Last week volunteering

My stay here has come to an end  and I am so sad to leave all the beautiful faces I have come to love here.Its a heart stabbing feeling because they have brought me such joy this month. I came here thinking I was going to teach these kids a lot but honestly they have thought me so much more. However, I almost think that if I were to stay longer, it would be more for selfish reasons than selfless reasons. Don't get me wrong I think I have done a lot of good being here and at the very least I have shown the kids that they are very special but I do feel that it has done more good for me than the children.
Its funny, but when people ask you how beautiful a country is they expect grand descriptions of the stunning architecture, the breath taking landscape and the stunning fashion but to me Vietnam is the most beautiful country I have ever visited but not for those reasons. I see beauty in the orphans eyes when they see you getting out of the taxi, I see beauty watching the old women praying at their doorsteps with their incense sticks, totally unaware of their audience, totally still with their lips sealed with peacefulness. Watching one of the toddlers take her first step was one of the most beautiful and saddest image, beautiful in that I felt the pride any mother would upon such an achievement but sad that her real mother is totally unaware of this milestone. At first I found this very difficult especially when I had just arrived and discovered a 4 day old girl that I have named baby grace abandoned at the gate but now I have come to accept that their mothers may actually just be doing it for their kids sake feeling they would have a better life at the orphanage where they will be fed and given an education. So I have found the little conformation that I have been looking for, love and happiness does exist universally- People are same same!!
So I really have had the best ever last week, we had a very special day on Wednesday because we celebrated Jade's birthday at the baby orphanage and brought in 2 big cakes and all the kids put on a little show for us. We then took them all swimming, which was another huge success. At home taking kids to a swimming pool would only be average but here for kids who never get the opportunity to venture outside of the orphanage walls, its such a treat. I am so sad to leave these wonderful kids but I know volunteers come and go all the time so there will still get many kisses and hugs. Tomorrow I have to say goodbye to fellow volunteers jade, Hannah and Becca, we have bonded so well over here enjoying many long cycles through the paddy fields, its sad to say goodbye but  hope we will cross paths again. All the GVN staff had been amazing to me, the cooks "Grandma" and Mrs "Hanh" presented me with beautiful gifts today and told me "I so sad you are leaving Katie". They are such wonderful people with the biggest hearts ever, I will dearly miss their sniff kisses every morning and their amazing food.
Overall, this experience has been the best experience of my life, in this month I have learnt a lot.I will never forget the memories, the kids faces and the friends I have made for life. I am not sure if coming here as a tourist would have given me the same impression of the country and for that I am thankful to have experiences it the way I have. As a volunteer working with natives I felt just a little more part of everything. My heart will always be with you Vietnam.