Under the guidance of our tradesman and our Boss Pierre (the Mayor) our team helped build the columns and walls for the Covaga Kitchen. We learned to break stones, make bricks, carry bricks, make mortar and carry mortar. Kim, Brenda and Chris picked a column then a wall and started building. Mike and Faran jumped on bicycles with their kids as helpers and rode to the nearest slough for water, complete with tadpoles! When it started raining so hard we were able to fill all of the containers and a make a shift pool, all in aide of making mortar with Vincent our local tradesman cement man, singer, dancer and youth worker. Jess and Hasti worked steadily on the back curved wall and were lifting the blocks higher and higher as the wall progressed. Jen spent much of her time helping tradesman Thomas (Fresh) keeping him supplied with cement while at the same time answering all of everyone’s questions. I helped tradesman Edward and hauled bricks to various stations. None of us were afraid to have some fun and take a break to photograph the kids, or play some games. Cedric, our guide and interpreter worked with us building, interpreting and teaching us culture and having fun. We all worked hard as a team with the tradesman and are happy to have accomplished so much in two weeks but we are also sad to be leaving our new friends including the tradesman, the children and all of the wonderful weavers at the Covaga Innovation Center. Next project … Building the roof!!!!
Russ Carmichael
DWC Participant
Rwanda, October 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
October 22: "Umuganda" and Weaving
Today was our 2nd week of work on our community project at the Covaga Innovation Centre in Gashora. But enriching our experience today was a ½ day of Government initiated “umuganda” community service that occurs once every month in the district. On this day the entire community pitches in to work on roads, fields and anything else to benefit the residents of the community.
This was the most amazing experience, because we had the opportunity to work with everyone in town! Women, children and men alike, all sharing tools and working side by side. Members of other cooperatives, Government workers, shop owners, families and everything in between. I would like to see this activity at home – a chance for the community to come together, learn from each others skill sets and to find out who our neighbors are. Rwanda may not be a developing country after all!
Today we also had the opportunity to try our hand at weaving, thanks to the wonderful, talented weavers at the Covaga Co-op. Braiding and weaving headbands, flip flops, baskets and some things we're not even sure what they were to start! It amazes me that these women, some of them in their 50s and 60s, sit on the floor hunched over their projects for hours on end every day, without any ill effects, and then jump to their feet to sing and dance.
The remainder of the day included lunch (shockingly, rice, beans and potato again – but today a new feature – baked sweet potato) while getting to know my fellow travelers and another ½ day of working on the Covaga kitchen walls. Team work abounds between the Rwandan skilled workers we work with, the Covaga co-op members, the children and the DWC volunteers. I’m continually amazed by the fact that it matters not what language we speak – somehow we’re able to laugh, learn and build together towards a common goal. It’s a small world.
Brenda Garcia
DWC Participant
Rwanda, October 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
October 21: Friendly faces and amazing animals
Well, we begin week 2 tomorrow in Gashora! We will be starting with the brick work on the walls now that the rock columns are finished. It is very exciting to see the progress we have been making over the last week. So many friendly faces in Gashora and every other place we have visited. We also got to meet some of the people that live around the medical center project being built in Kazo today. Everywhere we go they welcome us with open arms and friendly smiles. Such an amazing place…we also went on safari today and saw baboons, hippos, giraffes and many other amazing animals. Can’t wait to see what this week has in store for us!
Mike Baillie
DWC Participant
Rwanda, October 2012
Mike Baillie
DWC Participant
Rwanda, October 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
October 17: Pea soup!
Today we had pea soup. It was a very welcome change as we have grown tired of the usual rice, beans and potato wedges. Though peas have been readily available throughout our stay in Rwanda, having them in liquid form caused an excitement at the dinner table! Aside from the food, the constant supply of 0.0% Bavaria beer has kept my spirits afloat. Working on the New kitchen at Covaga has been cool too :)
Faran Mahboubi
DWC Participant
Rwanda, October 2012
October 15: An eye-opening and heart warming start
The past few days have been eye-opening and heart warming. After landing in Kigali, we visited the genocide museum, which was emotional and difficult. But it was informative, and we learned so much about the history of genocide in Rwanda, and throughout the world. It was inspiring to see how Rwanda is dedicated to moving forward and healing as a nation.
Our group is an amazing bunch, and we have bonded in such a short time. We are all open to this experience and after spending the afternoon visiting the Covaga Centre, we have seen firsthand the efforts of past teams and the great work they have done. We viewed the weaving boutique and the amazing women who are working hard at their craft to help earn money for their families. We will begin work on the kitchen tomorrow which will serve as a training center where locals can learn not only how to compost and dry their harvest, but prepare it as well. This is part of the nutrition initiative that was started by the Western Washington University students. The collaborative efforts are apparent everywhere.
After walking back to our hotel, we held many children’s hands and their warm smiles and innocence made us laugh. Faran was a star with the children, teaching them rap music and having marathon races in the village. It was an incredible experience to connect with the children, who were clearly thrilled at us “muzungos”.
I can only imagine what the next 2 weeks will bring. To think that last week I was standing in my kitchen and unhappy with my kitchen counter tops, to being here and realizing how important our efforts are! I can’t wait to start mixing some concrete and building walls which will be the structure for the kitchen. There is no question that this trip is life changing, rewarding, and unforgettable!
Kim Hotzon
DWC Participant
Rwanda, October 2012
Our group is an amazing bunch, and we have bonded in such a short time. We are all open to this experience and after spending the afternoon visiting the Covaga Centre, we have seen firsthand the efforts of past teams and the great work they have done. We viewed the weaving boutique and the amazing women who are working hard at their craft to help earn money for their families. We will begin work on the kitchen tomorrow which will serve as a training center where locals can learn not only how to compost and dry their harvest, but prepare it as well. This is part of the nutrition initiative that was started by the Western Washington University students. The collaborative efforts are apparent everywhere.
After walking back to our hotel, we held many children’s hands and their warm smiles and innocence made us laugh. Faran was a star with the children, teaching them rap music and having marathon races in the village. It was an incredible experience to connect with the children, who were clearly thrilled at us “muzungos”.
I can only imagine what the next 2 weeks will bring. To think that last week I was standing in my kitchen and unhappy with my kitchen counter tops, to being here and realizing how important our efforts are! I can’t wait to start mixing some concrete and building walls which will be the structure for the kitchen. There is no question that this trip is life changing, rewarding, and unforgettable!
Kim Hotzon
DWC Participant
Rwanda, October 2012
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