Written by: Ashley
Today we woke up knowing this would be our last full day in Africa with all of our new Zimbabwean friends that we’d become so close with so fast. As we got ready for the day, we reflected on how fast time had flown. It seemed that we just got here and had barely started getting to know the children and teachers in Matobo Hills. However, despite our short time here, we all felt like we’d known everyone for years. The openness and hospitality of the people here continues to amaze us and give us new perspectives on what it means to love your neighbors.
After another lovingly home-cooked breakfast, we jumped on the red fire truck for the last time to visit the sixth and final primary school in Matobo Hills. As we pulled up to Isotcha Primary School, we noticed the buildings looked about the same as the others we’d seen, but we knew despite the similar exterior, we were about to meet some special children with their own personalities and stories to share. As we’d done at every other school, we spent time in the classrooms teaching and interacting with the students. As we’d seen at every other primary school, very few children spoke or understood English. Very few children were able to read or write. Very few children, if any, were property nourished. Very few children, if any, didn’t give us hugs, hold our hands, or smile and wave every chance they got. That’s what we’d come to know and love about these children. The children we teach in America seem so different from the children in Africa. Our students back home have books, iPads, computers, internet access, library access, and educated parents. Most of the children we’ve met in Africa have none of these things. But we couldn’t help but notice that both the children in Africa and the children in America idolize the adults around them. They want to please you. They will do anything you ask, pay attention to your every word, and fight to be near you. What an amazing opportunity we have to teach and inspire these children, wherever they may be in the world. What draws these children to the adults around them isn’t because we’re educators or have college degrees. They’re drawn to us because they can see we care and want to be around them. These children are no different than our students in America in that sense, and it was a reminder to us all to not be distracted by the technology and advanced, fast-paced curriculum in own schools. Yes, those things can enhance our students’ experience, but they aren’t what make our students feel safe and inspired to learn.
After returning to Morning Star, we started to plan for our final couple of hours in Zimbabwe. Several of us took our last showers in our hut and started to pack our things. It was a bittersweet moment as we were excited about seeing our own families again back home, but sad to leave such a peaceful and beautiful place. As we headed towards the fire for dinner, we could smell another delicious home-cooked meal waiting for us. As we ate our final dinner with our new friends, we shared stories and reflected on our time in Zimbabwe. At the end of our meal, Chris had one final surprise for us. As he said goodbye to all of us, he spoke to each one of us individually about what he’d come to love about us, and what our presence in Zimbabwe meant to him. Again, we were humbled by the loving, servant nature of the native Zimbabweans. As we curled up in our sleeping bags next to our packed bags, we said good night and prepared for our two day journey home starting early in the morning.
