Footprints

Unreal. As I sat at assembly today, it was almost as  if I had blacked out upon my first arrival to Rwentutu Christian Community School. I came to sitting upright with a group of anxious students to my left, a choir of students serenading us to the right, and  a bunch of caring school staff sitting across from us. I could not help but wonder how it all had gone by so fast, and if I were just dreaming. Literally, it felt like a dream because everything was perfect enough to be just a bit out of order.

To explain further, today was my last day at Rwentutu Christian Community School for my student teaching placement. It was such a great day due to the efforts of the staff and students. This morning I started the day by teaching a math lesson. This was to be my only lesson of the day because of the assembly that would interfere with English. The lesson went well. We looked at different ways to represent multiplication problems, like using pictures or grids. These types of lessons are good for these students because they are mostly used to recitation over exploration. At the end I passed out class gifts and read a speech I had prepared for them. This was the first potentially tear-jerking action of the day. Though a few times I wanted to tear up, I withheld. It was especially hard when looking at my students and seeing some of them cry as I read to them.

After taking some class pics and what not, a farewell assembly was called for us. It was truly amazing. I felt so important and special as a result of their efforts. They sang us beautiful good bye songs, sang personalized solos for us, gave speeches, had us speak, and then we ate a well-prepared lunch with the rest of the staff. They told us many times that goodbye is the saddest word. Rwentutu was so generous. Such character is difficult to walk away from. As teacher Rau suggested at the assembly, we have left a footprint on their hearts. Likewise, the Rwentutu community has left a footprint on mine. During my speech I copied and changed another quote from teacher Rau. He had stated that East, West, North or South, home is always better. I ended my good-bye by saying that for the past two months, Rwentutu has been our home. So when we go home and talk to our families and friends, we will tell them that East, West, North, or South, Rwentutu is always better.

One thing I have realized today is that taking things for granted is a natural human tendency. Every day I spent here I tried to take everything in. But even with that, it will never be the same on the last day anywhere. The mountains looked just a little different on the way to school this morning, the students seemed a little sweeter, the food tasted a just a tiny bit more Ugandan, and my thoughts were just a little deeper. Though I never did not appreciate the luxuries I had hear, I did somewhat take it all for granted—but that is just the way it is. All good things must come to an end. Luckily, this experience will remain in my thoughts and memories forever.