Tomatoes Between My Toes

Yesterday I got a tour of the whole farm from Salomon who runs the farm. The farm is quite large. There is one part behind the school and the other on the opposite side of the village. We took pictures next to some of the yummy fruits and veggies. I have to say that I'm getting spoiled. I get to eat delicious mangos and passionfruit everyday! I began to learn what we grow and how much of everything...and I now understand my role on the farm! I'll be working with Salomon to create a master plan for the village and document what, when, and how much we are planting. My first big project is to get the chicken coops ready. We'll be getting 300 baby chicks in the next few weeks. I'm meeting with someone next week to learn about what it'll take to take care of the chickens...that means in 6 months we'll have fresh eggs!

Last night I joined my assigned family here at the village of 16 girls. They are so cute. Another one of the volunteers, Michaela is also in the family. She taught them the umbrella song and talked about what the song means. She talked about the importance of friends. I'm excited to get to know the girls. Already the best part here is getting to know the kids. I was walking with some of the girls on the way to lunch today when it began to rain. One of them said that I could stand under her umbrella as she put her hand up in the air to symbolize an umbrella. All the girls began to say that to each other. Michaela, what a great song to teach them!

Salomon asked me to be at the farm at 6:45 to meet all the workers. I arrived then and was introduced to the 33 workers. I spoke to them and Salomon translated. I got lots of waves and big smiles. Many came up to me and said that they want to learn english and told them that I want to learn Kinyarwanda. I asked what I should work on and Salomon said tomatoes. Little did I know it was going to be one of the funniest and most awesome experiences...ever.

One of the female workers was also assigned to tomatoes. I knew that my knowledge of 2 words in Kinyarwanda and her 10 words of English was going to make for an interesting morning. She had 3 buckets to place the tomatoes. She tried to explain what went in each pile. At first, I thought one piles was for bad tomatoes, one for small ones, and another for the larger tomatoes. There were also 2 other girls working close by that kept coming to where we were. The girl I was working with kept moving the tomatoes that I put in the bin. I was confused and I think she might have been frustrated with me. Then she got a great idea...instead of showing me which ones go in each, she had me feel them. Then I understood. The distinction wasn't big and small, it was bruised and good tomatoes. Wow, I was so relieved when I finally understood (and I'm sure she was too). The experience became lots of fun as both of us (and other workers who kept popping in) and we began to teach each other words in English and Kinyarwanda. I decided to have a project where I put pictures up by the farm with words in English and Kinyarwanda. We were both in piles of tomatoes. I began to have tomatoes all over my feet. They even squished between my toes.

I was having such a great time. Then Salomon came by and asked if I wanted to go to market with him to buy some tarps. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to leave but then decided to go. I hopped on the back of his bicycle and we rode to the market. We passed through the village and he pointed out everything as we rode by. There were lots of people about and it was such an exciting experience! It was my first time out of Agahozo Shalom since I got here. People would waves as we passed and kids liked to shout out words that they know in english. I responded with some kinyarwanda. When we reached the village of Rubona, Salomon took me to his home and then walked me around town to see everything. People kept asking him who I was and he would say my boss. I kept correcting him and said that he was my boss. We came to an agreement that we were each other's boss. He told me that when he came home from work, everyone would ask about me and who I was. He was excited for it.

What great beginning experiences and people that I'm meeting!