The Hardest Day of my life

Well let me start of by telling you guys a conversation i had with the men of the village. While walking around Rwanda i had noticed how men tend to push women out of there way, something that in America would start a big fight. There response to that was that there are so many languages that sometime people don't understand whats being said, but they would understand with force. This made me laugh so much and then I also noticed that they excepted the women to be cooking and cleaning all the time tending to mens needs. So i asked Mukiza, Gilbert and a younger guy the question. I asked them to imagine if the men didn't work and the wife did would they expect the woman to also come home after work cook and clean. Gilbert's answer was yes and i said but why?...... you would just stay home all day sleep and watch t.v and he said yea because cooking and cleaning is a womens job. Mukiza said it was impossible that he couldn't get married if he didn't have a job but i told him to imagine then he said he would hire a cook. That was so funny. When i asked the younger guy he said he would be the one cooking and cleaning. Thats when Gilbert told me that things are starting to change for women, its in the process for women to get there rights. The conversation went on until i was was satisfied with the answer. I enjoyed listening to there opinion although i didn't agree with there answer.

Today was the hardest day of this trip. It was the final day to visit the village since we are leaving tomorrow. I got so close to the kids it was so hard for me to let go of them and leave the village. Ivan the one i call my photographer and let hold my camera started to cry before i did. I didn't realize he knew we went to say our good byes. It made me so sad to see him like that, my heart just dropped to the floor. Then my other kids came and tired to cheer me up. To see that they had gotten so attached to me in so little time made my heart drop even more. I love them all with all my heart and when next summer comes its a promise that this time they are going to have more money so that they don't have to worry about only eating one time a day or stay without eating. Ivan, Pas, Etem, Manzi, Jen, Ansh,Marissa i could go on for days but they will always stay in my heart and prayers. All i want to say is that they will always get my help. The only regret i have is not meeting them any sooner to be able to have helped them before.
I honestly cant write no more because i have to stop thinking of them right now before i break down again but these kids changed my life I love them.


Much love Maria