Day 3 Part 1 - Bugesera, Eastern Province, Rwanda; Nyamata, Gashora

We drove into the country side to the Eastern Province of Bugesera; approximately one hour from Kigali.  An area which was dessert like 15 years ago is now green, lush and beautiful.  We left early in the morning and viewed the mist across the fields.

 

Gashora

We learned about the rural development and successful interventions of the Vision 2020 Umurenge project:  an integrated local development program to accelerate poverty eradication, rural growth and social protection.  We met the director of the “Savings & Loans” equivalent; they have over 4000 community members.  It facilitates business development within the community; and there were several construction projects ongoing.

 

We had an African massage via the "jiggly" road - rainy season leaves many uneven roads.

We visited the new Gashora Health Clinic facilitated by The Access Project.  In conjunction with the Ministry of Health, the organization provides technical and operational assistance to improve the management capacity of rural health centers.  The health clinic provides care to over 20,000 local Rwandans.  The people are treated daily by nurses and a once a week visit of a doctor.  The medical care ranges from acute/chronic illnesses to maternal/fetal to nutritional/breastfeeding to family planning to HIV care.

 

Our next stop was the basket weavers cooperative ran by local widow women.  Covaga is a women's collective working in Gashora to fight poverty though their incredible talent for weaving baskets made from water hyacinth and papyrus.  The proceeds from the sales go directly to the women to feed families and daily survival.

 

We took a tour the Gashora Girls Academy of Science & Technology.  The Gashora Girls Academy is an upper-secondary boarding school for 270 girls which opened in February, 2011.  GGAST overlooks Lake Milayi and is located on approximately 30 acres of beautiful land. The campus includes student dormitories, a dining hall with attached kitchen, classrooms, science and technology labs, computer lab, an art/mixed media center, and auditorium/community center.  Along with their studies, the girls are involved with community service projects and sports.  Our tour guides were two aspiring seniors Grace [global health interest] and Kevine [engineering interest].  These well poised, intelligent and personable women will succeed in excellence.

 

We concluded our rural outing by having lunch by the lake at La Palisse Hotel.

 

 

Day 2 Part 2 - Kigali, Rwanda

In the last 20 years, Rwanda has rebuilt their infrastructure and economy.  Tourism has blossom and there is pride of the new Rwanda.  Rwanda is known as the cleanest and safest country in Africa.  The country promotes green environment and plastic bags are banned.  There are people sweeping the streets in all community.  Umuganda is the last Saturday of each month; it is a mandatory day of community service.  Each community choses a project that is beneficial for them currently. 

 

 

The new Kigali.

We met with the local training team at King Faisal Hospital.  It was a productive meeting finalizing the logistics of our training sessions.  And we emerged from the meeting with a blessing of the rainbow.

 

Dinner was at Republika with Human Resources of Health/Ministry of Health representatives.  Dinner was family style and tried the native little fish Sambaza.  Sambazas are little fried fish usually served with a tartar-like dipping sauce and you eat the whole crunchy thing- head and tail included.

 

 
After a long day, Goodnight Rwanda.

Day 2 Part 1 - Kigali, Rwanda

We were taken on a city tour by our guide, Aime Nshizirungu, a native Rwandian and university graduate in Journalism.

Aime explained the founding of Kigali, pre-colonial period, colonization by the Germans & Belgium, the change of classifications from economic to ethnic, the foundation of the genocide period, and the post-genocide period.  I received a thorough history lesson of Rwanda.

Kigali is surrounded by 4 mountains, the highest being Mt Kigali. Kigali means big.  Richard Kandt was a German physician who settled in Kigali in 1907.  The first neighborhood of Kigali, Nyamirambo, was the settlement for his servants.  This neighborhood is still a sought out place to live today due to its vibrant activity; stores, restaurants, etc. open late.  This is the area of the city that never sleeps per Aime.

Next, we visited the Kandt House Museum of National History; former home of Richard Kandt.  The curator was extremely informative.  The museum strives to represent the evolution of the ground, animals and plants, and to explain the interdependency between living beings and their environment. 

 

 

 

The Unity round about is the center of the city.

 

While touring the center, the Rwanda Genocide of 1994 was discussed.  Last week was the 20^th anniversary memorial services and mourning of the Genocide.  The “antenna” from the hate radio that spread the propaganda.  The Hotel des Mille Collines where over 1000 people took refuge during the genocide; it only has 112 rooms.  It was the basis of the movie “Hotel Rwanda”; but according to Aime, the story was not translated to exact details.  Hmmmmm.

 

 

Our next stop was VERY emotional.  We visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.  I will let you read about the Genocide on your own. Pictures inside of the memorial were not taken.  You are able to read the development of the class structure from economic to ethnic, the division of the Rwanda people and the actions leading to the Genocide.  You are able to see video of survivors, pictures of the victims donated by families and pictures of many, many innocent children affected by being killed or orphaned.  I can’t say any more because it pains my heart.

 

 

This is a memorial site where approximately 250,000 victims were buried in mass graves; names etched on a wall.  There is still one open grave as remains are still located.

This is where I break for a breath.  Continue on to Part 2 for the rest of the day.

Day 1 - Kigali, Rwanda

Today was a day of rest after the 24 hours of traveling.  It’s Easter Sunday and I worshipped the Lord in privacy.  Breakfast and lounging in the lobby, I was able to see people walk by on their way to church. 

We ventured out into the city a little on the way to my friend’s house for brunch; it was a cloudy day because its rainy season.  Rwanda is known as “The Land of a Thousand Hills”.

 

My friend and colleague Liz DeVos held a brunch at her house.  She is an Emergency Medicine physician from Jacksonville, FL working at the government hospital to strengthen and train young physicians in our specialty.  She and her husband, Ted, are living in Kigali for one year. Kudos to Liz and Ted. She gathered other expats working in Kigali in medicine and other arenas. 

 

Three (3) young aspiring women physicians promoting global health improvement.  I applaud you all for exploring, placing your mark in the world, and living life to the fullest.

Later, our team met for dinner with Katie [Eos Visions Program Manager] and our guide for the next 14 days Aime.  Chez Lando produces some tasty meals.

 

 

Now off to bed and the ritual of netting myself.  Not as simple as jumping into bed at home in the US.  Yes, mosquito netting; extra protection because you never know when one has slipped into the room.

 

Tomorrow, city tour and meeting of the hospital staff.

Travel to Kigali, Rwanda, East Africa [April 18-19, 2014]

I am off to Kigali, Rwanda for 17 days [including travel days].  Two nurses and I are going to Kigali to teach Advance Life Cardiac support [CPR for with drugs and ECG requirements].  The classes will be at King Faisal Hospital but will include doctors and nurses from various hospitals.  The Global Engagement Institute/EOS Visions has partnered with King Faisal Hospital to support the nation’s long-term goal of developing healthcare across the country.  And I get to be part of this wonderful experience in Rwanda.

One bag for me, 1 carry on, and a bag of teaching equipment.

 

Needless to say, travel from Jacksonville, FL, USA to Kigali, Rwanda, East Africa is a LONG trek.  We started on Friday, April 18^th; leaving the house at 11:30 am for a 2:15 pm flight to Atlanta.  Layover in ATL was quick and we soon boarded the airplane for a hop across the pond [Atlantic ocean] to Amsterdam.  Eight (8) hour international flights can be taxing; so I advise to upgrade to the Economy Comfort (or equivalent) for the extra leg room & space - $59/79.  Fortunately, I am a Diamond Elite with Delta and receive Economy Comfort for no extra charge.  As we are about to board, my name is called.  I have been upgraded to Business Class; someone did not check in and they needed my coach seat for someone waiting on Standby.  YIPEE!!!  Business Class on Delta international flights:  individual pods, seats extend to flat beds, down comfortable, 17” screen monitor/TV.  If you flying across the pond, take the night international flight.  

 

 

 

We arrived in Amsterdam 8:00 am on Saturday, April 19^th.

Remember on long flights [>4 hours] you need to get up every 2 hours to walk around.  The veins in your legs need circulation so they will not form a blood clot.  And there are usually instructions at the seat regarding leg exercises to perform while sitting.  But we got our exercise once we landed in Amsterdam.  We walked about 3 miles from the arriving terminal to departing terminal.  KLM [partner of Delta] gave me comfort seating but no upgrades.  The airplane was half full so I had an entire 4 seat row to myself.  The food on KLM was average and not as good as previously; so I drank water a lot.  Remember to stay hydrated on your flight.

We arrived in Kigali on Saturday, April 19^th at 7:05 pm; approximately 24 hours later [5 hour time difference].  Next, customs, luggage & hotel; shower, food, and sleep in that order.

Travel Blog Attempt #3

In 2013, I had two wonderful “Trips of a Lifetime” to Thailand and Europe.  I brag about them ahead of time but never blog along the way and post the thousands of pictures I take.  So now I am venturing on another trip but plan to keep up with posting for this adventure.  I will post pictures of the previous trips when I get home.  Promise.

Late Posting

I am 6 months late posting from my previous trips.  I will be better at blogging for the upcoming "TRIP OF A LIFETIME"