The people I met and worked with in Tanzania have such a special place in my heart...I learned so much there...the smiling faces of my kindergarteners endowed me with a greater gift than I have words to describe.
It's hard to explain this during casual conversations...during a discussion with friends...it's hard to sort out even in my own head.
The strength, courage, and happiness these individuals displayed each day drives me to be a better person and appreciate all that I've been given.
Each person I met there is an a person...an individual...full of dignity and heart...not some poor suffering soul that we must pity.
When people talk about Africa, I often only hear the pity.
Most people who haven't been there don't understand the beauty and strength of Africa's people.
I know that's it something hard to comprehend when you see so much suffering...and it's so far away...and it's so abstract in so many ways...so far from everything we know.
Even some who have been there don't understand...they see their work there as charity..."thank goodness I came here...this place and these people are so lucky I came here."
As I prepare to leave for Lesotho and I talk to people about my trip, I struggle to find the words to describe why I am going.
I'm not going to save poor suffering babies...I'm not going save anyone.
I'm still struggling with how to talk about Africa and Lesotho in a way that conveys these feelings while both respecting the dignity of the people there and impressing upon my friends and family that there is so much more to Africa.
