Molly's Farewell

(This entry was written by Molly)

We spent my last full day in Tanzania walking around, trying to visit as many families as possible. The past few weeks (I know, it’s been awhile since I last wrote…) have flown by for me, and it feels like we suddenly reached this arbitrary stopping point… hello again, I’m leaving, goodbye. Everyone asks when I’m coming back, and I tell them honestly, “as soon as I am able.”

While I have loved getting to know all of these caregivers, children and their families—and I will miss them all—there are certainly some that were harder to say goodbye to than others. I don’t think most of the kids even realized that I’m leaving, and they were probably confused as to why we were making such a big deal about leaving for the evening. We’ve settled down and become a part of the community, and kids habitually wander over after school, asking for paper and markers to draw, jumping on us, searching the office for our soccer ball. After spending a few minutes telling a group of kids how much I’ll miss them, how sorry I am to go… one of looked up and smiled, then ran away, calling back, “See you tomorrow!” I think it’s better that way, without a difficult goodbye, but I just hope that when they realize I’m gone, they don’t feel abandoned. .

As we left the office for the last time yesterday, I got the cutest sendoff possible. There at the front of a group of kids was Bahati, blowing kisses (her latest trick) and waving, leading the kids in a chorus of goodbyes.

Before heading home, Gina and I stopped for our last bottle of Coca-Cola at Justas’ house. I sat in the same place, drinking the same beverage as I had my first afternoon in Majengo, remarking on how much my impression of Majengo has changed between then and now, and how different a place can look and feel when you know and love the people there.

There’s only a few days before Gina leaves here, too. The Majengo community slowly watched our group of wazungu (white people) grow and shrink—first there was me, walking alone down the streets of Majengo, hoping I would remember the way to the KAFAO office. Then it was Gina and I, every morning and afternoon, getting to know each other, joking, sometimes accompanied by Luka. Then Kristie joined us (and we usually rode past in a taxi), and then Neal came. And then the goodbyes began… Neal left, and soon after, Kristie was gone too. And now I’m leaving, and Gina will be taking that solitary walk through Majengo twice a day (although I’m pretty sure she’d have to try to get lost, now). And soon, the scene of this whole eventful summer will be thousands of miles away from us…

… But, as I reminded everyone I said goodbye to yesterday, “siyo kwa heri” (this is not goodbye). I can’t wait to start the email exchanges, and to hear all the exciting news coming out of Majengo, as the furniture arrives, the computers are installed, the classes begin, the child-sponsoring commences, and and new center opens as the new year begins.