The last few days have been so busy and I’m hitting near exhaustion, but the days have also been some of the best in my life. I keep joking that I want to move here because it feels like home. Maybe I’m not joking entirely. :)
What I love about this country is not only its esthetic beauty but the people. They are THE kindest, warmest, giving people despite their past and what they’ve overcome. Throughout the week I’ve often wondered why they’re so happy, why they are so giving, and so open. If I was a survivor of the genocide and my friends and family were killed and/or raped I’m not sure I’d be as peaceful as the people we’ve met.
Here is what we did on Tueday - Wednesday will come soon.
Tuesday
We met with a 27 year old American entrepreneur who has lived in Kigali for seven years and is creating solar energy technology for people living in rural communities. There is no electricity in most of Rwanda so his service is invaluable to those that need to charge cell phones, have a light in their house, and cook food. His goal is to provide solar energy to the developing world.
One of the most touching experiences so far this week was our visit to Gisimba Orphanage. Gisimba Jr. saved over 400 people, mostly children, from the Hutu extremists in 1994 by piling them into small rooms the size of closets. He would inter-mix the Tutsi and Hutu children so the Tutsi kids got a few minutes of light each day before they were sent back into hiding. Many times throughout the four months the militia groups would bang on the door and threaten Gisimba’s life with guns and machetes because they knew he was hiding Tutsi’s within the orphanage’s walls. Today, Gisimba houses 130+ orphans and many of the children sleep together because their capacity is built for 100.
What impacted me the most was the education for the kids in Rwanda and especially those that can’t afford the tuition fees. Education is not free here and the cost for a decent school that will provide an education and skills to get a low paying job, cost USD$660/yr per student, which includes tuition, clothing, school supplies, food and housing.
While we were there, I met a 15 year old Burundi girl who lost her entire family to war -or so she thinks. In reality she has no idea where her parents are or if they’re alive. She travelled to Rwanda on her own because she was told this is where she is from by a man who was her caretaker a short time before his death. At 15 this young girl left everything she knows and came to Kigali to “find herself.” And not find herself in the sense of a post-University European vacation, she literally wants to find out who she is and where she’s from. She isn’t going to school because the orphanage can’t afford to send her. For me, this was heartbreaking and I want to do everything I can to raise the money for this girl so she can get her education and go to University.
A huge thank you to Michael for providing the soccer balls for the kids and to Kristen's class at Hapnot Collegiate for the box of school supplies and the balloons. The balls and balloons provided hours of fun for the kids and they were so happy to receive them. I'll send/post pictures when I return in January.
I encourage you to google Gisimbia because he has in incredible story and he's in the Holocaust Meseum in the US.
After an emotional and inspiration day, we met with the owner of the solar energy company at an incredible Indian restaurant to speak further about how his business is going to impact poorer communities around the country.
Random Information:
1. It’s illegal not to wear shoes in the capital city, Kigali. (People in rural areas don’t often wear shoes)
2. Toilet seat in private homes are covered with a terry cloth for comfort – much like the old, plastic ones you see in old lady’s houses in North America.
3. Driving – WOW I’m glad we have a driver because the drivers and motorcycles are all over the place and will come within inches of hitting each other on the road. Driving accidents are the most common way to get hurt in Rwanda. It’s one of the safest countries in Africa and the world. 4. I love the woman that carrying their baby on the back in a scarf that’s been tied around their waste, a water bottle on their head and they are walking uphill. I’ll try to get a picture of these but it’s harder than you’d think.
5. The temperature at this time of year is around 20C and in the "summer" it's approx. 29C.
Please donate $50 to Global Relief and Development Partners' Social Entrepreneurship Program and Faith Victory's Orphanage in Kigali, Rwanda. Every dollar makes a difference.
- About Me
- An avid volunteer, Melanie Woodward has built a life based on passion…passion for learning and for discovering and travelling the world. Melanie had an incredible, life-altering volunteer experience with Global Relief and Development Partners in Kigali, Rwanda in December, 2009. Her self-funded trip to Rwanda is one of several initiatives Melanie has undertaken for the betterment of the Rwandan people. She is also working with Gisimba Orphanage, Faith Victory Association, she is funding the education of a 15 year old orphan she met in Kigali, and plans an annual art fundraiser (www.artforafrica.info). Melanie is thrilled to be working with Global Relief and Development Partners, where their level of passion matches her own. Melanie’s formal education and experiences volunteering have prepared her for this life-changing journey. She has traveled to over 26 countries, working and volunteering in many of them. A former event planner for events like the Juno and Grey Cup festivals, Melanie has combined her organizational spirit with her humanitarian heart for the greatest experience of her life.
Map of Rwanda
