I love teaching because of my interactions with the students: making them laugh and watching as the little light bulbs turn on in their heads. The first week of school I asked the students to write their names on cards and they place their card at the top of their desk every day. I’m trying to learn all their names but with forty in each class, it will take some time. I want them to know that I genuinely care about each of them. There are major problems with attendance and drop-outs at the school and I believe that if I can show my students a little love and genuine care they will be more inclined to come to school. It is like if you know that someone will notice when you’re gone, you are less likely to skip out. I try to bring love in my classroom so that they will keep coming and I hope in turn they will begin to love learning.
The first weekend of February I went to visit my host family in Rwamagana. It felt like visiting a Grandma’s house where everything is familiar and easy. I got to take a break from cooking and cleaning just to relax. They all met me with big genuine hugs, which are rare to come by in my village. As my host mama gave me a giant hug, my eyes swelled with tears because I was so happy to feel that comfort and her love. We ate bread, omelets, meat, and plaintains, and they sent me off full to the brim with both food and love.
Then I met with about fifteen other volunteers for a Superbowl party. We all had stayed at site for the first 8 weeks, and were rewarded with a party with lots of American junk food. The food was great and watching football was fun, but the best part of the weekend was hanging with other volunteers. We all loaded the bus and went to the embassy at 11:30pm to watch the game. At the embassy they played the game on this giant super screen outside. Because the game was in the middle of the night it got pretty cold outside so a group of us cuddled together on a bench with blankets. We bonded over the struggles of living in an African village, nostalgia for America, and some of our successes over the past two months. I talked to volunteers that I hadn’t bonded with as much during the craziness of training, and it was like finding new friends. As I boarded the bus to leave the next day, I felt sad to say goodbye to these friends but also grateful that we will be together for the next two years. The love of our friendship forged through shared challenges will probably last a lifetime.
The last couple weeks I have had the opportunity to attend two different weddings. Weddings are a pretty unique cultural event here. I went to Isaiah and Joselyn’s wedding on Saturday. The day started at 9am when we all took cars to Joselyn’s house for the dowry giving ceremony. Isaiah’s family gave Joselyn’s a cow, which we saw a picture of via people’s phones, and a dozen other smaller gifts. There was a cow dance and song. Then we all shared a meal together before racing back to the church for the religious service. The religious service was not as intimate as it is in America. I felt like it was more about God than the couple, but that’s probably a rough translation. At the end there was no kiss the bride, because personal display of affection is pretty taboo in Rwandan culture. They held hands as the priest blessed their marriage and at the end hugged.
Afterward there was a reception party in the main church hall. The reception was more like a show than a party. They had an MC who ran the show even. First they shared wine and cut the cake, and then we all ate some sambusas and potatoes. Some of the children performed traditional dance while we ate. I felt really grateful to be invited to their wedding. On Wednesday I went to a smaller wedding at the Jehovah witness church, which was also filled with love and excitement.
Love for family and community seems to transcend cultural boundaries. The Rwandans here are always curious to learn more about my family. They seem to understand how difficult it is for me to be so far away from them. I’m blessed that even though my family and friends are far, they are still reachable. My friends Alex and Nata are always there when I need someone to talk to. My Mom and Dad support me on good days and bad, sending their love across oceans and continents. Yesterday I receive the 16lb care package full of American groceries my mom sent me. I also received a prayer shawl from my church family, which feels like a big hug when I wear it. I feel so much love from my family and friends back home that I try to share with all the people I’m with here.
On this Valentine’s Day, I don’t have a special valentine in particular (still searching for that Mr. Right) but I do feel lots of love. Love seems to be the unwritten part of my job. Love your community, love your friends, love yourself, and the Peace Corps can be an incredible experience. I think they should just add that to the official documents. For at the heart of any service there must be love. Love for humanity and a passion to make life better in anyway possible.