Hello from Nyamata

Muraho,

We have been busy soaking in all of the amazing wonders this country has to offer. We have already had many adventures since we have arrived but I will try to highlight a few. . .

After a long journey we finally arrived in the capital city of Kigali. It is a lot like other East African cities where there is a main city center surrounded by farms and smaller villages. We spent our time in Kigali visiting the genocide memorial which gave us a framework to understand the events that happened here in 1994. We visited a radio station that produces public health programs, explored the country's second most popular radio station and were hosted by Rwandan's own Mr. Bean. We have also met with Dora and Aime who talked to us about the history of Rwanda, but more importantly its plans for the future. We ate dinner with a Yale professor and expert on African studies who enlightened us with his talk.

While in Kigali, we also attended a movie and concert in a small sports stadium, an event where we saw many of Rwanda's youth in action. The movie was produced by an American but the singing was most definitely Rwandan. The stadium was full to standing room only with dancing teenagers and and captivated adults. Don't be surprised if you get a few requests for a Sargent Sherbert CD this holiday season!

After leaving Kigali we traveled to Nyamata, a rural town of about 7000 people, home to one paved road and much opportunity. Students are splitting their time between clinics, the home for the disabled, and a building project. On top of the daily activities they are learning to wash their clothes by hand, cook Rwandian food, bathe by bucket, and learning at least one new Kinyarwanda word every day.

Although we do like writing about our experiences I am sure you'd like to hear what your children are saying so the following are some quotes from them:

"We are discovering that Rwanda is a quickly developing country that is more focused on forgiving genociders rather than punishing them."

"We have been playing with children from the home for the severely disabled for the past two days and it has been really rewarding to see how happy and appreciative they are."

"Working at the clinics has revealed a complete shortage of doctors in the country but also the passion of these few doctors and the realization that every helping hand makes a difference."

"We went to the genocide memorial in Kigali and it was hard for all of us, especially the room with the children and how they were killed. The memorial really opened our eyes to their history even more."

"From meeting with all the different NGOs we have learned how committed and passionate so many Rwandans are about rebuilding their country."

"Though the memories of the genocide are still painful, Rwanda is an incredibly optimistic country that is very focused on its future."

"It is incredible that a country best known for its history is making so much progress towards a better future."

"According to the Kigali Genocide memorial, after the massacres "Rwanda was dead". However my experience thus far with the warm and welcoming people here has truly proven otherwise, and the reconciliation process taking place is setting an example for the rest of modern world."

"The amount I have learned is incredible. The people have proven to be strong, forgiving and inspiring. I love this country."

"I am having the time of my life in Africa. The children are a complete joy to play with."

All of this, and to think we haven't even been here a week! We will keep you updated as much as we can.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful kids,
Fiona and Dan