Despedidas

I've reached that time where I am saying goodbyes. This week in particular is full of goodbyes. Starting this past weekend, my group of volunteers had our Despedida or goodbye party at the beach, which was a nice mix of going crazy and relaxing. And some of my PC friends have already finished up service and headed back to the States.

I only have 10 days before I leave Yalaguina. Que barbaridad. Today, I went out the the campo to say goodbye to the brigadistas or community health workers out there. Brigadistas have been a huge part of my service since I haven't had strong Minstry of Health counterparts. These women (and man) have worked with me on promoting healthy practices with women and pregnant women. And whenever I see them, they always have big (albeit a bit toothless) smiles and warm hugs for me.

Since I had only notified the health post's nurse about my plan to say goodbye today, I didn't expect much. However, when I got to Jaquelin's house to hang out, she told me that one of the other brigadistas had shown up to invite her and the nurse a separate time. It was also my first despedida, and I didn't know if I was supposed to give anything so Jaquelin and I stopped to get gaseosa or soda to share. We showed up at the nurse's house and there was a nice meal prepared, chairs all set out, and even a bag of balloons. After we all ate(a meal which included chicken! That is really fancy for the campo!!), I knew it was my turn to thank them for their support. Then, each brigadista and the nurse stood up thanking me for my work and wishing me luck in my future studies. It was so touching. We were all so sad after that, so it was great that the nurse suggested we play a game with the balloons.

As I headed out, I spoke with each brigadista individually to say goodbye and then with Katty, the teen with whom I did the HIV fair out there.  When I said goodbye, she had tears in her eyes. Walking away was really difficult, knowing it was my last walk from there.