Friday, May 22nd

Today was a chaotic day. We first started out at the UN. We didn't really know what we were suppose to do there, but it was interesting to tour the grounds and speak with some people that worked at the UN. After we had lunch, we met with the Minister of Education. Through working with FCCLA, I have spoke with my fair share of legislators and law makers. However, this was extremely different. I am used to going through a fairly rushed meeting with the legislator and in that time we speak with them about our issues or advocate for something. We try to make something better in our short meeting. Today's meeting was an hour long. We just informed the Minister what we were doing in Rwanda. She is a very busy lady so it was nice of her to make time to meet with us, but we didn't really talk about the issues. I would have loved to speak with the Minister about the issues in Rwandan education and education globally. I think it could have been a real learning experience if we learned about education from the government's point of view. This was not the case today. It kind of upset me that we wasted our time chatting about our "trip" to Rwanda when this could have been a very useful learning opportunity.
After the UN, we spilt into groups because different people wanted to do different things. I wanted to go to the local market. To make a long story short, we finally made it to the market with the help of our drivers and no one else! They were playing popular American music at a promotional rally down the street so that put us in good spirits. I got some very good prices on items to bring home. There is a certain item here that I LOVE buy! We all love to buy this item. It's so colorful and I have never seen anything like it anywhere else. I'm not going to share what this item is because a lot of people are getting them as gifts.... :)
At the market, the people expect you to barter or argue a price. I am terrible at bartering! I feel bad because I don't want to rip people off, but I guess the people at the market raise the prices because they know we are American. In this country. people see that you are American and automatically assume you have money to give to everyone. True we may have more money than the people begging us, but we aren't fond of the fact that people expect money from us just because we are American. It's very interesting, and we really aren't big fans of that! Anyway, thanks to some people with backbones on this trip, I have learned how to effectively barter! :) I still may not be good at it, but at least I'm not getting as ripped off as I could be. I get made fun when we barter. The other girls say I just look like I'm a sucker and will give in. They have tried to help me see the "error" in my ways. ha.
After dinner, I chose not to go eat with the group because I had a lot to do and eat just takes so long here! It takes like 3 hours to drive somewhere, order, and eat. They didn't get home until 10:30pm from dinner so I'm glad I stayed here. I washed my clothes in the bathroom sink for the second time. That is also an interesting experience. Travel tide is another great invention! We ordered room service and I had dinner with two other girls while we watched a movie and worked on assignments/packing. There was a really good movie on (actually in English) tonight and I got to watch the whole thing!! :)
Tomorrow we leave again. We are traveling to a different part of the country. We will visit two other genocide memorials and visit a large church. We will not have internet access when we travel so I will not post a blog. Luckily, we will return on Sunday night so I can catch up then.
Another observation I have made about this country is how the genocide affected every aspect of the country. It didn't only affect families and the loss of human life, but everything was put on hold as a result. Many of the targeted people where highly educated and they held high positions within the country. After the loss of a million people, there is bound to be a gap. The genocide was 15 years ago, but it is amazing the huge strides that the country has taken to recover and rebuild itself. In our almost 2 weeks here, we haven't seen one act of violence. We have seen students so eager to learn because they know it's their way out of poverty. We have seen a country that was torn apart by differences in ethnicity come together to form one people. It's incredible that this country has come so far. That was one of the topics discussed amongst ourselves today, and I thought I would share it. Food for thought you could say!

I won't post again until Sunday. Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend! Safe travels!




Oh... I must post this because it is exciting! I was chatting with two girls, watching a movie, and eating supper while I was posting my last blog so I forgot the mention this. Since we spent the whole day at the orphanage we had a lot of time to interact with the kids. As many of you know Ardie and Loa donated yarn for the kids to make scarves. Well my Mom got excited about the project, so she went out and bought more yarn so that every kid could make a scarf. In the free time that she doesn't have, she decided to measure and cut all of the yarn before I left....isn't she great! Well yesterday we made the scarves!!!! There were some students from Fawe girls school that came to help volunteer as well. Before introducing the project to the kids at the orphanage, I taught the Fawe girls how to make scarves. We made a bunch for the little ones who didn't have the patience to finish the project. The Fawe girls were a life saver! Not all of the kids at the orphanage speak English (very few of the young ones) so the girls translated for me! They saved the project from being a potential nightmare. I was so happy. A bunch of the kids made scarves! Everywhere I looked a kid had a scarf on their neck. The boys enjoyed the project just as much as the girls. At that young age, kids don't know or realize that some things are for boys and some are for girls. It really doesn't matter as long as the child has accomplished something that they did themselves and that they are happy. That's all that matters. Anyway, it was a very fun activity! I took a ton of pictures. Thank you to all who were a part of that project!
While the kids were making scarves and waiting for their bags, they were coloring with the other ISU students. They all colored pig coloring books. It was fun! I doubt they learned about pork, but they enjoyed coloring the pigs. It was a fun afternoon! Okay that is what I forgot to post....

Miss everyone!!!