Where's the Good in Goodbye?

With my last day in Botswana coming to an end, I am left wondering where's the good in goodbye? And many goodbyes are echoing throughout our heads, not only to the people that have made this experience so incredibly meaningful but also to a place that we've happily called home for the past 2 months.

This past week we knew that the school was closed to celebrate the holiday and for a break. We were really looking forward to volunteering at Tlamelo Wednesday through Friday after the long holiday weekend. However, mid-week we were told that Tlamelo, too, would be closed all week. We were frustrated that there really wasn't much to do, but we were still able to go into the school a few days to type and print mid-term tests. Even though the school and the feeding project were both closed, some of the kids were milling around, and, of course, we spent some time in the afternoon playing with them! Who could resist their big brown eyes and beautiful smiles?



Thursday afternoon, one of my students, Lorato, met me at the school to present me with a gift of appreciation from the "Standard Sevens "--- a beautiful Botswana coaster! She brought her three sons along and proudly introduced me to her children. Lorato promised me, too, that she'd write to tell me her results of the PSLEs! She's a great student and I can't wait to hear about her good marks!




In our free time this week, we were able to go to a museum of history, visit an art exhibit, and watch the sun set at Gaborone Dam. All were great ways to spend our free time! We also did our fair share of browsing the craft markets this week, which inevitably led to a little shopping!


This morning I went to Mass and then met my teammates at Old Naledi to go to the church services there. Many of the children that eat at Tlamelo also attend the church service, so we were able to say our goodbyes to the little ones that we've built friendships with over the past 9 weeks. We lingered a long time in Old Naledi, not wanting to leave but not wanting to draw out our goodbyes either. Our goodbyes were extremely difficult, but perhaps that can be taken as a sign of what a great 9 weeks we have been blessed with here in Botswana.

Curious about the origins of the word 'goodbye,' Wikipedia claims goodbye comes from "God be with ye" or "God be with you." And if Wikipedia is credible this time, then I did find some good in goodbyes, as I will continue to pray for these people and this place that God may continue to be with them. Even if I can't.