Highlight of Week 2: Warming my heart and placing my privilege into perspective
One of the highlights of my week here in Rwanda has been growing the connection I have with the kids involved in my story as well as my interpreter. Every day I revisit with children and they get more and more comfortable with my presence. I’ve been able to learn many of their names, and they know my name now.
Some of the same kids even follow me around as I gather content because they are so interested in what I’m doing. Being a familiar face to them is comforting for me. I no longer feel like an intruder into their regular flow of life but part of it. I no longer stand out. With my interpreter, we have quickly been able to talk freely to one another and have gotten quite used to each other’s presence. Being with a local has helped me learn so many things about how to talk to people here and the culture in general.
Another highlight has been our friend Patrick visiting with us multiple times this past week to share and sell us his art of baskets, earrings and more. He shared with us his story and background and how his biggest goal right now is to get a new mattress. We learned that he helps to support his family by selling his art because his mother usually grows cabbage but due to the usual amount of rain and climate change, she hasn’t been able to. He’s very good with saving his money for the future and hopes to study computers in college and eventually visit the United States for better opportunities.
On Patrick’s last day visiting us before he goes off to school, he gifted some of us his handmade bracelets. He hopes that we will wear it and when people ask about it, we will be able to pass on his story. The fact that even though Patrick is working hard and struggling to provide for his family yet was still able to gift us something of his own really warms my heart and places my privilege into perspective.