Giving out goats and Care Packages
Walking to school today was extra special – I just happened to see a little girl playing with some beautiful flowers....maybe she was playing “wedding” like my daughter used to do when she was a little girl...I took her picture which just turned out to be so beautiful. Of course, then a whole group of kids joined in. A little bit further along, a little boy was building a kite......all these moments I would never ever see in Canada – because life is just too hurried – it seems as if the little things are lost somehow.....
People who were to receive goats were already waiting at the school when we arrived. This is a special day for them – they are honoured to be getting a goat and care package. Soon the government official arrived and it was time to present the goats. I did this two weeks ago and it was even more special today. All you wonderful people who donated money for goats.....you have no idea what a great thing you have done. It is an understatement to say that you made a difference........I was here to witness true gratitude and joy......And then I was able to give out care packages with a pan, rice, meat, blanket and a jerry can for water......once again, this makes a huge difference in the daily life of a family.
Another Mama and baby class this afternoon with lots of Mama’s and babies from 1-2 years old. This is probably the only group of its kind here in Rwanda. Cathy is providing supports for families that are really not being provided by anyone else here. She is such an inspiration to me and to everyone who meets her. Again, great questions and normal questions from Mama’s. Some of the babies were playing on the mat with toys; others were clinging to their mothers’. This is a great opportunity for the Mama’s to get together – a rare afternoon out of the fields to just relax. We encouraged them to bathe the babies and themselves daily, to drink at least 4 cups of water a day in order to have adequate breast milk and to also give the babies water. We talked about keeping the children safe in an environment where it is challenging. They cook on open fires here so children often get burnt. Children play in the dirt with chickens and goats so often get worms. We talked about talking and singing to them to encourage language. In fact, we all sang some simple Kinyarwanda songs to the babies. At the end, a Mama put a baby on my back and one on Georgiann’s back – they laughed and laughed at us as we must have looked very silly indeed. But it was such a natural way for us to connect as women, no matter the language or culture. I have learned so much here about the culture and the people but more importantly about myself. You must have a very open mind and heart to do volunteering like this. As always, I have learned way more from the people here than they have from me. I have learned how to be more patient, tolerant, to enjoy simple joys and I have not worried or been anxious about anything...............
Rwanda is an awesome country.................
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