Last week during the SINAPISI camp, I had a very interesting
little “shadow.” His name was Olivier.
On Sunday, we always have orientation for the camp to
come. We talk about the kids, the
projects, and lessons to be taught.
After, we venture to the location of the camp and meet the kids that are
there.
As we entered the SINAPISI camp, yells of “Hope Shines,”
covered the orphanage and children came running up to our cars. As I got out of the car to greet the
children, I noticed a small hand wrapped around my leg. It was Olivier.
To be honest, I don’t really remember him from last year,
but he is 4 now so I’m sure he was too little to really participate in
camp. The rest of the evening as I
walked around the orphanage, Olivier was glued to me. He didn’t need much, but he was always
connected to me in some fashion.
The unique thing about my new “attachment,” was that he was
expressionless. He would only make eye
contact with me, but in a very meek manner.
Usually any four year old is filled with an insurmountable energy and
barely can manage only to run around with wreck-less abandon for minutes at a
time. Olivier was different.
As I went to leave SINAPISI on Sunday, Olivier did not want
to be separated from me. We had a
connection. Just like I felt with Anne
Marie, we had a deeper connection.
Olivier felt it and so did I. Not because he picked me, but because the
forces of nature pulled us together.
I explained that I would return the next day, but regardless
of my promises, the tears began to flow.
In hysterics, he was swept up by his house-mother as I drove away in one
of our transport cars.
As I was riding away I recapped the day’s visit. I wasn’t sure if Olivier would even remember
me the next day, as he was four. Four
year olds tend to forget very quickly…
More questions poured into my head, “Why won’t he smile?” “Why is he so meek?” “Why me?”
As the week progressed, Olivier continued to be transfixed
by my presence. Eventually I named him,
“The Pink Shadow,” as he was always by my side and on that particular day he
had worn a pink sweater tied around his neck.
Olivier even missed his nap-time to spend time in my group in the
afternoon.
Finally, Thursday was marked a special day to me. I got Olivier to smile! It was small, but it counted as I watched the
small smirk spread across his face. I’m
pretty sure my own face was contorted into some odd expression, but none-the-less,
it worked!
By Friday, Olivier was dancing with me. The name of the game was that I would pick a
dance move and then he would imitate. Of
course, I had to eventually get him to pick the dance moves, but that was by
Friday evening.
As I departed from SINAPISI, I realized that I have yet
another reason to return next year.
I grow sad as I know that I’ll have to wait an entire year
hoping that everything goes well, but that’s part of the risk I guess. The risk is worth the love I feel with these
children, the fun I have with them, and the hope that I can make a difference
in their lives.
On Sunday I returned the SINAPISI camp to finish up medicals
and Olivier found me. As we were waiting
for his turn in line, he showed his full confidence through playing games with
me, giggling, crawling up on my lap to count my jewelry, and much more.
There came a time when he clambered down off of my lap and
ran out of the building. In about 2
minutes he returned with a small yellow heart bead and handed it to me. Touched, I quickly undid my necklace and slid
the bead on the chain. Olivier looked up
at me and once again I watched a huge grin flash across his face.
As I write this, I still have Olivier’s bead on my
necklace. It’s moments like these that
melt my heart and inspire me to return to Rwanda. I can’t wait until I get to see Olivier again
and see if he remembers our connection.
With Care,
Chelsea
Chelsea
