It's hard to believe there are only 46 days left until my flight leaves on December 11th. I can't tell you how excited (and a little nervous) I am about this trip - since it really is one life-long dream that I haven't fulfilled, and for those that know me well, they know that I do everything I set out to!
In the last month before I leave, there is still a lot to do. I continue to fund-raise for Global Relief and Development Partners and will ask you to make a donation to this worthwhile cause - I've made it REALLY easy - just click the donate button on the right and it'll direct you to the donation page where you can pay with credit card or directly from your bank account. The money goes directly to GRDP and will help more business owners create sustainable, self-reliant businesses. So, for all you business owners that are reading this, please remember what it was like when you first started and how a little extra money can go a long way. Donate $40. If you're not a business owner, please donate anyway because every dollar counts and I guarantee your contribution will.
While I am volunteering in Rwanda, I will video my journey with the entrepreneurs I meet and I want to ask you, "What would you like to know about Rwanda, about my trip, about GRDP, or anything else pertaining to this journey?" Particularly, what questions would you like me to ask the people that I meet? Please submit your questions and I'd be happy to answer them.
Submit your questions to rebuildingrwanda @ gmail.com and I will post them on this blog with the answers.
Here are a few that have been asked recently:
1. What will the temperature be like while I am there?
The sun shines year round and the mean temperature is 24C (76F).
2. What will I be doing while I am in Rwanda?
I will be working directly with GRDP and their local staff in Kigali (the capital of Rwanda). We will be doing a program evaluation of their coaching/mentoring program that has been operating for three years and we'll set up events with current GRDP participants to speak to other entrepreneurs about signing up for GRDP workshops. We will visit a local school to give the kids paper, pencils and crayons (apparently they love crayons but can't get them there!), and visit an orphanage to provide dental hygiene products and teach the the kids how to brush and floss their teeth - many suffer from gum disease which often leads to liver disease.
3. Who am I going with?
I will be travelling with Elizabeth Cox, a colleague from Chicago.
4. Where will I be staying?
GRDP is arranging accommodations for us in a local hotel.
5. How long is the flight and what's the route?
My travel time is approximately 24 hrs with flight times and layovers. I have a stop in the UK and Kenya before arriving in Kigali.
6. How many and which vaccinations did I need?
I can tell you that I am happy to have this over with! Needles don't normally scare me but a couple of these inoculations were unpleasant. I had Hep A & B, Polio, and Yellow Fever, and I will have to take malaria pills while I am there.
