Metta Journey friends

A wonderful aspect of the trip was meeting the group from the US - Metta Journeys did a great job of bringing us together and helping us get to know each other.  A GREAT group, without exception!!

My roommate Mary was really terrific...it was great to rely on her to make sure our passports and money were safe at ALL times.  Mary, you are the best!!!

Our guides/translators were incredible!  Very passionate about sharing their country's past, current state and future plans.  Thank you Hashmat, Patrick, Erik, Johnson and Theo for giving us such a great experience in your country!!

Rwandan Dancers

this was our entertainment before dinner on the last night.  the dancers were incredibly fit and their athletic abilities were amazing!!!

Imbabazi Orphanage/Rosamund Carr

This day was particularly inspiring in many ways.  We learned about an incredible American woman - Rosamund Carr - who spent more than 50 years of her life in Rwanda.  She moved to Africa with her husband and decided to stay when they divorced 14 years later.  Rosamund's loveless marriage did not include children which was one of her biggest regrets in life.  

Rosamund was forced to leave Rwanda during the genocide.  She returned to Rwanda post genocide and found a way to fill the void in her life...at 82 years old, she started the Imbabazi Orphanage on her plantation called Muongo near Gisenyi.  (Imbabazi means "where you find the love a mother would give")  Rosamund ran the orphanage until her death in 2006 at 94 years old.

Today the orphanage is home for 63 boys and 38 girls.  It was a pleasure to meet them and see how disciplined and self sufficient they are.  There is clearly a sense of family and unconditional love within this community of children who have so little.

When they sang to us, I don't believe there was a dry eye in the house...

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

this event was totally out of character for me - yet what an amazing experience....

Starting out on the trek seemed pretty easy and I was wondering why there was two guides with Machetes and a military guy with a rifle.  Silly white woman!

Meet Emanuel, my personal Rainforest Saviour.  Emanuel speaks very little English outside of: my name Emanuel, stinging nettle, gorilla poopie (along with a giggle) 

 and thank you along with a big smile when I tipped him every dollar in my wallet for bringing me back safely.  We did not need to say much, I just hung on to his hand and prayed that my Rainforest Saviour knew what he was doing! 

My prayers were answered as Emanuel was very skilled in the muddy Rainforest which challenged us with slippery slopes and muddy spots where we would quickly sink up to our knees.  The guides led the way cutting down branches and vines so we could pass through.  The sharp shooter kept an eye out for wild elephant and bison that could potentially charge the group.  The worms were bigger than the snakes I have seen in NC!  It took a little over two hours of non stop movement to reach the Gorillas but we made it!!!

We reached the Sabyinyo family of 7 Mountain Gorillas led by a Silverback.  It was 10:30 am and they were eating breakfast.  We stayed with them for about an hour - during that time, our guides made "gorilla noises" which made them feel safe around us.  The Gorillas were aware of us but were more interested in feeding than our presence.  

I should have brought a change of underwear (or Depends) because when the Silverback stood up, pounded his chest and screamed - announcing it was time for the group to move - I just about lost it!  You may get a little seasick at that part of the video :)  Enjoy!

Women for Women Success

Women for Women skill based training has expanded beyond making items such as jewelry and basket weaving to agriculture.  

We traveled outside the city to visit a group of women who were trained by Women for Women International to form an agricultural cooperative.  They started by establishing an organizational structure including a president, vice president and treasurer and renting a small piece of land.  

The young woman representing the cooperative in the video is the president.  She eloquently explained how this group of women are working together to execute on short and long term plans.   It was amazing to hear how much they accomplished in six months and the definitive plans for the future!

Meet my sister Sylvie and translator, Phina

The video is a little rough - my translator, Phina, was shooting the video while translating our conversation - yet it depicts a dream come true in that I have spent time with one of the women I sponsor.  Phina, you are the best, thank you!! 

Sylvie is 24, married with two children, 6 and 4.  Both Sylvie and her husband are orphans and live in a home with no electricity or water.  Yet you can see from the picture, Sylvie's eyes are bright and her smile is beautiful.  I was so inspired by her presence.  

Sylvie is just starting her 12 month program and wants to learn a skill that will help her earn an income. Her son is in school and she is committed to making sure both of her children receive an education.  

Sylvie is a beautiful, faith-filled woman and I am blessed to be connected to her.   

Phina, I am very grateful to you for translating for me, you made the experience very special!! 

Women for Women International

The group spent two days at Women for Women International in Kigali where we received an overview of the program, sat in on interviews with candidates and observed participant workshops such as AIDs/HIV awareness, home economics, financial planning and women's rights.  

Berra Kabarungi is the Director of the Rwanda program (second photo below). Berra is a visionary leader who has built a solid staff with great passion for helping women progress from victim to survivor to contributing citizens. We listened to the stories of several women who completed the 12 month program and were amazed at the confidence and individual accountability conveyed as well as how the women work together as a community.  

We all agreed the Rwanda program is very well run and we are now more committed than ever to continue sponsoring the outstanding work that is being done here.  

We received a wonderful greeting upon arrival at Women for Women International

The song being sung says welcome, we are happy to see you, thank you for coming.  It was just the beginning of the warm welcome we would receive from the people of Rwanda!

The Land of a Thousand Hills....

a name used to describe Rwanda and you can see why...it is truly beautiful!

Rwandan people emanate positive energy through their bright eyes and beautiful smiles!

We traveled within the city of Kigali and out to the rural areas of Rwanda and felt very safe everywhere we went.  Rwandan people are warm and welcoming, very proud of their country and culture.  

 

A Dark Day

Our first day started out with yoga taught by a wonderful instructor and beautiful person, Connie Beaudoin.

Despite the wonderful start to the day, it was dark in that we spent most of the day learning about the genocide of 1994.  

We started at the Belgium Embassy were eight soldiers were shot to death at the beginning of the war.  The memorial was created leaving the original bullet holes in the concrete walls and floor outside and inside the building.  It was very somber.  

We then went to the Kigal Memorial which was inaugurated in April 2004 on the 10th anniversary of the genocide.  It is estimated that the remains of over 250,000 victims are included in the common burial site.  The feeling there was formidable and emotions could not be contained.  What was particularly disturbing was the memorial to the children who were killed during the war.  The Rwandans want all who visit to learn about the past as it is considered an attack on humanity, not just the Tutsi's who were targeted. The more that know, the better the chance of it never happening again. 

   

That evening we watched a movie called "Shake Hands with the Devil" which was incredibly intense.  The movie was shot in Rwanda and it was interesting to note the sites we had seen that day in the movie.  According to the Rwandans, this movie most accurately depicts what happened.  Rwandans I spoke to do not sponsor the movie "Hotel Rwanda" as it was shot in Cape Town, not Rwanda, and it makes a hero out of the hotel manager who was seen as unethical by locals.  

There was a lot of meaningful dialogue amongst the group.  A dark day, yet necessary for us to understand the history of Rwanda and get the most from the remainder of the journey.  

Arrived safely and having a wonderful time

Friends and family - thank you again for your thoughts and prayers which have made a tremendous difference so far! 

The travel was very long but I met a few women in Brussels and we arrived together in Kigali fast friends with great energy and enthusiasm about what was to come.  After picking up our luggage (which all arrived without a hitch), we were greeted very warmly by the Metta Journeys staff and local Rwandans who quickly got us to our hotel - the beautiful Serena Kigali.  The hotel has hosted many diplomats and politicians, including the US Ambassador, Stewart Simon who is staying here for a meeting with President Kigame this week.  He stopped by to introduce himself at dinner and thank us for visiting Rwanda (it was not difficult to pick us out as we are the only group of white women drinking excessive amounts of wine!)   

It is very safe here.  Formerly, the number one industry was agriculture - coffee and tea - that has now been surpassed by tourism.  The government has gone out of the way to ensure visitors here are safe and warmly welcomed by all and they are undoubtedly successful.  I am safe and having a wonderful time!!   

A picture from last year's trip to Rwanda...

Sisters meeting each other for the first time.  I can hardly wait!!

Welcome!

Welcome to my wonderful family and friends!  I look forward to staying connected to the people who mean so much to me and have sent so many good wishes as I have prepared for this unique trip. 

It has been a pleasure to sponsor women in Rwanda and the Congo through Women for Women International www.womenforwomen.org over the past six years.  They are women who have endured challenges far beyond what we can imagine yet have an attitude and faith that has inspired me in so many ways.  What a blessing to have the opportunity to meet some of these wonderful women in person and celebrate their journey from victim to survivor to contributing citizen!

I have spent quite a bit of time reading and preparing to help get the most from the experience.  Will do the best I can to post and share what I learn while away.  

I thank you all for your good wishes and prayers that give me strength to make this journey on my own.  Staying connected through this blog will certainly help while away!

ADP friends: I know you won't believe this but I set up this blog ON MY OWN!  (check it out Chris Greulich!!)  Please don't expect too much ok?