A Time of Change

Things are changing in Gatenga.  As with all changes, some bring happiness, others sadness and some just go by without evoking any particular emotion.

The biggest noticeable change has been the season.  The rainy season is over and we have entered the short dry season, which means it is dry and extremely hot.  However, it is not supposed to be the dry season yet, so maybe this will end soon.  Regardless, the change in weather signals that it is time to harvest the corn crop.  This job is particularly satisfying for me, as I put in many hours and days of hard work to plant it.  The simple pleasure of planting a crop and then harvesting it is something I am really learning to enjoy.  The blood of my farming ancestors is strong in my veins!

As I have alluded to (and complained about) in countless blog posts, emails and Skype chats, the students have finally come back to Gatenga!  Classes were supposed to start on Tuesday, they haven’t really gotten around to that yet, but the students are still here!  Their presence changes the attitude of the center and overall makes me a happier person.  They have begun to work with me in the field, I eat lunch with them, pray with them and next week will begin coaching basketball again!

This change in Rwanda’s academic schedule has many other impacts on my life.  For example, starting tomorrow, I am hiring a tutor to teach me Frenh and Kinyrwanda.  Tres Bon!  Also, there was a small group of six students who worked at the center over   the holiday because the community pays for them to continue their education.  I became very close to these students, and I am so happy they have the means to continue their studies, but it is sad to see them go.

Most difficult for me, however, is the departure of my best friend, Minani.  Minani was the man who I did most work with on the farm, the one who showed me around on the first day and the one I always went to with questions.  On top of this, we would often go out for a drink after work, or attend various events together in Kigali.  He is my best friend here.  A couple weeks ago he asked my advice on taking a new job.  We had a long discussion about his hopes, dream and his future.  When I found out the new employer had offered to pay for him to go to university I was elated and heartbroken at the same time.  I know I will see him in the future and I’m extremely excited about his opportunity for education in a country where it is difficult, but I will miss seeing him every day.

I think because the school year is approaching and the work that comes with it, the community collectively decided to relax the weekend before.  Saturday night, at the suggestion of the American volunteers, we had a cookout and ate homemade sausages and hamburgers with freshly picked corn on the cob under the stars.  We also had a short volunteer conference for all the Salesian volunteers in the province which culminated in a day long trip to Lake Muhazi on Sunday, to relax, eat, drink and swim.  And on Monday one of the priests took us to Akagera National Park.  Akagera is the tree-savannah, animal-packed park that you think of when thinking about Africa.  While we did not see the park’s giraffes, elephants or leopards, we saw antelope, zebra, bushbuck, impalas, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, crocodiles, hippos and countless bird species.

Also, for those of you who can’t get enough by just words alone, this weekend I expect to have my Picasa page up and running.  Please retain your excitement.