Happy Hearts and Joyful Souls

I didn't have any expectations when arriving in Tanzania, but oh boy, it was better than anything I could have imagined.
The culture, the atmosphere, the people. All were such incredible things that made my experience that much better.
I was part of the HIV/AIDS program for 9 weeks and it was the most eye opening experience. It was so very emotional but worth every second. The women in the program are such genuine human beings who are grateful for the little they have. Each day was completely different and we did so much more than what I was expecting to do. We did village visits, school visits, home visits, taught English, business and maths classes, and so much more!
I was the first volunteer at the new HIV/AIDS placement which meant there was a lot of work needed to be done to make sure the program could run smoothly. After a lot of hard work and a lot of hit and misses and not knowing whether I had even made a difference we came up with a sound structure for the program. And then, by the end of my third week there, I had one of the mamas in the program tell me in the very little English that she speaks, 'my heart is happy...because of you.' From that moment on I knew that whatever I did, big or small, it was being appreciated by these women.
The hardest thing I've ever had to do is say goodbye. I will definitely be back to this magnificent country.