Leaving The Children

It has been a very emotional and mixed week for me here. There is a slow detachment process every volunteer experiences and I am spending more time thinking about home, even the April schedule at Valley Vet. I have finished a few last minute projects with Sr. Victoria including wrapping up all the vet matters and treating cows, chickens and dogs. I have written reports and recommendations ! The last preschool has passed and I survived ! On Tuesday night I was given a beautiful send off, as many of the orphans left Wednesday and Thurday to spend Easter with relatives. They sang and danced for me for over an hour, with the songs bestowing blessings and good wishes for happiness in Sesotho. There were several poems, and after I am home, I will try to place a few passages on the last "safe home" blog entry. I cannot describe the music and harmony created by the children or their dance talent. Once again, I sat transfixed and couldn't believe the privilege of their love and attention. I have presented each with a photo, the dearest thing to them, and also tonight will cook a Canadian meal for them. Michelle, the other HL volunteer who is visiting and will send me off tomorrow, will help me create pasta and bread, chocolate cake and ice cream, for 40. Tomorrow I will spend time coloring with the little ones as the adults and teens will be at church, as well as handwashing sheets and tidying the rondavel. It has been a very comfortable home.

The emotions come and go. There are favorite beloved children I try not to overtly show more affection for that, indeed, I wish I could bring home. I steal a chance to hug them but do not obsess. I hate the thought of leaving them and will for a long time think of them and what they are doing every moment of the day.It might be more accurate to say, I hate the thought of another person leaving them. Sr. Victoria is a friend and a very special person who enriched my experience here immensely, we laughed continuously. I am now completely comfortable with the transport and market journey once a week and people recognize me. Think I could work here a year there is so much to be done at the orphange, I have really just started to help significantly. Thankfully this week we have secured two Basotho volunteers who will share the computer and homework tutoring, so I know all will be good in the near future. My overwhelming impression is that the kids are amazing in more ways than I can say, including being generous, happy, playful, athletic, musical, surprisingly secure at the Centre and a pleasure to know. I told them, in a 5 minute translated farewell, that I feel their primary responsibililty is to stay healthy and wished them all happiness and faithfulness with one spouse, and the good health to raise their own children.I tried to say that good health is our greatest possession, and hope a few remember that advice and protect it.

So now, it is off to prepare the food and for my 2 day journey. But I get one more pass through the amazing African market first.
See you all in Canada