“Somewhere in my wicked childhood, I must have done something right.” – Sound of Music
My last week in my community has been very busy, and filled with so much love. On Monday, Janelle and I were invited to my student, Monica’s, house where we had wonderful conversation, a delicious meal and Monica and Mukama (my other student) gave me very thoughtful gifts to say goodbye and thank you. After Monica’s, Janelle and I drove over to Mama Kidumu’s house where we were treated to another delicious meal (with fanta!) and mama Kidu’s overwhelming hospitality and love. We got to spend some time with her children, Eveline and Kidumu, and just hang out. Monday was a wonderful day.
My last week in my community has been very busy, and filled with so much love. On Monday, Janelle and I were invited to my student, Monica’s, house where we had wonderful conversation, a delicious meal and Monica and Mukama (my other student) gave me very thoughtful gifts to say goodbye and thank you. After Monica’s, Janelle and I drove over to Mama Kidumu’s house where we were treated to another delicious meal (with fanta!) and mama Kidu’s overwhelming hospitality and love. We got to spend some time with her children, Eveline and Kidumu, and just hang out. Monday was a wonderful day.
On Thursday, Mama Davis invited me over for a little birthday/going away party. She read me the most beautiful and heart-filled speech that made me never want to leave Rwanda. They brought out a cake they knew I liked and Mama Davis showered me with presents for me and my family. Their thoughtfulness truly humbles me.
On Friday, after choir rehearsal, I was told that they were going to do a skit, but they needed to blindfold me for a second. Strange, but okay. I was blindfolded and told to dance around to the music and then when they took it off, the choir was crowded in front of me with cameras and on the table was a birthday/ going away cake. I was presented with a (DOPE) tshirt with the choir’s name, Tuyishime, on it and some baskets that were a gift from the Kigali Parish.
On Saturday was the birthday party that Mama and Papa Barn threw me. Surrounded by so many friends and family, we shared a feast and my favorite cake. Papa Barn talked about how much they were going to miss me so much, but especially him (you should have seen Mama Barn’s face when he said this, it was amazing) because most days I was the only one to eat with him, and now he was going to have to eat by himself.
Sunday brought with it my actual birthday. A time-honored tradition here is that the birthday person gets water thrown on them – something Barnabas has been looking forward to with glee for as long as he’s known when my birthday is, HOWEVER I left the house before he could (only to have Janelle get me after dinner). I said my goodbyes to my incredible family and reunited with my cohort.
Hands-down the best birthday week a girl could ever ask for. This entire week I have been so overwhelmed with the love and support from my friends and family and I honestly don’t know what I did to deserve any of it. I am so humbled, and so so grateful that I have all of these amazing people on my side and in my life. Doing YAGM, being in Kigali, has been the most rewarding, exciting, exhausting, and life-affirming things I have ever done. I hope everyone has the opportunity to feel this kind of community, acceptance, and love throughout their lives.