We all returned home safely! It was a long plane ride but a trip that was packed with many wonderful memories. We all grew so much on This trip. I have such an appreciation for some of the simplest things we often take for granted in our everyday life.
Rwanda is a landlocked country in east-central Africa. Its economic development has been hampered by one of the worst genocides in historyIn the mid-1990s, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed in less than 100 days for their ethnicity.
Rwanda is a country in recovery, and they are all working very hard to turn their country into a harmonious place. It’s hard to know from a outsiders position, if this is working, but the Rwandans are a very friendly, helpful, loving people and they live a very hard life. They work in the fields using simple tools like machetes, hoes, and axes. Everything is done by hand. They pick the food in the fields to put on their table for meals. Everything gets eaten. They wash their clothes by hand, make their clothes and have only a few outfits to wear. We saw many young boys and girls with the butts worn right out of their pants.
The country is very densely populated. And that population is consistently in motion. We watched men women and children carry things to and from market on their heads in their hands and on bicycles. The primitive way of working is just staggering! The strength and resolve is amazing. And everything is done with such pride and conviction.
Though the country has made a comeback in recent years through. coffee and tea production, it ranks. among the poorest countries in the world, with a GNI per capita of just $1,814. Nearly 80% of Rwandans live on less than $3.20 a day, and over. half live on less than $1.90.
When you think of that, and then think of the materialistic society we come from, you can’t help but wonder if it is all necessary.
Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa and ranks 21st out of the 25 poorest countries in the world. Prior to the 1994 war, Rwanda was among the most rural countries in the world, but the war precipitated rapid urbanization, with many refugees choosing not to return to their rural homes but to settle instead in the cities, primarily Kigali.
Liberation Day, July 4th is about celebrating progress. While Rwanda is still a very poor country, it is peaceful — after a decade of community-led justice and reconciliation efforts, it is largely free from the ethnic divisions that led to the genocide more than two decades ago. And it has made strides in building its infrastructure and stamping out corruption.
Although we were in country for both July 1st and July 4th holidays it was not blatantly apparent that they were celebrating the 25th anniversary of the genocide. Although they were doing something at the genocide museum while we were there and the students had no school both days. That seemed to beall that we noticed.
In the United States
Secretary Pompeo had a Message for Rwanda Independence Day 2019.
On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Rwanda. as you mark 57 years of independence on July 1 and celebrate the 25th anniversary of Liberation Day on July 4.
Rwanda has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the region to establish a favorable climate for trade and investment, and advances in promoting women in governance. The United States remains committed to building on Rwanda’s progress in health, education, and economic development, and to further strengthen civil society and the rule of law.
I send my warmest wishes to all the Rwandan people for continued prosperity and success in the years ahead.
As Rwandans are able and willing to reference each other as Rwandans and no other category, I wonder why Americans can not do that? Why must we have so many boxes to put people in and create separation and differences. Why can’t we just be Americans? Rwanda seems to be more aware and more advanced in some ways than Americans. They have a ban on plastic bags, resulting in very little trash in the country. They board planes using both the front and back doors resulting in less frustration for travelers. They have reusable straws so they don’t pollute the oceans, even though they are land locked. They embrace reconciliation, and don’t try to fight itThey are primarily vegetarian, but regardless of vegetarian or meat eaters they are more aware of their food source than we are. Resulting in a better appreciation, and less waste.
My trip to Rwanda has made me think....
My thinking is just beginning.....
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