Years from now, I will look at my children and tell them that one day your mama was on a mountain top in Rwanda, East Africa planting trees. They will think I am a crazy mom, of course, but then I’ll show them these pictures and they will see that I ain’t so crazy. The journey to the mountaintop marked the inauguration of a new youth group that would be committed to service. I didn’t know that the walk would be so long. I didn’t know that it would actually be a hike. And lord knows I didn’t know it would be up a mountain. Nonetheless, I put on my standard, comfortable [and cute] clothes, my pretty, pink pumas and began the trek. There were times when I doubted my ability to make it through but I did.
The end was rewarding for many reasons: the physical experience, the confidence building aspect of it, and the ceremonial experience of tree-planting here in Rwanda. The students sang and danced as they planted the trees. Some sat down and chatted, but I think in general, everyone felt a sense of community. I am glad I made the journey. Can I change my name to mountaineer now?
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| mama, i made it |
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| leaving campus |
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| this is when i realized that we were going up a mountain |
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| we went beyond that bush in the background |
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| two of my travel and tourism students looking awesome in their ranger gear! |
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| it was amazing to see that people live up these hills |
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| my pumas: from panama to rwanda |
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The
Rwandan government has made no mistake when it comes to investing in youth and
instilling in them, the mindset that youth can and do have the ability to
impact their country. Each time I am teaching a new group of students, they remind me that they understand their own power within society. My
students, when asked why they have chosen to study, rarely have selfish or
personal reasons; they always mention something about improving their country.
It’s an interesting phenomenon, I would say. Really, it is. Say what you must,
but they have got the youth empowerment thing figured out.
In just the two short months that I have been here, I have experienced quite a few things that compound my aforementioned observations. I sat in a presentation where some officials came by to discuss the role of democracy in society and how youth are a part of that equation. I went to the second year anniversary for the organization of students who are genocide survivors. To see the manner in which they regard themselves, the family they have created, and the dedication they have to upholding the legacy of the organization, is commendable. Finally, this week I was a part of an experience that reaffirmed one of the reasons why I do what I do. Who doesn’t want youth to journey to the mountaintop while sowing their seeds along the way, and becoming the voices of their generation?
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| student leaders addressing their peers, officials, and community members |
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| everyone was in on the fun :) |
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| chillin' |
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| if this doesn't capture enjoyment, i don't know what does |
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| to think: there's more to come folks! |
*This blog (Bee's Backseat) is not an official Fulbright Program site. The views expressed on this site are entirely those of its author and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations.
