Saying Goodbye...Again

I left Rwanda on October 17, 2009 when I completed my 9-month "loaned" assignment with the CDC Rwanda team. I experienced an incredible amount of professional growth in this short time: I was responsible for two positions most of the time I was there- "acting" in a senior team role; supervised many of the 25 person team; led human resources, budget planning, retreats and strategy setting; enhanced collaborations with other federal agencies and grantees; provided development and learning opportunities for the staff; provided input into the programming of important HIV/AIDS prevention efforts; and hired/trained my replacement before leaving. It was the most challenging assignment in my career thus far, and pushed me to "sink or swim" in so many ways. I swam most of the time, though Paul probably knows the most about some of the early days when I was sure I was sinking. I am so grateful for this rewarding professional opportunity and I can already see in the short time back in DC that my skills and energy were revitalized through my time in Rwanda.

In addition to professional growth, Rwanda continued to change me and inspire me personally. I met and remain friends with many colleagues, community members, and neighbors who were so kind to let me into their lives. Rwanda has an inspiring spirit, in spite of their tragic and conflictual history. Rwandans are hard working, and want to get things done "today, not tomorrow". They live in a world that is a unique mixture of highly developed things (media, internet, job requirements) and yet in a physically limiting and very much still-developing environment (power, water, food, household goods and other basic challenges). At times, to me, they seem precariously on the edge between successful unifying business-minded development vs. growing disparity in wealth and totalitarian control. Despite this push/pull in their leadership, I am optimistic their growth will lead them to prosper. For me, although I was not living in difficult conditions, living in a developing country has impacted me and will continue to impact me for the rest of my life. It is appalling that sub-standard housing (sleeping on the ground!), lack of food and opportunity for income generation, basic un-treated health problems, and lack of clean water are still major issues in Rwanda and world-wide. I was not there to solve those problems, but I experienced them and once again I return home appreciating that we have SO much and marveling at how much we take for granted.

I had the wonderful privilege of receiving two traditional Rwandese outfits called Mushanana's (one for me, one for Paul to be worn after you are married most often to attend other formal events). My close friend Francis generously had these made as well as bought the necklaces, bracelet, and earings which he said complete the outfit. He also unexpectedly met me at the airport as I was rushing through the check-in line and handed me a hand-made beaded king's staff for Paul. He said every husband should have one. What a gift!...The perils of carrying it through security once in Belgium is a whole other story. This is the woman who made the dresses for us.

Daniel and other colleagues went all out for my festive goodbye party- there were delicious baked goods including rice krispie treats!

Everyone was surprised and happy to see me wearing traditional Rwandese attire. My good friend Laurie came to the Embassy to say goodbye too.

Louis and I.

Louis, me, Enan, Sylla

Thanks to Janean and Derrick's magic, I had the best Reggae band in Kigali at my party. Sadly, we had envisioned a garden party but it rained 20 minutes before the party. :( Not surprisingly, Daniel made it all work, and got the green light to have the band play in the conference room of the US Embassy. Everyone was shocked, and the building was a rocking club for these couple of hours.

Gauhar, Roopal, and Tye.

Some of my colleagues said they hadn't danced in 10 years.

The band scheduled 3 additional gigs after playing at my party!

I pretty much told everyone they were required to dance.

Goodbye Daniel! I'll miss you.

Saying goodbye to my good friend Richard the artist.

I will miss Francis dearly. He was very kind and generous to me.

My very good friend Gloria.

Emah, me, and Sylla

My colleagues gave me these amazing goodbye gifts- a beautiful hand woven traditional basket in Rwandan colors, and a home-made collage of all the amazing people I worked with in Rwanda.