Muraho from Kigali, Rwanda–the Land of 1000 Hills. It’s me, Michelle! So far I’ve only fallen down 1/1000 hills so only 999 more to go!
I’ve been in Rwanda since February and have learned so much since being here! It’s hard to put my experience into words because my experiences here have challenged my values and the ways in which I view certain topics.
Transitioning from study abroad into my internship has been a brand new challenge because even though I’m still living with my incredible host family I am now more independent!
I’m interning at a local NGO called Fondation des Artisans de la Paix et du Développement Au Rwanda (FAPDR). FAPDR’s mission is to provide solutions to rural poverty while protecting the environment. There are 3 men who work in the office, however a larger team works in the field. Currently, FAPDR is working on a project to bring energy saving stoves into the Northern Province of Rwanda. These stoves require less wood than traditional stoves. This means that when families use these stoves, less deforestation occurs in Rwanda, which is especially important in the Northern Province because that where Volcanoes National Park is (home of the mountain gorillas). Plus, when families use less fuel they spend less money or have more time to participate in incoming generating activities!
I had the chance to accompany my coworkers to Bugeshi district on the border with the DRC. The purpose of going there was to conduct a meeting with the representatives who would be responsible for distribution within their cell. (a cell is a couple of towns) I got to witness the interplay between the central office and the field staff who do the bulk of the monitoring and troubleshooting. Plus, there was a view of the Congo and a volcano from the building where the meeting was, so that was cool. Afterwards, since we were in the area, we stopped by Lake Kivu to eat lunch.
I also had an opportunity to sit in on a meeting between FAPDR and a representative from Co2balance, a UK-based NGO that is helping fund some of FAPDR’s projects in Rwanda. It was fascinating to witness the interplay between the international donor and the local staff. The meeting was a check up on the project and familiarize a new Co2Balance staff member on the situation in Rwanda. Overall, Co2Balance and FAPDR have a great relationship so that was wonderful to see.
Outside of my internship I spend lots of time with my host family and friends here in Rwanda. There is nothing I love more than coming home and playing cards with my host brothers or drinking beer and chatting with my host dad. It’s in these really simple moments when I get to understand what it’s really like to live in Rwanda in 2017.
I’ll leave you all with a Rwandan proverb that summarizes what I’ve learned since arriving in Kigali: “Icyo dupfana kiruta icyo dupfa.” “What we have in common is more important than what keeps us apart.”
