Leaving Satiri

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I spent my last few days in the village wandering to my favorite places, saying goodbye, and handing out gifts. People loved the soaps, lotions, and flashlights from the US (thanks, mom!) as well as all of the little things from my house that won’t be making the trip home. The village fonctionnaires gave me lots of nice souvenir fabric and the villagers presented me with gifts, too: mountains of peanuts, mangoes, guinea fowl eggs, a really nice carved wooden stool. They showered me with benedictions and well wishes for my family, friends, and all of the American people.

I took final trips to the school, the health center, local restaurants, friends’ houses, and the clandestine women’s dolo cabaret. I spent some time just hanging out with my neighbors in the courtyard. My colleagues from school arranged some time to hang out at the local buvette. I took pictures and exchanged contact information with friends. I needed to say goodbye and thank-you to a lot of people. I tried to start listing their names and some info about them here, but honestly there were too many people and I really couldn’t explain all of the ways they’ve supported me.

I was touched by all the praise I received. People made it clear that they really understood and appreciated that I was working for them for free and that I’d left my family and my country to help them out. Some students even complimented my teaching, which I really appreciate. One student, who has come to my house regularly for tutoring all year, said, “How do you know math and science so well? You explain things better than the other teachers. There were things that I tried and tried to study and couldn’t understand, but after I came and did exercises with you I understood - and I still remember.” Ok so now I’m bragging a little, but hearing this made me happy.

My final morning as I packed up the last of my things I had lots of visitors, especially students, which made me happy.

Best of luck to my students, my colleagues, my friends in the future! I’m really going to miss everyone.

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