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Rwanda

Rwanda, the Republic of Rwanda, is a country in Central Africa and one of the smallest countries on the African mainland. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda. The building in this photo is of the Hotel des Mille Colines..Famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda. The name translates the Hotel on a thousand hills which is what the the city is built on..

The Hôtel des Mille Collines, is a large hotel in Kigali, Rwanda. It became famous after 1,268 people took refuge inside the building during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The story of the hotel and its manager at that time, Paul Rusesabagina, was later used as the basis of Terry George's film Hotel Rwanda in 2004. According to the film, Rusesabagina bribed the Hutu Army with money and alcohol to protect them, and to obtain food and water. The United Nations mission, foreign governments, and the Rwandan Patriotic Front exerted pressure on the Rwandan government forces to ensure the safety of those trapped in the complex.

The buildingis the City Hall. Rwanda's developing economy suffered heavily in wake of the 1994 genocide, but has since strengthened. The economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture. Coffee and tea are the major cash crops for export. Tourism is a fast-growing sector and is now the country's leading foreign exchange earner. Rwanda is one of only two countries in which mountain gorillas can be visited safely, and visitors pay high prices for gorilla tracking permits.

Another view of our hotel Mille Collines. The unemployment rate for Rwanda today is at 7% Uganda was at 40%.

The presidents of Rwanda and Burundi, both Hutus, were killed when their aircraft was shot down on 6 April 1994. Social tensions erupted in the 1994 genocide that followed, in which Hutu extremists killed an estimated 500,000-1,000,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu. The RPF ended the genocide with a military victory.

Surrounding hills of Kigali the Capital of Rwanda

Another view of the city.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial commemorates the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The remains of over 250,000 people are interred there

The upstairs floor the center includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the genocide in 1994, helping to give Rwanda’s nightmare a historical context. There is a children’s memorial, with life-sized photos, accompanied by intimate details about their favorite toys, their last words and the manner in which they were killed. There is also an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world. The Education Center, Memorial Gardens and National Documentation Center of the Genocide contribute to a meaningful tribute to those who perished and form a powerful educational tool for the next generation.

The remains of the people here were brought from all over the capital after they had been left in the street or thrown in the river. They are buried together in lots of 100,000

Each of us were given a single rose to lay on the area of those entombed below.

In April 1994 reports of systematic mass murder within Rwanda began to filter out of Rwanda and circulate throughout the world. Sadly, little was done to halt the mass killing. To outsiders the genocide was represented as tribal-based ethnic violence, with the Tutsis the victims and the Hutus as the perpetrators. Precisely how many people were actually murdered may never be known; estimates vary between 500,000 and over a million. The number of people killed is widely accepted as being somewhere close to 800,000.

Newer parts of the city

Buses is one mode of transportation around the city.

Moto Taxis is the most obvious and convenient way to get around Kigali and they even have their own ill-fitting, vision-impairing, semi-gross helmet for you in a fashionable selection of bright blue, red or green.

Hopping on a mototaxi is probably the most dangerous thing you’ll do in Kigali. The drivers are mostly good, but there’s always a risk when you’re speeding down the road on a motorbike. When you put on the helmet it’s probably a bad sign if it’s completely cracked and then taped back up. Although wearing a taped up helmet with zero visibility adds a certain element of excitement to the journey. Likewise, it might be wise to wait for another driver if you encounter a helmet with blood spatters on it.

The genocide caused a large drop in GDP and destroyed the country's ability to attract private and external investment. The economy has since strengthened, with average income per person for the year estimated at $2,090 in 2017, compared with $416 in 1994.

Motos are a bit intimidating at first, but when you get used to taking them ,and accept that we must all die sooner or later anyway, they’re are a formidable way of getting around the city

$Across Africa, motorcycle taxis – known as motos in Rwanda, boda-bodas in Kenya and Uganda or okadas in Nigeria – are a popular method of transport; on a motorbike you can weave through gridlocked traffic, dash down side alleys or bump over dirt shortcuts, all for a fraction of what you would pay for a taxi.$

Lined up to get water from a public well

Once outside Kigali instead of Moto cycles it is bicycles waiting as taxis.

The Nyamata Genocide Memorial is based around a former Cathholic Church 19 miles south of Kigali in Rwanda, which commemorates the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The remains of 50,000 people are buried here

Entrance to the church. We were told by the local guide that about 10,000 women, men and children gathered here and they locked themselves in. For over a week they stayed within the walls of the church without food and water. After a week the church priest left and all were massacred. Only 7 survived. The church walls today show how the perpetrators made holes in the walls of the church so that grenades could be thrown into the church. After this the people inside were shot or killed with machetes.

The bars to the church door were cut open.

Our local guide who has family interred here

The ceiling of the church shows the bullet holes and the altar cloth is still stained with blood. Most of the remains have been buried but clothing and identity cards are left as you can see in the photo above. The identity cards were what identified people as either Tutsi or Hutu.

People in the surrounding area were also killed after the massacre at the church. The remains of 50,000 people are buried here.[

Inside the burials, underground, where the victims are laid to rest. They want the world to see what happened so that it will never happen again hopefully.

In this location 5,000 skulls and 45,000 master graves have been brought to this location for final resting place.

Main entrance to the church which now serves as a haunting memorial of the terrible massacre that occurred here.

Arrival ceremony for our group at a Reconciliation Village. A community where both perpetrators and victims of the 1994 genocide live side by side as part of a healing process.

This is where I wish we could share the music and dance that we received upon arrival.

In this Reconciliation Village there are 54 homes and 384 people that have come together as Survivors and Returnees.

The village has 3 classes of Returnees. Those who caused the problems for the families attacked and killed; those who were attacked and lost family members: those who have returned and asked for forgiveness after serving time in prisons for the atrocities committed against their neighbors.

For Tutsis who survived the Rwanda genocide or watched as their loved ones were slaughtered or raped, reconciling with the Hutu attackers once seemed unimaginable.

Through our local guide today, who translated for us, we sat down with the residents of the Reconciliation Village and learned from each side what had happened.

Our travel group is listening intently from survivor and a perpetrator. Their story before during and after the genocide and where life has taken them today. Talk about a moving experience.

From right to left Sam Nayebare, our tour guide for Rwanda, local village leader, Janet, the victim that had her family murdered by the man sitting to the far left in the photo, translator and local guide for the day, and Tashia, the perpetrator who killed the family of Janet, the lady seated center with the orange shawl.

Tashia, killed all her family. He explained what happened when the Hutu's murdered, raped and wiped out families during this horrible time in history. He was sentenced to prison and served time. His own family disowned him and he is alone now. He asked for forgiveness from Janet. Today he helps her when she asks for help. You could have heard a pin drop when each of them spoke. Many are in the villages because of Prison Fellowship Rwanda – an Anglican organization working with the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission. The NGO supplies the materials that the victims and perpetrators use to build their homes.

Janet spoke of the family she lost that was taken from her by Tashia. She lost everything. She was forced to flee for her life from Tashia and other Hutus who were out to kill any Tutsi they encountered. She has forgiven him. I told her personally, through the translator, that she has a bigger heart than I have. I would not be able to forgive him for what he did. Her journey towards reconciliation began in 2005 when Prison Fellowship Rwanda sought to unite and reconcile Rwandans. The program started after the government released perpetrators who admitted to their crimes in the semi-traditional Gacaca, Grass, courts.

These ladies are listening intently as Janet in the privious photo is telling the story of her survival. She hid in a toilet for 1 1/2 months. She was 16 alone. Her parents had also been killed. She was on the streets for 2 months hiding. At one point she had fled into a church but was forced to flee when the local priest said the Hutus were coming. She said she can forgive but she cannot forget.

Rwanda has pushed forward with programs aimed at healing wounds and bridging divisions: Hutus and Tutsis now participate in mandatory community service programmes each month; School children are taught to identify as “Rwandan” rather than along ethnic lines; and, perhaps more surprisingly, hundreds of Hutu and Tutsi families now live side by side in “reconciliation villages” which they have built together and work together to maintain.

After the meeting and dialogue of the slaughter of families, reconciliation and new hopes for Rwanda there was music and dancing for a few minutes. Of course I had to jump in on that too.

A few light moments of friendship and fun after an hour of very heavy discussions.

One more ceremonial dance for our pleasure to enjoy.

Checking out the visitors

“I still miss my family members every day, but they will never come back. My neighbors are my family now.”

After the fun and dance a few more serious moments. We had purchased, the day before in a market in Kigali, clothing items for the children of the village and presented the items to the families of the village.

I went walked around and took photos of many villagers sharing the photos with them. Wish you could have seen the big similes from them when I shared the photos with them.

These are some of the photos.

Good friends sharing a moment of fun.

Sharing some laughter with local children

A Mother with her children

A proud Father with his young son

Local women work together to make baskets by hand

I purchased these items and asked who made them. They were so proud to have their photo taken of their hand made items.

How do you choose just a few items to purchase?

I think we have a model in the making here..

Items we had purchased to give to the families.

What a memorable visit to this Village.

You should have seen the big smiles when each of them saw their photo in the group.

Best Buddies

We stopped at a farmhouse for lunch with a family. Here the wife shows us how to find the Cassava root which we were having for lunch too..

Here we have it.

Polenta was on the menu and guess who was selected to stir it up. Yours truly.

Polenta is a dish of boiled cornmeal that is historically made from other grains.

Here we have the finished product after I stirred and stirred it.. ha

A fun lunch stop. Family members waving goodbye.

View of the Rwandan countryside as we drove along the roads. Everywhere you find people working and farming.

Amazing what you can carry on the back of a bicycle

Workers in a field

Water and transportation

How many pineapples can you carry on a bicycle? Here is the answer.

Sam with a Jack fruit over head and a friend at a stop we made

Check out these fresh tomatoes and onions

Good looking fruits and green bananas

Local Art for sale

Women for Women International – Rwanda has served women through programs. The training helps women influence decisions at home and in their communities, initiate activities that generate income, and save money for the future, contributing to economic self-sufficiency in their lives and for their families. Rwanda remains one of the world’s poorest and most aid-dependent nations, with nearly half the rural population living below the poverty line.

This location is located in the small town of Kayonza. It is in a rural area and teaches women to help them learn trades by making home made products to earn money for their families. It is designed as a mini village with a series of pavilions built to blend in with the landscape.

The center is home to about 300 Rwandan women.

How to create colors

Many are genocide survivors. It is also a gathering place for other rural farmers who come here to put their lives back together through education, agriculture and food cooperatives.

How to make wall plaques from cow dung. Who would have guessed?

Now this is a gord

You taste it. No you taste it!

I tried it and survived.

If you have never had the opportunity to taste a Jack fruit I recommend it. I ate a whole bunch of this fruit.

Gift shop at the Women for Women International. Many neat items.

Made a new friend. I encouraged him to go to college and pursue his dreams.

Young girls getting water from the local well for their families

Young girls returning home with water for their families. This is done daily. We are so lucky to have running water in our homes..

This is a community meeting alongside a road outside of Kigali. Everyone in each area is required to attend these or have a representative from each house to learn what is happening in their areas.

More of the same group meeting

You have to admit the local businesses are colorful in the countryside

Local countryside with just dirt roads for miles to the entrance of the Akagera National Park

I would like to see anyone here in the Western World ride a bike with this amount of Bananas on each bike.

This is our first game drive visit in Rwanda at The Akagera National Park.

Akagera National Park lies in eastern Rwanda, hugging the border with Tanzania. It's characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah. The varied terrain shelters wildlife including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. In the southern part of the park, vast Lake Ihema is home to hippos and crocodiles.

Akagera National Park covers 433 sq miles. It was founded in 1934. A chimpanzee walking across the dry grass.

Lilac Breasted Roller

African Bee Eater

Hadda Ibis bird. It is named for its loud three to four note calls uttered in flight especially in the mornings and evenings when they fly out or return to their roost trees.

Small bird is an African Jacana with a White Great Egret

2 Egyptian Geese

Monitor Lizzard

Check out the tongue on the Monitor lizzard

Water buck and juvenile

Morning rest stop by the side of a lake in the park

Ram Impallas

Long Crested Eagle

Guinea fowl

African Fish Eagle

Chimpanzees

Another Chimpanzee flying across the road

A badly injured Hippopotamus away from the lake. A likely target from other predators

A young antelope eating

Group of Guinea fowl

Stork Nest

Family of Chimpanzees with a young one on the back of the adult.

Impalas

Grey Heron

Reddish Egret

Blue Breasted Bee Eater

More Blue Breasted Bee Eaters

More Impalas

African Fish Eagle

Warthog

Mongoose running

Mongoose checking something out

Water buck

Water buck

Tried to find the name of this bush with red flowers.

Zebras

Zebras

Zebras and Water bucks

Water bucks

Rothschild Giraffe

Group of them were crossing the road in front of us.

Tanzania in the distance across the lake in Akagera National Park

Beautiful colors in the landscape of the Akagera National Park

Security in the park to prevent poaching of animals

Vehicles used in the park for viewing the animals.

Awesome photo of a Zebra in the bush.

We encountered a herd of Zebras that crossed in front of us

No two Zebras have the same stripe designs.

Notice the mutation in colors on this Zebra

They are such gorgeous animals

On this trip to Uganda and Rwanda the only one of the Big Five we did not see this trip was a Lion. They are better found in the areas of Kenya and Tanzania.

Our Lodge the Akagera Game Lodge where we were staying while in the park.

Close up of Chimpanzee

Visit to the Park Headquarters. These are our vehicles we had the whole time in Rwanda.

While meeting at the Headquarters and listening to information from the Commander of the Park a group of Belgium Malinois puppies came into our area. Who does not like to pet a puppy?

Puppies running towards our vehicles

Handler with the puppies

These are moto bikes and bicycles confiscated from Poachers that were apprehended by the Park Police and the Belgium Malinois.

The truck and crates are used to transport the dogs in training out into the field by their handlers at the Park.

Building where the Malnois are housed when not in training or exercising them.

Belgian Malinois is a great police dog. The Police dog should have excellent nose and a keen intellect, because police often search for drugs, bombs and guns. Moreover, police dog should be loyal and willing to protect his owner no matter what. Belgian Malinois has all the aforementioned features and he is also alert to the surroundings. That’s why Belgian Malinois is a terrific police dog.

The Malinois has the perfect temperament, intelligence, dedication, agility and high level of diligence to be the perfect anti-poaching K9 soldier on the front line, protecting our precious wildlife. They also have a very strong bite strength, making them very effective in the field.

They are extremely protective over their handlers, and or family member, and will fight with all their strength and power to protect them. However they are incredibly loving, soft and playful at all other times, and actually have very sensitive natures. They form beautiful bonds with their human companions, when treated with love and respect.

The training is extreme but they are the best at what they do in saving animals from the Poachers in the Park.

It was fascinating seeing how the handlers train these magnificent animals.

Lake Ihema looking across towards Tanzania

The Grey Crowned Crane is emblematic in a country rebuilding after the devastating genocide of 1994. Globally endangered, these birds have suffered a drastic decline over the last 45 years and currently, less than 500 remain in Rwanda.

Hippos are the third-largest living land mammal, after elephants and white rhinos. Despite their large and bulky appearance, they have adaptations to their semi-aquatic environments allowing them to move swiftly on both water and land.

They have very thick skin that is virtually hairless except for the thick bristle-like hair on their heads and tails. The outer layers of skin are quite thin, making them prone to wounds from fighting. Their flat, paddle-like tail is used to spread excrement, which marks territory borders and indicates status of an individual. Their powerful jaws are capable of opening up to 150 degrees revealing their enormous incisors.

Their feet have four-webbed toes that splay out to distribute weight evenly and therefore adequately support them on land, and their short legs provide powerful propulsion through the water

Part of our group on the lake taking in everything just before sunset.

Large Crocodile resting on the shore. Crocs hang around with their mouths open as a way to avoid overheating. Keeping cool. A bird called the plover acts as both a dental hygienist and a warning system for danger. It removes the bits of meat from between the crocodile's teeth. This feeds the plover and removes parasites from the croc's mouth. The plover serves as a security alarm system for the crocodile. If, while in the croc's mouth, the plover senses danger from an oncoming animal, she screams and flies away. This behavior alerts the crocodile to the imminent danger, so it can slide into the water and out of harm's way as well.

A flock of Egyptian Geese

Great Egret in flight and a Reddish Egret in background

Village Weavers are noisy, gregarious birds that are typically found in large colonies..

Yellow Billed , Ibis Black, African Sacred Ibis Stork,

Village Weavers are noisy, gregarious birds that are typically found in large colonies.

Sunset on the lake

Today the drive is 8 hours from Akagera Park back through Kigali to Ruhengeri

Back in Kigali

Here we see a moto bicycle, cheaper, in stead of a moto cycle. both transportation.

Illegal development on the hillsides in Kigali

City of Kigali - remember the country of a thousand hills

Wild Chimpanzee alongside the highway

A young boy alongside the road

Looks like serious business

Ruhengeri is a city in northwest Rwanda. It's the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park encompasses the soaring Mount Karisimbi and 4 other forested volcanoes.

Kids love to wave at vehicles passing

Our welcome at the Ingagi Park View lodge in Kinigi, Rwanda

Great dancing and music from the area.

Monument of Volcano National Park

Volcanoes National Park is a national park in northwestern Rwanda. It covers 62 square miles of rain forest and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains. It is home to the mountain gorilla and the golden monkey, That is where we are climbing today to the top areas.

A group of Porters waiting to be assigned to climbers. Each person is assigned a Porter from this elevation around 4,000 feet climbing to 7,000 feet. From 7,000 each person is assssigned a Trekker with one hand on your hand and the other with a Machete in hand to clear the underbrush and lead you to the gorillas. at around 10,000 foot elevation.

This is the Volcano that you cimb. First walking through fertile farm fields. Then the ascent starts. The volcano is shared by the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.

At first I did not think we really needed the Porters. Having rained the night before and mud about a foot deep in many locations hiking up the volcano I was very glad to have the help. .

Each group was made up of 8 climbers The porters assisted us half way up the Volcano. We were then turned over to the 8 Trekkers to find the Gorilla Family in the dense follage of the volcano mountain.. The cost, per one day, when I booked the trip was approximately $700 a person for the trip with no guarantee you will see any Gorillas. The cost one year later is now $1,700 per person. Before climbing the volcano we walk through the fields, for 45 minutes, where workers are tending to the crops in the fields.

The park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrived in 1967

We stop for a break before beginning the climb.

Clearing the fields is all done by these women, barefoot and by hand. No tractors or machines.

The Trekker and myself were in the lead position in our group sighting a young gorilla Juvenile within a couple of feet where were standing.me.

The first sighting of the oldest male Silver back in this familyh. He is the leader of this family of 18 members we were told. A male gorilla is called a Silver back .if it is 12 years old or more. It turns silver with age. Those referred to as black back are males less than 12 years old.

Gorillas are very selective foragers. They usually only eat parts of vegetation. For example they may eat only the leaves, pith, stalk, or roots of a particular plant. They use their agile lips and hand dexterity to manipulate the vegetation for the particular portion they want to consume.

In different circumstances, gorillas can be truly dangerous. Most gorilla violence is directed towards other gorillas. They live in groups, in which one dominant male silver back controls several females and youngsters. If another male approaches, the silver back will try to drive him off

This is a younger Black Back gorilla.. A gorilla can reach speeds of 20 mph to 25 mph.

We were told ahead of time DO Not Make Eye Contact with the animals.

Lecturing another gorilla

Gorillas will beat their chest and scream breaking all the branches around them when they feel challenged by the younger gorillas or anyone that is not part of this family.

Generally, silver backs and younger gorillas are very shy and reserved towards people. They will attack only if they are surprised or threatened or if a person behaves in the wrong way. If the human makes an unexpected movement, the silver back male can react with horrific roaring and bluff charges

The leader of the Silver backs was in this resting position 15 feet away. All of a sudden it made grunting sounds. With in seconds he was up and charged me within inches and then over the hill in seconds. All within 6 seconds. I felt him in front of me in an instant. I thought this was how it is going to end here on a volcano mountain side in Rwanda.

Within a minute of the large Silver back charging me this young one fell out of a tree and landed within two feet of me. It had the look of "What the heck just happened?". It had fallen out of the tree above me. Notice the eyes are crossed eye somewhat too.

The question was asked what shots do you need to visit Rwanda? Luckily I had all the shots previously. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Rwanda: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. Shot lasts 2 years.

This is a good photo of their feet and how they use them to navigate the jungle areas.

I think I heard this one snoring as I passed by.

They like to take a siesta, a little rest, from time to time during the busy day in the jungle.

They walk on all fours.. hands and feet

A black gorilla on the move checking me out.

We were told that on this volcano shared by the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda there are 14 documented families that are living on the volcano.

Another gorilla resting for a few minutes.

Here are two younger gorillas catching some zzzzz.. sleeping. Worn out from playing. You can also see the fingers of the gorillas.

This is the gorilla world at the top of the volcano. You can see how dense the canopy is not only for the gorillas but for us too trying to get a glimpse of them. Under the dense canapy is very little sunlight.

The silver back make all the decisions, controls and mediates conflicts, decides movements and direction of the group. Controls where they will feed from and all security detail.

A Silver back can weigh from 500 to 600 pounds. They stand 4 to 6 feet tall. They definitely command respect.

When the leader dies, the family separates and all the gorillas will be moving in search of a protective male. On a few occasions, the entire group may be taken over by another male. The new male may kill all the infants of the dead silver back wanting all the females only to have his babies. This makes them feel in control.

One more look at this magnificent animal. The Silver back Gorilla.

This is my friend Danial, my Porter who assisted me from the farming floor to 7,000 feet, under some really tough weather conditions, very slippery muddy, barely a path at all up and down to and from 7,000. This was one of the most difficult climbs to almost 10,000 feet I have made in many years. We were very fortunate to see the Silver back.

Just when you think you have see it all on the back of a bicycle a new one comes along.

I think bicycles are pick up trucks in Rwanda

Notice two ladies to the right walking.. fruit on the head and baby on the back of one of the ladies.

A busy corner in Ruhengeri

Entrance to the cottage I am staying at the Ingagi Park View Lodge.

Walkway to the room. It was very cold here. A fire place in the room with lighted logs in the evening and a hot water bottle placed in the bed for each person. That was a first.

Entrance to the hotel

We stopped at an art center. This young guy has great talent.

I really liked the colors and vibrancy of his art.

Young boys with their mother. In the background ladies carrying their work for the day on their heads.

The two little guys were shy at first until I took a photo of them and showed them their picture. You should have seen their faces light up with delight. I made two more new frends along this trip.

Our other vehicle arriving in a local market

It amazes me what the ladies can carry on their heads

Our local guide at the Umuzabibu Mwiza "Hand Spun Hope"

Many of these women are widows from the 1994 Genocide. They are taught trades with wool to pick themselves out of poverty and learn trades. To learn self worth for themselves. Here they are taught spinning wool.

Vist Umuzabibu Mwiza, home to Handspun Hope, and witness firsthand their remarkable project and meet the women as they participate in the age old craft of spinning yarn from the fleeces of their own flock of Merino sheep. using only hand tools and spinning wheels, discover how the women create organic yarn and dye it naturally with native plant such as cosmos, onions, avocados and eucalyptus

After your tour, you have an opportunity to purchase Handspun Hope yarn, hand knit products and felted animals. I am sure you will find the perfect keepsake created by local women in Musanze."

It may be tight working conditions but well worth the efforts by this organization to give hope and guidance for a better future for all of them.

The widows were very welcoming and I was amazed at their life stories. Through the empowerment of job stability this organization offers, it has changed these women's lives forever. Learning about the process of their products from start to finish was fascinating.

Even outside they work under the hot sun to learn new trades and make new friendships.

Here we are shown how the colors of wool come from many varieties of plants.

Dian Fossey along with all her gorilla interests found the time to help initiate this center for women victims of the Genocide.

Ladies are learning how to sew. A good portion of what is produced here is sold at a center outside of Dallas Texas.

Front entrance to the center

Children waiting to meet the visitors from the US. What a treat for us too.

Every day there is a new surprise in seeing what can be transported on a bicycle.

A young mother and her baby sitting near a street. She has a yellow vest on and that signifies what she is selling.

The last morning of the trip we were fortunate to visit a school only a few minutes from the hotel. The school is Rushubi Primary School Juru, The School is a Government Sponsored School. In the photo is Sam our Guide and the Principal of the school. Behind them is the entire library for the school.

The school looked like it was from first grade up through High School.

The kids were very curious to know where the visitors were from. When they found out the USA they were excited.

The classrooms were very neat and orderly. The teachers wore a white smock over their clothing.

The boys in the yellow were also excited to sing along too. Notice the kids outside looking in from other classes.

These young girls broke out into a fantastic dance routine with a drummer on a small drum in the rear. I took videos on my cell phone.

This was a question and answer period for us. Sam our guide was translating for us. Great questions about the US and our trip.

I counted over 50 students in the class. In the entire school of over 2,000 students there is not one light bulb in the entire school.

In this photo you can see the two teachers in the white smocks at the rear of the room . Look at the black board packed with work for the students. Sam is translating the questions from the students to us.

This class is outdoors learning about the plants that are grown in the area. The teacher would hold up a plant and the kids would yell the name of the plant.

Closeup of the teacher and her class

This building seemed to be the only bathroom I could see anywhere.

These are high school students close to graduation.

Rwanda is below the equator so the seasons are opposite of ours. It was our fall, their spring. they were only weeks from Graduating in December..

Kids love to have their photos taken with you.

Another group of high school students

A number of the students told us they wanted to go onto college. To be Doctors, a Pilot, an Engineer, a Nurse. I hope they are successful.

This trip to Uganda and Rwanda has been an incredible journey. I have had the opportunity to meet many great people, visit interesting places and enjoy many new experiences.

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© 2025 Jim Schroder