Cate and Ben's Trip to Rwanda
Cate and Ben wanted to go to Rwanda for one week in January. Ben was writing his dissertation on the events of 1994 and they wanted to visit the country, talk to local people and find out first hand what really happened.
They wrote to us in November asking if we could help them plan their trip. They wanted to know all the usual travel information - flights, visas, accommodation, transportation. They also wanted to learn about the genocide, see Gorillas and visit some childrens' projects.
A lot for one week? Not for Tripbod!
They connected with Edwin, our Tripbod in Rwanda.
How Tripbod helped
Ben and I wanted to say a huge thank you for organising our trip to Rwanda so efficiently. We could not have done it without you. The added "extras" that could only ever happen with local knowledge (DVDs created for Ben, a genocide survivor and a perpetrator to interview, plus amazing journeys down earth roads and to what felt like every corner of the country) The ecotours staff were fantastic, and our 3 drivers could not have done more - including a brief visit to the UN offices! - we could never have gained access to them! The gorillas were incredible too, of course, but it was the people that we met that made our trip so special so - thank you Tripbod - we heartily recommend you!
Photos
The ubiquitous Rwandan bicycle, an indian import, is used for transport but, far more frequently, as a beast of burden. We often saw two people pushing them, laded with massive sacks of sorghum, to be made into porridge (or beer!). In the villages, a padded cushion is added to the carrier, and the bicycle then becomes a taxi.
The cross is in Nyamata church, the scene of a horrific massacre of 11,000 people, of whom 16 survived. The priests told people to take refuge in the church, and then led the killers to them. I thought the cross - a symbol of christianity - placed on top of the clothing of the children that died there, very poignant.
We went to Gikongoro, to visit a lady who lost her husband in the genocide. This was taken outside her house, with the Hope and Homes(www.hopeandhomes.org) team. When I asked if they milked the goat, they laughed - it is kept for manure - as they use powdered milk, being unable to keep fresh milk cold. This family live in Gikongoro. The mother - Julietta - is a widow. Her son, Christorphus, sold us some candles, as he is a budding entrepreneur and sells cakes, soap and candles. The mother makes sorghum beer, having obtained a loan from Hope and Homes (who also provided her with her house and furniture). She is now self sufficient, has repaid her loan, and has a bank account.
We stopped in the middle of the mountains, on a dirt road, and these boys appeared from nowhere to try to sell us their home made musical instrument.These 3 children are outside the community hub at Gikongoro. Previously they had no access to education, but now they have a hub to come to. They start around age 2, and stay until they are 6. Their mothers can come too, with babies, and they weave baskets and receive health education. At the side of the school is a garden, a kitchen and some rabbit hutches. The children get one good meal a day, prepared on the premises - zero food miles - and the idea is that in a year or two Hope and Homes can leave the community to run the hub, whilst they move on to build another. They are the experts. The children clapped and sang for us as we were leaving.
Mr Silverback, all 200kgs of him, wanted to eat the bamboo behind us, so we moved out of the way - he's the boss! We watched him and his wives and children, who pestered him mercilessly - dropping out of trees onto his head! - for an hour. Magic.
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