Farewell Rwanda

Today, Tuesday you can find me sitting at the hotel restaurant waiting for 5pm to arrive.  I've been alone in Rwanda now for two days and although the social activities have powered down, I'm quite enjoying the peacefulness.  It's almost like I'm here on vacation.

I left you last week with a brief update on my first interactions with Anna.  First thing, her name is Anne.  In Kinyarwanda the 'e' sounds like an 'a'.

Last week's second HS camp was a great success.  For the most part we were very organized and the kids had a blast!  Not only did I feel as if I was building a stronger relationship with Anne, but I felt the connection between all of the children and myself more deeply.  I was secretly dreading Friday as I knew the goodbyes would be difficult, but alas all good things must come to an end.

I emotionally held myself together on Friday until Sophia found me.  Sophia was in my volunteer group last year and was 3 with a really snotty nose.  Now, as a big 4 year old (and still with a snotty nose), she found me all throughout the week and persisted that I hold her hand.  Sophia is really quite special as she has mastered the art of sharing.  Sharing is hard for any 4 year old, but especially when you're in an orphanage of 100 children.  Never-the-less, she loves to share anything she has.  As I type this I have a bracelet of hers on.

During the awards and certificate ceremony, Sophia sat on my lap.  As I was watching I noticed that Sophia took my camera out of my hands, placed it in her lap, and wrapped her small hand around my thumb.

So I melted...  I wiped the tears away and contented to watch the ceremony.

At the end of the day all of the kids were waiting for us to get in the cars to send us off.  Anne stood right beside the car I was to get in.

Finally the time came and I whispered in Anne's ear, "I have to go."  Right then a huge heave took over her small body and tears began to well up in her eyes.  She turned from me so I wouldn't see, but I persisted in giving her all of the love I could in the next 30 seconds.  Together we cried with only about 40 children spectators wondering what was going on.

As I got in the car, she kept her eyes on me the entire time.  Soon enough, Sophia's eyes peaked into the window as she tried to give me her toy ball, but I just didn't have the heart to accept that as a gift.  I knew she would want that later.

In the car, squeezed between two other volunteers, I cried as quietly as possible.  Ripping the band-aide always hurts.

I don't know what this next year will bring, if I'll be able to return for camps, or what else might  pose as a difficulty for another return to Africa.  What I do know is that I can hit the ground running this year and really help Hope Shines as much as I can from the United States.

These kids are so special, Rwanda is so special, Hope Shines is so special.  To me at least...  Anyone that can't see that needs to really take a moment to re-evaluate their life perspective.

I can only have faith that all of these kids will have good health, good educations, and as much spirit as possible.

I may only be able to make a difference in one child's life, but imagine if we had enough volunteers to connect to every child?  It would be amazing.

In 2 hours I will be on my way to the airport wondering how 30 days has passed so quickly.

I know that the blogs this year have been a little few and far between, but if you have any questions, want more pictures than the ones I have posted on the blog, want to learn more about Hope Shines, etc.  Please feel free to contact me at: 540-292-3262 or email me at: chelseamassey@gmail.com

See you in 35 hours back on U.S. soil.

With Care,
Chelsea

A Connection Made

On Monday, the first day of camp, we had a bit of issue with transportation and we had to make two trips back and forth from the hotel to the orphanage.  I was in the second car and an hour and a half later than the other group we pulled up to the orphanage.  As I stepped out of the car I heard my name called and I turned around.  It was Anna.  


Last Wednesday when I saw her I wasn't sure if she was excited to see me, but after I saw the relief in her face I knew she was happy I have returned.  I think she started to worry since 10 volunteers/translators showed up and I wasn't there.


She's still holding her big girl status and not holding my hand, but I'm ok with that.
On Tuesday, towards the end of the day, I walked out of the mess hall and she came out and said, " Chelsea!  Come dance!"  I smiled and she met up with me and we walked over to sports to watch the boys playing.  Anna is in P1 so her English is pretty much non-existent, so I really appreciated the effort to communicate.

As we were standing there and I was working on getting a group of girls to come dance with the music, Anna leaned over to me and said, "Chelsea."  I responded, "What?"  She smiled and said, "I know you."  I gave her a tight squeeze and said, "I told you I'd come back."  I don't know if she understood, but I think she did.


We'll see what Wednesday brings...