Wrapping it up in Arad

The best part of Arad, hands down, was my volunteering. Saying goodbye was so hard today but I left with a deep feeling of accomplishment and growth. The first time I walked into the gan I saw a plain, cold single room, a tall woman who spoke some weird language I didn't recognize, and crazy but adorable kids running around everywhere. Since then, the room has only brought me warmth,memories and laughter, the woman has only showed me inspiration and kindness, and although I've been thrown up on and been used as a giant tissue, I have fallen in love with each one of the children. With the kids only speaking Dinka, Arabic, and Hebrew, communication at first was a huge issue. But in some ways, I feel like the connections I have with the kids are more magical and beautiful because without words, we created something so special and unique. I've not only been exposed to a whole other world, but I have taken apart in it. I have made lasting connections here and I really think that Aboba will always remember the six American girls who got all the kids to sing and dance to"wakka wakka." Endings are always hard but so constant in life. The important experiences, I believe, will always stay with me and will continue to shape me into a more well rounded person. I'll never forget the memories at the Sudanese gan and how welcoming and wonderful their community let me in.

Next stop: Rwanda baby.