Picture Time! My time in Rwanda thus far...

Nyartovu, a village World Vision works in. I spent 5 days here with researchers conducting surveys with local families. Imagine farming on the side of a mountain!

First, we hike to community homes- and yes, with a huge hunk of wood to measure the height of the children. I'm trying to come up with an easier system- any ideas??






Then, we find the head of the household and begin asking them about their family. Questions concerning Nutrition, Education, Household Resilience, Food Security, etc.

Then we measure the height...

And Weight of the children ages 0-5.

and of course loving on the kids is a must... they are shocked to see a muzungu (a white chick) hiking through the mountains!

New Friends....

Learning how to drive stick on the streets of Rwanda!

Muraho! Bi te? (What's up?) So kels has been a little busy lately! :) So far I have spent most of my time up north conducting surveys in the rural areas- and it was a great learning experience. This week I will be traveling to the south to visit a World Vision program which conducts mentorship programs for orphans in rural communities. They train, equip and monitor 144 community members to visit and care for over 400 orphans! I am excited to meet the orphans, encourage the mentors, and glean ideas for ROWAN in Uganda! Then on Friday I will be heading to the east to be involved in focus group discussions going on there...

I have met some incredible people along the way, including other fellow Americans! :) Two friends of mine are conducting research on Rwanda's curriculum development concerning their recent conflict. We keep each other posted along the way about what we find as we are all traveling around! This weekend a bunch of us got together for dinner and discussed the question:

"WHAT IS DEVELOPMENT?" And let me tell you, we had varying answers! Rwandans and Americans together discussing current issues and interests in Africa- it doesn't get much better than that!

My friend David, born in Rwanda and living in Kenya, said that development is a myth that outside countries created in order to control and limit Africa and its resources. The textbook version of, "Enhancing and enabling others towards peace and prosperity" didn't cut it for this guy. He is one who Definitely thinks outside the box, and I love it. How would YOU define Development??? Is development a myth???

David also said, "Africans are not being educated, they are being domesticated, and I am fearful for my fellow peers. We need to be critical about what is going on within our continent! We can not continue to point our fingers at others, because the rest of the fingers are pointing back at us. Africa is Africa's responsibility..." Needless to say, it was an intense conversation. I am learning more from conversations with friends I meet, Kofi (the VP of World Vision Rwanda I am staying with), and Aba (Kofi's daughter) than anyone else. The key is to listen, and boy- do I still have a lot to learn!

I will keep you posted with pics and stories as I continue to travel around Rwanda. Looks like I'll be heading back to Kenya sometime next week, and I know I am going to miss this beautiful country and my friends here! Who knew Colorado Mountains could be found here in Africa? (Just topped with crops instead of Aspens!) Off to edit a DVD script in the Communications Department; they are keeping me busy!!!