So here we are finally - We got into Kigali airport and were met by a really sweet guy named Deo who- drove us on a 3 and half hour drive to the border with DRC. A great chance for me to get my french started. He was a great guide telling us all the points of interest- and also telling us about the commemoration of the Genocide. Everywhere we looked there people gather in throngs - apparently commemorating the 15th year anniversary of the genocide. We learnt later that he was a Tutsi survivor- who had been left for dead in a ditch for a week before he managed to get and find help.
Rwanda is so beautiful, mountainous, and sooo green. It looks a lot like Costa Rica to me, and the highlands of Peru to Silvia! After betting the Goma border the very officious guard told us that we could not get entry. But hey at this point we are getting used to being stopped- There has not been a border between here and Switzerland where we have not had to talk with our new found border friends!! So as were waiting the amazing Loran and Laura from Heal Africa showed up and managed to get us the letters that we needed in order to now apply for the visa!!!!
Our first night in Goma was incredibly relaxing we are staying at an oasis called the Magi Inn which is part of Heal Africa and is right on the glorious Lake Kivu - truly breath taking- we are being so well taken care of ...
it is a war torn country for sure- and life is going on where ever you look there is the destruction and constant reconstruction.....it gets destroyed and they come and rebuild it- this an amazing resilience- even in the face of the horrific pain there is so much creativity. We drove through the city this morning and saw the ongoing life - on the street. I was struck by the apparent poverty and wealth mixing and rubbing shoulders. The brightness and flamboyance of the women cloths catching my eye- and the apparent beauty even in the rubble.
We have spent the day visiting the program at Heal Africa, been to the hospital where the women get the fistular surgeries and had a chance to play with adorable kids- Silvia of course was a huge hit with them. This is am amazing project and really inspiring. With so many programs that are being offered.
We also got a chance to talk with many of the other workers and volunteers and - began to make plans to come back to Heal Africa and do a project here in trauma training- so the seeds have been sown.
I am excited and feeling the possibility of so many levels of work- and my mind and heart is grappling with what it means for me to be an empowered woman here- and what it means for me to offer the empowerment. We had a fascinating discussion about the gender situation here in the DRC and the cycle of violence- as women gain power, they can also suffer from unresolved rage issues, that can end up being acted out. We also talked of the role of men and women together and learn that in traditional Congolese culture there was really a sense of shared equality and that this through the years of slave trade, colonialism, and now the wars has been lost inside so many other survival strategies. It has become part of the culture for violence against women to be normalised.
Wow there is a lot to take in. This afternoon we will go to visit the Healing Arts Program where women are producing goods to be sold. It will be wonderful to see how they are learning skills and how they are able to express there inherent beauty.
Tomorrow morning we will find ourselves on the boat to Bukavu and beginning to start the more intensive work part of the project! This landing in Goma has been very welcoming and we have already been blessed with meeting many angels - Congolese and American, European, Australian alike.,......
sending much love to you all.
EDL(elayne)
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I totally remember those lovely border crossings into and out of the DRC, where you get the opportunity to talk with all of the lovely border guards--which can be a bit of a feat if you don't speak French! I was prepared to be asked for bribes, etc. But it was less difficult than I expected.
ReplyDeleteHearing about your stories brings back all of my memories. I am so relieved that you have been feeling safe in Goma, as that has been such a troubled area... Do try to visit the wonderful James Wabwire from the Search for Common Ground office in Goma--if you have time. He is lovely... send him my love.
--Devaa Haley Mitchell