tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209932836481335902024-03-04T22:29:42.719-08:00PREFERDCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-73827033276668410592011-10-02T03:03:00.000-07:002011-10-02T03:03:06.548-07:00Goodbye Rwanda..........I had a wonderful last week. The preschool finished their little exams and the children will have a break for October and November. To celebrate, Cathy and Teste had a "feast" for them and the staff. Cathy cooked an enormous amount of meat and had two huge pots of rice. The children don't often have meat as it is too expensive so this was very exciting for them. A few were waiting at school at 6 am......<br />
I could not believe that small children could eat so much - <br />
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Julie, Emmanuel and I went to the market to buy "Boda Boda's" - the plastic sandals children wear here. Julie had given me money for my birthday and this is how I spent it. We were able to buy 13 pairs for a few dollars. Some children have no shoes, some have mis-matched shoes and many have broken shoes. Many walk a long way to school so they need shoes. Cathy fit some with their new shoes and the joy and happiness on their little faces was so wonderful. Again such a small thing that means so much. These are moments I will never forget!<br />
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I said my good-byes to the staff and children - lots of hugs....it is amazing how attached you get after a month. The kids don't really understand - they were still saying - "See you Monday".....I will miss them all.<br />
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Georgeann, Pat and I left for Kigali at 2 pm on Friday with Marcel, the driver who picked me up at the airport when I arrived. It was a great drive - the scenery is just awesome and you can hardly believe the beauty of this tiny country. Georgeann and Pat are staying in Kigali for the weekend to see the Genocide Memorial before they leave on Tuesday. They are so great and it was special to share these past two weeks with them. They have been travelling in Africa for 6 weeks. I now have new friends in Idaho and a new friend in Brisbane, Australia.<br />
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Emmanuel took the Virunga (bus) to Kigali and met us at their hotel. He took me to the airport and then is being a tour guide for Georgeann and Pat on Saturday. Manno and I said our good-bye's - he gave me a special note that he wrote on the bus. I will miss him so much - I feel like he is my new African son. I spent so much time with him and he made my stay in Rwanda very meaningful. He is off to University on October 10th and I wish him love and success.<br />
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My flight left Kigali at 8 pm - I flew all night to Brussels and then to Zurich - it was gruelling and took over 26 hours in total. Jaye and Andrew picked me up - it was so wonderful to see them. Jeffrey and Able are in Montreal for the weekend. I will finish this blog by sharing special news - Jaye and Andrew are 15 weeks pregnant and due March 22nd......We are all very happy!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93swhDiIoPh-MFr7L_D49zvUk5GD3USDxtu4qQ-X09K9pl_t511nOuOD9yPtxttJFXLYcciv80My-MdEbt-CNAjyizEHvkgzXhNZk-5riGl_lwLzeXEigaO8xb9Sd3QPGglAgtxIKsF0/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93swhDiIoPh-MFr7L_D49zvUk5GD3USDxtu4qQ-X09K9pl_t511nOuOD9yPtxttJFXLYcciv80My-MdEbt-CNAjyizEHvkgzXhNZk-5riGl_lwLzeXEigaO8xb9Sd3QPGglAgtxIKsF0/s320/IMG_2487.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wz1C4iUpFA3Hp1ZsaF-6-luP2ASMnXPpwqs8NlW1u6nrOQBJuNnJeBq27bhMNfcjnFHgXgrGDaSqYS2_C7E4G3DA_ockIYahG-LGJi5AwQuRrC3p90VveGf6GeaJtZRBo1fVyzJ6VMo/s1600/IMG_2499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wz1C4iUpFA3Hp1ZsaF-6-luP2ASMnXPpwqs8NlW1u6nrOQBJuNnJeBq27bhMNfcjnFHgXgrGDaSqYS2_C7E4G3DA_ockIYahG-LGJi5AwQuRrC3p90VveGf6GeaJtZRBo1fVyzJ6VMo/s320/IMG_2499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was one of the most wonderful months of my life - sharing time with the beautiful people of Rwanda. I wish them many things - peace, love, prosperity and good health. May their country continue to grow and change - may all children be educated and have health care - may mothers' not have to pay for water and walk so far to fetch it - may all children have warm beds to sleep in instead of sleeping on mats on the ground - may all children have a daily bath and enough clothes - may all the children receive the nurturing and love they deserve - and lastly may the people never again have to endure the hell they endured 16 years ago...............I will return to Rwanda - that I know for sure!DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-9172074751546235062011-09-28T08:13:00.000-07:002011-09-28T08:13:33.936-07:00Birthday Day<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, it is finally here – the big birthday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel so great and have had such a wonderful month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night I was invited to Patience’s family home for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the young teacher I talked about whose family fled the Congo when he was a little boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have seven children, Mom is a teacher and the father used to be a pharmacist in the Congo but here is not working as he has poor health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met them the other day after church and was honoured to be invited for dinner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a traditional African meal of Urgali, meat and chapatti’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also had warm milk right from one of the three cows they keep at the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate with our hands and had great conversation with some translation from Patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Mom is a teacher so she speaks fairly good English and the Dad tries hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a great evening....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Patience is a wonderful young man like Emmanuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is working to help pay for his sister’s secondary school education so it is unlikely that he will have the opportunity to go to university for awhile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do hope he has the chance one day as he is very bright.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning, I opened my birthday card from Jaye and Andrew and of course had a couple of tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do miss them so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was greeted with birthday wishes from Cathy, Teste, Emmanuel, Pat, Georgeann and Julie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julie gave me money to buy Boda Boda’s (plastic sandals for the kids) at the market and Emmanuel wrote me a beautiful note and card that I shall keep forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going out for dinner tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of these wonderful people.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I prepared some gift bags for the staff at school with peanuts, a few soaps, candy and a small amount of money to show my appreciation for all they do and for being so nice to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were very happy and I got lots of hugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today was the Mama and baby class – we had about 10 Mama’s and they are wonderful and so interested in my life even though their own lives are very difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have to buy their water for cooking, bathing and doing laundry and then carry it home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is after they work in the fields all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the session, they sang me Happy Birthday and all hugged and kissed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the best feeling and the best birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday we are going out again for pizza – as it is my last night for Georgeann, Pat and me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friday we are taking a car to Kigali – they to a hotel for the weekend and me to the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emmanuel is coming too to make sure I get there safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to put him in suitcase and take him home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZGWkl8tvBpWlOAoc5pTXh1vMLDPeWzDAyjMkjcj6dkrqadw1ZG34bVgs7G5uXUL_7p4NOA-diGBrvRRKrpVnKHYEroE_KfJgTaBEPgeGgCH-btwh2ktn1TcwGjDv5HdVyS5FTlmEViY/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZGWkl8tvBpWlOAoc5pTXh1vMLDPeWzDAyjMkjcj6dkrqadw1ZG34bVgs7G5uXUL_7p4NOA-diGBrvRRKrpVnKHYEroE_KfJgTaBEPgeGgCH-btwh2ktn1TcwGjDv5HdVyS5FTlmEViY/s320/IMG_2395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the next few days, I will drink in as much as I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been a month of reflection and reconciliation for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am starting a new chapter of my life and I could not be happier or more excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people ask, “how did you spend your birthday?” – Well, I can say I spent it in “The Land of a Thousand Hills” – Rwanda – a very special country......</span>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-6147799618879312882011-09-28T08:06:00.000-07:002011-09-28T08:06:51.618-07:00Gorilla Trek........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was picked up just after 6 am by a driver that Teste arranged to take me to the Volcano National Park – Gorilla Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a very pleasant fellow and played country music by Kenny Rogers during the 40 minute drive through the country side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery was beautiful with people planting Irish potatoes in the dark rich soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All farming is done by hand here – women, men and children busy in the fields.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upon arrival, I registered and gave them my permit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is expensive to go on a Gorilla Trek - $500.00 US as well as $100.00 for transport and tips but who would come to Rwanda and not go and see the world famous Gorilla’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where Dian Fosse did years and years of research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The research centre still does wonderful work here, years after her murder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gorilla’s are protected from poachers and from humans – there is a stone fence marking the National Park from the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On occasion, the gorillas do come out of the park for Eucalyptus but then go back quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After an entertaining display of African drumming and dancing, we were divided into groups for our trek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While waiting, I met the German Ambassador to Rwanda and his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our group consists of about 8 people from Denver, New York and Ottawa – very nice people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our guides, we talked about the group we were trekking to see today – The Umubano tribe, consisting of Charles, The Silverback leader, three females and a number of offspring, including a small baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tribes are family, rarely leaving each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They nest at a new place every day, eat, rest and clean themselves.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our group then drove another 35 minutes up to the edge of the park – a very bumpy and rocky road – the driver said it was “The African Massage”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was more fabulous images of children, families and daily life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon arrival, we chose a porter and were given a walking stick and off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was wise to hire a porter as it is a challenging trek with slippery and muddy trails – they just grab your hand and haul you along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though, I think I am fairly fit – it was difficult going in the dense forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would take about an hour to get to the point where we would leave the backpacks and porters and then continue on with the guides.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Guides speak Gorilla language – they know where the “family” is as they are constantly monitoring them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off we go, with more “hauling” by the guides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally see Charles who is having a lounge – he is not too interested in having company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he did not get the memo that we were coming today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guides spoke to him assuring him that we bring no harm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fabulous seeing him – then young 3 year olds arrived, playing in the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed Charles to another location and saw the female with her baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way, I fell a couple of times, had fire-ants going up my leg and into my shoe and was stung by “Nettles” – a plant you don’t want to touch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the guides picked them off me – I should have had “gators” on – next time I will know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got some amazing pictures but then just stopped and enjoyed the moments watching these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not get to see all the Gorilla’s in the group today – sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is their natural habitat and not a zoo so the guides are never sure how many will show themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone must be very quiet, no pointing, no camera flash and no sudden movements. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You only get an hour with them because more time than that will stress them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not much time but it is an hour I will never forget.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then we headed back down the muddy and slippery trail to meet the porters and hike the trail through fields to the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regis and Job were very helpful to me so I made sure to tip them when we made it down to the parking area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They make such little money here and work so hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trek is done after months of dreaming about this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a special experience.....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKyUjE6XmuOdve_mTkWAu4O1K5yulPMqjcKw10k5XbxsKhI9WlOoUpYsGYkAq8byyGS9j5cqUUMV5BuudOkf71uJrCNY2aD2cpOX3P1mJo8fOwebZiqV4ZWRbTgQFzDpL43_kUpV6MN0/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKyUjE6XmuOdve_mTkWAu4O1K5yulPMqjcKw10k5XbxsKhI9WlOoUpYsGYkAq8byyGS9j5cqUUMV5BuudOkf71uJrCNY2aD2cpOX3P1mJo8fOwebZiqV4ZWRbTgQFzDpL43_kUpV6MN0/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc8fevNVZIPtHkynxCqWDXYakuQv7TXeHtTEMbDH5Eylw28-3gIMt7X5FVuobZktSWdBHQEMvWcoOFs3qm1A96vd2ol5z93AQ5Wyzq4pXUb7LltYwYjKFCbGtgro-T7SNNffFS89AeW4/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc8fevNVZIPtHkynxCqWDXYakuQv7TXeHtTEMbDH5Eylw28-3gIMt7X5FVuobZktSWdBHQEMvWcoOFs3qm1A96vd2ol5z93AQ5Wyzq4pXUb7LltYwYjKFCbGtgro-T7SNNffFS89AeW4/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-84220475805241312492011-09-23T07:50:00.000-07:002011-09-23T07:50:41.120-07:00Helping never felt so good.........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Giving out goats and Care Packages</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, then a whole group of kids joined in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People who were to receive goats were already waiting at the school when we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did this two weeks ago and it was even more special today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you wonderful people who donated money for goats.....you have no idea what a great thing you have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another Mama and baby class this afternoon with lots of Mama’s and babies from 1-2 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is probably the only group of its kind here in Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cathy is providing supports for families that are really not being provided by anyone else here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is such an inspiration to me and to everyone who meets her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, great questions and normal questions from Mama’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the babies were playing on the mat with toys; others were clinging to their mothers’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great opportunity for the Mama’s to get together – a rare afternoon out of the fields to just relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about keeping the children safe in an environment where it is challenging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cook on open fires here so children often get burnt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children play in the dirt with chickens and goats so often get worms. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about talking and singing to them to encourage language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we all sang some simple Kinyarwanda songs to the babies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was such a natural way for us to connect as women, no matter the language or culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned so much here about the culture and the people but more importantly about myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must have a very open mind and heart to do volunteering like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, I have learned way more from the people here than they have from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned how to be more patient, tolerant, to enjoy simple joys and I have not worried or been anxious about anything...............</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rwanda is an awesome country.................</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXux7xZ2xY-Zp7nN9YpXsUbxI9feam4wbNGOCyopcrjIRGDm6nftKaI8LQ4nqsYaBAkrJuiO8kt-AeS-qzVOkAnE-uogl7sc1_trO-RgjDBqAv2HMbLR876_3N175U1KcxO_v7c8cMfog/s1600/IMG_2348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXux7xZ2xY-Zp7nN9YpXsUbxI9feam4wbNGOCyopcrjIRGDm6nftKaI8LQ4nqsYaBAkrJuiO8kt-AeS-qzVOkAnE-uogl7sc1_trO-RgjDBqAv2HMbLR876_3N175U1KcxO_v7c8cMfog/s320/IMG_2348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCjvidpo0nTtfra7p6Ej7X3DR_z3FA2AFAqlfrfBq90gV66cdbygshL9B4_r7KWNgCZ_3Ucvm5Cou8uXZejE5zFKpEIN3G-i7f-iW2KroIwavblkckZ_Y60FxRXBNV8tpmmH9BjeSwE0/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCjvidpo0nTtfra7p6Ej7X3DR_z3FA2AFAqlfrfBq90gV66cdbygshL9B4_r7KWNgCZ_3Ucvm5Cou8uXZejE5zFKpEIN3G-i7f-iW2KroIwavblkckZ_Y60FxRXBNV8tpmmH9BjeSwE0/s320/IMG_2393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-11873825785424908502011-09-23T07:38:00.000-07:002011-09-23T07:38:33.818-07:00Another goat market day...........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Goat Market</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After an hour at school, Teste picked us up and off we went to Goat Market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Georgiann and Pat were buying one goat, Julie was buying four goats and I was buying five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teste did the “picking out” and negotiating prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a brief walk around the market and being stared at a lot.......we arranged for a truck to come and transport the goats back to the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goats were lifted into the truck and Julie and I decided to ride in the back with them – yes I know this was very unsafe – but it just seemed like a fun thing to do at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did hang on very tight and the driver promised to drive fairly slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so much fun, especially to see people laughing and laughing at us along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muzunga’s riding in the back of a truck with goats – dinner-time conversation for them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back at the school, out came the goats and the crazy white women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This afternoon is Mama and Baby class for 1-6 month olds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only two came today as it was the first day, but it was so special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had great questions like Mom’s anywhere else in the world do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why won’t my baby sleep through the night?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When do I start to feed solid foods?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, they also wanted to know lots about me and about life in Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One question was, “Do people have marriage contracts” – another “do father’s pay child support after divorce?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this with translation from Patience and Emmanuel of course.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night we went out for a lovely dinner – we don’t do this often as the money is better spent on more important things, but it was fun and delicious......</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been raining a lot lately – we are in rainy season here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The electricity goes on and off occasionally as well but it is really no big deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just adapt to the situation you happen to be in...................</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EU1a8iqOLrfIkNoA19T7O4DyeQxZ1qr_H5znzeYynvbMZmXiP1TsiZuZQlUnxdA_1Pz-1VWtPcg1oeWQGZLAFIV3-6SFSa-NFHfqjKPQ_1catFa192RVaLLZ01T11MyXc7PA6mhXZ5Y/s1600/IMG_2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EU1a8iqOLrfIkNoA19T7O4DyeQxZ1qr_H5znzeYynvbMZmXiP1TsiZuZQlUnxdA_1Pz-1VWtPcg1oeWQGZLAFIV3-6SFSa-NFHfqjKPQ_1catFa192RVaLLZ01T11MyXc7PA6mhXZ5Y/s1600/IMG_2335.JPG" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-29237491723822077842011-09-21T08:17:00.000-07:002011-09-21T08:17:11.019-07:00It does not take much to help........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A typical week-day here is going to bed early – at least by 8 pm and getting up very early – at least by 6 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick breakfast of bread with peanut butter, maybe a banana, tea or coffee and then we walk to school at 7:15 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said, school starts at 8 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are now preparing to give the children some examinations, written or oral as the school session is over at the end of October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gives the parents a chance to see how the children are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids have a couple of months off for their break and then start again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, we were doing reviews with the children.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We took a walk today to a nearby community to see a house that is being built for a woman whose husband passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julie from Australia has provided the money to build this house from her fundraising efforts last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It cost $1500.00 to build a small house here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lovely experience seeing this in progress with the Mama and her little son helping with the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her baby was sound asleep strapped to her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday was also a great day. Emmanuael and Patience took Wendy and I too an Anglican church service here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was lovely and after we were invited to the home of two doctor’s who live and work here with there family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been here for 8 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lovely lunch and they proudly showed us their donkey – the only donkey in the area.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the way home we met Patience’s family who are just lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great day we had!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tuesday is Goat Market day and I am buying more goats and care packages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More later...............</span></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-22658358290634913282011-09-17T06:28:00.000-07:002011-09-17T06:28:31.192-07:00More champagne moments..........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have two more weeks here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying to memorize the children’s faces – the names are hard but I know a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent time in a couple of classrooms today, helping the kids with printing ABC’s and drawing a fish and printing the word fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do such a good job – they are only 3 and 4 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are almost 40 children in each class with only one teacher so they really appreciate any help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took some song boards that I had made and today sang “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” with some translation help – they loved it so I did the song twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teachers are starting to use some of the materials that I brought so that makes me very happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just adapt it to the level of the children and make it work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The classes are from 8 am to 12 with classroom time, outdoor time, time for snack and time for music and singing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cathy had a line up of Mama’s and babies seeking medical attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One little boy had a very bad burn on his leg – no one is sure how or when it happened but Cathy cleaned it up and the little guy was so brave – Cathy gave him bread so he was quietly eating while she tended to his leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must have hurt but he did not make a sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put burn ointment on the burn and gave the Mama medication for the little boy to drink and instructed her to come back tomorrow to change the bandage and get more medication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another Mama was given instructions on how to bathe her baby and wash his clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She might come to the Mama and baby class next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like a simple thing to us but a lot of people are not educated and very poor so hygiene is a challenge for many.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This afternoon, I went with Emmanuel to the market to get him some clothes for university.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that his father passed away when he was four and his mother died of Aids when he was six.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had only one brother who eventually also died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emmanuel has had a hard life but he has a bright future as I have said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that he just wanted a “Mom” to go shopping with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cathy is his “Mom” and is so great to him and many other boys his age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off we went to the market to get two pants, a shirt, and other items including paper with her permission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could not find shoes today so another day, he will look again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again such a small thing but it meant the world to Emmanuel – his reaction moved me to tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, these are simple ways to make a difference in someone’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know what a new outfit does for our self-esteem....All the items we bought today cost about $35.00 US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all.........</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Home again – so Emmanuel could try on his new things for Cathy and Teste - he w as so proud – and me – well I felt better than I have in a very long time............... Here is a picture of Emmanuel and another of a Mama bringing her little ones to school.............</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS1no9cQvjafTloj5cMunWphoZVtMkKsXq4eScXSK_c19DcT1JS5cisIE7msVgt7qTWAmlvwitbF4ck5p0wFYEJrZ6erMUqAflkRf7sYCRL1F6Umq115veUIyp7ChR0im8Eml22z9uZI/s1600/IMG_2250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS1no9cQvjafTloj5cMunWphoZVtMkKsXq4eScXSK_c19DcT1JS5cisIE7msVgt7qTWAmlvwitbF4ck5p0wFYEJrZ6erMUqAflkRf7sYCRL1F6Umq115veUIyp7ChR0im8Eml22z9uZI/s320/IMG_2250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEa6GiBZ081EHrnRxagyV8N7Hcyd9pl5UZ0-OodpHqtrwveKUcAsjKN2Mt9bZeW19vr8o45oS72odk_KOrxD-LU4L-U5uLSsteLjuFkNQIx_DRixrvb7gxv9UlmDhhM8b8wzX_C5TeZ8/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEa6GiBZ081EHrnRxagyV8N7Hcyd9pl5UZ0-OodpHqtrwveKUcAsjKN2Mt9bZeW19vr8o45oS72odk_KOrxD-LU4L-U5uLSsteLjuFkNQIx_DRixrvb7gxv9UlmDhhM8b8wzX_C5TeZ8/s320/IMG_2249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-24045051251439164812011-09-17T06:23:00.000-07:002011-09-17T06:23:28.238-07:00Thursday, Sept. 14th<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wendy and I went to the market yesterday with Emmanuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I have wrote about him before but I cannot say enough about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a young man that Cathy has taken under her wing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is teaching at the Preschool until he goes off to university in Kigali in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emmanuel escorts us to the market, to the Internet cafe, he walks to school with me, he goes to Kigali to pick up volunteers and we are teaching the adult English classes together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an intelligent young man who speaks Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili and English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emmanuel wants to be a teacher and then one day a Psychologist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is very special and has gone out of his way to make my stay here really memorable and interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have great talks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Cathy if I could do something for him to make his university entry a bit easier and she said that would be great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is going on a scholarship but money for everything else is very tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to buy him a new<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>outfit from the market – the clothes are used but most are in great condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also going to give him a few other items that he will need. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I return to Canada, I am going to send him a pair of Lacoste shoes – he is a sample size 9 Jaye!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had such a great time teaching English today to the adults. They are so interested and keen to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am constantly impressed by them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a picture of Emmanuel at school today and he looks just like Tiger Woods with the hat he has on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next week, I am going to ask the students if they would mind me taking a picture of them so I can share that with you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, Cathy gave out the clothes that my kind co-workers gave me to bring for the children here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their children had grown out of them and these children were so excited to have fresh new clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most children only have one outfit – some have two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some also got new flip-flops from a lady in B.C. – most children have shoes but some don’t have any.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have said many times, these are such simple things but they mean so very much to people here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see the joy on their faces!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The simple act of teaching them a simple new game or playing soccer with them gives them such happiness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wendy, the wonderful lady from B.C. who is here for three months, gave her shoes to a young lady who works in the fields across from the school and who comes to Beginner English class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young lady had no shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her name is Peace or Amaharo in Kinyarwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such a simple act of kindness that helped changed the life of that young woman and gave her hope.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More later.................</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdrBuB8FPvZXlyd0WsiDC9QShoX2EAvSUEtqLedmYDbm7poJOAxm0aAMXrVO0rBlLefdHZffKnJuFPwZhKaT22Mse9FVCyCYYjgIagBVN_8I-WXn9lWJzd0NcnAVBjOmPF8Z3jc3H8Vw/s1600/IMG_2252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdrBuB8FPvZXlyd0WsiDC9QShoX2EAvSUEtqLedmYDbm7poJOAxm0aAMXrVO0rBlLefdHZffKnJuFPwZhKaT22Mse9FVCyCYYjgIagBVN_8I-WXn9lWJzd0NcnAVBjOmPF8Z3jc3H8Vw/s320/IMG_2252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-52309548687800371652011-09-14T08:44:00.000-07:002011-09-14T08:44:55.882-07:00A day in Kigali<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today Teste, Wendy and I went to Kigali.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cathy had things to do so unfortunately she could not come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got on the bus at 8:30 am in Musanze and headed off to Kigali which is a two hour drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery is just unbelievable – hills everywhere, terraced with farm land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no tractors – all the work is done by hand – mostly by women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They call Rwanda “A land of a thousand hills” and it is just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not know where to look – it was all so stunning – real life happening in Rwanda.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived safely and Wendy and I took a taxi to the Kigali Memorial Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was very sad and poignant, it has been very well done and shows respect and love for all the people whose lives were lost in 1994.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Memorial is not only about the Genocide in Rwanda but other Genocides in the world over the years – the last one being in Bosnia in 1999.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Genocide is not only the murder of millions of people but it is murder one at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several mass graves at the site and we paid our respects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This really happened here and it can never happen again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many families were wiped out and destroyed in such cruel and sadistic ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words cannot express what I felt today.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went to the Hotel Des Mille Collines for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the hotel where many people were saved during the Genocide in April 1994. It is the hotel that was in the movie Hotel Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very beautiful and serene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lovely lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then some shopping at some local art shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought a few things to bring home for people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also bought some beautiful African material and am planning to have some bags made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cathy and I will meet with the lady who does the sewing tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow there is school in the morning and mother and baby group in the afternoon, where Cathy helps mothers with hygiene and parenting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time is going too fast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am enjoying being here so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I did not have a family, I would be very tempted to live here for awhile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so satisfying, but I do have many reasons to come home!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A tree can only be straightened when it is young”..................</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4gVmdSIqA0umDHPhM3XpUsGooaOL-sminzjCKmg0SO9bcILe4Br4CVOSCG3UDwjdVEadI7VL2UmFrwcexDVl-y0_ZxjermHvuWlVTrAJe_cXHwyfcjXl2P6ROom0q61AN27Un-STZPE/s1600/IMG_2221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4gVmdSIqA0umDHPhM3XpUsGooaOL-sminzjCKmg0SO9bcILe4Br4CVOSCG3UDwjdVEadI7VL2UmFrwcexDVl-y0_ZxjermHvuWlVTrAJe_cXHwyfcjXl2P6ROom0q61AN27Un-STZPE/s320/IMG_2221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-85585861402570722672011-09-14T08:34:00.001-07:002011-09-14T08:34:30.018-07:00Walk in the community<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This has been another great day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked to school with Emmanuel and again were joined by a couple of children along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent some time in class with Patience teaching the number 4 and helping the children write it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of them are very good and get the concept right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent some time in the baby class, singing and helping them with colouring.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After their snack, we went for a walk and they really enjoyed this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They held hands and we sang songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are such sweet children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cathy gave out some clothes for the children today as well as tended to some infections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also gave some medicine and advice to a young mother with three month old twins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people come to her for these type of medical issues.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cathy, Teste, Wendy and myself went for a walk in the community to give some items to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a mother who recently lost her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has two young children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cathy and Teste are helping her financially to finish her little house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is part of the work they are doing here – not only teaching the children but helping the community grow and develop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about giving a “hand-up” not a “hand-out” and that works anywhere in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cathy is helping those who are working hard and helping themselves and their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way to the house, we saw children in a primary school, people working, children playing, mother’s doing their chores and going about their daily routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, I did not have a camera and I was glad as I just wanted to absorb the natural and ordinary beauty of this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone has a smile and a greeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out that the mother was not home so we will return another day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Home for a lunch and a short rest and then back to school for English class with adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emmanuel and I are teaching the class today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we are teaching questions, what, where, when, why and how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so much fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so great and so want to learn English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are interested in my life but I am much more interested in their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of the girls said they did not have parents and that was hard to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not sure if they had been killed in the Genocide or not – one does not ask about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have done more reading about the Genocide since being here – it is hard to read about and impossible to imagine that it happened on these very streets that I am walking on daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some signs that say “Genocide never again” at schools and it is a reminder of the strength and determination of these people.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow, Cathy, Wendy and I are taking the bus to Kigali to see the Memorial’s, have lunch and get Wendy’s visa sorted out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very much looking forward to this as it was dark when I came to Musanze from Kigali, and I did not get to see the wonderful scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Do you think I should bring her home??</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfju0ox4HRl5MFjte6F7XaLcWi_NlpbJHkhHJn5F3OD2kLjDcgpxq96PsAbRQL-V1HZeWlCrVHpT3wBlq_Z8_39E0MMlRLlNlXGlP-OAGk079HhPfhu3DAVoxZpXLWGsutNY3459ViFs/s1600/IMG_2195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfju0ox4HRl5MFjte6F7XaLcWi_NlpbJHkhHJn5F3OD2kLjDcgpxq96PsAbRQL-V1HZeWlCrVHpT3wBlq_Z8_39E0MMlRLlNlXGlP-OAGk079HhPfhu3DAVoxZpXLWGsutNY3459ViFs/s320/IMG_2195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-43859624031381871472011-09-10T06:30:00.000-07:002011-09-10T06:30:41.737-07:00Fabulous Friday........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday, September 9<sup>th</sup></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cathy’s friend Wendy arrived from B.C. last night and we met this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Joe’s last day and he is sad to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has really enjoyed his time here and all the kids are very fond of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emmanuel and I walk to school and as usual it is a wonderful and unique walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way, we see morning life getting underway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We meet up with a couple of children who walk with us holding our hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These little ones often walk a long way by themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would think it would be dangerous, but the kids know their way and adults look out for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrive at school to find all the chairs outside and assume it is for a karate demonstration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joe and Emmanuel have been teaching the kids karate moves for the last few weeks and today they want the kids to proudly show off their new skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are in for a wonderful surprise today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack, one of the teachers at PREFER, is also a drummer with a drumming and dance troupe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are going to perform for us today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is absolutely wonderful, with drumming, singing and dancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The costumes are so beautiful and colourful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the children are clapping and dancing along. People and children came from the local community to enjoy this as w ell. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t even describe how beautiful and special this performance is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will attach pictures – try to imagine African drumming with traditional dancing on this Friday morning in Rwanda. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the same time this is going on, Cathy is administering medical assistance to Mama’s and children and a truck full of bricks arrive for the new house Cathy and Teste are building on the property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they begin building the new primary school, they will be on site which will be much more convenient.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the performance, which includes a group of children that Jack is teaching to dance and Joe, Wendy and I attempting to dance as well, we gather in a big circle to say goodbye to Joe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very special indeed and also very emotional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joe is very touched and is visibly moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leaves this afternoon after three weeks to return to the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being here changes people so he will be back sooner than later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is hard to explain how special this place is – and how much love and caring is given to the children, families and community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just feel it in your heart and soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diana, you said you want to come on an adventure with me – I think this is the place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will definitely be back!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS27gl7uWRRQnviaUlOf8ApQG94m1e0p6Sh77t1_UbSmdqDmD5ySmnAHgEtqu5Rfz_-pQhCIZnf1ccMZcSQHFM1Ai9jV3CjpJwqgh0I7Q3r3mULdf0oBgudyptO_cGzMKxK1Yj6ZqaLuo/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS27gl7uWRRQnviaUlOf8ApQG94m1e0p6Sh77t1_UbSmdqDmD5ySmnAHgEtqu5Rfz_-pQhCIZnf1ccMZcSQHFM1Ai9jV3CjpJwqgh0I7Q3r3mULdf0oBgudyptO_cGzMKxK1Yj6ZqaLuo/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-78211920280228548032011-09-10T06:23:00.001-07:002011-09-10T06:23:16.113-07:00A day at school...........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another great day.....I walked to school this morning with Emmanuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learn so much from him when walking – he is a wonderful young man and cannot do enough for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual, we meet children along the way, greeting us with “Hello Teacher” and they hold hands with us as we walk the rest of the way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I go in the classroom with the almost 40 2 – 2 ½ year olds and have no control whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not understand me and I certainly don’t understand them but I do the best I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They play with toys and then take turns going to the washroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then happily recite the days of the week, count from 1-10 and do their AB C’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They love singing and doing movement activities. They are very smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preschool here is as important as anywhere – early learning is essential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also a way to keep the children happy and occupied while the mother’s work, mostly in the fields. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The land is very dark and fertile here – they grow potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, avocado`s and bananas. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the children have their snack of Sorghum and bread and play outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the outdoor play, they have another snack of Sorghum and bread before they go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preschool is from 8-12 am and before they go home, the whole preschool sings together and then finally sing the National Anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children love attention, playing ball and trying to catch the bubbles that I was blowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bubbles are a universal activity it seems...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After school, Teste drove us home to have lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a break, Patience, Joe and I are going back to school to teach the Adult English class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teste and Cathy’s car is acting up so we take a Moto taxi again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is fun, I must admit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In English class, we have 8 adults who are very interested in learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are more advanced than others but they all are enthusiastic and eager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, we use some of the materials I brought from Canada – we talk about animals, how many legs they have, is their skin rough or smooth, what is their colour and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out to be a good class.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is Joe’s last day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heads back to the UK tomorrow and is saying his goodbyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been here for three weeks and is not happy to be leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids just love him and he has been teaching them karate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the afternoon class, Patience, Joe and I walk home – always so interesting to walk and see the life here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick shower and off we go to dinner to say goodbye to Joe – another Moto taxi to have Pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lovely evening with Cathy, Teste, Kevin, Patience and Joe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to believe that I have been here a week already. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel very comfortable indeed!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sorry the computer is not letting me attach pictures today..............</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-71849980087206293842011-09-10T06:22:00.001-07:002011-09-10T06:22:34.315-07:00A day at school...........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another great day.....I walked to school this morning with Emmanuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learn so much from him when walking – he is a wonderful young man and cannot do enough for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual, we meet children along the way, greeting us with “Hello Teacher” and they hold hands with us as we walk the rest of the way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I go in the classroom with the almost 40 2 – 2 ½ year olds and have no control whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not understand me and I certainly don’t understand them but I do the best I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They play with toys and then take turns going to the washroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then happily recite the days of the week, count from 1-10 and do their AB C’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They love singing and doing movement activities. They are very smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preschool here is as important as anywhere – early learning is essential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also a way to keep the children happy and occupied while the mother’s work, mostly in the fields. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The land is very dark and fertile here – they grow potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, avocado`s and bananas. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the children have their snack of Sorghum and bread and play outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the outdoor play, they have another snack of Sorghum and bread before they go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preschool is from 8-12 am and before they go home, the whole preschool sings together and then finally sing the National Anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children love attention, playing ball and trying to catch the bubbles that I was blowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bubbles are a universal activity it seems...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After school, Teste drove us home to have lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a break, Patience, Joe and I are going back to school to teach the Adult English class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teste and Cathy’s car is acting up so we take a Moto taxi again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is fun, I must admit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In English class, we have 8 adults who are very interested in learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are more advanced than others but they all are enthusiastic and eager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, we use some of the materials I brought from Canada – we talk about animals, how many legs they have, is their skin rough or smooth, what is their colour and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out to be a good class.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is Joe’s last day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heads back to the UK tomorrow and is saying his goodbyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been here for three weeks and is not happy to be leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids just love him and he has been teaching them karate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the afternoon class, Patience, Joe and I walk home – always so interesting to walk and see the life here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick shower and off we go to dinner to say goodbye to Joe – another Moto taxi to have Pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lovely evening with Cathy, Teste, Kevin, Patience and Joe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to believe that I have been here a week already. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel very comfortable indeed!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sorry the computer is not letting me attach pictures today..............</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-64488521651418970502011-09-07T06:57:00.000-07:002011-09-07T06:57:13.014-07:00Goats to Families<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Wednesday, September 7<sup>th</sup></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Emmanuel and I walked to school this morning – a different route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great 45 minute walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is such a nice young man, 21 years old and going to university in Kigali in October on full scholarship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to be a Physiologist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I worked with the kids this morning until 10 am – they are great but very needy and the little ones don’t understand English so it is a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is the day that the families come that are next on the list for a goat and a care package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The local government representative comes with a list of who is eligible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is the family name, how many children they have and if they are very poor or just struggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the families today are very poor and have nothing and lots of kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goats are grazing in the yard waiting to be picked up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Joe bought two goats and four care packages to give out today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The care packages include soap, a blanket, meat, flour, basin and a jerry can for water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These simple things make such a difference in the lives of these people.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I felt so emotional as the families arrived and the time came to present the goats to the families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could hardly hold it together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the fundraising and talking about this wonderful place has at this moment come to fruition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is real – I am here in Rwanda giving out goats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to all of you kind people who donated to my fundraiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The look on their faces when they got their goat was pure gratitude – they were so touched and thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cathy said, “It is like you just gave them a Mercedes”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is – now they have a chance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to tell you that I quietly named the goats, Jenny, Carolyn, Karen, Eddie and Ali.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The families would not have understood this so just consider them all named.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought of you as I handed them the goats.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I gave out five goats today to five different families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The week after next, I will buy more goats and also care packages – goats are between $40-45 and the care packages are $25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not spending much money at all here so I will try my best to help as many people as I can.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Teste translated to the families the information about the fundraiser that I had and expressed the generosity of all the people who donated to this cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said, they were so grateful and agreed to pose for pictures so I could share them with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must say, that I feel quite embarrassed to take pictures of these wonderful people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I DO NOT WANT TO BE SEEN AS A WHITE TOURIST!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I will make sure to send copies of pictures back to Cathy and Teste so the families can have a copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Thanks again to all of you wonderful people.....................You made a difference!</span></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-29710423220361425072011-09-07T06:51:00.000-07:002011-09-07T06:51:31.388-07:00Goat Market.................<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was an interesting day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of walking to school, Joe, Emmanuel and I took a “Moto Taxi”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes a motorcycle taxi and yes I did wear a helmet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emmanuel made sure my driver did not drive too fast as the roads are full of bumps and holes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held on tight and off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People stared at the Musugu woman on the motorbike, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but it was fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At school, I spent the first hour and a half with a young male teacher named Patience working with the 4 year olds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a handful, especially when showing off for me but Patience is a great teacher and had them doing everything he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did some table work and then we played with balls outside.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teste came to pick Joe and me up at 10 a.m. and off we went to the Goat Market. I have been looking forward to this for months! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The market is open on Tuesday and Friday every week and they not only sell goats but also chickens and other animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As well, there are household items, clothes, shoes, fabric, and vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I am buying 5 goats for families – Joe is buying some as well but only 10 fit comfortably in the back of a truck. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next week, I will buy more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teste does the negotiating with the goat sellers and chose some really great black and white goats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very hectic and busy at the goat market and of course the two white people stood out like beacons in the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also bought some fabric as I am having some bags made to take home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I told people during my fundraiser, goats are very important to families – they provide meat, milk, cheese, and make a great difference in helping families sustain themselves and support their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loaded them on the truck and brought them back to the preschool and tomorrow we will give them out to families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the kids were excited to see the goats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was some commotion at the school when we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the little girls had been hit on the legs and buttocks – apparently by her mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had difficulty walking and was very sad and upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is just not acceptable here or anywhere – discipline is one thing but beating is quite another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teste tried to contact the mother but could not get in touch with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The father however did come to the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He admitted that the mother had beaten this little girl. We took the little girl home to see Cathy so she could decide what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After calling the police, it was decided that she would stay overnight and the parents would be questioned tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lunch and a bath were given and soon she was colouring.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After this, I met with two of the teachers at the preschool to show them everything I had made and brought for the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are always looking for new ideas and I was very happy to share some with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They especially liked the song boards and learning some new songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the materials can also be used for the adult English classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That is quite enough for one day............Needless to say, I am being immersed in a wonderful culture and learning something new every day.........</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZE2558E6Jfs1wSipccS5f_i2YIUoJwZquuLSNT8ymzEVZwdnj12FRM4CyVJVeaHRxAtFjcQjhtFZfcFVVzbJsz9dx0c3t9Y8XHkCTsRHv5PjOMaLvIbeDAFoJephyphenhyphent2deljaDg90tPcA/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZE2558E6Jfs1wSipccS5f_i2YIUoJwZquuLSNT8ymzEVZwdnj12FRM4CyVJVeaHRxAtFjcQjhtFZfcFVVzbJsz9dx0c3t9Y8XHkCTsRHv5PjOMaLvIbeDAFoJephyphenhyphent2deljaDg90tPcA/s320/IMG_2063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5_rcACMUakqveNmeb1NYqL7UnaFpZZeO3YM9vAJkOe3SDWvHgevwe21cwLArpv8T_ZaEaZsM3vFhygOh_e_Uat2WtRquxv6FCe05U0O8YESs_FAnZrEuLj9v3u1obsGMNbizzTZWj2I/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5_rcACMUakqveNmeb1NYqL7UnaFpZZeO3YM9vAJkOe3SDWvHgevwe21cwLArpv8T_ZaEaZsM3vFhygOh_e_Uat2WtRquxv6FCe05U0O8YESs_FAnZrEuLj9v3u1obsGMNbizzTZWj2I/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" /></a></div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-33596557355859202302011-09-05T09:43:00.000-07:002011-09-05T09:43:26.403-07:00First day with the children...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was a great day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up at 6:30 am to have breakfast and off to the Preschool for 8 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked with Joe and Emmanuel and it was a 45 minute walk, seeing daily life begin, children going to school and people on their way to work –on foot and on bicycles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are curious because you are white but they are pleasant and greet you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children come up to you for a hug – just because.....Along the way we met children from PREFER Preschool and by the time we got there, we all had children holding our hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every classroom welcomed me which was so sweet and recited their ABC’s and 123’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They so cute.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I spent most of the morning with the little ones – two adults and more than 30 children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement but they are so eager to learn and it was great fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no behaviour problems because their parents are very strict and they all do as they are told. Imagine... All the children get Sorghum which is a mixture like poridge and also freshly baked bread for snack and then again before they go home at 12 noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bread is baked on site.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a delicious and healthy lunch at home until 2 pm we returned to school for the adult English class. I helped Emmanuel teach directions, east, west, north and south, left and right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were about six in the class and they have English classes on Monday and Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so wonderful, asking me about my life in Canada and about my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people have so little but they are happy and always smiling – thanking me for coming to Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apparently Rwanda is making so much progress in the past few years with a really great President, Paul<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kagame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants all children to go to school and supports education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are now laws against Domestic Violence and Child Abuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where I am in Musanze, is very safe, although I am not venturing out alone as that is very silly – not because people will be violent but because they are curious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are white, they assume you are wealthy.....and compared to them, I guess I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the simplicity of life here – as I did in Tanzania last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">More in a couple of days....internet is a challenge.....</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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They are so beautiful with huge brown eyes and the biggest smiles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a very small community and everyone walks everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daily life is so colourful with Mama’s in their beautiful outfits and headscarves with their babies’ in Kanga’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on their backs - also usually carrying something on their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very few people have cars here – they walk everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is always a smile and a greeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite all that these people have been through, they are so happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me feel very humble indeed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin taught me a few words that I plan on using tomorrow:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Muraho – Hello</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Marakoze – Thank you</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amakuru – How are you</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nimeza – I am fine</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Murabeho – Goodbye</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That will be plenty for the first day of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tuesday is the “Goat Market” – I am pretty excited to buy some goats and give them to families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The permit for the Gorilla Trek is for September 23<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will arrange transportation to the mountain to meet the guides and join a group to trek to one of the Gorilla tribes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are closer than others and groups are arranged depending on the fitness level of individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, it is such an amazing experience to see a whole family group of Gorilla’s up very close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are only allowed one hour with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are very strict as this is a protected species and they can easily contract illness from humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guides speak Gorilla language to let them know they are safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They give you explicit instructions as to what to do. That will be a once in a life time experience I expect – unless I come again which is quite likely in fact.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am hoping to take some pictures tomorrow and attach to this post.........take care everyone......</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-58688095052700792942011-09-03T07:04:00.000-07:002011-09-03T07:04:22.129-07:00Finally here....After a very long and tiring flight(s), I am finally here in Rwanda. I was picked up at the airport by Emmanuel. He had a sign with my name and "The Goat Woman". It was a two hour drive through the hills to the town of Muzane where Cathy and Teste live. I am looking forward to seeing the scenery in the daylight. I settled somewhat and surprisingly slept well. This morning we did some art with the local street kids, fed them and they played soccer. Back home for lunch and then to the market. Quite a full first day getting to know names, getting to know Cathy and the routines of daily life here. Tomorrow I am going to rest and organize as this week is going to busy. They are short a teacher at the Preschool so I will be leading the "baby" class of 2 year olds. Teste said it would be most likely wiping noses. At any rate, I am excited about every moment. It is very much like Tanzania - same sort of town - curious and wonderful people. I am now at an internet cafe and that is a first for me. I will write more tomorrow and maybe have a couple of pictures to attach. But, it is wonderful to be here after months of planning and I will make the most of every moment. Take care all and bye for now.DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-58589201012841625852011-08-31T17:37:00.000-07:002011-08-31T17:37:06.276-07:00Ready to go.........It feels good to have all my work caught up, files done and to be missing CARF. Sorry team.... I am packed, organized and ready to go. I did have to add another small bag but I have so much to take for the children that it is worth it. Thanks to my friends who gave me children's clothing, school supplies and toiletries. We think nothing of these things but they are so important and meaningful to the people where I am going.<br />
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My flight leaves at 4:30 pm tomorrow. My darling daughter is giving me a ride to the airport. I fly to Montreal, change planes and fly all night to Brussels. Another four hours in the airport and then fly to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. I hate flying not because I am frightened - I just have a difficult time sleeping. <br />
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I arrive at 6:30 pm on Friday, Sept. 2nd and am being picked up and driven to Ruhengeri which is 2 hours away. There I will settle into Cathy and Teste's home where the volunteers also stay. I really look forward to meeting them. I feel I know Cathy all ready after many e-mails and reading all about her and how she is making such a difference there. A fellow Canadian! She inspired me the moment I read the article about her in Canadian "More" magazine in April 2010. And now I am going to meet her. That is what happens - a thought becomes a dream and the dream becomes reality when action is applied. I always have a dream!<br />
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I am off to go to Africa!!DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-82200988981158403532011-08-27T18:58:00.000-07:002011-08-27T18:58:02.331-07:00About RwandaI wanted to know more about Rwanda before I went to visit. Uganda is to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of Condo to the west. It is a landlocked country situated in the central part of Africa and known as "the land of a thousand hills". Rwanda has five volcanoes, twenty three lakes and numerous rivers, some forming the source of the River Nile. It is in the heart of Africa. The Volcanoes National park in the Virunga volcanic mountains with high altitude forests are world famous for mountain gorillas - timid and passive family oriented giants. Let's hope they are gentle and passive as I am going on a Gorilla Trek when there. <br />
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The Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass murder of an estimated 800,000 people over the course of 100 days, from the assassination of the President Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6th through mid July. It was the culmination of longstanding ethnic competition and tensions between the minority Tutsi's who had controlled power for centuries and the majority Hutu peoples, who had come into power in the rebellion of 1959-62 and overthrown the Tutsi monarchy.<br />
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The assassination of the President in April 1994 set off a violent reaction resulting in the Hutus' conducting mass killings of Tutsis'. This genocide had been planned by members of the Hutu power group, many whom occupied top levels of government. It was supported and co-ordinated by the national government as well as local military, civil officials and mass media. Many of you might remember watching the movie, "Hotel Rwanda" which is based on the hotel which sheltered over a thousand refugees during the genocide. It is shocking to read all the information about the Genocide and horrifying to realize what the people went through and how they suffered. The United Nations essentially ignored what was going on there. Bill Clinton has stated that it is his "biggest regret" of his presidency is not acting to stop the Rwandan Genocide. <br />
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The population is now 67% under the age of 18 and many households are headed by teens due to the devastation. I had to try and come to grips with this knowledge before I go next week. While watching the movie and reading this information, I cried and cried for these people, most of them innocent men, women and helpless children. Living in Canada we feel so protected and can't imagine the atrocities that take place in so many parts of the world. When I am there, I will visit the memorials in Kigali to pay my respects.<br />
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DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-78044425296277082682011-08-16T18:26:00.000-07:002011-08-16T18:26:27.081-07:00Fundraiser finished!On the way into Timberlane to help set up, a bird "pooped" on me. Thank goodness it did not get on the hair. I was told that it was very good luck! I felt great as I had done everything I could to promote this fundraiser and get people excited about my cause. The local Aurora newspaper did an article on me as well as Community Clicks. I knew I had done the best I could and was very proud of myself. I had booked for 75 people. Of course, one hopes for more, but it is summer and people are very busy. I am grateful for every single person who bought a ticket, made a donation or even thought about contributing. Thank you!<br />
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The band, The Timecats, set up and people started to arrive. It was a bit surreal - it was like it was "my party". I sincerely thank Timberlane, Tanis Hargrave - The Roving Chef and the Timecats - Ron, Steve, Lawrence and Anthony. |Thank you to Ali and Trish who sat at the door and greeted people with their beautiful smiles. Thanks again to Trish who took pictures for me. The band sounded great! The food was wonderful and everyone enjoyed it. SNAP, a community paper came and the photographer took pictures - look for the Aurora issue on September 1st. My wonderful niece Jenna and her friend Ashely are members of The Richmond Hill Baton Club and they made up a routine just for my event. They did a wonderful job - everyone loved it. Thank you girls......<br />
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Dalreen Fobler who spent a month in Rwanda last year, volunteering for PREFER was gracious enough to come and say a few words about her experience there. Her words touched and inspired everyone. She was able to articulate so well exactly what life is like there and all the great work that Cathy is doing with PREFER. Thank you Dalreen! My friend and co-worker Rosaio is an accomplished Toastmaster. She so kindly offered to do a funny story about surviving the jungle of Africa. She is so funny and had everyone laughing - thanks Rosario - I hope I survive my Gorilla trek!<br />
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People danced and had such fun. That is what it was all about for me - I wanted everyone to just enjoy the evening. I am grateful to all of you that support me and believe in me. Life has changed for me but in a most wonderful way. I have so much to look forward to and be excited about. My journey is only just beginning.<br />
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I am pleased to say that I raised almost $3000.00. The $500.00 from the raffle will go with me to Rwanda to personally buy goats at the Goat Market. Thanks Linda for helping me with the raffle. I will send the rest of the money to the BC office. Every cent will go to help families and children in Rwanda.<br />
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Thanks to everyone, esspecially my wonderful grown children, Jaye, Andrew, Jeffrey and Able...I gave birth to only two but all four are mine.....A final special thanks to my wonderful friend to Jackie - what would I ever do without your constant love and support - I love you so much!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8zH3k07-TQ2HJiI4pl0NCSYOLnVP-fyyaGA0_73SiZPf2jUUR669v_rXN3hS6P7xxY0rOOueHk61C3VNdUMEYTQoaklPwXTg4P3j4BCM_Aoljf9C9aZMbT2iQcLEV-294AWw5d8juEs/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8zH3k07-TQ2HJiI4pl0NCSYOLnVP-fyyaGA0_73SiZPf2jUUR669v_rXN3hS6P7xxY0rOOueHk61C3VNdUMEYTQoaklPwXTg4P3j4BCM_Aoljf9C9aZMbT2iQcLEV-294AWw5d8juEs/s320/IMG_0323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd26NBBBENnOwDeKAUorPWaJPLcPUl2CZ7G1F7v-znCaMBvhCH5V_rS-V8CyZNIVjjEtoLRZKvHdVsJuKV7Qd8ZvbioBDu0mjxuNDdwiDVEzV6GTjNYd5VDqip0tvakk9o9xDcI7iyDk/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd26NBBBENnOwDeKAUorPWaJPLcPUl2CZ7G1F7v-znCaMBvhCH5V_rS-V8CyZNIVjjEtoLRZKvHdVsJuKV7Qd8ZvbioBDu0mjxuNDdwiDVEzV6GTjNYd5VDqip0tvakk9o9xDcI7iyDk/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am now packing!! Leaving Sept. 1st.................<br />
DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520993283648133590.post-3244543361314868232011-08-01T18:54:00.000-07:002011-08-01T18:54:44.801-07:00Preparing for the fundraiser.............I decided in March to go to Rwanda for the month of September. There were many reasons for this decision. There are many changes in my life and I have had to move on from a relationship that was not working and was not going to work. This was very painful and personal and the hardest thing I have ever done. My partner is the sweetest and most wonderful person in the world but there were significant issues that could not be resolved. This decision took three years to make after much counselling and soul searching. <br />
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I am having a big birthday in September and wanted to do something really interesting and meaningful to mark the beginning of a fabulous time in my life. You see, I am a very positive and optimistic person who is passionate and loving. I need that in return and I do believe I will find that person who has those characteristics. In fact, I know I will. So I made the decision to go to PREFER - Poverty Reduction Education Family Empowerment Rwanda. I read an article last summer in MORE magazine about Cathy Emmerson who runs PREFER. She inspired me from that moment. I knew that I would be going to Rwanda. I contacted her and now I am leaving September 1st for a month.<br />
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I firmly believe that you need to believe in yourself and live life authentically and with truth. That is how I want to live my life. So I began planning for my trip. I went to Africa last year - to Tanzania for two months. Those two months completely changed me in a profound way and I am so happy to be going back to a neighbour country, Rwanda. Everyone knows about the Genocide in Rwanda in 1994. One million people murdered in 100 days. The population is 67% under the age of 18 so education is so important in order for the country to heal and grow. PREFER has a preschool and is building an elementary school. They also have a school program for street children and do much work in the community, including a goat program, giving goats to families so they can be sustainable and support themselves. So my fundraiser is called "Goats for Africa".<br />
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One of the reasons for the fundraiser is to raise awareness, especially for children. If one child goes on the web-site and becomes interested in global issues, then that makes me realize I have done something right.<br />
I did a fundraiser last year but decided to go bigger and bolder this time. How about a BBQ with a band? Like my friend Jackie - I am going big or going home. I was terrified - never done this kind of fundraiser - what if people don't come? Then my beautiful daughter gave me some words of wisdom - reminded me to remember why I am doing this - who I am doing it for? I have done my very best to get the word out there so am happy if 75 people come. So I officially stopped worrrying last week. Through this experience I have met so many people I would not have otherwise met. I realize not everyone believes in what I believe in and they don't have to - as long as they believe in something.<br />
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August 11th will be a big evening and very special. The money I make for PREFER will send children to school and buy goats for families. DCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101547646192531202noreply@blogger.com0