Landing in the U.S. on 12/12/12 was an immediate shock: culturally, physically, and emotionally. My roommates and I manged make it through customs and security, get out bags, and find out bosses who then drove us to Ocean City where we settled in, took showers, and reunited with the Peru AVs who we hadn't seen since we all left in January 2012. The next couple of days were full of talks and time to process our reentry in attempts to start processing our AV year as well as being back in the U.S. It was a great to start to this long, emotional process but many times I found myself becoming really emotional and I just had to cry. Luckily Kellie and many others felt the need to breakdown too so I wasn't alone. I would remember something about our year or realize we would never be back there together doing that work which would cause the crying. The breakdowns continued for weeks after and still to this day, my eyes will tear up if I think about Akhona, Pinky, Kaloso, Thabiso, or the view from our house. I think about the people I met, the places I worked, and especially my community members everyday.
On Saturday December 15th, my parents, Steven, Pop-pop, and Uncle Brian came to the reentry mass and dinner in Philly. It was awesome to see them again, especially my dad and Steven, who I hadn't seen all year. The mass and dinner were great but I was very disoriented the whole time. I dreaded saying goodbye to Kellie, Kevin, and Matt which was just as I expected it to be: emotional, hard, and sad. We had spent the past 11 months growing, serving, and living with each other and now we were leaving each other and going home with our families. The next three days I spent with my family celebrating Christmas in New Jersey but I was a lot quieter than I normally was. I think I was still in shock about being home and in a food coma from eating the exorbitant amount of Italian food my aunt had prepared. Either way, I made my way through the visits and when I finally made it home to my own room, I was completely overwhelmed and emotionally drained from everything. I still cried every other day and most nights reliving all of my experiences and missing South Africa and the people so much. After a few days of attempting to settle into my house and figure out where things were in the kitchen, I decided to purge my clothes, pictures, and anything in my room that was from high school or just not needed. I filled up five trash bags that I then donated to the local thrift store and homeless shelter. That was my fresh start and now I was able to unpack and redecorate/organize my room with South Africa things and memories. My next step was to apply for jobs and get a car which is necessary to have for where I live in the 'Shire.
My life in the U.S. was slowly starting to be put together until someone would ask the dreadful, "how was Africa?" question and I was then forced to give them the appropriate length response based on the setting of where we were. Unfortunately most of the time I would revert to the simple "It was amazing" response and sometimes throw in a short pitch for Woza Moya if I was wearing a necklace from there or a story about a learner or toddler. It wasn't until I was at a bar with a few friends from high school that I haven't seen in years and one of them said, "tell me everything about South Africa," that I was finally taken aback. I looked around and said, "I don't really think this is the place to talk about this" but they replied with, "o whatever, who cares where we are." Then I proceeded to talk to them for over 30 minutes about the Respite Unite, the corrupt education system, the two year old girl who was raped by her uncle, the love of the St. Theresa's boys, and multiple other thoughts and feelings. They asked few questions but most of the time they just stood there intently listening. It was at this moment that I finally made the connection between my experiences in South Africa and my hometown of Lebanon, NH. Ubuntu and every worldly connection you could imagine was right there in Salt Hill Pub. Since that night, I have been able to talk about various moments with numerous people and use experiences in job interviews. I will always love and remember my time in South Africa but until I'm there again some day, I will use my gifts to help the people and kids of the Haven at my new job as an Children's Services Associate and Shelter Staff.
The following are life lessons and moments that I will carry with me since my experiences in South Africa. I want to dedicate this entire blog to the people of South Africa, especially Kellie, Matt, and Kevin, my learners at St. Leo, my toddlers at 1000 Hills, the boys at St. Theresa's, and the patients at the Respite Unit. Ngiyabonga for everything and Ngiyanithanda!
- UBUNTU
- Life will bring you challenges and road blocks but love will always persevere.
- Zulu's are full of ever lasting love and most importantly, faith.
- You can never have enough hugs from toddlers, or anyone for that matter.
- You are never alone. Someone is always there to walk with you in your times of struggle.
- People come into your life for a reason. You need them and they need you.
There are so many more than just these few so I will try to add them as I think of them. For now, thank you all for supporting me, praying for me, and following this blog for my year in South Africa!!
