The Final Goodbye

My last day was a sad one, as expected. I decided I wanted to spend as much of the day as possible at the school with the kids. Before I went to the school I met up with Jesse, Kakembo, Ruthy and their parent to give them some money to go back to Kampala to finish the passport application process.

At morning break I headed over the school and hung out with the kids. A few were already crying when I arrived as they knew it was my last day. It was raining again, so we stayed inside and took a few photos. I told them that I would come back at lunch time to do some video taping and to just have some fun. There were very excited about that.

At lunch I returned and sat with Jesse and Nansubuga for a bit. The school had made me a special lunch which consisted of meat, posho, beans and some greens. I had already eaten so I took it to the classroom and gave it to the kids. When they saw that there was meat and greens on the plate the class exploded into mayhem. Everyone wanted some and the poor girl I gave it to was swarmed. I wasn't expecting that reaction. I guess I still forget was little variation these kids ever get in their food. At the end I handed out some M&M's from Canada and the kids were overjoyed to have some chocolate. I wish I had brought more.

After we all ate I put on some music and all the kids started to dance. I was expecting to leave the school in the afternoon because I didn't want to disrupt class but they insisted that I stay and play with the kids. We had such a great time dancing, singing and videotaping. My camera broke on me during the trip so I am thankful I brought a back up. Just means the DVD will have 3 different camera styles used. Oh well. Kakembo kept asking me to tape him riding his new bike. He had brought it to school and was so proud of it. All the other kids were happy for him and would take turns touching it and sitting on it. They were excited because he said he would bring it to school the next day so others could ride it as well. Cute!

I realized it was getting late and that I hadn't packed so I told the kids I was leaving for an hour or so to get ready. Again some were crying and other's passed me notes they had written. I knew that when I returned it was going to be bad for all of us.

After packing and buying some toilet paper (for the crying) I returned to school. I passed out balloons and we played for a bit longer batting them around the classroom. When school ended everyone came out of their classrooms and gathers for a meeting. I knew that Nansubuga had told them all the gather so that they could say goodbye. I wish she wouldn't have done that because it only made me more emotional. I think I would have held it together if they hadn't had done to assembly.

As soon as Nansubuga started to talk I started to cry. I was embarrassed because there were 150 students standing there watching me cry probably wondering what was wrong with me. They all thanked me very much and told me to send greetings and thank you's to everyone in Canada to helped support them. At the end they told everyone to head home.

Most of my kids stayed behind because they always like to walk me home. It's been our thing even during my last trip. I gathered up my things, said goodbye to the teachers and we headed out. Once we reached the guest house I started to cry again. Earlier in the day Ruthy slipped me a note to say she wanted to talk to me privately after school. I pulled her aside to ask what she wanted and she just said to send greeting to all the wonderful people in Canada. I thought that was really sweet. Ruthy was one of the kids who really had a hard time with me leaving. As with last time she cried a lot. I'm glad I chose her to come her because she really is a great kid.

As we were all saying good bye and I was crying my 2 roommates walked up. I felt embarrassed that they saw me like that but I couldn't help it. I told the kids to head home and started to walk into the house. They wouldn't go, they just kept staring at me. It was so sad. Finally I just went in and they started to walk home. God I will miss them all so much!

My driver came to pick me up an hour later and we were off to the airport. The traffic was the worst I have ever seen it and he even commented on how bad it was. I was worried that I would miss my flight because we were 2 1/2 hours away. Once we hit Kamapla we got stuck in a HUGE jam. Because of the rains many of the roads were damaged and some had holes so big we bottomed out a few times.

After 3 1/2 hours we reached the airport. I raced in and made it to the gate only to find out our flight was delayed. No biggy, I had an 8 1/2 hour layover in Amsterdam so any time I could take off that wait was welcomed. I spent the time in the airport reflecting on my time in Uganda. I called Josephus to thank him again for everything he is doing for Jimmy. He is such a lovely man and I really enjoy just talking to him.

That's it for Uganda 2010. I love this country, I love it's people and I will never forget them. It is because of them that I am a changed person and they are what keep me grounded in life. I wish everyone could experience just once what it is like to be with these people and to be here in this country. We would all be better people for it.

Jenn