final farewells
July 23, 2010
On my last day in Namibia, I went to my partner organization to say bye to the family I had become a part of, and to wish everyone the best moving forward.
As I entered the kitchen with a big bag of springbok meat for them to cook up and enjoy, three different employees asked where their pictures were, and I was ready: I had printed off images of each of them the day before, and I distributed them with small personalized gifts that were accepted with smiles and screams, before we took a couple group photos (the only ones I have with them!).
I went around to every employee on the premises, individually thanking them for the opportunity to work and learn with them. There were a lot of tears, a lot of email addresses exchanged, a lot of people telling me that they’ll never forget me, that I’ll always be in their hearts, and that they wish me only the best moving forward. It was a very heartwarming experience full of strong lingering hugs. I couldn’t have asked for more.
After hugging the general manager and wishing her strength and success moving forward, I went to the hospital to visit the acting hospitality manager, who had been there for a number of days with a yet-to-be-determined problem, possibly related to his hypertension. I gave him a light nudge on the shoulder to wake him up, and we had a nice visit, again expressing gratitude and wishing each other the best, with a promise to stay in contact electronically. I gave him a photo with some inspirational words on the back, and let him know there was a nice bottle of wine waiting for him in the office when he gains the strength to make it back there. I’m really happy to have shared a final positive moment with him before leaving the country, as he is a great man and manager with a bright future to look forward to.
Back at the volunteer sending organization’s office, I stopped in to say thank you and goodbye to all of the staff, new and old. And of course, to enjoy more hugs!
The night before, there was a great turnout for a final farewell at a local restaurant/bar, full of volunteers, partner organization staff, and a few friends I’ve made along the way. I couldn’t have been more appreciative, and with all of the farewells, I feel ready to move forward onto bigger and brighter things! Yet at the same time, I already miss them all..
