Kigali

Settling into Kigali, Rwanda has been going quite smoothly. The place we are staying at is wonderful and my first impressions of this city are very positive. We are staying at the compound of FH's regional director, who is also one of our professors. I am staying off of the main house in a guesthouse. We have electricity, wireless internet, a flushing toilet, and American food, so we are all quite comfortable. We also have two big dogs and four puppies to play with!

So far I like Kigali better than I liked Kampala. One of Rwanda's national languages is French so it's fun being able to use my French. Today I got to have a few conversations in French with vendors at the market. In Kigali, people don't yell out at us and harass us like they do in Kampala. They stare at us because we are different but they are respectful. This city is clean and less chaotic than Kampala. It's so much less stressful walking around Kigali than Kampala. Kigali is also more developed, with more businesses and nicer architecture. Don't get me wrong, I loved my time in Kampala, but I feel more comfortable here.

I am looking forward to spending time and learning in a city that has overcome a genocide to grow into a beautiful and thriving place. Before coming here I wondered about how prevalent talk would be about the genocide, with it now being fourteen years since the 800,000 people were murdered. In many ways, the country is hush hush about their dark past. Talk of Hutu/Tutsi identification is a social faux pas and everyone is just considered Rwandan. It seems like the genocide isn't brought up much but there are reminders here and there. There are genocide memorials, a time of memorial in April, and lots of NGOs with words like "peace" and "reconciliation" to remind everyone of what Rwanda has survived. There are also still some buildings with bullet holes that still have yet to be repaired.

While we are here we will be taking a class called Issues in Peacebuilding, in which we will study the genocide. We are also taking a class on Community Development. Both should be really good classes.

I know that the violence taking place in the Congo has worried some people about my safety. I want to assure everyone that we are very safe here in Kigali. The things happening in the Congo are really bad. If it gives you any idea of the security of Kigali though, the expatriates who are being evacuated from the Congo are being sent to Kigali. Rwanda won't get involved in the fighting that is happening, so Kigali will be safe. If somehow things did become insecure here, there is an airport right in Kigali and FH would have us leave at the first sign of danger.

The fighting occurring in the Congo is not something to be glossed over though. While we are not affected here in Kigali, thousands of people are being affected. I have been amazed and disturbed by how little attention our media gives to countries who don't have direct relevance to the U.S. I have been convicted to learn more about what is happening to people around the world, because everyone's humanity is sacred regardless of nationality, ethnic tribe, or social class. I don't know what we can do about these huge problems like what is happening in the Congo, but I know that it starts with being aware that there is a problem.

So this is the next part of my adventure. We will be here in Kigali for five weeks. Our time will mostly be spent taking classes, visiting genocide memorials around the country, and exploring Kigali.