Tea and sympathy.

It is not unusual to see refugees who are waiting.

They wait in lines for their monthly food distributions.

They wait on benches to see the doctor at the health center.

They wait for sheeting to repair their shelters and for firewood to cook their meals.

And they wait for peace to return to their country so that they can go home.

But for the two women who were waiting in an ARC vehicle parked in the yard at our Kigali office yesterday, the wait must have seemed especially long.

Beside them in the back of the vehicle was a small box covered with a cloth.

Inside the box was the body of a baby who had died the day before.

The women were waiting to take the baby back to Nyabiheke Camp to be buried.

Their sadness and patience broke my heart.

We held hands, we spoke through an interpreter, we had tea.

And when they were finished waiting, they left.

Now the baby lies in the fragrant pine forest of Nyabiheke Camp.

For him, no more waiting, and a peaceful rest.