A Day in the Life

Every day here is very different. Each day presents its challenges and its own rewards. Thursday was a day filled with more rewards than challenges.

     As on most Thursdays, I went with Senior 5 students to participate in Tikkun Olam. Running late and without a bus, we used the pick up truck to get to Byinza Primary School. Twenty students hopped into the bed of the truck and off we went down the uneven dirt path (typical mode of transportation). Students loved the thrill.

     While there I assisted students in teaching English. The students from ASYV never cease to impress me in their ability to successfully conduct a class. In one of the classes, an ASYV student and I began talking. We spoke about her past, her struggles and her plans for the future. Naturally the conversation moved to one about the beauty of my hips (a hot topic) and the need for me to fall in love and marry. The conversation was filled with laughs and cute moments. Definitely left me feeling great afterwards.

Patrick

     As soon as I returned to the Village, I took a cold shower (they make you feel cleaner afterwards) and then prepared my dinner, a delicious salad. Once I was finished, Patrick came to visit me. Instead of shaking my hand (a typical Rwandan greeting), Patrick gave me a big hug. We had a great conversation about his vacation, his dreams to create summer school in Rwanda and the notion of forgiveness in Rwanda. We always have deep and meaningful conversations. Ones that discuss challenging topics, but still rewarding to discuss.

     My conversation with Patrick was cut short since he needed to go to dinner. Once he left I spoke on the phone with Mara, one of my supervisors. I updated her about the various projects that I am working on and my feelings toward completing my service. It was a reflective conversation that left me feeling confident in the work that I am doing here.

Jeanne

     Without a minute to waste, I left my house to attend Family Time, a nightly meeting with my family (16 girls, big sister and Mama). As soon as I arrived I sat on the floor. Immediately Christine (one of my translators) and Celine sat down next to me. Gemima sat in my lap. Immediately I felt surrounded by love. Before I knew it, I was being given a Kinyarwanda lecture on numbers. Celine and Jeanne, two girls who rarely speak up since they are not confident with their English, starting quizzing me on my Kinyarwanda. Quickly, the whole room became entranced. Many of the girls were congratulating me on my perfect pronunciation and memorization. Christine asked me if there were any important words that I wanted to learn. I told her that I knew the word “Amahoro” which means “Peace” and that it is an important word. Immediately Mama Mary started smiling. She told the whole family that it is incredible that even though I don’t know much Kinyarwanda, I know one of the most important words. She was so proud of me for knowing this word.

     Content with making the girls smile and happy, I sat back and relaxed while Mama spoke and Christine translated. Once Mama officially began Family Time, Celine grabbed my hand to hold it. Never sharing this moment before, I knew that through learning Kinyarwanda, we were able to connect. As soon as she grabbed my hand, a smile appeared on my face. I knew that I had finally figured out how to connect to her and Jeanne. Throughout the rest of Family Time, Jeanne and Gemima were entertaining themselves by playing with my hands. 

Gemima and I on my birthday.

Celine with local Rwandan kids at Lake Mugesera.

Christine and I on my birthday.

All in all, a really successful day. Days like this, the conversations, the hugs, the hand holds and the Kinyarwanda lessons, remind me of why I’m here.