Welcome to Rwanda, The Land of a Thousand Hills

Monday, July 29th - Kigali, Rwanda

Written by Genevieve Feiner, WD4H Team Member

Greetings from Africa! WE MADE IT!

Not only did our flight arrive on time, but so did ALL of our luggage - incredible!!

Our amazing WD4H Rwanda Team (Justin, Dany, Judy, and Chantal) greeted us at the airport with beautiful roses and warm embraces. For most of the group, this was the first time they were meeting the team, so it was an emotional, joyous introduction.

With the help of our friends from Beausejour Hotel, we once again loaded all of the bags into four vehicles, and took off for the hotel.

Driving through Kigali at dusk, one couldn't help but gaze towards the distance, as the orange sky delicately illuminated the hazy hills. Our restless excitement slowly turned into a gentle, yet powerful, peacefulness - the kind you only experience in one special place...Africa.

It was beginning to sink in that we were finally here.

Arriving at Beausejour, we were welcomed by Joanne and Susan, two of our travelers who had flown in a few days before. How wonderful to see familiar faces! After checking into our rooms, we headed downstairs to the restaurant for a delicious dinner buffet: vegetable soup, potatoes, rice, fish, steamed veggies, noodles, and fresh fruit for dessert.

The night concluded with the unpacking of all the suitcases so we could start dividing up the donations. Menstrual pads in one pile, solar lights in another... scarves, clothes, letters for students, school supplies, snacks - the list goes on! This was in preparation for when the Rwanda Team collects items for us to bring with us to the co-ops each day we're in the field. To everyone who helped us gather all of these items ~ thank you, thank you, thank you!

We tucked our tired bodies into bed, bellies full of food and hearts full of gratitude.

Amy and Anastasia arrived safe and sound later that evening, completing our "full-trip" group. Now we await Sangwon and Ilayda, who arrive next week.

Tomorrow will be our first day in the field, visiting our Umunezero ("Joy") and Komera ("Courage") Cooperatives.

Biracyaza ~ Onward!