Surreal

We're on our way back to Kigali for a bit more shopping before heading to the airport for our quick flight to Narobi. Really looking forward to getting to Kenya and starting our next journey (2-day safari). 

The last three days in Getsibo have been incredibly surreal. To see the progress they've made in such a short time since settling back after the civil war is fantastic. Knowing what else can and needs be accomplished in the future is a bit daunting though. Fortunately, there are organizations like Plan Rwanda whose mission is to provide the vital services to impact communities over the long-term. They are not designed to come in to provide immediate sporadic relief then leave. They are truly embedded in the Getsibo district. I was very ecouraged at our debrief meeting last night with Plan after visiting another three schools they support. By offering a variety of support services (education, women's rights advocation, livestock, savings and loans, etc) they have established themselves as "the" NGO in this region in a very short time. The locals see a Plan vehicle driving down the road and instantly smile because they know Plan isn't going anywhere and that they provide services aimed to establish a sustanable community. The debrief meeting was reassurance the money we raise at Hobsons and the money thousands of people give Plan International does not go to waste nor is viewed by the people receiving relief as an empty gesture. I can't tell you how many times I heard children, teenagers, teachers, adults, and elders thank me (and us) for not only raising relief money for Plan, but for making the long journey to meet and visit with them. For having so little, they has given me so much. The most rewarding thing we heard in the debrief meeting was when Media (Program Unit Manager for the Getsibo office) said she overhead adults asking one another "if these Americans, Brits and Aussies can love us and give us so much, can we love each other the same way and with the same amount of love?" She explained that it's not in the East African culture to be "givers", but seeing outsiders come in and show so much love through giving and legitimately caring they began asking themselves..."why not?" She believes the community where our school is being built will not only be dramatically impacted because the kids will have a place to learn, but more so because what the gesture means as a whole and how it will impact everything else. I think we all found ourselves getting choked up a bit after hearing what the community will be like 20-30 years down the road.