[The following are my thoughts immediately after a Saturday night get-together.]

I just saw the new scholars for the last time.  I cannot even begin to touch upon the emotions that I am experiencing right now.  I am so proud of each of them for how incredibly smart they are, but also for the daily effort they put in to ensure their success.  I have no idea what it is like to have to fight and fight in order to obtain a basic education, so that I can improve the life of my family and my community…no idea what it is like to be hungry as I study before I lay my head down to rest before another rigorous day of school, subject tuition, then returning to a home that needs tending before I go back to studying.  I have no hold on any language other than the one I was taught from birth; yet, these girls are able to communicate with me beautifully.  I like to watch them talk to each other in Swahili: any small reservations they may have had trying to relate to me melt away as they all laugh with and at one another about silly things!  All of them have stolen my heart…and I am not leaving without a river of tears because I will miss them every minute I am away, always wondering what they are doing (probably studying).  I never expected such an emotional rollercoaster this summer; but I have had some of the best moments of my life right here on the island of Zanzibar.  Tonight, Alison, Yu-Jin and I met the new scholars at Forodhani Gardens to have one final time spent with them.  In between eating and talking, the girls had us a take a billion pictures, something I am always fine with!  Afterward, we walked to the internet café and helped some of the girls with the email process again, to make sure they were confident with doing it themselves.  We ran out of time when the café closed at 9:30pm; and this is when Alison and I had to say our goodbyes.  The way Wasila waves, the way Saida tenses up in anxiousness, the way Mirfat silently smiles, the way Hadia beams and giggles, the way Rahma stares at me with a look of knowing, the way Maryam sweetly tells me she will miss me, the way Nargis readjusts her headscarf, the way Asha doesn’t know what to say: Oh my god, why I am leaving?  There is no way that I cannot return to Zanzibar.  Whether it is in a year, or in five, I will not be able to ignore the call of this place; of these amazing girls who deserve every opportunity to succeed!  Hold me to it.

[p.s. As of 9am on Sunday, I have 48 hours remaining on Zanzibar]

The new S4Si Scholars, candidly

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