Thank You and Goodbye

Before I start my last message I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has read this blog, and sent messages. Its been really comforting and its great to know that people might have a better insight into the situation in Africa now.
Leaving on Saturday morning was really sad. I'd already said my goodbyes to the patients so I only had to worry about saying goodbye to the other volunteers. As soon as I gave Tiara a hug I knew I was going to cry and just let it happen. They've all seen me cry too many times to pretend I'm not a crier! It all seems like a blur now though, and I can't believe its already been 4 days since I left the DC.
The last few days in Cape Town were good. Its a totally different world from the Dream Centre though. Everything is so pretty and nice and touristy. It was really nice having an extra few days with Ruth and Elle too, and to have someone to enjoy Cape Town with. We went to the biggest wine bar in the world, quite an achievement!
I got back home safely last night and was absolutely exhausted. Its nice to be back, but I'm definately missing the DC. I woke up this morning expecting to be in my little room and got really confused when I wasn't! Its hard to imagine that there are new volunteers there now, getting to know the place and working with and chatting to the patients, who I miss a lot. I think the worst thing is going to be not knowing whats happening to them.
I've been arranging to meet up with friends and catching up with people and it feels weird to slot back into life again. I guess the best thing any of us volunteers can do is make sure we tell everyone what it was like and make sure we don't forget the people or the place. I feel like the luckiest person alive though to have seen everything I've seen and met some of the most amazing people and made some really good friends.
It still frustrates and angers me that nothing more can be done to improve these peoples lives or stop people getting the illness in the first place, but I'm glad that i've witnessed first hand what happens to people with HIV in Africa and the sorts of things that are being done to try and help. The Dream Centre is doing really well but I hope that it continues to improve and grow and I know that there are people there who still really want to improve and make a difference for the patients, so who knows what the future holds for the Dream Centre. Over the last day or two before we left the water started to get luke warm...maybe there are brighter days ahead!

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