Saturday, June 4, 2011

Hotel Rwanda Reborn


Tuesday night we had dinner at Hotel Des Milles Collines, (Hotel of the thousand hills). On Tuesday evenings, brochettes are served and cost only 1100 Rwandan francs, a little less than 2 dollars each. Beef, chicken or fish are roasted on a skewer and are very much like our kabobs. Personally, I can recommend the fish and the chicken! The hotel is fenced and gated and sits in the middle of a bustling commercial area. We entered the beautiful lobby through glass doors and were met by the sweet fragrance of flowers. This could have been a Ritz-Carlton in the US, spacious and well appointed. On the balcony patio, tables were set for dinner. By the pool there was a bar and a band playing “Afro-fusion”, a pleasingly soft, bluesy  type of music. Tables were set around the pool, chairs were cushioned and the view over the city was amazing. But for those of us who have seen the movie “Hotel Rwanda”, we were mesmerized by the pool. During the genocide less than 20 years ago, this hotel was a refuge for those fearful of losing their lives. Over 1,000 Rwandans lived here in harsh conditions to save their own lives.. As the aggressors cut off the water supply, those in the compound used the pool water to survive. The atmosphere today gives no hint to the hotel’s history. All is light, clean, beautiful and happy. The irony is not lost on me. Hotel Des Mille Collines is still a refuge, but now one where we came to escape the business of our hectic days, the routine of the past 2 weeks, to be rejuvenated. And as we sat around that pool, watching the sun set over the thousand hills of Rwanda, we each felt that the pool still has a life giving quality, because we left with a renewed energy to face the excitement of our adventure.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Treasure in the Heart of Africa


Sunday was a day of reflection. Celia and I attended an early service at St. Etienne Anglican Church with Shannon Lair, who is coordinating the teaching efforts of all 3 teams. Shannon is a teacher and lived in Kigali for almost 2 years, so she considers this city one of her homes. She is a great help in educating us: how to get a taxi, how much to pay, how to honor the customs of the Rwandans. Our experience would be much more challenging without our trusty guide, Shannon!
After church, we visited the Genocide Memorial Museum in Kigali. Much like the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., the exhibits chronicle the time line of genocide in recent history. In Germany, Sarajevo, Namibia and Cambodia, entire races have recently been targeted for destruction. Some of these horrors have taken place in my lifetime and I am embarrassed to say that, at the time, I was unaware of the gravity and impact of the tragedies. Now that I meet survivors of the Rwandan genocide every day, it is impossible not to feel emotionally about the inhumanity that still flourishes in parts of our world. Here it is not uncommon to meet a person between the ages of 18 and 30 who is the only surviving member of their family. These are young men and women who were deprived of any family connection or support in the early and formative years of their lives. Many saw their families killed and were left to fend for themselves as children and teens. Others were left to care for their siblings, to provide food, clothing and shelter in any way they could. All were left to struggle with the emotional impact of all they had experienced, without a mother or father to lead or reassure.
The second memorial that we visited was quite a drive outside of the city. There we saw a church, benches filled with stacks of clothing belonging to the dead. Underneath the church, the skulls and bones of those massacred in that very church building are kept. This graphic and gruesome display was heartwrenching The situation is mind-boggling, but even more so is the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation that lives in Rwandans today. These people realize that bitterness, unforgiveness and hatred will only harm themselves and so they choose to move forward, grateful for what they do have, rather than to focus on the horrid past. They remember, hopeful that history will not repeat itself. But they also provide an atmosphere and opportunity  to heal and grow, learning from the past and moving into a bright future.
The walls in Kigali are topped with broken glass, to keep intruders out.
On Sunday morning at St. Etienne, a handful of Americans worshipped alongside their Rwandan Christian brothers and sisters. We sang familiar songs and heard scripture and a sermon in English. The priest’s challenge to us was to work with our hands, mind our business and live holy lives (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12). This is a great charge and for this next week, it should be an easy task. The great challenge for me will be when I return home and am tempted to fall into old habits. When 4 classrooms of eager students don’t demand my attention, what will I fill my time with? But more than the lesson of the sermon, will I carry with me the lessons of forgiveness and reconciliation? My prayer is that I will take the example of Rwanda back home, becoming more forgiving, more involved in others lives and more eager to enjoy all that is around me, because this truly is the treasure of the heart of Africa.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Community Service Saturday

On the 3rd Saturday of every month, Rwandans turn out for a community service day called Umuganda. It is designed to keep communities clean and well-tended. Our effort this morning was to paint blackboards at the primary school where we are teaching. The boards are well used, since the students English lessons prior to our arrival consisted of their teacher filling the blackboard with English, science and social studies lessons written in English. Although most of the teachers do not speak English, they dutifully copy the lessons and, likewise, the students copy the board into their notebooks. The headmaster of the school, a young man named Lambert, had hoped that we could paint the 2 boards in each of 3 classrooms. We managed to finish 10 classrooms in under 3 hours!




Some of the students we teach were attending classes on Saturday and many others showed up to help with community service. It was a perfect time to visit and take a few pictures. And little Rwandan kids love to have their picture taken!
On the walk home we met up with two women who were carrying these loads on their heads, a common form of transport. One of the women was carrying extra cargo! I have yet to see a baby cry when it is on its mothers back like this.



Back at the guest house, we were joined by 7 young boys who live at an orphanage called the Peace House. They were entertained by all of our electronics. Several took photos with our cameras and Iphones, while others looked over our shoulders as we were on our computers. They sang for us and were fascinated by Bekah's ukelele (but, so am I!). What a grand way to wind up this day dedicated to community....



                                                                                    

Friday, May 27, 2011

Thank Goodness for College Students

It's Friday night. Our weekend started with a relaxing afternoon on the porch, then we were joined at dinner by Tojay, Fred and Joel( a Rwandan who earned his Masters at Harding). Afterwards, we headed back to the porch to sing and listen to Tojay play the drums. I'm hoping that the new camera (Thanks Jeff!) captured the performance on video. I am admittedly an amateur and find it much easier to enjoy my travels without a camera in front of me. But in the interest of sharing this fabulous experience, I am stretching my boundaries. This old dog is up for learning some new tricks.
As the singalong died down, several of the college students gathered to head out. Maybe to salsa dance, maybe to the internet cafe. Did I want to go? Well, why not? On the taxi ride over, we got a message that there may be a concert at some restaurant...Do we want to join? Who knows? Life is full of possibilities, these young people remind me. Any choice will be a good one, I am sure.
But for now, we sit in the internet cafe, each of us tied to technology, with a cup in our hand. Relaxing after a challenging week. Rewarding ourselves for a job which we hope has been well done. And tonight, I am grateful for my new young friends for helping me to keep a fresh and exciting perspective on life. 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Luxury Redefined


Every day, after teaching two morning classes, we come back to the guest house to rest and eat lunch. The two hour break is a nice refresher from the high energy of our mornings and afternoons. Today, we found a little friend, who must have come to work with his mother or father. He is not at all afraid of 19 big, tall muzunga (white people). It was a challenge to get him to stand still long enough to take a picture, but I wanted to share this sweet surprise.



Last night, for the first time on this trip, I retreated to my room. Both roommates were out for the evening, so I showered and was ready for bed by 8pm. I had no way to connect to the internet, so I rested and read, went to sleep early and woke up ready to tackle the day. In our fast paced schedule, this was a luxury, a word which now has a new meaning for me. Things that I have always taken for granted, I now know are a luxury to so many in this world.
While I don’t want to say that I take my family for granted, I realize that I do. In Rwanda there are so many young people with no family as a result of the genocide. One of my roommates, Cindy, discovered that one of the 4th grade students is a 21 year old orphan. His name is Tojay and he is very bright. Like so many Rwandan orphans, he lived on the street for quite some time, fending for himself. He now lives at an orphanage for young men called Ten Talents (I know that you understand the significance of the name). For the last 2 years, he has trained as a carpenter and now finds himself back in school to prepare himself with an education. He and another orphaned young man, Fred, came to the guest house last night to visit. Cindy is tutoring each of these students after school and today they joined us for lunch. The meal that has become tiresome for me (meat, 2 starches and vegetables) was the best they have ever eaten they said. How humbling. Bright eyes, big smiles, willing to learn…I admire the resilience of these young men, which is so characteristic of each of the Rwandans I meet.
Fred, Cindy and Tojay

They remind me to be grateful for three things: my family, my food and my education. Not everyone in this world has been so blessed.

Since it is noon here, I will eat lunch soon, then walk through the guest house garden, down the dirt road to the school to teach 2 more classes.

The Garden
The Road to School
 Today we are teaching parts of the body and have done the “Hokey Pokey” to remind the kids of their new words. I’m not sure who is having more fun, us or them. We can begin to see that the students are catching on, remembering new words, forming new sentences. We are just on week 2 and by the time the 3rd team leaves in late July, I hope that most of the students will be comfortable with their newfound knowledge.
And, likewise, I hope that I, a student of this new culture, do not forget all that I have seen and experienced, this glimpse into a world so different from my own.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Here I sit at an internet cafe, using their free internet to update my blog.  My family can tell you that this is a far cry from the Judy that left Little Rock last Monday. But as they say here, TIA (This is Africa). Most everything is different here, so why not a change of attitude? Like, why worry when 30 dirty children crowd around me to hug me? Or to feel my hair? Or to be so anxious to get near me that I have to stand firm to keep my balance?  I am a curiosity, but I am also someone who they know cares for them. Their smiles and shining eyes when they greet me confirm that. We have a connection that defies the language barrier.
When in Kigali...why not ride a moto-taxi? So I packed my laptop in my (big) purse and hopped on the back of a motorcycle (sorry Dad!). My friend and I negotiated a price and here we are. There are several of the students with us at the cafe, so we will all head home together. On the ride over I wondered, are these crazy drivers or are they actually the best drivers on earth. What looks like chaos really works well and I have yet to see an accident.
I, like most of you, am so used to getting what I want when I want it. Now, internet has to be scheduled. Meals come at predetermined time. Lunch and dinner are guaranteed to have a small portion of meat, rice, potatoes or bananas and a vegetable. Dessert is always fruit. One shower and toilet is shared among 5 of us. And I have roommates again. Celia, Cindy and I are in a 3 bed room. It is a nice arrangement, but I miss my own bed and bath! 


Many of you know my aversion to having dirty feet. That is now a thing of the past. Wearing sandals to walk on dirt roads guarantees grimy feet. And when the trucks drive past, dirty everything. I am in Africa, so I try to go with the flow. And appreciate the simple things. And be grateful for the home I have to return to.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Slip Slidin' Safari

Up at 4am to leave at 5am. Three  Toyota Land Cruisers picked us up at our guest house to take us to Akagera National Park in the Eastern Province of Rwanda where we would go on a safari.  That SUV is the most comfortable place I have been since I got off of the plane. Good thing for us…we would spend the next 13 hours in it!
The park is about 2 ½ hours from Kigali. This was our first trip outside of the city and as it turned out, the safari wasn’t the only educational tour we would have that day.  Along the highway was a continuous view of poverty, like nothing I have ever seen.  One room houses without doors, small children walking alone on the shoulder of the road or playing in the dirt yard, goats tied up by the front door, women kneeling in the front yard washing clothes in a bucket, then laying them out to dry on the bushes. There was a steady stream of people walking beside the highway. Cars and trucks passed within inches of them sometimes, but neither driver nor pedestrian seemed alarmed.




 While it was still dark we began to pass folks on the way to market, women with bundles carried on their heads and men with bicycles loaded down with a variety of goods. The children followed along, some big enough to help by carrying a load. This was the scene all the way to the park.

When we arrived, each car had a park ranger to ride with us to tell us about the park and to spot animals. Our guide, Emmanuel, was knowledgeable and friendly. Our first sighting was 2 giraffe along with a herd of zebra. We got out of the car to take pictures of the cooperative bunch. Moving on, Emmanuel kept his eyes peeled, He showed us water buck (a type of deer), blackfaced monkey, impala and a herd of baboons running through the brush.




 We ate lunch by a lake where 4 or 5 hippos were submerged. Every few minutes they would raise their heads and eventually they raised their backs out of the water. As we moved on, the roads became very wet and muddy. We would slip and slide through the muck, hitting holes in the road that the driver couldn’t see because of the water. We had full confidence in him ( he has been driving for safaris for 17 years) and we were having a great time. After all, it wasn’t our car!



We saw mongoose, topi (another deer), buffalo and antelope. Our big quest was for the elephant, which remained elusive. But we had drive the length of the park, south to north and had plenty of photos and memories of animals and scenery. So, we bumped along the dirt road out of the park to head home. Our driver was as skilled on the road as he was off road, but driving in Rwanda will still curl your hair. We never felt unsafe, but let’s just say that in the US he just might have to repeat driver’s ed.
On the way home it began to rain. The people still walked beside the road and it occurred to me that this is a culture that carries on. Despite inconvenient circumstances like the rain or washing clothes by hand, or going to the town pump with 5 gallon jugs to get water, then carrying the full jugs back home, or not having electricity….or recovering from the awful history that this country has so recently experienced; in spite of all of this, this culture carries on. They carry on with pride and a dignity that does not come from material wealth, but from a strength that I am seeing for the first time. And I think that, even though I came to Rwanda to teach, I am the one who has a lot to learn.

Friday, May 20, 2011

A Fine Example


After supper tonight we joined members of African Transformation Network and Extra Mile for a worship service. ATN is a group of Americans working with Rwandans for progress. Extra Mile is a group of young people orphaned by the genocide who are without homes. Through their relationship with ATN members, these young people are being taught to be leaders who are forgiving and gracious, seeking reconciliation. What a phenomenal place to be and what special people to meet. I have often heard lessons about forgiveness and reconciliation, but have never seen it demonstrated in such a beautiful way. These orphans are living in a society with the very people who took the lives of their families and learning to show the unconditional, undeserved love that Christ showed. This evening was emotional, yet encouraging and challenging to say the least. Hearing prayers, scripture and lessons and singing songs in both English and Kinyarwanda, we worshiped alongside these people who really understand God’s love and mercy. I can’t think of a better place to have been.

Rewarded in Rwanda

(I am having trouble posting pictures, but wanted you to know what is going on. I promise photos as soon as possible!)


Back in the room, listening to the rain outside, we are resting after completing our 3rd day of teaching. We teach the same 4 classes each day. Each class is  an hour and 20 minutes long, followed by a 20 minute break before we move to the next class. A 2 hour lunch/rest time breaks up our day, then back to the school for the next 2 classes, with 20 minutes between. We try to leave our classes a little before the students are dismissed for their break (recess). If we wait too long and are out in the school yard when the kids come out, we are swarmed. Every child wants to touch or shake hands with us. Some want to feel our hair. It is heartwarming to hear them call “Teacher Judy” or repeat some of the phrases we have been teaching. Their affection is sweet and genuine.
The children play in the schoolyard with little restraint. Their entertainment is provided by an empty water bottle or a homemade ball (rags rolled together and secured by rubberbands), to simulate soccer. There are clapping games and dancing games and children running and falling down. It reminds me so much more of my childhood than anything I have seen since. The ground is dusty and so are the children, but they really don’t care. There are smiles on almost every little face. Most of those little faces look at us adoringly.







There are lives I can imagine without children but none of them have the same laughter and noise.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Our Evening Adventure

UPDATE:  THERE IS NOW A PICTURE!
There are no pictures of this adventure, so you will have to use your imagination. Several of us walked to the market this evening. The market is a bazaar, a little like the River Market in Little Rock. It is a combination farmer's market, craft fair and yard sale. The fruits and vegetables were vibrantly colorful, most with the dirt from the garden still clinging to them. The batik scarves were brilliant. The "Western-world" clothing being sold looked suspiciously like thrift store items. There were several large piles (2 feet high) of white flour, sitting on tables, waiting to be weighed and purchased. There were Singer treadle sewing machines (like my grandmother used) lined up, with women sewing items to be sold. We were approached by many Rwandans, some who spoke to us in Kinyarwandan (the native language), others who wanted to practice their English on us. Such a large group of "muzungu" (white people) attracted alot of attention, but in a nice, friendly and curious way. What a wonderful way to end our day, being a part of the community we are here to serve.

Getting Down to Business

My friend, Celia Anderson from Fayetteville, AR with some of the school children.


Kicukiro Primary School is a 5 minute walk from the guest house where we are staying. We walk through the courtyard, past the Catholic church across a paved street, then a block down a dusty road to the gate of the school. Breakfast is at 7am and we are out the door at 7:45, so we can begin teaching at 8am.
Wednesday was our first day at the school and nothing could have prepared me for the welcome we received. As we gathered at the gate, curious little faces peeked from classroom windows and doors. Four buildings surround a main courtyard and as we walked through the courtyard we heard the little voices….”Hello, hello” and saw the hands waving out of the windows, the faces smiling in the doorways. All eyes were on us and it was obvious that the students were excited about our visit. We were cheered along as we walked to the classrooms we would teach in. Touching, humbling, emotional and challenging. We were being treated as dignitaries. Each of us was wondering if we could live up to expectations.



Our first day of teaching was exhausting, but exhilarating. We teach 2 classes of 3rd grade and 2 classes of 4th grade. The students are respectful, smart and affectionate. The teachers are appreciative. Some of the students seem tentative speaking English, others are comfortable repeating what is spoken to them, while there are some who are able to engage in some conversation. Most of the students love to be called on. In the 3rd grade classes, many raise their hand, stand up and inch closer to the front of the room, snapping their fingers, saying “Miss Teacher, Miss Teacher”, eager to answer. After class, out in the courtyard, students will surround us wanting to shake our hand, give a “high-five” or hug us. If we remember a name, they are delighted.
Little Rock seems a world away. Although 3 weeks seems like a long time, I can tell that there will not be time (nor energy) to be homesick. So far, the school has been our focus. I look forward to exploring Kigali. Truthfully, I look forward to a great night’s sleep! And I know that whatever comes in the next 3 weeks, it will be an unforgettable experience and a blessed memory. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Something's in the Air

Leaving Little Rock on an American Eagle flight, we had a special sense of closeness! But what a change when we boarded a 737 to travel from Chicago to Brussels! We were all excited and found it hard to get much sleep. And then there was our precious friend who traveled with us, little Princess...8 hours on a plane is a little much to ask of a 15 month old. When Princess was happy, she had every row behind her charmed. But when she grew tired, there was only one place she found contentment (and quiet), wrapped onto her mother's back. This is quite common in Africa and as long as the babies are tied to Mom, they are quiet and happy.



Boarding in Brussels, we were surprised to see that most of the people on our flight to Kigali and Entebbe, Uganda were Caucasian. There were several other groups traveling to do mission work and some business travelers. Rwanda is a country that is eager to advance and there are alot of Americans who are part of their growth process. We could not have been treated more hospitably by Brussels Airline. The picture is of the ice cream bar they passed out to each passenger between meals. I did not see one person turn down the ice cream! What a treat to see an airplane full of grown ups so happy! Perhaps the airline realized the world we were traveling to....
Whatever the reason, I'm looking forward to my ice cream on the flight home!
I will post as I can. Internet access is hard to come by and pictures take forever to upload. But I want to share as much of Africa with you as I can. So stayed tuned in....tomorrow begins our stay in Kigali, Rwanda.

Monday, May 16, 2011

And We're Off!

Grabbing a quick lunch before boarding in Little Rock.There are 19 of us from Little Rock, Searcy and Fayetteville. We are off to Chicago, then Brussels and, finally, Kigali. We will arrive in Rwanda around 11 tomorrow morning ( 7pm Rwanda time). Hoping to sleep from Chicago to Brussels to begin to adjust to the time change. We plan to hit the ground running on Wednesday morning. Here's to Benadryl and eye shades! 

Saturday, May 14, 2011

How It All Began

Several months ago, a friend asked me, almost casually, if I would consider traveling to Africa with her. My usual response to any offer of travel is "When do we leave?".  This time I was a little more cautious, realizing that I should probably try to get some facts to justify such a grand 3 week adventure. The opportunity was to join one of three teams traveling to Rwanda to teach English in a large public school in Kigali. I found (and so can you) information here  (www.africareadsnow.org) and was immediately interested. When I found the cost of the trip, I ran to my "cash stash", money earned from a little part-time job. Counting and recounting, I was only $19 short of the total cost of the trip. When a check for $21 arrived in the mail that week, I felt that was all the "sign" I needed. I have never felt a moment's hesitation about this trip. This is where I am supposed to be for the next three weeks...teaching and being taught, blessing and being blessed. I am so grateful for this chance to see another continent, another country, another culture. Along the way, I hope to hone my technical skills and keep you all updated with news from my great adventure in Rwanda. Keep me in your prayers and I'll keep you posted.