Last Day of School Blues

Today was sadly my last day of school.  There was a bit of confusion at the school the last couple days in regards to when they had school and when they had exams, so I didn’t really find out until today that it was my last day.  I am really going to miss my students, and I could cry thinking about it right now.  I’m glad I stayed later yesterday to play with them outside after school! I’m also glad I brought my camera today and had a friend take ‘paparazzi’ shots of me with my students! I know you aren’t supposed to pick favorites, but I may have stretched the rules this trip haha.  Anyways it was so sad saying goodbye, but even sadder because my little students could hardly understand that I am not going to be back to school.  Also, yesterday I received a note in broken English from one of the lunch ladies.  It was sweet and she thanked me for being at the school, and she also asked that I remember her and her family and help her so she can send her sons to school.  I wish there were something I could do to help.  Then, to make the situation more awkward, she gave me a kanga today at school as a gift.  A kanga is a beautiful piece of fabric that all the women here wear.  I felt so guilty because I had nothing for her and she was so nice to me.  Also, a group of teachers that worked with my friends and I over the last couple weeks ran out to buy us gifts when they realized today was our last day.  They bought us all cute Tanzania t-shirts…too bad they must be youth sizes...something is being re-gifted ;)

       After school we were in a rush and were delayed by waiting for our shirts; however, one of our teachers helped us out by getting us a ‘taxi’ outside of the school and negotiating a reasonable price.   I say ‘taxi’ because I am fairly certain this was simply a friend of the teacher and not truly a taxi, but either way he got us home safely and quickly!  Then we got our things together and headed to the United Nations building to see some of the Rwanda Tribunals.  The court case we watched was a trial for one of the Generals in the Army at the time.  There was not a whole lot going on while we were there, mostly background information on his role in the Army, but it was interesting nonetheless.  We then watched a documentary about Rwanda and the process of getting the tribunals started.  We finished our time by talking with one of the men that work for the UN and he answered any questions we had.  It was a long but very informative afternoon, and it is mindboggling to me that nearly 14 years after the Rwanda genocide there are still trials.  Although, I do think it is great that they are still convicting people and working to get justice from that horrific event.  They are still working to find some people that contributed to the events, but they have made tremendous progress.

       I cannot believe my trip is nearly over, particularly my time in Arusha! I am not ready to leave all the friendly faces, especially my students and the amazing staff at the Outpost. On Monday we leave for Dar Salam for the week and I only have one more night in Arusha when I get back.  My time here is wonderful and I have seen and done so much, but I wish I could do more!