good morning, Rwanda!
okay this day was crazy. we drove up to Rwanda’s Northern Province to check out a village that one of Christine and Tommy’s coffee friends is helping out via the Manzi Foundation. the drive was SO beautiful with lush hills and valleys stretching forever, banana trees, tea fields, little huts. throughout the entire 2 hour drive, people were walking along the highway with giant stacks of grass or produce on their heads, or little babies wrapped up in a cocoon on their backs, or kids walking their cow or goat. (things you don’t see in Vancouver: kids taking their cow for a walk at the side of a highway). as we got further from the city, people became more and more excited to see us mzungus (white people). my new fave hobby is waving and saying “hi!” to Rwandans in their villages and seeing their faces light up. like literally beaming in excitement to see us. one girl’s eyes almost popped out of her head as she did a double take. the only one who’s ever been that excited to see me before is Barney.
they have learned a few English phrases including “good morning!” so they yell that at all hours of the day and night, it is the best lololol. another one of their go-tos is “i’m fine!” which is also v adorable. we arrived at the village Byumba and everyone just SWARMED around us. i had brought little Canada flag pins to give out and they went nuts. like you’d think we were giving out gold. one of the men was more than happy to step up as our helper, and distributed the pins so we could have some breathing room.
the kids are so funny. some like photos, many will run away when they see a phone out. they are SO giddy/kind of bashful when you smile and wave at them. sometimes they look behind them like “is she really waving at ME?” they follow you everywhere you go. everywhere. but they are not begging, not getting up in our grill (although one did pet Tommy’s back) and they are just curious and adorable.
^^ this was my fave little guy. he liked his picture taken, was throwing out sass for the camera, and followed me everywhere. we drove a few mins away and when we were leaving, i looked out the window and saw that he had followed us there from his village. i might just go Angelina Jolie over here. Tommy and Christine’s friend had said we should pop by a soccer game in the community, so we moseyed on over after spending some time in the village. what we didn’t know was the teams had been waiting for us to begin and we were some sort of special guests because of Tommy and Christine’s association with the Manzi foundation. when we got there everyone went NUTS. like 300 Rwandan children ran over to us and were staring in awe. i am guessing they don’t come across white people too often.
along with a Rwandan police officer and a few members of government and others from the foundation, we were escorted to the end of the field where they had put chairs out for us. apparently we had arrived, so the game could begin (SO bizarre)
we were brought out onto the field to shake the players’ hands to kick things off. during the game kids were PACKED around the field but so many of them were just locked on us sitting on our chairs. i realized this is how Kim Kardashian must feel. except i am even less worthy.
at halftime everyone gathered around our chairs and some people made speeches. at one point they asked us to stand up and give a wave, but motioning me to stand up as well was certainly completely unnec. again, NOT WORTHY. Christine whispers to me “Kellie i had no idea this was happening” and we both get the giggles because this is just so so so bizarre.
she had brought waters for the players and Fantas (basically a delicacy here in Rwanda) for as many people as possible. it was weird, some of the kids she offered them to would just run away and wouldn’t even take the drinks. maybe they’re just scared at us because we look so funny (and are not worthy). the ride home was glorious and peaceful. our driver was playing some Lion King classical inspirational music as we drove past the tea fields as the sun was setting, and i shouted “good morning!” at the kids along the road and in the field, and gave thumbs up to peeps on their bikes. it was one of those magical moments that you would only dream of getting out of the “peace” leg of your trip.
and this is only my third day in Africa - have a feeling there’s more of that to come! <3
