2023 Rwanda Delegation: Anisa Parsons
Hospitality & Tourism, Hotel Management, Philosophy '24
7/8/2023
July 8th, 2023
What does one do when the world changes them? I say throw down a uno reverse. This trip has brought burdened tears and gleeful joy. These moments will be left in vain. Actions ripple like a rock skidding through the water, main plot points each with multiple effects. I think this was a necessary trip to bend beliefs of the world. I suppose what I have to say is be kind to people, venture out, and absorb the moment. The world can be dark whether you make it so or someone else does. You have to be a light for yourself before you can for other people. People, good or evil, love them, hate them, all have a choice to make. Make that choice to step forward.
7/8/2023
AFP V. Nature
6/26/2023
Day 6
You know, I ponder why people teach. Little kids, adorable but everything is slowed down. Middle schoolers, do I even have explain? High schooler, we would square up too often. College age, alright but that’s so-much schooling. You see how much I’m complaining and making excuses right? So who would have thought I absolutely loved teaching teachers?! My goodness, they were so open minded and happily involved. My heart swelled with pride watching them use our Story Based Learning in front of everyone to tell their stories. Teaching is a selfless job. It’s not about money, though that is nice, it’s about making new beginnings to create a better future. If everyone was this receptive, the world would be different. Something to be proud of. My teacher students, I love you!
6/25/2023
Day 5 ~ A Day in the Life
Today we worked alongside Azizi Life to experience the regular day in their village of Muhanga/Ruhanga. This was one of the days I anticipated the most. Back in the states I’m not nearly as active in adult life as I’d like to be. With the wonderful women in charge, we worked hard to prepare our meals, get water, garden, dance, and do crafts. The simple things mean the most in the long run.
Here we are~
Mid morning, the day restarts
Here we are
Sweet elders elope us in love
Where drums beat, petals fly
A thoughtfully made welcome sign
Here we are
We unite in a circle
Our love now unbreakable
We shall feast on the first beat
Sweet potato skins paint the floor
A bucket of greens soak
Beans boiling in the kitchen
One by one, side by side
Preparation propels
Here we are
‘A long walk to a water’
Half an hour crawls by
A muzungu I may be,
But who could tell by the way
I carried the water jug on my head
Straight spine, soft knees
What we did mattered
Here we are
Sweet life, continuing as we love it
It’s time to give anew, we clean the weeds
And nurture small plants to sprout
Here we are
After lunch we rejoice
Back in our circle
We dance, in pairs
Signifying our connection
Bracelets to wear and cherish
Here we are
We fall sad with our host
Time, indeed was against us
Hugs and kisses and waves
We depart but our moments
Freeze in time
We were here.
6/22/2023
June 19-20
Grieve
‘Let our thoughts and actions bring you peace
Though your body rest, souls forever soar
The sickly red moss grows old
Like they never could
The color of dried blood
Holding their memories of what once was
An unwavering pit in my stomach
I cannot understand it
Is it terror? Is it mine? Or an echo of theirs left behind?
I can barely walk
No longer on auto pilot
I’m a conscious pilot
Traversing through modes of ambivalence
Bodies on bodies, that’s how they were and Still how they are
There is hope on the other side
Learning, cheers and screams
Not of fear but of joy
The eye of the storm
The next generation
Peace grows with them, being roots that will never stop’
I sat and breathed next to their killers. No hatred. I saw a glimpse of how many caskets they filled. I still could not feel hatred. It (hatred) is not an answer, solution or the problem. The passive killer is letting society stop you from being yourself. Lost souls hurt souls.
