Quick life update: I'm getting a Master of Public Health degree at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, where I was lucky enough to receive a Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellowship. I'm studying Global Epidemiology. Classes start Wednesday and I'm super excited.
I'm also in the process of applying for part-time jobs at CDC. As I was looking through my Peace Corps stuff searching for inspiration for my resume and cover letter, I came across this poem from my going away party at the secondary school.
This poem was written by my counterpart, Mwalimu Sultan. He was one of few people who spoke English in my village, and one of my closest friends. I can only imagine how much effort went into this poem... it means so much to me. Enjoy, friends!
Farewell Poem to Lauren Fink (PCV)
Today 15th June, 2012
The birds fly,
High in the sky,
It is already morning,
They enjoy sun rising.
I wake up and listen,
My body I straighten,
Suddenly a voice tells,
And high and high it goes.
To me it is telling,
And it is reminding,
That on this day,
I am going to say.
And it is forcing me to say,
And I ask, "Why should I say?"
It answers, "Because you will never see."
"What will I not see?"
It replies, "The Friend you used to see,
She is going to flee."
I can remember now,
It is Lauren who will go.
Lauren I will miss you,
The Headmistress too! O,
Even all teachers,
Including students and villagers.
You are very kind,
And we are going to mind,
Cause behind you leave us,
But no one will curse.
As you helped with heart,
And we say bye with heart,
For you were shining,
Like a star in the morning.
Now water we can harvest,
And books we can get,
You deserve this farewell,
To you our prayers tell.
With goodbye, all the best we wish you!!!
By: Mwalimu Yussuph Nassoro Sultan
My students also wrote me some poems and songs, but they were mostly in Swahili so I need to translate them before I can share. The student "rap" ended with this English gem that still worries me a bit: "Madam Lauren we love you baby."
