That's right, only five days until we are off to Rwanda!
I have been wanting to go on this trip since last fall when I took the First Year Seminar on Rwanda, and now it is right around the corner.
This trip is going to be incredible. Not only do we get to experience the geographical beauty of the "Land of a Thousand Hills," but we get to see the beauty in a nation that has utilized restorative justice in creating reconciliation.
I find Rwanda to be the most inspiring nation in the world. Coming from such a broken past to looking towards such a bright future, Rwanda stands as a symbol of hope.There is a lot to be learned from Rwandans about restorative justice and peace, and I can't wait to learn more by studying the work being done there. The more I read about the Rwandas actions of reconciliation, the more I want to begin my travel.
The journey we are about to embark on will be one which we will carry with us forever.
The final countdown to takeoff has begun.
Wednesday
Excited to Arrive in Rwanda! - Carolyn
I am so excited to go to Rwanda! Ever since I read the announcements about this trip and signed up, my anticipation has been building up. I am, however, getting a new perspective on what it may be like.
After taking the first class, I realized that my initial expectations about Rwanda were way off. The speaker spoke of the current safety of Rwanda and how it is more safe there than it is living in New Orleans. I was very surprised by this and realized that I had a very limited view of what the country was really like. She also spoke of how as a member of the middle class there, you are expected to have a staff to give people in your community jobs. As a sociology minor, I was very intrigued by how much the people of Rwanda care about each other and how much they rely on each other for support. Coming from an individualistic country, I will be interested to see how their views and daily lives differ from ours.
I am very excited to experience a new culture and I can't wait to get a perspective on another part of the world. Experiencing new food, culture and scenery are the things I look forward to the most!
--Carolyn Paulet, '13
After taking the first class, I realized that my initial expectations about Rwanda were way off. The speaker spoke of the current safety of Rwanda and how it is more safe there than it is living in New Orleans. I was very surprised by this and realized that I had a very limited view of what the country was really like. She also spoke of how as a member of the middle class there, you are expected to have a staff to give people in your community jobs. As a sociology minor, I was very intrigued by how much the people of Rwanda care about each other and how much they rely on each other for support. Coming from an individualistic country, I will be interested to see how their views and daily lives differ from ours.
I am very excited to experience a new culture and I can't wait to get a perspective on another part of the world. Experiencing new food, culture and scenery are the things I look forward to the most!
--Carolyn Paulet, '13
Tuesday
10 Days Until Take Off- Salisa
I am beyond excited to depart on May 25th for our journey to Rwanda! Not only have I been counting down the days since the day that I turned in my application in November, I have been in a semi-state of disbelief since that day as well. It is still difficult to fathom that in ten days we will be in Africa.
There are many things that I am looking forward to during our time in Rwanda but for me just being there will be more than enough. While I know I will enjoy the gorilla trek, and be moved by the memorial sites, and fall in love with the scenery, I am certain that even without all of that, this trip would be life changing for me.
After reading the many engaging readings that we have had (especially As We Forgive by Catherine Claire Larson) and watching Hotel Rwanda for the first time, I know that being in the actual country where nearly everyone that we meet will have been impacted by the genocide in 1994, I know that there are many powerful moments to come.
I am so excited for these next ten days to hurry by and to get going on this amazing journey ahead!
--Salisa Grant, '13
There are many things that I am looking forward to during our time in Rwanda but for me just being there will be more than enough. While I know I will enjoy the gorilla trek, and be moved by the memorial sites, and fall in love with the scenery, I am certain that even without all of that, this trip would be life changing for me.
After reading the many engaging readings that we have had (especially As We Forgive by Catherine Claire Larson) and watching Hotel Rwanda for the first time, I know that being in the actual country where nearly everyone that we meet will have been impacted by the genocide in 1994, I know that there are many powerful moments to come.
I am so excited for these next ten days to hurry by and to get going on this amazing journey ahead!
--Salisa Grant, '13
Les Enfants de Dieu
Our first site visit will be with Les Enfants de Dieu. Their mission? "To effect a transformation in lives of Rwandan street children by
alleviating their hardships and providing them with opportunities to
mature into valued and respected individuals that can be reintegrated
into and contribute to society."
Other information, quoted directly from their website:
'Les Enfants de Dieu' or 'Children of God' is a non profit organisation to assist street children in Kigali, Rwanda.
The organisation is secular. We adopted 'God' in our name to symbolise the protective and compassionate qualities of all religions and spiritual movements.
Our mission is to effect a transformation in the lives of Rwandan street children by alleviating their hardships and providing them with the opportunities to mature into valued and respected individuals that can be reintegrated into society and be able to contribute their skills, knowledge and ideas.
'The Association "Les Enfants de Dieu"' owns and runs a residential care center in Ndera, a suburb in Kigali near the international airport. The centre is situated on over 4 hectares of land, mainly in the valley.
At present we look after 117 former street boys aged between 7 and 18.
The facilities include:
Dormitory - can accommodate 150 children
Kitchen - with two fuel efficient stoves and a store
Classrooms - blackboards, desks and chairs.
Infirmary - dispensary, special care room
Multi purpose hall - under construction.
Playground
Agricultural Land
Fish Pond
We employ 19 staff including teachers, a nurse, a counselor, social workers, operations coordinator and a project manager.
*******
Check back in late May and see what the students have to say about what they learned!
Other information, quoted directly from their website:
'Les Enfants de Dieu' or 'Children of God' is a non profit organisation to assist street children in Kigali, Rwanda.
The organisation is secular. We adopted 'God' in our name to symbolise the protective and compassionate qualities of all religions and spiritual movements.
Our mission is to effect a transformation in the lives of Rwandan street children by alleviating their hardships and providing them with the opportunities to mature into valued and respected individuals that can be reintegrated into society and be able to contribute their skills, knowledge and ideas.
'The Association "Les Enfants de Dieu"' owns and runs a residential care center in Ndera, a suburb in Kigali near the international airport. The centre is situated on over 4 hectares of land, mainly in the valley.
At present we look after 117 former street boys aged between 7 and 18.
The facilities include:
Dormitory - can accommodate 150 children
Kitchen - with two fuel efficient stoves and a store
Classrooms - blackboards, desks and chairs.
Infirmary - dispensary, special care room
Multi purpose hall - under construction.
Playground
Agricultural Land
Fish Pond
We employ 19 staff including teachers, a nurse, a counselor, social workers, operations coordinator and a project manager.
*******
Check back in late May and see what the students have to say about what they learned!
Counting the days...!
Here it is, 15 May. In ten days - a week from Friday - we leave for Rwanda. The class had its first meeting on 5 May. We had a great presentation by Andrea Plautz, a public health researcher in Saint Paul who recently returned from over two years living and working in Rwanda. She had some great insight and terrific photos to share. We discussed the course requirements and spent a lot of time on logistics such as clothing, packing, etc.
I'm at my home in Canada right now and have my "staging area" set up. I'm piling up the bug juice, sunscreen, socks, fantastic washable underwear, snacks... And, I will soon pick up my Rx for Malarone, an anti-malaria med. I've tested out my new camera and am hoping to be able to post photos via my iPad. We'll see if I get that figured out. Hopefully students will post between now and when we meet again, saying a bit about what it is they are most looking forward to, etc. Counting the days? Indeed!
I'm at my home in Canada right now and have my "staging area" set up. I'm piling up the bug juice, sunscreen, socks, fantastic washable underwear, snacks... And, I will soon pick up my Rx for Malarone, an anti-malaria med. I've tested out my new camera and am hoping to be able to post photos via my iPad. We'll see if I get that figured out. Hopefully students will post between now and when we meet again, saying a bit about what it is they are most looking forward to, etc. Counting the days? Indeed!
Friday
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