Monday, February 25, 2013
Visiting the Chimpanzees
On Thursday, 5 of us got up very early to track Chimps. Gorillas and Chimpanzees are the biggest attraction of tourists to Rwanda.
We started before dawn and were on the trail at daybreak with our guide, Vedaste. When tracking Chimpanzees you are likely to see them but getting close can be difficult. On another day this week, the tracker only found one.
After dawn, they awake after sleeping in the trees, come down and search for food. After about 10 minutes, we spotted a group and began following them - Vedaste leading the way with his tracking team. After following for 10 minutes we found the whole group - about 11 in one large fig tree with LOTS of figs .... They would be there a while. We were so close to them that one of them almost peed on us!
We sat and watched for as they ate fig after fig and moved from branch to branch. What beautiful creatures.
We started before dawn and were on the trail at daybreak with our guide, Vedaste. When tracking Chimpanzees you are likely to see them but getting close can be difficult. On another day this week, the tracker only found one.
After dawn, they awake after sleeping in the trees, come down and search for food. After about 10 minutes, we spotted a group and began following them - Vedaste leading the way with his tracking team. After following for 10 minutes we found the whole group - about 11 in one large fig tree with LOTS of figs .... They would be there a while. We were so close to them that one of them almost peed on us!
We sat and watched for as they ate fig after fig and moved from branch to branch. What beautiful creatures.
Visiting the Genocide memorial in Murambi
As we traveled to Cyangugu, we fell behind schedule. After a very late lunch we realized we were not going to make the memorial before it closed. Our guide and brother Jeremiah called and had them keep the memorial open for a private tour - this made our experience even more moving - it was end of day and the sun was setting and the memorial was empty of people.
In April of 1994 as the killing of Tutsies started throughout Rwanda. In the area of Murambi, thousands came to the location of a newly built secondary school, they were told they would be safe there. After a few days they were then surrounded by government soldiers and their food and water was cut off. This was all part of the plan in order to simplify the killing - get them in one place. A few days later, they were attacked and brutally killed. Those that tried to escape were chased and also murdered. In the end, 40-50,000 were killed in this area. They were then buried in mass graves at the school.
When the Genocide was over, they exhumed the graves and reburied the dead. They also took several hundred of those remains and preserved them in limestone and placed them in the classrooms. They are there today to serve as a memory, showing the brutal way they were killed. They also had taken the clothes of the victims and put them into an exhibit. We were all very moved and brought to tears by this memorial.
As we travel through Rwanda and meet the people, we continue to be filled with wonder by the reconciliation that has occurred. How the country has both remembered and moved to another chapter in its story.
In April of 1994 as the killing of Tutsies started throughout Rwanda. In the area of Murambi, thousands came to the location of a newly built secondary school, they were told they would be safe there. After a few days they were then surrounded by government soldiers and their food and water was cut off. This was all part of the plan in order to simplify the killing - get them in one place. A few days later, they were attacked and brutally killed. Those that tried to escape were chased and also murdered. In the end, 40-50,000 were killed in this area. They were then buried in mass graves at the school.
When the Genocide was over, they exhumed the graves and reburied the dead. They also took several hundred of those remains and preserved them in limestone and placed them in the classrooms. They are there today to serve as a memory, showing the brutal way they were killed. They also had taken the clothes of the victims and put them into an exhibit. We were all very moved and brought to tears by this memorial.
As we travel through Rwanda and meet the people, we continue to be filled with wonder by the reconciliation that has occurred. How the country has both remembered and moved to another chapter in its story.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Signing the guest book
Mark looking very presidential as he signs the guest book. The Headmaster's desk was built by the students including the solid works design.
Presenting award at Nyanza Technical School
On Thursday we visited the Nyanza Technical School where Mark's company, Dassault Systems SolidWorks Corp, has a relationship and sponsors 3 students in their secondary education.
Nyiramana Claudine
Mujawimana Costasie
Uwambajimana Monique
We brought letters of commendation and gifts for each of them as well as donations for the school. Notebooks, t-squares, pencils and more.
In Rwanda, families must pay for school and while 90% finish primary school significantly smaller percentage complete secondary school, especially girls. Promoting educational opportunities for young girls is an important initiative for many trying to help in Rwanda.
Headmaster Leonard (on left) and the girls (middle) gave us a tour of the school. A very impressive campus.
Nyiramana Claudine
Mujawimana Costasie
Uwambajimana Monique
We brought letters of commendation and gifts for each of them as well as donations for the school. Notebooks, t-squares, pencils and more.
In Rwanda, families must pay for school and while 90% finish primary school significantly smaller percentage complete secondary school, especially girls. Promoting educational opportunities for young girls is an important initiative for many trying to help in Rwanda.
Headmaster Leonard (on left) and the girls (middle) gave us a tour of the school. A very impressive campus.
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