with the girls (they are very curious about the deodorant and the crème rinse) My tennis shoes and flip-flops went to kids that had none and my first aid kit went to Rosemary (Queen LaTifa of Meru Peak Schools)
My socks were coveted and I had to give these away in secret for I did not have enough for everyone.
My days move quickly now that it is almost over and my feelings remain mixed. I want to get home badly, but there is so much work to be done here.
Every hug brings tears to my eyes. I say goodbye to my students and sing Skid-a-ma-Rink with them one last time.
Saying goodbye to Headmaster Joseph was especially hard. He is 68 (well above the 55 life-expectancy) and we both new the odds of ever meeting again were slim. He is a very formal man and to receive a hug from him was one of the best gifts of all.
UAACC through me a party, complete with drums, dancing and a cake. It was awesome. After the party Marcelin escorted me back up the mountain for one last tour. He wanted to stop at his church to say a prayer for me. His prayer was in the form of a song on the piano. (He plays by ear) It was beautiful. I cried the whole time. He also sang me a song in his native Rwandan. I have never been so touched.
We then walked back to UAACC where he and my co-teacher Josiah (along with a driver) took me to the airport. We all hugged and cried, including the driver, one last time and I walked inside.
Tanzania and the wonderful people of East Africa are now part of my soul and I am a better person for it. I have become part Tanzanian and am proud.
God willing I will meet my friends again.
2 comments:
Ms. Kitchen! I do hope you remember me, I attended your peace jam sessions!!! I was the cheerleader. You were also my health teacher in eighth grade, but I'm assuming peace jam will ring a louder bell.
I saw Keeton the other day and he sent me your blog website.
THIS IS AMAZING! Was this through a program? Like you, I going into education and doing something like this is my DREAM.
You have an awesome energy, and I know you made such a big difference in their lives. I hope everything is, and stays well. I'll keep reading, I promise!!!
Kelly,
What an amazing adventure you had! It sounds like it affected you deeply...as well as the people you served. Well done! Wendy
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