2015 Rwanda Delegation: Timothy Lane
Making a difference in kids lives
The 14th started with another drive with incredible views over the land of 1000 hills. We toured some of the great business enterprise of Mr. Sina Gerard and I got some akabanga hot sauce which I have been enjoying on my food back here stateside. We visited a school the Mr. Sina Gerard built and is expanding up on the top a hill. He has many gardens and facilities one of which where he he plays music for his pigs which is really cool.
The Afternoon was the highlight of the day though. We visited the Rebecca Davis dance studio Mindleaps. Check it out. http://rebeccadavisdance.com/
They shared some dancing with us and we shared our show with them and we played some theater games with them and by the end we had become one community with these kids from the streets and their dance instructors. This is when the real party began we all danced together showing off moves. Those boys really had some moves. You could tell the dancing meant a whole lot to them.
We had some fun on Thursday as well running theater games with the kids at the Wellspring school. Once again I enjoyed the opportunity to facilitate some more theater games. My favorite part of that day was lunchtime. It was really cool how the teachers take time each day to do some devotionals and ask for prayer requests and personal testimonies. Imagine if Teachers in American schools took the time every day to sit together as a community to share what is going on in their lives and support one another.
Once Again on Friday morning I got to experience another program that makes a difference in the lives of street children through the arts at Everest's Cultural center. Here the dance that is taught is traditional Rwandan dance teaching these kids about their heritage. I really loved seeing these kids light up being able to share their talents with us. It is great to see the arts making a difference in children's lives. They were so pleased to share with us I just had to give something back so Ashley and I led a couple of our theater games with them by ourselves, I felt proud to be able to share what we learned with them. A great way to end a spectacular stay in Rwanda. I will never forget the smiles on those kids faces.
This whole trip is beyond words When people ask me how it was I just say it was great or amazing but that doesn't even begin to describe it. Life changing I pray that I may incorporate what I learned there back to life back here stateside.
Amahoro!
Work through play
Monday and Tuesday we started the teacher training portion of the trip. We were teaching the use of drama based education with a group of teacher trainers at Wellspring academy in Kigali. These are the folks that are going to be training the teachers at the wellspring schools throughout the country. It started with a powerpoint presentation by drew on Anne Frank and what the project is about. We then presented our play which was really well received. At first the group was confused on how they could use drama in the classroom. The idea is to use drama as a means to get kids actively learning on their feet rather than passively sitting and listening to a lecture. We learn much better when we use our bodies. So that is what we did with the teacher trainers we used our bodies and took them through some of the warmups and games that we as theater people use and that are also helpful teaching tools for becoming present in the moment for learning. They were hesitant at first, we were doing some pretty strange things shaking around making noise and panting like a dog but it was really cool to watch them starting to get into it. By the end of the day they were all smiles wanting to do more. Their favorite game was the gibberish village where everybody walks around and talks to each other using only gibberish and wild gestures. During the breaks and when they left they would greet each other with gibberish. It was great.
The voice of Martin Luther King in Rwanda
Tuesday we met up with the teacher trainer for tea before beginning our work for the day and they once again greeted us with gibberish. We started with a sitting discussion again after tea where Drew talked about Martin Luther King Jr. Though he was an American figure, his message is applicable worldwide. It was not just about Blacks and Whites it was about respect and equality among all people. I loved hearing Rwandans reading the I have a Dream speech. One gentleman, I feel bad for forgetting his name because he was also in my group later in the day, was so good we just asked him to keep reading to the end. He really embodied Martin Luther King in his reading.
After the discussion we went outside for some warmups and to begin the work of story building. We split into three groups to come up with themes based on the I have a dream speech. Molly and I led a group of 6 others and the theme we came up with was Inequality, our first enemy. At first we had a lot of thinking and discussing but eventually we started moving and built a machine with our bodies to tell the story of our theme. What was really cool is how we used the hill we were on to contribute to the telling of our story by creating levels to show the inequality.
Getting moving again after lunch
I appreciated the opportunity to lead a small group. the collaboration was great and it was cool to see the growth. Our group was so insightful and Everybody became fully invested in the story. We called all three pieces together Peace will come. I loved it when we all came together and danced at the end singing Amahoro Azaza! It seems like they got a lot out of the workshop and will put the skills that they learned to good use in the classrooms around the country. These teacher trainers were a pleasure to work with, we will miss them.
Weekend thoughts
This weekend we had more time than usual to ourselves nothing major was planned. Saturday was our second market experience and I felt like I got a better hang on the bartering thing though it is still a challenge, It's how it works but I still can't help feeling bad asking for a lower price. In The afternoon we had our first full workshop experience at Inema arts studio where we presented our play had discussion and then we built a story together called Talking heals the Heart. It was a blast.
http://inemaartcenter.com/
Dinner at Mr. Chips a Rwandan version of an American burger place was good, so much better than American fast food though it was a shock having so much grease after eating all the fresh Rwandan food we've been having.
Sunday Morning we went to church at a Zion Temple. The energy in the room was so amazing. I loved looking around the room at the people while they were singing, Such passion. The music was great. The rest of the service was preaching. There were some points that I just disagreed with. It seemed to me like the preacher was expressing that he had all the answers. His sermon was about describing the thoughts of God. I just don't think anyone can claim to have all the answers or have the only answer and definitely not claim to know the thoughts of God. That being said though he did have some really good points that really resonated with some of our experiences so far here in Rwanda.
Thanking before asking.
That is something that many Rwandans do that is so great. Our server last night after dinner said thank you for the opportunity to serve you. He then gave us each Kinyarwanda names. My name is Umucyo which means light. This is such a good way to live to first take in all that we are given even when it seems like little we can be so much happier. Then if there is still a need after we have thanked God for what we do have then we may ask for more blessings.
Peace before Justice
This is so profound and it connects right into what we experienced at the prison camp. In America we are so focused on justice it is destructive. Justice is placed before everything else it seems. We always have to get even somehow. In a way justice becomes just a cleaner, more polite word for Revenge. If everyone continues to be set on justice all the time, if we always have to be right it will always be an endless chain. Be the one to break the chain. Seek peace before justice with your neighbor, your friend, your spouse, with the perpetrator. Put yourselves on level ground, see each others common humanity then later you can resolve issues as brothers and sisters in creation.
It was interesting to also connect this with a conversation we had later that night. Carl brought in a friend who was a professor and a survivor of the genocide to meet us and share some of his story. He told us about how he pleaded with the people who were going to kill him to let him tell his story first then they could kill him. The killers debated but then agreed to let him speak. After he spoke they debated some more but none of them was willing to kill him. What happened was that by stopping to listen to him they humanized him whereas in order to kill like they did they had to dehumanize their victims. He was now on level ground with them and they could no longer hate him. If we just let go or our intense need for justice and take time to really listen to and humanize the person with whom we have a problem we can make peace and and come up with solutions together as brothers and sisters. May we all be inspired by Rwanda and their power of forgiveness.
Though our weekend was less busy it was just as thought provoking. On Sunday afternoon Ashley and I had a nice walk and conversation with Pacifique and I bought some wonderful paintings from him that were painted by a 12 year old boy.
These are a style of painting that represents 4 seasons of Rwandan refugees returning home after the genocide. This is season 4, the preceding seasons have more smaller figures of people.
Murakoze na Amahoro - Thank you and Peace
Muhanga
Yesterday we went back to Buffalo's sister city of Muhanga to meet the mayor and donate two cows to two families. In Rwanda a cow means a lot. It provides milk and fertilizer for the family and their neighbors. A cow measures wealth, it raises a families status significantly. Though the ceremony was long and I had a hard time understanding it I could see the immense gratitude in the people's eyes. I could really appreciate how much this donation meant to them.
We then went to visit a couple families who had received gifts in the past. One family we visited had received a solar panel which made a huge difference for them because it allowed for their children and the children of the surrounding neighborhood to perform better in school because they could come and study after the sun went down.
This was the beginning of a hopefully long relationship between Mama Arlene and the Anne Frank Project. Special thanks to Melissa and GEI for introducing us and scheduling us to visit there.
After a nice lunch with the mayor we were in for a fun afternoon. We went to visit Mama Arlene's school and youth home. Here we had our first teaching endeavor where we presented our play for the teachers at the school and had a discussion with them about the use of drama in education and the impact that theater can have. It was fun doing an improv to demonstrate the equation 2+2=4. It seemed that the teachers were very receptive. We then went to visit the children at Mama's home. Mama Arlene was this great old woman from Pennsylvania who had established this whole complex on several acres of land for these children and the surrounding community. We played with them for awhile and then had to depart but most of us could have stayed there all day.
A day in the life
Thursday was a nice change from from the day before. We went to a small village in Muhanga and spent the whole day with a cooperative at two houses in an Umadungadu - neighborhood. We peeled Cassava root we cultivated the earth with hoes for a bit in their field and then carried grass on our heads and then went down to fetch water from a down the hill. We had lunch with the group of women. It was a feast, fresh off the tree avocado, Cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, corn and pineapple. We were stuffed and yet they kept bringing us more food. They are so hospitable. The afternoon we we sat in the shade with the women and were shown how to weave jewelry. My favorite part was playing with the kids, they were everywhere. I love how everyone there is part of one big family. We concluded the day with some dancing and then performed our piece for them. I really appreciated learning about how the people in the villages live. It's a humble lifestyle by our standards but it was very peaceful and I am constantly amazed by the sense of community here in Rwanda. We can learn so much from these people.
though it is afternoon Mwaramutse! to you all at home
An afternoon without words
Wednesday we started the day with some good acting exercises at the GEI office followed by lunch once again at one of our favorite restaurant buffets, Karibu which is Swahili for welcome. I just have to take a moment to brag about the food here. I always eat too much. It has been amazing Fresh fruit every day, oh and the avocado here, wow so good. I bought a mango the other day at a local market, I overpaid because I didn’t barter but it was beautifully delicious, worth every franc.
In the afternoon we took a long drive to visit the Murambi Genocide memorial. Fortunately we first stopped for lunch and wonderful homemade ice-cream from Sweet Dreams, a ice cream parlor opened to help support the women drumming group called Ingoma Nshya. Here's a link to check out what they are about.
The afternoon was difficult I don't know how to really describe what happened at this memorial. Murambi was a technical school that was under construction during the genocide where tutsis were told would be a safe place for them to go, but it was a deceit. Thousands of Tutsis died in the classrooms at this school.
Murambi is unique in that they display actual bodies preserved in Lime in the classrooms. The experience seemed surreal. As we went through the memorial I knew that it was real but just the way that they were presented it seemed like a grotesque art exhibit. I respect making sure what happened is remembered but I still don't know what to think even several days later. As we walked through the rooms I felt like I needed to feel something; grief, sorrow, anger, even confusion I searched and searched looking for something to move me but all I could do was walk through stone faced. An approaching thunderstorm seemed poetic to where we were but even still the feelings were blank. I know what happened, I know it was terrible I just could not connect with Murambi. Fortunately at the end the atmosphere was ironically lightened by Rebecca Rob and I getting stuck in a blackout and Molly laughing in the rain. Perhaps later I will have something else to say about Murambi or perhaps my blank stone faced reaction was the best most appropriate reaction I could have had.
We are all human
This day was perhaps the most unique and most enriching experience of the trip so far. This day we were to travel to a prison camp. This was far from anything you might expect. When we first got there it was awkward. It was intimidating considering these men had once participated in a genocide. Tons of questions ran through my head. Were these men angry were they still in denial? Did they resent us being there? As we spent more time there and Carl and drew helped begin a conversation between us and the prisoners. these questions went away. After the initial fear went away I didn't even think about how these men's criminal history at that time they were just people with stories just like the rest of us. This experience was truly amazing. The prisoners sense of community is so strong. This is an open air camp with no fences or chains or even armed guards, the prisoners could even interact with the local village folk, the children and they could even go home ten days and sometimes more for special events each year. They always came back. It was mind boggling considering our justice system in America. Such a thing would never happen in America. Lock them up! Throw away the Key! They are criminals! They're evil! They're animals! No These are Men, yes men who committed terrible crimes at one point but they are men all the same, they are not their crimes.
When can we let forgiveness into our hearts? We do not have to fear forgiveness because it does not mean we are excusing or forgetting the deeds, it means we are giving ourselves and the perpetrator permission to go on living. The people of Rwanda are a true inspiration for forgiveness. These prisoners danced for us and with them danced Pelle, the woman in charge of all corrections in all of Rwanda. This moment brought tears to my eyes and I don't just say that it did actually happen.
I pray that one day too in America the Prisoner may dance with the guard, I pray that the perpetrator may dance with the victim, I pray that the lion may lay down with the lamb. May Rwanda be a testimony for us. Violence only begets violence, Hatred only begets hatred but so too can Love beget love.
We shared in common humanity with these men as we performed for them in the rain and as they all helped us get our bus out of the mud and up the mountain.
We must always remember the vast potential inside each and every one of us for great evil and for great goodness.
AMAHORO!
One of a kind experience
Monday was very unique. We had the opportunity to visit Gihembe Refugee camp. A crowded camp at the top of a beautiful mountain where about 14,700 Congolese refugees are living some of whom have been there for more than 8 years. It was a moving experience. All the children, hundreds of pairs of eyes staring up at us admiring us and wanting to touch us just because we were there. We hadn't done anything special, we were just something new and different. I can still form a perfect picture in my mind of this one kid who held my hand almost the entire time. Performing for these thousands of refugees was amazing, I never would have thought I would be doing that even several months ago. My heart goes out to these people. I was once again reminded of my reflections from our trip to and from Akagera. You cannot put a price on happiness. Somehow no matter where you are God provides. These people could face immense suffering but still find happiness. I had a conversation with Carl last night about the Book of Job in the bible and it was interesting to compare to what we experience and learn about here in Rwanda. It is okay to be unhappy, to curse your situation, to question it and beg for better times. But then to come back from that and smile for the blessings that do come for the community that you can share in and not question God about the bad things in life, instead question humanity. These people at the camp are so strong they are an inspiration. When we left I didn't want to sleep in a bed, I wanted to get rid of all my possessions but that would do nothing. Instead I must praise God for what I have been given and share it with others. This includes the bad, for it is all part of our story. Ultimately Stories are the greatest gift. They are what unifies us.
Amahoro!
Amongst the heart of nature
Sorry It's been awhile. we've been very busy and having trouble connecting to the internet but here is My reflections on Akagera.
Akagera national park was amazing. Our first day was short it had even been considered not to go out the first day but boy was it good that we did. We saw all sorts of creatures including elephants. This was good because we didn't see any the next day we did not see any elephants.
I was constantly in awe of the lakes and the hills lining the park. I wish we could have gone hiking or out on a boat. The park was so full of life. It was a regular Garden of Eden there. Even the termite hills were spectacular, so many of them scattered about everywhere and each one its own world full of life. It made me think about their existence and how small their world is yet how big it is too. I thought about myself and all the traveling I have done and all the different experiences I have had but then what does that matter. I wouldn’t be any less if I hadn’t done these things why would anybody else. Even the termites in each termite mound of Akagera plays a role in the circle of life on this planet. Everyone, everything has a story. It’s overwhelming trying to comprehend over 6 billion stories but we don’t have to, we just have to acknowledge and respect the stories of everyone we meet wherever one may go whether it just be our own neighborhood or every corner of the globe. Whenever I get caught up in trying to plan everything I need to do to be successful I should stop to think about Akagera and the termite hills and remember all that matters to make up the vast beauty that is life.
Thank you to our amazing drivers Martin and Everest.
Memorial reflections
I'm sorry I'm a bit behind on this blog but we have been having very full days and I end up wanting to crash by about 8:30. I Swear it feels like we have been here for weeks. The food has been glorious fresh fruit every day. I bought some fruit at a market we stopped at on our city of the tour I didn't realize you are supposed to barter so I overpaid for just one passion fruit and mango but hey you live and learn. It's interesting how that is how goods are sold in most of the world. We are spoiled in America being just given the price and paying it. Next time we go to market it is going to be a challenge because I am often not as self confident and decisive as is needed to barter. Anyway you live and learn, I'm going to enjoy the heck out of that mango tomorrow morning.
Anyhow I am rambling. Saturday morning was powerful. We went to the memorial church at Nyamata. Mass killing in a church, people thought they were safe. It was chilling to see all the clothes piled all around the church. What really hit me was seeing the baptismal font, the tabernacle and the statue of Mary shot up with bullet holes and nicks and cracks. It makes one question God. Why? Where were you? Are you even there? This fortunately did not last for me. We had the privilege of getting to hear the personal testimony of a survivor while we were there. He is a pastor of a church who lost his whole family at this church at Nyamata. As anticipated emotions did come. After he shared his story Carl led us in a prayer which was so powerful I actually teared up. Hearing his words and seeing others reactions particularly the pastors was so moving. We also had the option to go into a crypt that had coffins and exposed bones. I couldn't go past the first landing because I couldn't handle the impact of being so close to these bones. This experience broke down some walls for me
We balanced the day out with a nice drive in safari cars to Akigira National park where we would spend the night at a hotel in the park. Driving through the small villages was great. everybody wanted to wave to us. It didn't even occur to me to think about how these people are living in poverty because they were all so happy and friendly. It is amazing how people can manage to be content and enjoy life even when they have so little. Before entering the park we bought some toy cars and houses that some kids made out of light weight sticks. A priceless souvenir.
Reflections on our Safari experience to come tomorrow.
Muramuke - Goodnight
Getting busy
Well I thought I had posted this already but I guess not so here are my reflections on Friday.
We had a full day on Friday starting with a presentation about the education system in Rwanda at GEI the travel agency we are working with. It was interesting to learn how things work here. They have a 9 years basic education that is required and free and is separated into 6 years of Primary and then 3 years of secondary education. This is followed by 3 more years of secondary education that are optional and not free, mostly because the government can't yet afford to pay for all of the students though some kids are paid for based on test scores. The Government also pays for the top 2000 kids each year to go to University. Learning about their education system helped us reflect on our system and the problems with it and it was interesting to see how Rwanda has the potential to surpass the U.S. in how their system is organized.
We then went for a tour of the city of Kigali. The view was beautiful and the city is so clean. It's hard to imagine how this same city was the same place where the atrocities of the genocide occurred in 1994. As we went through the city I couldn't help but marvel at how it works. It's organized chaos. I don't know if I'll ever be able to understand how cities develop grow and manage to work. I am spoiled by Buffalo with its perfect grid work of streets and amazing Olmstead park system. It's crazy but despite the seeming disorder it functions and in fact Kigali is extremely well organized compared to many cities in Africa. I also continue to admire the houses and how nice and simple they are. They are homes. It makes one think about all the criteria that we try to set for our Houses in America.
In the afternoon we went to the National genocide memorial in Kigali. This is the location of several mass graves where thousands of bodies were relocated to from all over. Though it was just big slabs of concrete. it gave a sense of the enormity of what happened in 1994. I did not have much of an emotional reaction to this place and I felt bad because I felt that I should have but Drew has assured us that this is okay there isn't a right or wrong reaction, everybody reacts to things differently. There is much more to come, emotions will be there even if I hide them behind a stoic facade. It was very interesting to learn more about the country's young history in detail at the museum. There is so much we have to learn from other countries that we don't know about in America.
I concluded the day with a calm reflective bible study and Prayer with Carl. I look forward to continuing to do this with him.
Until next time. Amahoro! - Peace
Entering into day 3
Mwaramutse!
That's how you say good morning in Kinyarwanda. We're only starting the third day of our journey and already we've had so many enriching experiences, it feels like we have been here a week. Had a late night celebrating the New Year in Kigali with a bunch of folks from the hostel it was an interesting experience. The Rwandans are so friendly you could strike up a conversation with anybody and it is like you have been friends for ages everybody wants to give you a hug and dance with you and believe it or not I actually danced, I scared Ashley a little bit because I hadn't really done any dancing and then suddenly had a burst of energy and said "I want to dance" and ran upstairs. Despite a late night both mornings so far I have woken up with the sunrise it's so refreshing to awake with nature. I took a bunch of naps yesterday but I got a good solid 8 hours last night so today is going to be great. Much more to come.
P.S. Carl Wilkins is an amazing man if you have the time, look him up, the one American to stay in Rwanda during the genocide. He is joining us for our journey and we have much to learn from him. I look forward to having some great conversations with him.
I realize it is past midnight for you all at home but for when you read this.
Umunsi Mwiza! - Have a nice day
We're Here!
Well folks this is real we are in Africa, Rwanda! I am in Awe. It's beautiful. The air is so pure everything is so lush and green there is a bonfire burning right outside the hostel where we are staying; the Discover Rwanda Youth hostel here in Kigali. So far I haven't said much I've got to work on getting out of my shell and interacting and having conversations with the people the people are so friendly there is so much room for great new connections to be made. There's plenty of time, after all it is only 3:30 on our first day here. Tonight we get to experience new years eve in Rwanda! Happy New Year everyone.
Getting ready to depart
Hello Tim here reporting from the Toronto international airport. We made good time getting here. I got pulled aside to be used as a model for being prepared to go through security that was interesting, the officer was having fun. A nice reminder of something that Drew emphasizes so much; whatever you end up doing in life, whatever your job may be find a way to make it enjoyable have fun with what you do. Well we just got called to board, this is so exciting. Next post will be from Rwanda!!
Merry Christmas!
As I try take a breather for Christmas festivities I can't help but keep thinking about how soon the trip is. It's so surreal I won't believe it's happening until we actually set foot in Africa. Wow its even weird hearing myself say that. On this Christmas I think about all that I will be leaving behind and it is intimidating but I try to focus on being thankful for this incredible opportunity that has been presented for me. Anticipating the amazing things to come makes all the Christmas hype seem so trivial, I will be happy to just spend this time with family before I depart om this incredible journey. This Christmas I can relate to Joseph and Mary who had to venture out in faith on their journey into the unknown. Merry Christmas!
