This post features student writing.

At some point you will run out of shapes to draw. What more is there to color than a triangle, circle, and the occasional star? Today, I realized I need a recap on my geometry skills. Madeline, Lucia, and I were grouped together for the intense scavenger hunt Kayla and Zach sent us on. During our journey, we made some friends with two local children. After a game of soccer with the boys and a subtle game of hide and seek they were trying to play, they ended up walking with us all the way to the hospital quarters where we are staying. Lucia and I stayed outside with our new friends, not wanting to leave them. We began to do a few hand games like patty cake with the boys in attempt to connect with them. Madeline then had the idea to bring out some markers and paper for us to draw with them on. They seemed a little skeptical at first, so I began to draw shapes for them to color in. Although we weren’t able to communicate and the boys were quite shy, the coloring gave us an alternate way of communication in the form of art. In some ways, this form of communication was better in the sense that formal language was not needed. It was interesting to see the way two people can communicate without saying any words. Lucia, Madeline, and I began to write our names on a piece of paper, encouraging the children to do the same. One boy was able to write his name and soon after a man who lives near the hospital quarters helped us talk to the boys. Because they spoke the same language, the boys talked to the man and he then translated what they were saying to us.

I have seen small acts of kindness like this every day in Rwanda. Whether it’s someone just saying hello or a worker taking time out of their day at the markets to direct us to where we want to go, I have noticed that everyone I have met has shown me kindness. Even though we are prevented from having intricate conversions because of our language barrier, there is still constantly a feeling of mutual respect. Each day I continue to learn more about myself and the people who surround me. This beautiful country is full of interesting people who each have different backgrounds and stories. I can’t wait to continue this trip and discover more about Rwanda.

— Ellery