However, leaving Madagascar was the most difficult part of Peace Corps service. Once I made the decision, the turnaround was very quick leaving me with just one day at site to pack up and say goodbye. I called my good friends the night before I reached site to tell them the news, and friends visited all day starting from 7:30am to 8:00pm. The ACs called an impromptu meeting and 11 people were able to make it despite the sudden news and in some cases, an hour and a half walk. I was so touched by the level of support my Malagasy friends gave me saying that "work is just work, family comes first," and "this is all a part of God's plan." They bought me a Malagasy scarf and told me I could only wear it Malagasy style, not American style. We decided to put the Pumps and Wells project on hold until the replacement arrives and feels comfortable to continue. The hardest parts-the grant writing and review, and the water testing-are complete. The ACs know their roles in the project and I have no doubt they will help the next volunteer through every step of the process.
It was the most difficult saying goodbye to Vola and Monica. Vola worked in the rice fields all that day even though it was a taboo day to work. She arrived at my house at 6pm and helped me finish packing up my house (I was amazed with all the stuff I fit in that tiny two room house, and also grossed out by the critters that had secretly been living in it.) We talked about our futures and plans to keep in touch despite her very limited access to internet or a telephone. The taxi-brousse arrived an hour early the next morning which was ironic considering all the hours I spent waiting for a taxi to show up in the past. I quickly said goodbye to the CSB staff, the doctor, Vola, and the compound kids. The older kids were crying with me while the younger kids didn't understand. I gave Monica three kisses on the cheek and hugged her tight, then I was on a brousse back to the capital.
I experienced so many highs and lows in two years. So many successes and failures. Many bumps, bruises, illnesses, infections, and even a hospital stay. I experienced harassment almost every day of service. I experienced countless hours sitting in a taxi-brousse and have no shortage of 'taxi-brousse rides from Hell' stories. I experienced language barriers and mishaps that I could laugh about later. I experienced a new culture so different from mine yet we still found similarities. I met the most amazing, strong, and compassionate people, and I know I've made lasting relationships with friends from my community and in other Peace Corps volunteers. I learned so much about project management and development work from the ground up. I learned more about myself in the last two years than I thought possible. I definitely gained much more than I gave throughout this part of my life. While I am glad to be back, I know I left a piece of my heart in Madagascar.
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| The ACs |
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| Vola |
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| Monica |
