Three weeks left: A roiling stew of emotions

Did I say things were going slowly? I was wrong. Things have picked up here, by a lot. Last week Tom and I headed to Kigali for Peace Corps medical tests, which meant that we had a few days to relax, explore, and hang out with friends while waiting to get our TB tests read (negative, don’t worry). But that meant one shortened work week, plus we were both knocked out by a cold for a bit, so here we are, with just over two full weeks at our site. Three weeks from today is my last day as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Work: So, after inheriting craft supplies left over from Camps GLOW and BE, I’ve been learning how to make candles. Lots of cooperatives and individuals have beehives here in Rwanda, but mostly people throw away the wax as a useless byproduct. However, the few that do sell the wax for a fairly high price in the capital, and the few that make candles charge even more. So, I introduced to some colleagues at the Anglican church, and they arranged a training for me and women from the Mother’s Union at two of the nearby parishes. I was actually kind of surprised at how much the ladies enjoyed it, and were excited about trying it on their own. The woman in charge is one savvy businesswoman (one of our closest friends, but who never gives me discounts on the handicrafts she sells), so I’m interested to see where this will go.

Life: It’s been hard sorting out all of the emotions about leaving, especially having been a little under the weather. I’m worried about saying goodbye, worried about what happens to our projects when we leave, and worried about finding meaningful work when I get back home. I’m also trying to get perspective on what it was like to live here, in Rwanda, for two years. Tom and I visited the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Center in Kigali during our stay. We went for the first time the day after we landed here more than two years ago, and it was very moving and informative. I think that I was expecting it to be easier this time, more museum than place to mourn. I have no idea why I thought this. It was so much more intense. It’s an experience I want to write more about on this blog, but after I leave Rwanda.

Making things: I started packing things up last week. I put the fabric I had collected in my suitcase and began to hyperventilate. I have a lot of stuff. Stuff that reminds me of Rwanda, and of people, and trips, and general happy memories. I don’t know what I am going to do. I think I thought that making things out of the fabric stash would be a sensible option, but then I just have more stuff to bring home. Still, it’s been fun. I made a bag with belt loops that I plan to use for our trekking adventure in Nepal next month, like a slightly less embarrassing fanny pack, lined with a woven plastic rice sack to make it a little water resistant. The other is a gift for a friend.