tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81357635268411571082024-03-12T18:24:48.625-07:00A Garden Love Affair in RwandaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-77134423165189251862022-12-26T10:40:00.000-08:002022-12-26T10:40:37.888-08:00Dear Rwanda<p><i>This is a bit of an exercise in nostalgia. It's been 10 years since we were volunteer fellows at ASYV. I found some writings in a journal from when we visited for graduation in January of 2016.</i></p><p></p><p>I had forgotten what it means to be in Rwanda. The smell of eucalyptus, burning charcoal, grilled meat, acacia blooms, greywater turning black, plumeria flowers, yeasted bread leavening and tropical lushness. I had forgotten the intensity of the sun, the haze in the air in the dry season. I had forgotten the rush of air flying past on the back of a moto, weaving through Kigali traffic at night. I had forgotten the staring- of being an outsider. I had forgotten the quiet, warm, welcoming nature of Rwandan people.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJK44EroPpANCSGj18m2zp1kvOs2cDe_rqcp4OJSeLTb1N0E1AM6_tWMLmWwNbaJcmBQTxfQn16iQHN_X24wH5BYwr3BxocV-cMBdyFr2e2bXihGQxbsm8Ptp9j0ewtfxCuCiga8mOlvlgaIJCgf2PLf7W7KVRInVMrSaZRpz_Yxc9zQBxxj5cF35Y/s1200/IMG_5861web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJK44EroPpANCSGj18m2zp1kvOs2cDe_rqcp4OJSeLTb1N0E1AM6_tWMLmWwNbaJcmBQTxfQn16iQHN_X24wH5BYwr3BxocV-cMBdyFr2e2bXihGQxbsm8Ptp9j0ewtfxCuCiga8mOlvlgaIJCgf2PLf7W7KVRInVMrSaZRpz_Yxc9zQBxxj5cF35Y/w400-h300/IMG_5861web.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>I had forgotten so many words and the found them. Amakuru, nimeza, murakoze, ijoro giza, maramutse, ijana, amata, amazi, amagi, amahoro.... <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFIRSIOaVF3zQvZqBvDwb2_BpAkauX9tzYZ8IrTq2nKGyjQX5eMWI5Js0bkSQDknbdqbZe5kh1BV6MRxX39xb6UrU1o8PSRFAP6aE_WtLFJB5AKqLtp09lP6VqboGnyEIQXE8CPvgU2KmSBh981bKgRApkNqhH7d4vsSQmlTELoCamWS8cdYUkAe2/s1200/IMG_5911web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFIRSIOaVF3zQvZqBvDwb2_BpAkauX9tzYZ8IrTq2nKGyjQX5eMWI5Js0bkSQDknbdqbZe5kh1BV6MRxX39xb6UrU1o8PSRFAP6aE_WtLFJB5AKqLtp09lP6VqboGnyEIQXE8CPvgU2KmSBh981bKgRApkNqhH7d4vsSQmlTELoCamWS8cdYUkAe2/w400-h300/IMG_5911web.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I had forgotten what it is like to be sticky and hot all day. The sweet bubbly taste of fanta citron whispered across my tongue with memories of visiting families, sitting in a bar with friends telling stories. I had forgotten the earthy bitter tastes of ibishimbo and inorgi. The rich and smooth taste of umuceri and isombe.<p></p><p> </p><p>I delighted in seeing faces of friends. Of learning the joy, pain, successes and challenges from the past three years. I am reminded of what it is like to have your heart, wide open. What it feels like to be living on the edge. What it truly means to be a resilient human. To be strong, compassionate, adaptable, hopeful. To love in this complex world.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcC62a2zXaogupqOH0nAnQS4rHDHdbIg7gE-0tcmUUqrXvjec3lDUa5oV75DrRYq8J1fjobURjt3iQufe7IzhF2hs6Jq4vGpndfzyjW7v6VTjjo5HkOIaMSsXhmsQg2-DfGeiqO5p_aHbpcgeSR5c7pncwqOiAxIIQXQvJRjzM7zfZ5SeEC4HcWcNX/s1200/IMG_5895web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcC62a2zXaogupqOH0nAnQS4rHDHdbIg7gE-0tcmUUqrXvjec3lDUa5oV75DrRYq8J1fjobURjt3iQufe7IzhF2hs6Jq4vGpndfzyjW7v6VTjjo5HkOIaMSsXhmsQg2-DfGeiqO5p_aHbpcgeSR5c7pncwqOiAxIIQXQvJRjzM7zfZ5SeEC4HcWcNX/w400-h300/IMG_5895web.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The nostalgia I feel brings up many memories of friends and experiences we had here. I long to reminisce with many people who are now scattered to the wind. I makes me laugh at the silly mistakes, at being pattern illiterate in a cultural context, of learning to have new eyes, new ears and a humbleness to explore the unknown.</p><p></p><p>Murakoze Rwanda. I missed you. I am happy to visit.<br /></p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-47053149654177498862012-12-17T21:52:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:52:38.819-08:00Some of my favourite pictures from the yearSo this is mostly going to be photos from the year that I like or remind me of a particular moment. Some of my favourite pictures I have already posted on this blog, so I won't repeat again here.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b>International Women's Day Celebration</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPl0V_Ebg5I/ULxk-ZbWVJI/AAAAAAAABBk/kuFwJpn7zSM/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPl0V_Ebg5I/ULxk-ZbWVJI/AAAAAAAABBk/kuFwJpn7zSM/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Women's Day Celebration at ASYV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EbyXyh1Rrk/ULxmKYM-xlI/AAAAAAAABBw/djLCzv-NHy8/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EbyXyh1Rrk/ULxmKYM-xlI/AAAAAAAABBw/djLCzv-NHy8/s640/IMG_0044.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ASYV intore group getting ready to perform</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MSrfe5Cpqr8/ULxmnMLZ73I/AAAAAAAABB4/HOj_-2gIebU/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MSrfe5Cpqr8/ULxmnMLZ73I/AAAAAAAABB4/HOj_-2gIebU/s640/IMG_0050.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backstage watchers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<h4>
<b>Sports Competitions</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZOOChd9HgI/ULxm_T9UZvI/AAAAAAAABCA/zZ0s4Xr93vQ/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZOOChd9HgI/ULxm_T9UZvI/AAAAAAAABCA/zZ0s4Xr93vQ/s400/IMG_0858.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ASYV boys volleyball team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cwqsnR0508w/ULxnXmyWpbI/AAAAAAAABCI/FzUYf1A2YzI/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cwqsnR0508w/ULxnXmyWpbI/AAAAAAAABCI/FzUYf1A2YzI/s400/IMG_0874.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the fans celebrating the boys football team victory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-Rq7kAwJrw/ULxnqQ2705I/AAAAAAAABCU/JH8zg7RB0Ek/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-Rq7kAwJrw/ULxnqQ2705I/AAAAAAAABCU/JH8zg7RB0Ek/s400/IMG_0877.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys football team and fans after their win!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QaFnz58EyMI/ULxqIlfQ39I/AAAAAAAABC8/E4WyyDA8INQ/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QaFnz58EyMI/ULxqIlfQ39I/AAAAAAAABC8/E4WyyDA8INQ/s400/IMG_1106.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ASYV girls football team with St. Aloys team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bkRiQOBpWFw/ULxqW4REFrI/AAAAAAAABDE/Ovhp6FBzkmM/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bkRiQOBpWFw/ULxqW4REFrI/AAAAAAAABDE/Ovhp6FBzkmM/s400/IMG_1107.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls from my family who are on the team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<b>Farm Work</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yoKpT-vteE/ULxrRDk7CsI/AAAAAAAABDM/0sTJKhpz0t0/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yoKpT-vteE/ULxrRDk7CsI/AAAAAAAABDM/0sTJKhpz0t0/s400/IMG_1213.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's alot of beans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<b>Nature Park during Saturday Service</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RGharoBVL8/ULxrmkPayAI/AAAAAAAABDY/aLFOW_wozIQ/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RGharoBVL8/ULxrmkPayAI/AAAAAAAABDY/aLFOW_wozIQ/s400/IMG_1221.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marie Curie, Steve Jobs families, and environment club at the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<b>Marie Curie Family</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8gTBq6GKjg/ULxtLfS18wI/AAAAAAAABDg/k2W2vcb9W7U/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8gTBq6GKjg/ULxtLfS18wI/AAAAAAAABDg/k2W2vcb9W7U/s400/IMG_1359.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace out with my girls!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6LNa55rOeLA/ULxwGjJhRFI/AAAAAAAABEI/n_5CKEFJRoA/s1600/P1020043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6LNa55rOeLA/ULxwGjJhRFI/AAAAAAAABEI/n_5CKEFJRoA/s400/P1020043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole Marie Curie family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<b>International Theatre and Literacy Project at ASYV</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLs-j9xg_OM/UL7wszEZE1I/AAAAAAAABEw/ZjsymxsopqI/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLs-j9xg_OM/UL7wszEZE1I/AAAAAAAABEw/ZjsymxsopqI/s640/IMG_1688.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Theatre and Literacy Project at ASYV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDwt26kJ_8E/UL7w5cgH3xI/AAAAAAAABE4/ETWCMqsY314/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDwt26kJ_8E/UL7w5cgH3xI/AAAAAAAABE4/ETWCMqsY314/s640/IMG_1689.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ITLP at ASYV- Enrichment Students before they presented their sketch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<b>Wedding</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DgfFlHhURQ/UL7xzvWntUI/AAAAAAAABFE/caPgpfgJOmA/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DgfFlHhURQ/UL7xzvWntUI/AAAAAAAABFE/caPgpfgJOmA/s640/IMG_1744.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local wedding for two of the lovely farm workers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> Enrichment Year Picnic</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyw8Qr74jhg/UL7x83y6ZJI/AAAAAAAABFM/hpRk46MtTzU/s1600/IMG_1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyw8Qr74jhg/UL7x83y6ZJI/AAAAAAAABFM/hpRk46MtTzU/s640/IMG_1772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enrichment Year picnic- with the local kids being enchanted with a very talented musical student</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAaeAjerRBw/UL7yBC2lCyI/AAAAAAAABFU/D-afTydh_KM/s1600/IMG_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAaeAjerRBw/UL7yBC2lCyI/AAAAAAAABFU/D-afTydh_KM/s400/IMG_1792.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the veggies for soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjoh6PtW2yQ/UL7ygwysFrI/AAAAAAAABFc/HwyrUbXGh54/s1600/IMG_1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjoh6PtW2yQ/UL7ygwysFrI/AAAAAAAABFc/HwyrUbXGh54/s400/IMG_1793.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a fire for the soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYNjKNYxqrc/UL7yk6alYQI/AAAAAAAABFk/8_Z6rUa-Wq0/s1600/IMG_1796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYNjKNYxqrc/UL7yk6alYQI/AAAAAAAABFk/8_Z6rUa-Wq0/s400/IMG_1796.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping prepare the soup- meat is a special treat for the ASYV students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5IkzhE3rLk/UL7ynj4eAnI/AAAAAAAABFs/o-CS8aThkwg/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5IkzhE3rLk/UL7ynj4eAnI/AAAAAAAABFs/o-CS8aThkwg/s640/IMG_1815.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat ride on Mugesera!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUOqEA_kPzI/UL7yp0Q8eLI/AAAAAAAABF0/FSOLn2o5QPU/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUOqEA_kPzI/UL7yp0Q8eLI/AAAAAAAABF0/FSOLn2o5QPU/s640/IMG_1816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a boat ride!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<h4>
<b>Baptism Event</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63CD-nD-pxo/UL71pJioyyI/AAAAAAAABGw/fx8_ddfIvLE/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63CD-nD-pxo/UL71pJioyyI/AAAAAAAABGw/fx8_ddfIvLE/s640/IMG_1896.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choir singing for the baptism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_Snihc9tmU/UL718HKWcvI/AAAAAAAABG4/WFhgS7dgA0c/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_Snihc9tmU/UL718HKWcvI/AAAAAAAABG4/WFhgS7dgA0c/s640/IMG_2098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism celebration at King Menelik family (Jack's family)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPbcMXR3nLs/UL72Qh-FXhI/AAAAAAAABHA/N0HzedNR9ro/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPbcMXR3nLs/UL72Qh-FXhI/AAAAAAAABHA/N0HzedNR9ro/s640/IMG_2101.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Menelik family (most of the them)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<b>Natural Building</b></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUn0U4IenHI/UL73hqWkK6I/AAAAAAAABHI/mgaa8DANUrE/s1600/IMG_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUn0U4IenHI/UL73hqWkK6I/AAAAAAAABHI/mgaa8DANUrE/s400/IMG_2132.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Natural Building team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LI7aMHeqYGY/UL73wHQG7EI/AAAAAAAABHU/aEHBBjmgIdo/s1600/P1010085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LI7aMHeqYGY/UL73wHQG7EI/AAAAAAAABHU/aEHBBjmgIdo/s400/P1010085.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing cement- photo by Nathan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzHpt6pUXj8/UL734MmQbFI/AAAAAAAABHc/OtyCO5fyWRY/s1600/P1010104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzHpt6pUXj8/UL734MmQbFI/AAAAAAAABHc/OtyCO5fyWRY/s400/P1010104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling the earth bags- photo by Nathan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr--oJoij2U/UL75KrQC-bI/AAAAAAAABIA/uUXZSJGSUJE/s1600/IMG_2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr--oJoij2U/UL75KrQC-bI/AAAAAAAABIA/uUXZSJGSUJE/s400/IMG_2280.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing the earthbags shut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3Sog-rRjOI/UL737TVVFUI/AAAAAAAABHk/u7DGe2VLE7U/s1600/IMG_2149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3Sog-rRjOI/UL737TVVFUI/AAAAAAAABHk/u7DGe2VLE7U/s400/IMG_2149.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyprien making the roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bntl9F4ZWsU/UL75Anye1yI/AAAAAAAABHw/8Rvbv3RQuAQ/s1600/P1010284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bntl9F4ZWsU/UL75Anye1yI/AAAAAAAABHw/8Rvbv3RQuAQ/s640/P1010284.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature Hut- Photo by Nathan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLwxlCjiLh4/UL76Vku_D2I/AAAAAAAABIU/R_e3phzUiG0/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLwxlCjiLh4/UL76Vku_D2I/AAAAAAAABIU/R_e3phzUiG0/s640/IMG_2339.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping on the earthbags to compact them for the benches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk_lUch2Hl8/UL76gSkMsjI/AAAAAAAABIc/uGAE2wgm0wA/s1600/IMG_2363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk_lUch2Hl8/UL76gSkMsjI/AAAAAAAABIc/uGAE2wgm0wA/s640/IMG_2363.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting the chicken wire around the earthbag benches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8su1jH_XUE/UL75G0HZzfI/AAAAAAAABH4/EmRoe262B90/s1600/IMG_2278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8su1jH_XUE/UL75G0HZzfI/AAAAAAAABH4/EmRoe262B90/s640/IMG_2278.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Making a new trail to the Nature Hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Mango Trees with the Environment Club</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yUqsCjHtREs/UL77DGudoiI/AAAAAAAABIk/YWfvBaRwOLs/s1600/IMG_2398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yUqsCjHtREs/UL77DGudoiI/AAAAAAAABIk/YWfvBaRwOLs/s400/IMG_2398.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango tree planting with the Environment Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqm-mg0iuD8/UL79HrVe1CI/AAAAAAAABIs/g6o8L4VhusI/s1600/IMG_2417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqm-mg0iuD8/UL79HrVe1CI/AAAAAAAABIs/g6o8L4VhusI/s640/IMG_2417.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango tree planting with the Environment Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Girls Football Team</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbR4q40baPM/UL8FfD4k6SI/AAAAAAAABJY/w5Sr_0_FzEI/s1600/IMG_2464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbR4q40baPM/UL8FfD4k6SI/AAAAAAAABJY/w5Sr_0_FzEI/s400/IMG_2464.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls football team after and friendly match with St. Aloys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>More pictures from Akagera</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eToqnATuwJw/UL8F3xYV75I/AAAAAAAABJk/S0eggOemq2s/s1600/P1050381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eToqnATuwJw/UL8F3xYV75I/AAAAAAAABJk/S0eggOemq2s/s400/P1050381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UX4G6Nt8nQ/UL8GAvtuqKI/AAAAAAAABJs/dUy5-6Zd0cU/s1600/P1050457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UX4G6Nt8nQ/UL8GAvtuqKI/AAAAAAAABJs/dUy5-6Zd0cU/s400/P1050457.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1_mAfKlVTw/UL8GvoejpCI/AAAAAAAABJ0/Onla1IiKoZc/s1600/DSC00587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1_mAfKlVTw/UL8GvoejpCI/AAAAAAAABJ0/Onla1IiKoZc/s400/DSC00587.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jwpjtIKVzX4/UL8Gzg-C_0I/AAAAAAAABJ8/M4yRAErko_0/s1600/DSC00588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jwpjtIKVzX4/UL8Gzg-C_0I/AAAAAAAABJ8/M4yRAErko_0/s400/DSC00588.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vK3mfyvVuA/UL8HQQMa_3I/AAAAAAAABKE/fLuyDu-B3QA/s1600/IMG_2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vK3mfyvVuA/UL8HQQMa_3I/AAAAAAAABKE/fLuyDu-B3QA/s640/IMG_2607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The students are crazy for photos! This is why I love this picture so much...take a close look. How many separate photo shoots are </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">occurring</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> at this moment? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Nature Park</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Fd1CE06Lrs/UL8IYFX7rUI/AAAAAAAABKM/dHC5yXX9G7s/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Fd1CE06Lrs/UL8IYFX7rUI/AAAAAAAABKM/dHC5yXX9G7s/s400/IMG_2801.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling at the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Saturday Service in the Kitchen </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yxwiD3ThBM/UL8IdcaCNrI/AAAAAAAABKU/g-1gIhERGC4/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yxwiD3ThBM/UL8IdcaCNrI/AAAAAAAABKU/g-1gIhERGC4/s640/IMG_2806.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Ronald Ross and Marie Curie families doing Saturday service in the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui9re5zBewI/UL8IiL_zWVI/AAAAAAAABKc/MeoYuKLlhYc/s1600/IMG_2815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui9re5zBewI/UL8IiL_zWVI/AAAAAAAABKc/MeoYuKLlhYc/s640/IMG_2815.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen service</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> Inter-family competition during Grading week in Term 3</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3Qwgl7gVh0/UL8Iow330-I/AAAAAAAABKk/nM21qHJMjx0/s1600/IMG_2829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3Qwgl7gVh0/UL8Iow330-I/AAAAAAAABKk/nM21qHJMjx0/s640/IMG_2829.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marie Curie family making up a song for this game in the competition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXrLy9r_UEg/UL8JTftZuyI/AAAAAAAABKw/stao3zhfXoU/s1600/IMG_2831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXrLy9r_UEg/UL8JTftZuyI/AAAAAAAABKw/stao3zhfXoU/s640/IMG_2831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato sack race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e17E87vouVk/UL8JZvEBBXI/AAAAAAAABK4/q-O6pZCDj7g/s1600/IMG_2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e17E87vouVk/UL8JZvEBBXI/AAAAAAAABK4/q-O6pZCDj7g/s640/IMG_2839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Guiron family in a human pyramid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Running race (speed walking race for the mamas)</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhqK_mUQfuc/UL8X9JpGiOI/AAAAAAAABLk/TOTM5vguPCo/s1600/IMG_2868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhqK_mUQfuc/UL8X9JpGiOI/AAAAAAAABLk/TOTM5vguPCo/s400/IMG_2868.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporty Mamas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ObVA6wWoMA/UL8YGEFn0jI/AAAAAAAABLs/DmLCc40pW7c/s1600/IMG_2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ObVA6wWoMA/UL8YGEFn0jI/AAAAAAAABLs/DmLCc40pW7c/s400/IMG_2880.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winner's of the running race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJKkxx2g6yE/UL8YZ4803SI/AAAAAAAABL0/JJgt9XGlXec/s1600/IMG_2890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJKkxx2g6yE/UL8YZ4803SI/AAAAAAAABL0/JJgt9XGlXec/s400/IMG_2890.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKzDgk0KmuU/UL8Y_DDxgPI/AAAAAAAABL8/3aMjVK2aGq4/s1600/IMG_2910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKzDgk0KmuU/UL8Y_DDxgPI/AAAAAAAABL8/3aMjVK2aGq4/s400/IMG_2910.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DJs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Village Acheivements</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4Ocp1hu924/UMryBUQaS4I/AAAAAAAABRY/bWn96GE8aLI/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4Ocp1hu924/UMryBUQaS4I/AAAAAAAABRY/bWn96GE8aLI/s400/IMG_2984.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4>
Staff Party</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oF0_K1E67Xc/UMryZrvLF6I/AAAAAAAABRo/b32QAam0Y-g/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oF0_K1E67Xc/UMryZrvLF6I/AAAAAAAABRo/b32QAam0Y-g/s400/IMG_3023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staff party- there is a alot going on in this photo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqGeK6pLFw/UMryd1GMRUI/AAAAAAAABRw/LiS5JQD7oQY/s1600/IMG_3029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqGeK6pLFw/UMryd1GMRUI/AAAAAAAABRw/LiS5JQD7oQY/s400/IMG_3029.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 IT team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
The Village</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BE2ibYc5CNY/UMryjfBg7nI/AAAAAAAABR4/4nRTA6NCan4/s1600/IMG_3038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BE2ibYc5CNY/UMryjfBg7nI/AAAAAAAABR4/4nRTA6NCan4/s640/IMG_3038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hASoUCrSB-8/UMryrob1EZI/AAAAAAAABSA/V8aFphFkeqw/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hASoUCrSB-8/UMryrob1EZI/AAAAAAAABSA/V8aFphFkeqw/s640/IMG_3039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-6114606479577817452012-12-14T01:25:00.001-08:002012-12-14T01:25:28.803-08:00Take a Walk on the Wild Side!Come for a virtual tour of the Agahozo-Shalom Nature Park- with new interpretive signs! You can read the interpretive signs <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7MOygwZ6jlMMUZ5RWd4THhhdU0">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<h4>
From the Village go to the Nature Park</h4>
There are signs in the village to direct you to the the Nature Park. They will direct you to the school and past the greenhouses. There are two routes to the Nature Park, but if you take the road along the fence-line you will walk up a hill through a eucalyptus woodlot and arrive here.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMApOegbD6Q/UMriFSXFi8I/AAAAAAAABMs/LGG-PZ8K2p0/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMApOegbD6Q/UMriFSXFi8I/AAAAAAAABMs/LGG-PZ8K2p0/s400/IMG_3221.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h05VCsXDVis/UMrie_BdvWI/AAAAAAAABM0/bDIiD-S2pfs/s1600/IMG_3223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h05VCsXDVis/UMrie_BdvWI/AAAAAAAABM0/bDIiD-S2pfs/s400/IMG_3223.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail head of the park complete with birds of ASYV and history/goals of the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfXskDW5kos/UMrimwxuz-I/AAAAAAAABM8/W1y9WkG3I1s/s1600/IMG_3225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfXskDW5kos/UMrimwxuz-I/AAAAAAAABM8/W1y9WkG3I1s/s400/IMG_3225.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk past the trail head towards the big trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utnHLOgJeyo/UMri36IQsKI/AAAAAAAABNM/x2sfYQR8ECo/s1600/IMG_3227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utnHLOgJeyo/UMri36IQsKI/AAAAAAAABNM/x2sfYQR8ECo/s400/IMG_3227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the shade of this tree entada and the acacia tree you will see an interpretive sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This spot used to be the site of several benches which were aptly situated in the shade for a nice breather after climbing the hill- however in November 2012, they were stolen. Maybe the carpentry EP of 2013 can make 3 more benches? hint hint. Also- this is a fabulous place to put a hammock.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5XX46FYJoI/UMrirSli0vI/AAAAAAAABNE/sc3vx5cCsjM/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5XX46FYJoI/UMrirSli0vI/AAAAAAAABNE/sc3vx5cCsjM/s400/IMG_3229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read all about these two trees and mongooses and enjoy the view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v57BfuqtNt8/UMrjL-LMQJI/AAAAAAAABNY/ABhmd9EEM-s/s1600/IMG_3230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v57BfuqtNt8/UMrjL-LMQJI/AAAAAAAABNY/ABhmd9EEM-s/s400/IMG_3230.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After resting in the shade, follow the path past the traditional beehive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0V4_UJUkc4/UMrjdM6uQfI/AAAAAAAABNg/d4Iz68loIeI/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0V4_UJUkc4/UMrjdM6uQfI/AAAAAAAABNg/d4Iz68loIeI/s400/IMG_3232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You will skirt the eucalyptus trees and go under the mango arch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iehuw_BCs0g/UMroUx4BosI/AAAAAAAABPw/i60yZOOLldc/s1600/IMG_3234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iehuw_BCs0g/UMroUx4BosI/AAAAAAAABPw/i60yZOOLldc/s400/IMG_3234.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn the corner and go towards the sign along the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nl9m5Yo3x8w/UMrkLiFSiOI/AAAAAAAABNw/0Nxr-YZouHg/s1600/IMG_3235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nl9m5Yo3x8w/UMrkLiFSiOI/AAAAAAAABNw/0Nxr-YZouHg/s400/IMG_3235.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read the signs about lantana, african tulip and speckled mousebird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6pzNfEt_AY/UMrkc8V8D8I/AAAAAAAABN4/SXOnhY02qPk/s1600/IMG_3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6pzNfEt_AY/UMrkc8V8D8I/AAAAAAAABN4/SXOnhY02qPk/s400/IMG_3237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go towards the mango tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1I1MqDm-Gs/UMrknxQGosI/AAAAAAAABOA/h4FnyUCLyoI/s1600/IMG_3241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1I1MqDm-Gs/UMrknxQGosI/AAAAAAAABOA/h4FnyUCLyoI/s400/IMG_3241.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn the corner and take the trail that marks the boundry between agricultural land the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWEnhg8lHFE/UMrkxz1OczI/AAAAAAAABOI/qxHJlbTd9qo/s1600/IMG_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWEnhg8lHFE/UMrkxz1OczI/AAAAAAAABOI/qxHJlbTd9qo/s400/IMG_3242.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign under the wild fig tree about southern red bishop and wild fig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KfyFejGklg/UMrk3xewSnI/AAAAAAAABOQ/DDWIrzVubUo/s1600/IMG_3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KfyFejGklg/UMrk3xewSnI/AAAAAAAABOQ/DDWIrzVubUo/s400/IMG_3246.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continue along the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXNp_Ohmixw/UMrk_UzNceI/AAAAAAAABOY/VwAbZJSeOuQ/s1600/IMG_3250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXNp_Ohmixw/UMrk_UzNceI/AAAAAAAABOY/VwAbZJSeOuQ/s400/IMG_3250.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read about the bitter leaf veronia tree and cinnamon chested bee eater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlBhi-WjfQ4/UMrlFe7d88I/AAAAAAAABOg/IUIKIQlXRXo/s1600/IMG_3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlBhi-WjfQ4/UMrlFe7d88I/AAAAAAAABOg/IUIKIQlXRXo/s400/IMG_3252.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continue along the trail to the next sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O15cM5w9qxI/UMrlMPKYWBI/AAAAAAAABOo/MxQeVvtvUd8/s1600/IMG_3253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O15cM5w9qxI/UMrlMPKYWBI/AAAAAAAABOo/MxQeVvtvUd8/s400/IMG_3253.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Observe the markhamia trees and read about bats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q7MCNJSETOM/UMrlUxFMOxI/AAAAAAAABOw/Dmq3-wu_k_0/s1600/IMG_3257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q7MCNJSETOM/UMrlUxFMOxI/AAAAAAAABOw/Dmq3-wu_k_0/s400/IMG_3257.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continue along the trail and turn the corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5misH9a4Q4/UMrqbYEwKpI/AAAAAAAABP4/fJMXE9lIG3s/s1600/IMG_3258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5misH9a4Q4/UMrqbYEwKpI/AAAAAAAABP4/fJMXE9lIG3s/s400/IMG_3258.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read about toads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz7ojRqIG68/UMrqg05PMsI/AAAAAAAABQA/fEYzTDr3NmE/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz7ojRqIG68/UMrqg05PMsI/AAAAAAAABQA/fEYzTDr3NmE/s400/IMG_3260.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continue towards the big flame tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxr9CEN7v6s/UMrloE2lLTI/AAAAAAAABPI/9fRi9LKUF2A/s1600/IMG_3261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxr9CEN7v6s/UMrloE2lLTI/AAAAAAAABPI/9fRi9LKUF2A/s400/IMG_3261.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Observe the flame tree and read about red-eyed dove and striped skink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here you have a few options. Option 1 is to loop back towards the trail head and continue back the way you came. Option two is to go towards the nature hut and take and alternative path down to the greenhouses. They are about equidistant. Option 3 is to do a combination and choose your own adventure.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Option 1- loop back to the original trailhead</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dERGvTBFFGo/UMrlwETtJCI/AAAAAAAABPQ/3ADniDnM56Y/s1600/IMG_3262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dERGvTBFFGo/UMrlwETtJCI/AAAAAAAABPQ/3ADniDnM56Y/s400/IMG_3262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk this way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gflh2B5TO1k/UMrtNxh0iqI/AAAAAAAABQg/jEnHd80fITs/s1600/IMG_3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gflh2B5TO1k/UMrtNxh0iqI/AAAAAAAABQg/jEnHd80fITs/s400/IMG_3270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continue along the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9sVZ1pOdEE/UMrtUnJqXaI/AAAAAAAABQo/tLDiIblChZ0/s1600/IMG_3271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9sVZ1pOdEE/UMrtUnJqXaI/AAAAAAAABQo/tLDiIblChZ0/s400/IMG_3271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You will see the original trail head and can retrace your steps to go back to the village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4>
Option 2: Head towards the Nature Hut</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl-ntNO4YsY/UMrl1PT1ScI/AAAAAAAABPY/8mz1CSfwEsQ/s1600/IMG_3263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl-ntNO4YsY/UMrl1PT1ScI/AAAAAAAABPY/8mz1CSfwEsQ/s400/IMG_3263.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> You will see the nature hut from the flame tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxM5qIRNmHc/UMrl9a9HmdI/AAAAAAAABPg/wDBqTzKMS-Y/s1600/IMG_3264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxM5qIRNmHc/UMrl9a9HmdI/AAAAAAAABPg/wDBqTzKMS-Y/s400/IMG_3264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take the trail that goes towards the nature hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzqIUBvbXOo/UMrmDYkPJTI/AAAAAAAABPo/eRTDlO4Upe0/s1600/IMG_3265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzqIUBvbXOo/UMrmDYkPJTI/AAAAAAAABPo/eRTDlO4Upe0/s400/IMG_3265.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54fcdSz4b-8/UMrr8yw3BqI/AAAAAAAABQI/_FKpeGNf1qs/s1600/IMG_3266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54fcdSz4b-8/UMrr8yw3BqI/AAAAAAAABQI/_FKpeGNf1qs/s400/IMG_3266.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy a rest at the nature hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wD1xABteg74/UMrsE4hcHZI/AAAAAAAABQQ/yGbbSWCJ8iA/s1600/IMG_3267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wD1xABteg74/UMrsE4hcHZI/AAAAAAAABQQ/yGbbSWCJ8iA/s400/IMG_3267.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can read about <a href="http://gardenloveaffairinrwanda.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-making-of-nature-hut.html">how the nature hut was built</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYCvALkJfYo/UMrsJiOLUeI/AAAAAAAABQY/wyIpZcmHks0/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYCvALkJfYo/UMrsJiOLUeI/AAAAAAAABQY/wyIpZcmHks0/s400/IMG_3268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can also read about the history of the Nature Park and ecology</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From here take the path that goes down the hill through the agricultural lands. You will see some small buildings for the bees and soon the school, water tower and greenhouses.<br />
<br />
Thanks for coming on the tour. I hope you enjoyed the adventure!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-68076874295627365902012-12-03T00:15:00.000-08:002016-11-02T15:18:20.203-07:00Professional Agriculture Skills<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The professional agriculture skills class at ASYV was a pleasure to teach this year. There are three professional skills programs at ASYV: modern agriculture, IT and hospitality. The professional skills programs all started this year. The idea is to give the students some hands-on, employable skills other than their high school education. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88svjGXeM7I/ULxJLd_6UmI/AAAAAAAAA9E/JEQ3Bodlz5s/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88svjGXeM7I/ULxJLd_6UmI/AAAAAAAAA9E/JEQ3Bodlz5s/s640/IMG_1762.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior 5 students preparing their plots for planting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I helped to develop the curriculum for the agriculture professional skills with Gervais, the village agronomist. However, I only started teaching in second term. I split the teaching half and half with Gervais. Both senior 6 (grade 12) and senior 5 (grade 11) took the class this year. The class was four hours every week for each grade. It was broken up into two days (with two hours of instruction each day). Senior 6 finished their professional skills at the end of second term, so I had less time with them.<br />
<br />
Some of my favourite people were with me in professional skills program. I can honestly say that these students are models of the ASYV core values (integrity, respect, role model, learning community, commitment, support and interest of the child) and they will go far!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdTyqiKyFdc/ULxKnBayJnI/AAAAAAAAA9M/8I5DpIOwpx0/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdTyqiKyFdc/ULxKnBayJnI/AAAAAAAAA9M/8I5DpIOwpx0/s640/IMG_1763.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulching the plots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I tried to make the classes as interactive and hands on as possible. The students take these classes after lunch, after being in school from 7am until 2pm. I know that Rwandans have an amazing amount of patience and ability to sit still and listen- but there's no need to bore them with lectures after being in school all day. We covered many of my favourite topics like permaculture, agroforetry, seed saving, nursery care, compost, swales, irrigation, greenhouses etc. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5f-x_3hnPlY/ULxYON41UOI/AAAAAAAAA_8/T4ybTYDcFcU/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5f-x_3hnPlY/ULxYON41UOI/AAAAAAAAA_8/T4ybTYDcFcU/s640/IMG_1770.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting seeds in their plots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following are some pictures from the year. I didn't bring my camera to all the classes so it's just a small sample of the year.<br />
<br />
The first field trip to an agricultural fair near Kigali.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVnf-FLSBZg/ULxL7RsNdDI/AAAAAAAAA9U/oiUUbxgnBIs/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVnf-FLSBZg/ULxL7RsNdDI/AAAAAAAAA9U/oiUUbxgnBIs/s400/IMG_1058.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning about different cultivars of sorghum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKLpq0Fj7Bg/ULxMLz9pQzI/AAAAAAAAA9c/BAgruU209Fw/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKLpq0Fj7Bg/ULxMLz9pQzI/AAAAAAAAA9c/BAgruU209Fw/s640/IMG_1069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admiring the giant cassava roots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GA6bo71BvUg/ULxMZKKAU9I/AAAAAAAAA9s/ySLO9uodbRI/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GA6bo71BvUg/ULxMZKKAU9I/AAAAAAAAA9s/ySLO9uodbRI/s400/IMG_1072.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What? You made this out of poo? Humanure compost booth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7aJ7WzPrxw/ULxMqYj541I/AAAAAAAAA90/En6diyG_9uU/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7aJ7WzPrxw/ULxMqYj541I/AAAAAAAAA90/En6diyG_9uU/s400/IMG_1090.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the group at the fair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Learning about greenhouses and drip irrigation systems.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7l-Sa1pyCSo/ULxN80nPYlI/AAAAAAAAA98/OgdYbLiKpXk/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7l-Sa1pyCSo/ULxN80nPYlI/AAAAAAAAA98/OgdYbLiKpXk/s640/IMG_1179.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning about the properties of greenhouses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Niq9HDCljps/ULxOcjejA4I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/gA3BCSTVleM/s1600/IMG_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Niq9HDCljps/ULxOcjejA4I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/gA3BCSTVleM/s400/IMG_1180.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooking up the irrigation to the rain water tank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0AU6lbvjkuk/ULxOGQxbAxI/AAAAAAAAA-E/t37LTAxhKdo/s1600/IMG_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0AU6lbvjkuk/ULxOGQxbAxI/AAAAAAAAA-E/t37LTAxhKdo/s400/IMG_1181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multi level learning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rMGcC0xpFE/ULxOmZ2L8NI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/DnUzYqD5bDg/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rMGcC0xpFE/ULxOmZ2L8NI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/DnUzYqD5bDg/s640/IMG_1182.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up the drip irrigation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jacorsFAWE8/ULxOyxT4VtI/AAAAAAAAA-g/MvSPfZsyvXg/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jacorsFAWE8/ULxOyxT4VtI/AAAAAAAAA-g/MvSPfZsyvXg/s400/IMG_1183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up the drip irrigation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
More pictures from ASYV learning how to use an A-frame to mark out a swale.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWqDRO4mTHI/ULxYb3iqZFI/AAAAAAAABAE/8bODITLPc7A/s1600/IMG_2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWqDRO4mTHI/ULxYb3iqZFI/AAAAAAAABAE/8bODITLPc7A/s400/IMG_2142.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sU4lh4nHZs/ULxYopz38HI/AAAAAAAABAU/QAY4Sg3CMps/s1600/IMG_2143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sU4lh4nHZs/ULxYopz38HI/AAAAAAAABAU/QAY4Sg3CMps/s640/IMG_2143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_XgaZD1Vds/ULxY22xIV0I/AAAAAAAABAc/8wd_AdmyVbA/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_XgaZD1Vds/ULxY22xIV0I/AAAAAAAABAc/8wd_AdmyVbA/s400/IMG_2144.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
The second field trip was to <a href="http://www.hope-mag.com/news.php?option=lnews&ca=6&a=1040">Sina Gerard</a>'s agri-business in Nyirangarama. His business is located half way between Kigali and Musanze, the headquaters to all mountain gorilla activities. Pretty much every bus stops there to take a break for the 3 hour drive. This is one of those successfully business models where he started small, making bread, with one employee and now has over 400 employees, with many value added products like bread, jams, fruit juice, chilli sauce, meat, banana wine, banana beer, etc. He also has built an elementry and high school for the community and a carpentry school. His most famous products are juice concentrates and a chili sauce. He started making these value added products and getting the farmers around him to grow these products for him to process. He has many other products but one of the interesting things you will see in these next pictures is that he tries new things. Many farmers in Rwanda grow the same thing as their neighbours- and for good reason, they mostly grow staple crops that they and their community will consume. However, if you are trying to make a business out of it- it is a good idea to try new things, to find the niche market.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx4MCvfa3Rs/ULxUZpEaMtI/AAAAAAAAA_E/ES44EOGhjvU/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx4MCvfa3Rs/ULxUZpEaMtI/AAAAAAAAA_E/ES44EOGhjvU/s640/IMG_1252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senoir 5+6 and staff on a tour of some of Gerard's demonstration farms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz7ivhK2wP4/ULxUvuI5T0I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/8InWJanvX0g/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz7ivhK2wP4/ULxUvuI5T0I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/8InWJanvX0g/s400/IMG_1264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What?!! Strawberries in Rwanda! It's true- but only here in the misty mountains of Nyirangarama </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ljzfMTwgX1c/ULxei-F7pUI/AAAAAAAABBA/XxWuKx4SeTs/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ljzfMTwgX1c/ULxei-F7pUI/AAAAAAAABBA/XxWuKx4SeTs/s640/IMG_1259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking notes on strawberry farming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdFsHFPsF70/ULxVItpY8II/AAAAAAAAA_Y/OSVQ-iUqwwk/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdFsHFPsF70/ULxVItpY8II/AAAAAAAAA_Y/OSVQ-iUqwwk/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries, apple trees and agroforestry species in demo farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-56Qbkef8Xnk/ULxVnZPIwRI/AAAAAAAAA_g/tQxKkupDbJw/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-56Qbkef8Xnk/ULxVnZPIwRI/AAAAAAAAA_g/tQxKkupDbJw/s400/IMG_1267.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grapes and pineapples together.! Yes it's true</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SP4gZVI1o2s/ULxV8JAwmaI/AAAAAAAAA_s/uw7yfvIVeo8/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SP4gZVI1o2s/ULxV8JAwmaI/AAAAAAAAA_s/uw7yfvIVeo8/s640/IMG_1271.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out those apples!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BO-spbNJpjE/ULxWRT6bxZI/AAAAAAAAA_0/maPJJSA-3qU/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BO-spbNJpjE/ULxWRT6bxZI/AAAAAAAAA_0/maPJJSA-3qU/s640/IMG_1290.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cows and students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-13968127818078801502012-12-02T03:33:00.000-08:002012-12-02T03:35:34.402-08:00Gardens and what they say about you...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<i>Trees and plants always look like the people the live with, somehow</i>"- Zora Neale Hurston</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
When you walk into someone's house or their room you can tell alot about that person. How it is organized, the items that are displayed, etc. When you walk into someone's garden it is the same thing. I realized this at Linnaea when each student had their own farm plots to experiment with. Walking into each persons garden was a reflection of their personalities. It is quite amazing to see.<br />
<br />
So here is a walk around the gardens at ASYV as well as my garden, and you can be the judge on what they say. It is also a bit of an instructional manual for whoever inherits this garden next year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VKKA7WChKPQ/ULYZBz5hrQI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/7EK5bZn_KTI/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VKKA7WChKPQ/ULYZBz5hrQI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/7EK5bZn_KTI/s400/IMG_2696.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest House 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The gardens at guest house 1, administration and the inner village circle are some of the best maintained gardens in the village. In the rainy season they are full of flowers like roses, marigolds, geraniums, irises.<br />
<br />
They are also the places that you will find secret plants from elsewhere hidden within all the decorative hedges. Karasira is the the head gardener here and he definitely has a green thumb. As much as he loves the manicured hedge and grass look, he also is a garden experimenter. There are some lemon trees, loquat trees, pomegranate tree, sage plant and even a couple fig trees to be found if you know where to look.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jeeri1tw_DM/ULYZmrrHoiI/AAAAAAAAA0c/k57SYQWW0BA/s1600/IMG_2749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jeeri1tw_DM/ULYZmrrHoiI/AAAAAAAAA0c/k57SYQWW0BA/s400/IMG_2749.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange club house with hedges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wx6R-kCuO4U/ULYZuQPqDXI/AAAAAAAAA0k/JH7EuejDMRU/s1600/IMG_2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wx6R-kCuO4U/ULYZuQPqDXI/AAAAAAAAA0k/JH7EuejDMRU/s400/IMG_2751.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family house with rocky washing area, lemongrass and hedges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRWV-7eKXqU/ULYZ0StXG6I/AAAAAAAAA0s/3KiZ51rrPd0/s1600/IMG_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRWV-7eKXqU/ULYZ0StXG6I/AAAAAAAAA0s/3KiZ51rrPd0/s400/IMG_2752.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hedges and lemongrass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3C_li34kno/ULYbwyq2qLI/AAAAAAAAA00/gjlG8y8wKQ8/s1600/IMG_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3C_li34kno/ULYbwyq2qLI/AAAAAAAAA00/gjlG8y8wKQ8/s400/IMG_2756.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family house with some fruit trees in the front, surrounded by hedges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The family houses all look pretty similar. Many, many hedges, some lemongrass and some trees planted around the house. In a few houses there is a bit of diversity- but mostly ornamental hedge work with rock paths. This is also the aesthetic of Rwanda. Hedges, hedges and more hedges. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko-TFSAQATE/ULYcwVvLeoI/AAAAAAAAA08/CKTL1fG2C98/s1600/IMG_2755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko-TFSAQATE/ULYcwVvLeoI/AAAAAAAAA08/CKTL1fG2C98/s400/IMG_2755.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staff House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The staff houses were all built last year. As such, when we arrived there was no landscaping. But also 12 months later there is no landscaping (well not exactly, all the houses got hedges). Above is an example of a staff house with some hedges around the perimeter and bare ground.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, after a little while of seeing what would happen, I took matters into my own hands. 'The problem is the solution'- right?! As a gardener, the thought of leaving bare soil exposed to grow weeds and leach nutrients for 12 months is uncomfortable. I had to fill it with something!<br />
<br />
It all started with a passion fruit plant in front of our window and it literally blossomed out from there.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-snVxiZ39dhU/ULYedmVXHQI/AAAAAAAAA1E/NrAkdddIByE/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-snVxiZ39dhU/ULYedmVXHQI/AAAAAAAAA1E/NrAkdddIByE/s400/IMG_2763.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion fruit vine in front of our room window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the village there are not alot of private spaces. There are people around everywhere. And although maybe Rwandans don't need that much time to be alone, because they grew up with people everywhere- in my country the density is not really that high. There are lots of places you can go without seeing many people, even in a city. <br />
<br />
So the passion fruit vine fills multiple functions: delicious fruit, privacy screen, wildlife habitat(the birds love drinking the nectar of the flowers), beauty, and shade. In the beginning of the year we found our room to be very hot at night, and the passion fruit vine as well as the garden around the house help to make a cooler micro-climate. I also have vegetable start trays under the passion fruit vine because it provides shade and blocks the heavy rain.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzXIlERHd18/ULZO9wFXSRI/AAAAAAAAA1o/3l9itDnuKyw/s1600/IMG_2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzXIlERHd18/ULZO9wFXSRI/AAAAAAAAA1o/3l9itDnuKyw/s640/IMG_2765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veggie starts under passion fruit vine, nasturtium, marigold, mint, lemongrass, arugula going to seed, hot peppers, comfrey, basil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nasturtium is a tasty (and peppery) treat in salads. You can eat the orange flowers as well. Lemonbalm is a herb you can use in tea- it's good for an upset tummy and anxiety.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8l6ciTsr4_M/ULZQR6unlFI/AAAAAAAAA1w/Yq3wY6HuaeU/s1600/IMG_3126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8l6ciTsr4_M/ULZQR6unlFI/AAAAAAAAA1w/Yq3wY6HuaeU/s400/IMG_3126.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemonbalm, lettuce, kohlrabi, sweet peas, dill, garlic chives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i5xeYGwRtOk/ULZQzVcjesI/AAAAAAAAA14/AFPY-CthCsA/s1600/IMG_3128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i5xeYGwRtOk/ULZQzVcjesI/AAAAAAAAA14/AFPY-CthCsA/s400/IMG_3128.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree tomato, sesbania, guava, mango and mulberry trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I planted a little orchard in front of our window on the grass. These trees will give fruit, shade, privacy screen and and create a cooler micro climate.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_EjBwMQ6_Y/ULZRuNszFQI/AAAAAAAAA2A/J_Ziw_FJTFc/s1600/IMG_3129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_EjBwMQ6_Y/ULZRuNszFQI/AAAAAAAAA2A/J_Ziw_FJTFc/s400/IMG_3129.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree tomatoes ripening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In this next picture you will see lettuce, tephrosia (<i>Tephrosia vogelli</i>), basil, <i>Ocium gratissimum</i>, cilantro, compost pit and water harvesting area. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HgbL_DWMSsk/ULnK1SpgstI/AAAAAAAAA4c/FspU3HGamEk/s1600/IMG_3190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HgbL_DWMSsk/ULnK1SpgstI/AAAAAAAAA4c/FspU3HGamEk/s400/IMG_3190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Compost pit outside the kitchen window with grass pile right next to it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tephrosia is a nitrogen fixing plant that grows into a bush shape. You can cut it down periodically and use the leaves as mulch to feed the soil. In addition, tephrosia can ben used as a natural pesticide. Just take the leaves place in a bucket to ferment for a 1-2 days, remove leaves, add a bit of liquid soap and voila! You can also use the liquid to control ticks and insects on livestock. Tephrosia is so potent that is is also know as fish poison- it stuns the fish making them easier to catch. For more info on the uses of tephrosia check the world agroforestry site <a href="http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/products/afdbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1607">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Ocium is a genus in the mint (Lamiaceae) family. Basil and tulsi are in the same genus. Ocium is strong smelling and good for making tea to soothe the stomach.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGt5MNGlX5o/ULnMqzFjY6I/AAAAAAAAA4s/XGWwdPi-7Bs/s1600/IMG_3194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGt5MNGlX5o/ULnMqzFjY6I/AAAAAAAAA4s/XGWwdPi-7Bs/s400/IMG_3194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hot compost pile on the veggie bed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Many Rwandans who have come on tours of my garden say 'wow you must be using some nice chemicals' NOOOOOOOO!!! No icky chemicals allowed. Only the magic of compost.<br />
<br />
There is a hole outside our kitchen window where we put all our organic waste (veggie scraps, old food, fruit peels etc). If we are going to get nerdy here- for relative location, it is aptly positioned so that you can just chuck your peels out the window while in the kitchen. The area right beside it is a storage area for grass. I usually snag some when they are cutting the grass near our house. I layer grass with the veggie scraps to have a good carbon to nitrogen ratio. <br />
<br />
Once the hole is filled I generally make a hot compost pile with it. Although you can just let everything rot, the hole method tends to produce anaerobic compost- which is ok, but aerobic is filled with much more benefical organisms. I usually move the materials to a garden bed or on the grass to make the compost pile. It is best in a shady area, but there is not that much shade around the house yet. I layer the materials from the pit with dry grass, let it sit, and turn it every so often. For more information on how to make a hot compost pile go <a href="http://gardenloveaffair.blogspot.com/2010/04/wonderful-world-of-compost.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Once the compost in the above bed is finished it can be distributed into the garden and the bed can be used to plant veggies again. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-If48Ajb2EDs/ULj-YyrRtoI/AAAAAAAAA3A/2FkT1-PM0mk/s1600/IMG_3136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-If48Ajb2EDs/ULj-YyrRtoI/AAAAAAAAA3A/2FkT1-PM0mk/s640/IMG_3136.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water harvesting area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tap you see in the picture above is the tap where everyone does their laundry. This also means that instead of lifting a heavy basin of soapy water to the sink, everyone just dumps the soapy water next to the tap. Soapy water can be a problem because it can change the pH, salinity and water log the soil. However, if it is placed into deeply mulched areas in healthy soils, and directed to water loving plants, some of those problems can be mitigated by the soil life. <br />
<br />
Next to the the tap I put water loving plants to soak up the extra water. There is papyrus, taro, comfrey, mint and papaya (sorry- unfortunately this one turned out to be a male papaya tree). There is also a ditch where the excess water will go (or can be dumped directly there). This ditch is planted with comfrey and a banana.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3xVmwlesFk/ULnLvk9ThTI/AAAAAAAAA4k/CB5JvCwO3Hk/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3xVmwlesFk/ULnLvk9ThTI/AAAAAAAAA4k/CB5JvCwO3Hk/s400/IMG_3192.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry ditch planted with comfrey and banana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
All the beds are mulched with grass collected from the lawns around the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRhDb1pgY4M/ULkDjtkK7xI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Y7L2qiyJpjw/s1600/IMG_3139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRhDb1pgY4M/ULkDjtkK7xI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Y7L2qiyJpjw/s400/IMG_3139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More veggie beds with nitrogen fixing helpers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQXKT_3VbnU/ULkDFnQil5I/AAAAAAAAA3g/pRZ7d9gKzwc/s1600/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQXKT_3VbnU/ULkDFnQil5I/AAAAAAAAA3g/pRZ7d9gKzwc/s400/IMG_3140.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggplant, passion fruit, pepper, cilantro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSoB90p0gM0/ULkFdEz7bbI/AAAAAAAAA38/P0b6kCbp1AQ/s1600/IMG_3141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSoB90p0gM0/ULkFdEz7bbI/AAAAAAAAA38/P0b6kCbp1AQ/s400/IMG_3141.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aloe and scarlet runner beans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The aloe came from the Nature Park. It was the unfortunate victim of a vigorous trail cleaning one day during Saturday service. I tried to replant it in the Nature Park, but it was the long dry season and it wasn't taking. So I took it down to the garden and nursed it back to health. Now it is doing great. When it goes to seed, the seeds can be planted in the Nature Park.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxlng1aFSGU/ULnNroarvcI/AAAAAAAAA40/X2jjIgWTsYg/s1600/IMG_3144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxlng1aFSGU/ULnNroarvcI/AAAAAAAAA40/X2jjIgWTsYg/s640/IMG_3144.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet peas, ground cherry (<i>Physalis peruviana</i>), lettuce, kohlrabi, lettuce, basil, flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The sweet peas for some reason have been slow in flowering. There are some that have started and hopefully they will create beautiful sweet smelling blooms (note: you can't eat the 'peas'). The ground cherries are sweet orange berries. They have many other names- cape cod gooseberries, poha berries, golden berries etc. They are ripe when the husks dry and the fruit is an orange colour inside. The scarlet runner beans are delicious raw or cooked, they grow quite big before becoming hard and stringy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-UfsdLoNTU/ULnPXsfjILI/AAAAAAAAA5A/21ZdGYGJrCI/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-UfsdLoNTU/ULnPXsfjILI/AAAAAAAAA5A/21ZdGYGJrCI/s640/IMG_3146.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bananas, mulberry tree, papaya tree, lettuce, greens, ground cherries, dill, cilantro, carrots, tephrosia, comfrey, sesbania, taro, papyrus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This area is a huge drainage area for the roof. On this side of the house, the downspout goes directly into the garden and floods everything- including the living room on really heavy rains. I planted bananas, taro, papyrus, mulberry and papaya to try to soak up some of this extra water. I also made a swale (ditch) to direct the water to the bananas and away from the living room.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XkmX_hBEbQ/ULov3X7jL9I/AAAAAAAAA54/APPn6DZPauQ/s1600/IMG_3181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5XkmX_hBEbQ/ULov3X7jL9I/AAAAAAAAA54/APPn6DZPauQ/s400/IMG_3181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ditch in action during the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpay5PE74WQ/ULovoe-gunI/AAAAAAAAA5o/hw5DAFc7cgw/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpay5PE74WQ/ULovoe-gunI/AAAAAAAAA5o/hw5DAFc7cgw/s400/IMG_3178.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hole filling with water from the rain behind the banana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRsly14JkYg/ULovwWzW1WI/AAAAAAAAA5w/WY4fAtRMu0I/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRsly14JkYg/ULovwWzW1WI/AAAAAAAAA5w/WY4fAtRMu0I/s400/IMG_3180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water captured in the ditch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The water ditches go well with the principle of catching and storing energy. Instead of letting the resource and also the energy of the water go to waste (and potentially be destructive to our house and garden), I created a channel for it to flow. This way it can benefit the garden system.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi9ObjuUphM/ULoz11rKK2I/AAAAAAAAA6g/eHXpNbUjsRM/s1600/IMG_3149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi9ObjuUphM/ULoz11rKK2I/AAAAAAAAA6g/eHXpNbUjsRM/s400/IMG_3149.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sesbania sesbans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The above Sesbania trees were planted in April and are now as tall as the roof. The seeds were collected from Kenya. Sesbania is an excellent agroforestry and permaculture tree. It is nitrogen fixing, responds well to cutting, provides good fuel wood, high quality forage, and shade. It also grows well in wet soils. I grew it around the house for shade, privacy, and soil improvement. For more information go <a href="http://www.google.rw/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldagroforestry.org%2Ftreedb2%2FAFTPDFS%2FSesbania_sesban.pdf&ei=6TO6UM29BoyAhQf6_IHYCw&usg=AFQjCNGAXW0riu-oMB-0AaHxhwHT5zAoww">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o93itNlRzuo/ULpCcvNfPGI/AAAAAAAAA7E/sH2UBJYNKDw/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o93itNlRzuo/ULpCcvNfPGI/AAAAAAAAA7E/sH2UBJYNKDw/s400/IMG_3158.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sesbania and friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KOuQ8dfJ0k/ULpCkmnKX3I/AAAAAAAAA7M/MB3tzmpvpSM/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KOuQ8dfJ0k/ULpCkmnKX3I/AAAAAAAAA7M/MB3tzmpvpSM/s640/IMG_3153.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree tomato, sesbania, lettuce, asian greens, arugula, chard, kale, passion fruit, watermelon, carrots, mulberry tree, flowers, sweet peas, basil banana, papyrus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yQ7BRlKj7mU/ULpDbq9vhII/AAAAAAAAA7U/R6McN25nvq0/s1600/IMG_3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yQ7BRlKj7mU/ULpDbq9vhII/AAAAAAAAA7U/R6McN25nvq0/s400/IMG_3183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana and baby papyrus getting watered from this down spout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DADogKgqUYI/ULpIXSx5SiI/AAAAAAAAA74/z87dLH98fNw/s1600/IMG_3157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DADogKgqUYI/ULpIXSx5SiI/AAAAAAAAA74/z87dLH98fNw/s400/IMG_3157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulberry line and sesbania with some errant hedges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
oh hedges... I fought the good battle- but there are still some around...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffsy58h7vEc/ULpN7xtTVhI/AAAAAAAAA8g/TmTcQlYp828/s1600/IMG_3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffsy58h7vEc/ULpN7xtTVhI/AAAAAAAAA8g/TmTcQlYp828/s640/IMG_3171.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet pea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope at least one person out of the six volunteers that will live in this house next year will have some inclination to keep this garden going. Yes it will take a bit of work- but mostly it is just maintenance now. It can also be quite an enjoyable and meditative activity. I have also planted lots of perennials so they should give yields without as much care and attention as a typical garden with annuals.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The dining hall food is great- but at some point in the next year you are going to get tired of rice, beans and more starches. Having some fresh fruits and veggies that you grew yourself (not to mention the herbs!!) really breathe some life into your experience at the village. Veggies that you can eat raw or lightly steamed is amazing after eating very boiled vegetables from the dining hall. I have left a couple garden maps in the house for your use. Please enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">“<i>The single greatest lesson the garden teaches is that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum, and that as long as the sun still shines and people still can plan and plant, think and do, we can, if we bother to try, find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world</i>. ” </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">-Michael Pollan, Omnivore's Dilemma</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
Also check out this <a href="http://www.patternliteracy.com/668-what-permaculture-isnt-and-is">great article</a> about 'What Permaculture Isn't and Is' by Toby HemenwayMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-2869013161110886682012-11-27T08:27:00.000-08:002012-11-27T09:38:21.438-08:00How to Make a Mud OvenSomewhere in second term, Miki and I decided that there were not enough delicious baked goods in Rwanda. I mean, there are some baked goods to be had in Kigali- but in Rubona- your choices are amandazi (donught), cake (not really cake- more like dry corn bread in a muffin shape), chipati, yellow buns on market days, and smart bread (which is kind of yucky uber white bread).<br />
<br />
And besides, as I was already in the process of transforming our garden into a hippy permaculture zone, why not add a mud oven?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGoCQaSRn7A/ULTn7o_IfKI/AAAAAAAAAzw/kgUi3z7_y78/s1600/IMG_3004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGoCQaSRn7A/ULTn7o_IfKI/AAAAAAAAAzw/kgUi3z7_y78/s320/IMG_3004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes- that is a unicorn with a sparkling glitter horn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So we looked up some info on the internet, here are two good sources: <a href="http://handyprojects.blogspot.com/2005/04/mud-oven-project-part-2.html">1</a> and <a href="http://www.appropedia.org/Blue_ox_earthen_oven">2</a> that we referenced.<br />
<br />
We started by making a table with the help of some of the maintenance staff workers. Then we created a mixture of clay and sand. All the blogs talk about special mixtures of clay and sand... we just kind of took our wheelbarrows and shovels around to random areas in the village to find sand and clay soils. The instructions from the blogs are to make a mixture that doesn't splat if you drop a compressed ball (50 times in your hand) from waist height. It should deform but not break. We used this mixture to make a border around the table. We filled in the inside with a layer of sand and then put bricks ontop of the sand layer. If I were to make another oven in the future, I might make the this lower layer thicker, or even make the oven stand out of bricks for more thermal insulation.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0yGOhj05s0/ULTXb78tWsI/AAAAAAAAAwA/PiM0aZFQGV0/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0yGOhj05s0/ULTXb78tWsI/AAAAAAAAAwA/PiM0aZFQGV0/s400/IMG_1227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand dome on our table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the base was set, we created a dome out of wet sand. We used a whacking technique using some boards to make it nice and dome shaped. We were also very scientific about the dome shape (thanks to Miki) and calculated the parabola of the the dome, and cut out a carboard measurement device so we could make sure it was the right shape. I'm pretty sure most hippies don't do this step and just 'feel' the shape out organically.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHSjPdJC_K0/ULTXhH-glqI/AAAAAAAAAwI/hl9w4dL9zfk/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHSjPdJC_K0/ULTXhH-glqI/AAAAAAAAAwI/hl9w4dL9zfk/s400/IMG_1228.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand dome from the side covered with plastic with a door</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then covered our dome with plastic and created a door. The plastic was to make it easier to excavate the sand after putting the outer layer. I think if I did this again, I would leave out the door mould and cut it out after the fact. We were not sure how easy it would be to cut out- but it was fairly simple if you get it before it is dry. Our mould for the door was not very strong- so you will see in the next pictures how it kind of collapses as we pile on the mud.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwpTh5KLhQ8/ULTXlhlhNiI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/zRPhGjhrP1U/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwpTh5KLhQ8/ULTXlhlhNiI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/zRPhGjhrP1U/s400/IMG_1229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First layer of mud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1CM_S1D-7M/ULTXqiHjMaI/AAAAAAAAAwc/ed23kkTk4zk/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1CM_S1D-7M/ULTXqiHjMaI/AAAAAAAAAwc/ed23kkTk4zk/s400/IMG_1230.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We pressed our fist into the side of the mud layer to make sure it was thick enough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMt9laTuuRQ/ULTcTXVg4ZI/AAAAAAAAAw4/qnL1M3eqLXk/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMt9laTuuRQ/ULTcTXVg4ZI/AAAAAAAAAw4/qnL1M3eqLXk/s400/IMG_1231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa5AVe8HJKU/ULTcYiufLzI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Y-H-rbkC28I/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa5AVe8HJKU/ULTcYiufLzI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Y-H-rbkC28I/s320/IMG_1232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3VCYscZSAM/ULTcet-et8I/AAAAAAAAAxI/KzJmsWsG2Go/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3VCYscZSAM/ULTcet-et8I/AAAAAAAAAxI/KzJmsWsG2Go/s400/IMG_1233.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kXbFd__ivY/ULTckR2ooGI/AAAAAAAAAxU/pL-DlMwcqZk/s1600/IMG_1234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kXbFd__ivY/ULTckR2ooGI/AAAAAAAAAxU/pL-DlMwcqZk/s400/IMG_1234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9WKB1g1janU/ULTcqC95Y4I/AAAAAAAAAxc/5noWBUgaSso/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9WKB1g1janU/ULTcqC95Y4I/AAAAAAAAAxc/5noWBUgaSso/s400/IMG_1235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3v_UEUDyFF8/ULTcwBzJtJI/AAAAAAAAAxk/Zh4sEjFaunI/s1600/IMG_1236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3v_UEUDyFF8/ULTcwBzJtJI/AAAAAAAAAxk/Zh4sEjFaunI/s400/IMG_1236.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kA9RvjLozL8/ULTc2A5RjfI/AAAAAAAAAxw/lg6gNyoB1Hs/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kA9RvjLozL8/ULTc2A5RjfI/AAAAAAAAAxw/lg6gNyoB1Hs/s400/IMG_1237.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B88a4G4TeIw/ULTc8Wj4ZuI/AAAAAAAAAx4/Qk63eQxqiyw/s1600/IMG_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B88a4G4TeIw/ULTc8Wj4ZuI/AAAAAAAAAx4/Qk63eQxqiyw/s400/IMG_1238.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kqEtlk0rSSM/ULTdCK6GdWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/j9P0W0eYpQE/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kqEtlk0rSSM/ULTdCK6GdWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/j9P0W0eYpQE/s400/IMG_1239.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owuIXKCVH9Q/ULTdHxXSHcI/AAAAAAAAAyM/VPsICIUEH8E/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owuIXKCVH9Q/ULTdHxXSHcI/AAAAAAAAAyM/VPsICIUEH8E/s400/IMG_1240.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4eVNRv-om8U/ULTdNFZatEI/AAAAAAAAAyU/mi6MI_gTdaw/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4eVNRv-om8U/ULTdNFZatEI/AAAAAAAAAyU/mi6MI_gTdaw/s400/IMG_1241.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vTpZqE2D44/ULTdSVjwM7I/AAAAAAAAAyc/0-pP3_eOP5o/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vTpZqE2D44/ULTdSVjwM7I/AAAAAAAAAyc/0-pP3_eOP5o/s400/IMG_1242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think we made our mud/sand mixture with a bit too much clay and water so it squished down too much. As a result the bottom layers of our oven are very thick but the top layer not so much. After the outside had dried for a day we cut out the door. We let it harden for a few more days and then took out the sand from the inside of the dome. And then.... we made delicious treats!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uveRbaATDCA/ULTfZet72nI/AAAAAAAAAyo/PC_yuB8J46c/s1600/P1020040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uveRbaATDCA/ULTfZet72nI/AAAAAAAAAyo/PC_yuB8J46c/s400/P1020040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first (of many) banana bread made in the oven. After 7 months without...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It took us a little while to figure out how to get the oven hot enough for good baking. There were many (sad) failures. What you need to do is get a raging fire going in the oven fore 2 hours before baking. The smaller the wood, the better. You also need to babysit the oven because it has a tendency to go out or smoke horrendously. This might be because our door is not quite a the right ratio?? I still don't know the answer without more experience with other ovens. It is supposed to be 63% of the interior dome height. This is what it is for us... but maybe it needs to be more to get a better draft. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also you need to let the fire burn down and/or sweep the coals out depending on what temperature you need for baking. We don't have an oven thermometer but sometimes if you leave the coals in, you could burn your baked goods. Also it is important the let the fire burn down completely unless you like that smoky flavour to your cake. We usually measure if the oven is hot enough if the base of the outside dome is warm/hot to touch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The oven works by stored heat in the mud. It gradually cools down and cooks your food as it does. If I were to do this again I would add an insulative layer with chopped dry grass and the mud mixture (like cob) to keep more of the heat in longer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nnTLMVyIpG8/ULTf-XhwOKI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Pu8me-Wdr6I/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nnTLMVyIpG8/ULTf-XhwOKI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Pu8me-Wdr6I/s400/IMG_1736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmmm bread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can usually get about 2-4 items in at a time depending on the size of the pan. We have cooked normal bread, challah, gluten free bread, carrot cake, brownies, banana bread, buns, chicken, baked apples, honey cake, sweet corn and cookies. We usually shut the door with a combination of bricks and pieces of wood to keep the heat in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAi2M0wNXEQ/ULTjqkV4n7I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/jlcswdCDQSQ/s1600/IMG_3137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAi2M0wNXEQ/ULTjqkV4n7I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/jlcswdCDQSQ/s640/IMG_3137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since the oven is made out of mud, we needed a shelter to protect it from the rain. With Cyprien's help, we have this great shelter made out of spare sheet metal. We also decided to make this mural on the oven... to really share the love. A rainbow, Gaia, jumping dolphins, sunshine, and a unicorn in a sparkling magical landscape. oh yes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Enjoy the sweetness of our oven!! May 2013 be filled with many delicious treats.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-30316562102859063672012-11-25T05:03:00.001-08:002012-11-25T05:06:19.003-08:00The Making of the Nature HutAs you know from, past blog posts, I am a big fan of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village <a href="http://gardenloveaffairinrwanda.blogspot.com/2012/09/history-of-agahozo-shalom-nature-park.html">Nature Park</a>. It is a truly wonderful place and we wanted to make a nice meeting space up there to encourage more use of the park.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9sxT3QK1KM/ULIOjv2AgXI/AAAAAAAAAt8/3JzHFFwfGrQ/s1600/IMG_2645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9sxT3QK1KM/ULIOjv2AgXI/AAAAAAAAAt8/3JzHFFwfGrQ/s400/IMG_2645.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow on our last day of work at the Nature Hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the third term, Nathan (one of the other cousins) and I worked to build a Nature Hut. We started September 12th, 2012 and finished October 17th, 2012. We had the help of many of the maintenance workers, a team of 27 students, support of the directors and also help from various families and the environment club during Saturday Service. We started dreaming of this project in second term and managed, with alot of hard work, to make it happen in the third term. It wasn't always easy but with teamwork, Nathan and I managed to keep the momentum of the project going when we hit bumps along the way.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjaIsZ6jyTc/ULIOp5Pip0I/AAAAAAAAAuE/MLf8P0sWXQ8/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjaIsZ6jyTc/ULIOp5Pip0I/AAAAAAAAAuE/MLf8P0sWXQ8/s320/IMG_2636.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan and I in the finished hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is our <a href="http://earthbagbuilding.com/pdf/youthvillage.pdf">How to Make a Nature Hut PDF</a> which has many wonderful pictures and the steps it took to get from start to finish.<br />
<br />
We opened the Nature Hut on October 22, 2012 with the help of Anne Heyman, founder of ASYV. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDygHrfV5Tc/ULIPd3o1WOI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/50qKjiO7a5c/s1600/DSC_8655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDygHrfV5Tc/ULIPd3o1WOI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/50qKjiO7a5c/s400/DSC_8655.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening ceremony- photo by Steve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Lsbbt42Ym0/ULIPy-kOIhI/AAAAAAAAAuY/FMGG9HNfX-c/s1600/DSC_8665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Lsbbt42Ym0/ULIPy-kOIhI/AAAAAAAAAuY/FMGG9HNfX-c/s400/DSC_8665.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne cutting the ribbon- photo by Steve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr22JZ9ZHMs/ULIQtmcc5LI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ErziT5-MGQI/s1600/DSC_8722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr22JZ9ZHMs/ULIQtmcc5LI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ErziT5-MGQI/s400/DSC_8722.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural building team at the opening ceremony-photo by Steve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HES75OCtOyw/ULIRCSH3zZI/AAAAAAAAAus/TuRJ35M0Qro/s1600/DSC_8735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HES75OCtOyw/ULIRCSH3zZI/AAAAAAAAAus/TuRJ35M0Qro/s400/DSC_8735.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural Building team with their certificates of achievement- photo by Steve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAt5M1bhyaI/ULIRMZoZMQI/AAAAAAAAAu4/HNiJks53R18/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAt5M1bhyaI/ULIRMZoZMQI/AAAAAAAAAu4/HNiJks53R18/s400/IMG_2667.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls in my family who were part of the Natural Building team and Mama Annociata</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We also had the closing staff meeting for informal education at the Nature Park on November 1, 2012<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAs7K5EM3Bo/ULIRUl8kT6I/AAAAAAAAAvA/VXlHIH0wPGQ/s1600/IMG_2790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAs7K5EM3Bo/ULIRUl8kT6I/AAAAAAAAAvA/VXlHIH0wPGQ/s400/IMG_2790.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of year staff meeting at the Nature Hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAdRoOhnNSE/ULIRYtuymZI/AAAAAAAAAvI/YzX6d1THrRk/s1600/IMG_2796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAdRoOhnNSE/ULIRYtuymZI/AAAAAAAAAvI/YzX6d1THrRk/s400/IMG_2796.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan and Miki helping Mama Emerthe on the slackline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I can only hope that the Nature Hut will be well loved and used in the years to come!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj3AC4OmJlY/ULIWSn_9v_I/AAAAAAAAAvk/olFcpm2cMno/s1600/IMG_3119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj3AC4OmJlY/ULIWSn_9v_I/AAAAAAAAAvk/olFcpm2cMno/s400/IMG_3119.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset yoga at the Nature Hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-80055457097346938852012-10-25T22:28:00.001-07:002012-10-25T22:28:58.496-07:00Mango trees!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3N4o0vTeAs/UIkiUJQ8fDI/AAAAAAAAAs0/6GX1CbP7PRY/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3N4o0vTeAs/UIkiUJQ8fDI/AAAAAAAAAs0/6GX1CbP7PRY/s400/IMG_2377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Environment Club planting a mango tree at the green clubhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
ASYV is a fairly new village, in a country that is densely populated, where most people use firewood to cook. As such, there are not many mature trees in the village. Like any good environment club, the 2012 environment club wanted to plant more trees in the village.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBodcXoK1-E/UIkj78ItrNI/AAAAAAAAAs8/dUpVtFyeyos/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CBodcXoK1-E/UIkj78ItrNI/AAAAAAAAAs8/dUpVtFyeyos/s400/IMG_2383.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mango tree acting as distribution centre where families and staff can pick up their baby mango trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They specifically wanted to plant mango trees. Who doesn't like mangoes? The kids will even eat the immature green fruit. It is a bit of an acquired taste, something like eating crab apples or raw rhubarb. After many months of waiting, we eventually got the money for 60 mango trees.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cv1y2TkHnMc/UIkmC2nqVaI/AAAAAAAAAtE/P0E36USN680/s1600/IMG_2390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cv1y2TkHnMc/UIkmC2nqVaI/AAAAAAAAAtE/P0E36USN680/s400/IMG_2390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Environment Club member in charge of making sure everyone got their trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We planted them on October 13, 2012. Every family house got 1 tree, staff house received trees and the club houses. The trees were all a grafted variety from a lovely fruit farm in Kabuga, Rwanda (just east of Kigali).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPjRY3gkPV0/UIkocIBoF3I/AAAAAAAAAtg/tGrCy5QTGpQ/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPjRY3gkPV0/UIkocIBoF3I/AAAAAAAAAtg/tGrCy5QTGpQ/s400/IMG_2399.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Environment Club planting a mango tree at the orange club house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-41127605721814183182012-10-16T00:55:00.000-07:002012-10-16T13:22:04.775-07:00A Visit to Akagera Park with the Environment Club<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfBQRl57D9Y/UHz7RN1x01I/AAAAAAAAAiI/m66A8wVU49g/s1600/DSC00590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfBQRl57D9Y/UHz7RN1x01I/AAAAAAAAAiI/m66A8wVU49g/s320/DSC00590.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing with the binoculars </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yesterday we had a lovely trip to Akagera Park with the Environment Club.<br />
<br />
We woke bright and early, got our picnic lunches from the kitchen and departed in 4 safari vehicles supplied by <a href="http://www.intoreexpeditions.com/">Intore Expeditions</a>. The safari vehicles were a surprise for the kids and they were very excited about them. There were many pictures taken with them beside the safari vehicle, pretending to drive, on the roof of the car. I can only imagine what their facebook pages are going to look like soon. :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCd_t8sgLy8/UHz658d-LqI/AAAAAAAAAiA/JuQlrfGHd7M/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCd_t8sgLy8/UHz658d-LqI/AAAAAAAAAiA/JuQlrfGHd7M/s320/IMG_2471.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guide giving the students an orientation of the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We arrived at the park and the guides there gave the students a great orientation about Akagera Park, about the other National Parks in Rwanda, how Rwandan Parks compare to other parks in East Africa, and what it is like being a guide. After that we hopped in the cars and went in search of animals.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kC22K0KJkk/UH0JJqvge6I/AAAAAAAAAkE/KoTBFDJ3uv8/s1600/P1050347+(copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kC22K0KJkk/UH0JJqvge6I/AAAAAAAAAkE/KoTBFDJ3uv8/s400/P1050347+(copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the search for animals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We a saw impala, topi, waterbuck, zebras, buffalo, many different kinds of birds, turtles, hippopotamus, giraffes and elephants!! I think the elephants were the highlight of the trip because they are difficult to find in Akagera Park and they are so majestic. That being said, the students were excited about all the animals. If you have spent anytime in Rwanda, you might of noticed that Rwandans make alot of different sounds to convey emotional states- especially surprise, awe, and happiness. It was the soundtrack of the day yesterday.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOJHq241Tj8/UH0AtfIHrJI/AAAAAAAAAjA/uyctRnwAzk4/s1600/DSC00452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOJHq241Tj8/UH0AtfIHrJI/AAAAAAAAAjA/uyctRnwAzk4/s400/DSC00452.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Y_PinaIg-Y/UH0BSqdkvzI/AAAAAAAAAjI/OBo3YKn7mTY/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Y_PinaIg-Y/UH0BSqdkvzI/AAAAAAAAAjI/OBo3YKn7mTY/s640/IMG_2519.JPG" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffalo and turtles in the muddy ponds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTEhSLgrQFY/UH0AW4w0K4I/AAAAAAAAAi4/CfKd6rfdTvI/s1600/P1050480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTEhSLgrQFY/UH0AW4w0K4I/AAAAAAAAAi4/CfKd6rfdTvI/s640/P1050480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hippos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0jguDGtQn4/UHz79pt1WII/AAAAAAAAAiY/02Zk4ahsUY8/s1600/P1050449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0jguDGtQn4/UHz79pt1WII/AAAAAAAAAiY/02Zk4ahsUY8/s400/P1050449.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impala</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZscbJmYK23k/UH0DLXYkK8I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/osZdhnBTT2g/s1600/IMG_2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZscbJmYK23k/UH0DLXYkK8I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/osZdhnBTT2g/s640/IMG_2521.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yaQ2N_NtJg/UH0DbEFv-vI/AAAAAAAAAjY/rQjI-szPsWM/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yaQ2N_NtJg/UH0DbEFv-vI/AAAAAAAAAjY/rQjI-szPsWM/s640/IMG_2533.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giraffes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEG4x3s6Mjw/UH0E0z43mVI/AAAAAAAAAjs/jOXggtd2250/s1600/P1050453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEG4x3s6Mjw/UH0E0z43mVI/AAAAAAAAAjs/jOXggtd2250/s400/P1050453.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilac-breasted Roller (<i>Coracias caudata</i>)- I think. Second opionon?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGcS9x6KbeM/UH0EkZoB7dI/AAAAAAAAAjg/bWbIKVbNhfA/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGcS9x6KbeM/UH0EkZoB7dI/AAAAAAAAAjg/bWbIKVbNhfA/s640/IMG_2587.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebras</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2J81Gd_jdo/UH0Nkhc72DI/AAAAAAAAAkU/We_lK1G9SPA/s1600/DSC00510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2J81Gd_jdo/UH0Nkhc72DI/AAAAAAAAAkU/We_lK1G9SPA/s400/DSC00510.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious packed lunch from Chez Hilam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ud6suEsxyo/UH0N1WZFcxI/AAAAAAAAAkc/2nl09NlkCuQ/s1600/DSC00527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ud6suEsxyo/UH0N1WZFcxI/AAAAAAAAAkc/2nl09NlkCuQ/s640/DSC00527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful lunch spot. We could even see an elephant and some hippos grazing near the lake with the binoculars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I think the pictures say the most about how fabulous the day was. Thank you to everyone helped out to raise funds for this trip. It was truly AMAZING! Thank you also to Shelley and Paul and everyone at <a href="http://www.intoreexpeditions.com/">Intore Expeditions</a> for supporting this trip not only financially, but with encouragement and organization. The drivers were fantastic- teaching the students about the different types of habitats and animals in Akagera. For example, it is the rainy season right now, and our driver Andrew, explained that the topi and buffalo have their babies at this time of the year when the food is abundant so they have a better chance of survival.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sUZmHhugg0/UHz7sTB938I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/0BfS72KnhxA/s1600/DSC00371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sUZmHhugg0/UHz7sTB938I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/0BfS72KnhxA/s400/DSC00371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topi with their babies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pdYcxus4eCg/UH0LYIM1AbI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Bry3ZcNRhus/s1600/IMG_2497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pdYcxus4eCg/UH0LYIM1AbI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Bry3ZcNRhus/s640/IMG_2497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you from the Environment Club!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Thanks so much!!!</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-68409968811649007452012-09-29T12:10:00.000-07:002012-09-30T01:06:51.334-07:00Send the Environment Club to Akagera!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-D7K5zMRss/UGcNrBGQ3LI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Vad3Q4bRoRM/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-D7K5zMRss/UGcNrBGQ3LI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Vad3Q4bRoRM/s320/IMG_1095.JPG" width="240" /></a>This year it has been my great privilege to work with the Environment Club. There are 18 members of the club and they are all wonderful kids! I want them to have the opportunity to go to Akagera in this last school term- and I want you to help me do it!<br />
<br />
<b>Clubs at ASYV</b><br />
There are many different clubs in the village- technical club, newspaper club, sports club, IT club, language club.... etc. The clubs are responsible for organizing different events in the village, education and suggesting ways to deal with problems in the village.<br />
<br />
<b>Environment Club Missions 2012</b><br />
<br />
The students in the Environment Club decided on the following four main missions for 2012<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Maintain the Environment at ASYV
from pollution, bad air quality, erosion and other environmental
risks.</li>
<li>To increase the products of ASYV
such as fruit, flowers, medicine and timber.</li>
<li>Educate about the importance of
the environment.</li>
<li>To protect and steward the Nature Park.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bSDu-Jui7HE/UGcSjmVN_lI/AAAAAAAAAcU/WOPjrSQ_OA8/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bSDu-Jui7HE/UGcSjmVN_lI/AAAAAAAAAcU/WOPjrSQ_OA8/s400/IMG_1096.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse into the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Rwandan Youth and the Environment</b><br />
<br />
We have had a wonderful year of work. The Environment Club is made up of the two youngest grades with a couple of the older students to help. In the first term I focused on educating the kids about what the environment is and why it is important. The older students already had a grasp on some environmental issues because of their exposure at ASYV but the younger students for the most part had never though about it. The kids at this school are selected because they are vulnerable orphans. For most of their lives they have struggled to go to school, to get enough to eat, to have a safe place to stay. So it is understandable that they have never thought about ecology, about climate change, about garbage, about clean water, clean air, about the role of living systems in their lives. That being said- I am sure that environmental issues have touched their lives in: access to clean water, erosion causing crop loss and thus a lack of food, to having to walk a long way to collect firewood because of deforestation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TEpyospTWI/UGcec6miWZI/AAAAAAAAAdI/9BJFzSincQQ/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TEpyospTWI/UGcec6miWZI/AAAAAAAAAdI/9BJFzSincQQ/s400/IMG_1003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maintaining the walking trail around the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Education about Environmental Stewardship in the Village</b><br />
In second term the environment club started to educate the other students about the environment. Specifically they were teaching their brothers and sisters how to take care of their gardens and to avoid throwing garbage everywhere. Garbage is an issue everywhere in the world. What to do with it? Where does it go? This is the same in Rwanda- with one twist. In Canada we have anti-littering laws and education about littering. In Rwanda there is no such thing. When somebody opens a packaged item- gum, cookies, juice- they immediately just let the wrapper drop to the ground. The number of times I have seen garbage thrown out a car or bus window is appalling. Most people do it, not just the kids. The only saving grace for Rwanda is that they have banned plastic bags (so one less thing to litter), and they clean all the time. In other countries in East Africa the roads are lined with garbage. At ASYV, the Environment Club is making a concious effort to education their peers and staff members about littering and trying to keep the village clean.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sAEq5mByA4/UGclsGtr_OI/AAAAAAAAAeA/3bQY2k5smiI/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sAEq5mByA4/UGclsGtr_OI/AAAAAAAAAeA/3bQY2k5smiI/s400/IMG_0069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting area under the shade of an acacia tree and an <i>Entada abyssinica</i> tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Walking the Talk with the Environment Club</b><br />
In the third term we are going to plant mango trees at all the family and staff houses. This initiative is to increase the products of ASYV, educate students and staff about planting trees as well as improving the environment of the village.<br />
<br />
<b>The Environment Club as Stewards of the Nature Park</b><br />
<br />
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
The Nature Park in the Village has been a big part of the work of the Environment Club in 2012. (Please see <a href="http://gardenloveaffairinrwanda.blogspot.com/2012/09/history-of-agahozo-shalom-nature-park.html">this post</a> for the history, mission, and goals of the Nature Park.) In brief, the Nature Park is a lovely sanctuary for plants, trees, birds, insects and other critters on the hill above the school. It is a place of learning, a place of relaxation, a place to connect with nature. </div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<br /></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhX6tCqh67o/UGcjXry7TYI/AAAAAAAAAdo/aWBRyb3TZls/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhX6tCqh67o/UGcjXry7TYI/AAAAAAAAAdo/aWBRyb3TZls/s320/IMG_0997.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Environment Club creating a new walking trail inside the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>2012 Vision</b><br />
This year in the Nature Park the goal was to add, improve and maintain last year's achievements. So far this year, the Environment Club has:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> made new signs to direct visitors and ASYV staff/students to the Nature Park</li>
<li>made a new walking trail, and start tree seeds to plant in the Nature Park</li>
<li>cleared lantana (invasive species)</li>
<li>planted a living fence around the Nature Park</li>
<li>guided visitors on nature tours of the park</li>
<li>researched trees and animals of the park to make interpretive signs</li>
</ul>
<div>
Currently there are two projects that are being completed in the Nature Park. One is to finish the interpretive signs for the park. The other is to make a meeting space using natural materials just outside the park. This meeting area is to encourage more students, staff and visitors to come to the Nature Park and teach a core team of students natural building skills along side with leadership, teamwork, and responsibility.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5K8UKpMaUk/UGcn8wEGtWI/AAAAAAAAAes/O7WQIDoJ2rE/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5K8UKpMaUk/UGcn8wEGtWI/AAAAAAAAAes/O7WQIDoJ2rE/s640/IMG_2171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural Building in progress during Saturday Service</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<b>A Field trip to Akagera</b></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
At the beginning of the year the Environment Club suggested to do a trip to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akagera_National_Park">Akagera Park</a>. Akagera Park is a 1200 km2 park that protects lakes, wetlands woodlands and savannah and many animals in eastern Rwanda. Due to budget constraints, the trip was cancelled. The Village has given me permission to fundraise for this trip directly to make it happen.</div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT_PoWORKGQ/UGcmWyTlNHI/AAAAAAAAAeU/P9GvMbc3sws/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT_PoWORKGQ/UGcmWyTlNHI/AAAAAAAAAeU/P9GvMbc3sws/s400/IMG_1875.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting trees for a living fence around the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<br /></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<b><i>Why?</i></b></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
The environment club is one of the hardest working clubs at ASYV. Most of these kids have never seen a hippo, a zebra, a monkey, a giraffe or even antelope before. These students have the potential to become guides, rangers, biologist and advocates of the environment in the future. </div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4isiAEdI8YQ/UGcnjt99sPI/AAAAAAAAAek/R4BXlB5izg8/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4isiAEdI8YQ/UGcnjt99sPI/AAAAAAAAAek/R4BXlB5izg8/s400/IMG_1833.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting trees for a living fence around the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<br /></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
" <i>You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their own. That they must protect them.</i>" Wangari Maathai<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<b>Give these students the opportunity to see what a rich diversity of flora and fauna Rwanda has. Give them the opportunity to understand that the parks , the air, the water, the forests of Rwanda are their own to protect.</b></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
The students can go to Akagera Park if I can raise <b>$500 by October 8, 2012</b>. This will allow 18 students to go to the park in two mini buses.</div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<br /></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
If I can raise $<b>800 by October 8, 2012</b>, then this will allow us to go in 4 safari vehicles provided by <a href="http://www.intoreexpeditions.com/">Intore Expeditions</a>.</div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<br /></div>
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7-----
" />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donate_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />
</form>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
A special Thanks to Intore Expeditions who has graciously agreed to donate half the transport costs!</div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<br /></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDVzKBjthqA/UGcnI3g46fI/AAAAAAAAAec/ReOdEsrOV28/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDVzKBjthqA/UGcnI3g46fI/AAAAAAAAAec/ReOdEsrOV28/s400/IMG_1835.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree planting in the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<b>
</b></div>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-37262065852328831012012-09-29T11:12:00.000-07:002012-09-29T11:12:37.028-07:00History of the Agahozo Shalom Nature Park <b><i>Thank you to <a href="http://rwandaonthewing.blogspot.com/">Jared Cole</a>, one of the 2011 long term volunteers (cousins), for the most of the information, vision, goals and history of the Nature Park. He was important in starting the Nature Park initiative along with many staff and students at ASYV.</i></b><br />
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<b>
</b></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<b>The History Nature Park</b></div>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
The ASYV Nature Park was formed in 2011 by over 300 ASYV students and staff. All 24 families helped to make the park trail, remove lantanta, and/or plant trees over the course of May-October 2011 during Saturday Service events. The Nature Park is 1.72 hectares (4.26 acres) and is 1558 to 1597 meters above sea level. There are over 72 established native and fruit trees in the park, not included those planted in 2011-2012. Around 90 species of birds have been observed in the Park as well as toads, skinks, striped mouse species, bats, mongoose and different types of insects.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeQBluMWtDs/UGcdTmRCtSI/AAAAAAAAAdA/r4mGPMZOjFo/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeQBluMWtDs/UGcdTmRCtSI/AAAAAAAAAdA/r4mGPMZOjFo/s640/IMG_0843.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail head sign at the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Park Goals</b><br />
<ol>
<li>To provide a space for the Environment Club to explore, enjoy and educate others about the environment.</li>
<li>To provide a space for students, staff, and volunteers to relax and enjoy the outdoors.</li>
<li>To provide a training opportunity for skills in forestry, wildlife management, ecotourism, park management, and other fields.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b>Ecological Vision for the Park</b></div>
In 10-20 years, the Nature Park should be mature enough so that cavity/tree nesting birds such as hornbills, woodpeckers, turacos, barbets, parrots will return to this area, to live in the Nature Park. Not only would the local biodiversity benefit, but these are iconic birds that people tend to enjoy. These species are also good indicators of ecosystem health. Their habitat is dominated by trees and these trees provide fruit and shade to people. In order to accomplish this the park needs native trees similar to other remaining native forest areas, i.e. Akagera National Park Hills, Kibungo Valley and lower areas of Nyungwe. These native trees need to be planted and they need to be protected so they grow to maturity.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zY1eIK1CJCY/UGcgqbwz66I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ZILqMuPHDv0/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zY1eIK1CJCY/UGcgqbwz66I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ZILqMuPHDv0/s400/IMG_0835.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small Acacia tree growing. In several years this will provide a nice shady spot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Social Vision for the Park</b><br />
To get people involved. If people enjoy the park, they will keep it .The park has many opportunities for learning (formally and informally), enjoying (art, relaxation, walks, eating fruits) and doing Saturday service (clearing trail, removing lantana, caring for the trees).<br />
<br />
" <i>You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their own. That they must protect them.</i>" Wangari Maathai<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_UhU6Lt3VA/UGca5TXOo_I/AAAAAAAAAco/BDaVD5yrfZI/s1600/IMG_1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_UhU6Lt3VA/UGca5TXOo_I/AAAAAAAAAco/BDaVD5yrfZI/s320/IMG_1768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Park To Do</b> (during Saturday Service or other times)<br />
<ul>
<li>maintain trail so to prevent the park from being cultivated or grazed. Unfortunately the fence was stolen in 2012 but a living fence was planted in September 2012.</li>
<li>Maintain native trees and fruit trees (and plant more where necessary)</li>
<li>Remove lantana</li>
<li>Make park accessible to people (sign, benches, trails). Get people in it (to enjoy and help keep it as a community resource)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_X7S5_EFQxo/UGcjaTr-5gI/AAAAAAAAAdw/PpQFsEkif3Q/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_X7S5_EFQxo/UGcjaTr-5gI/AAAAAAAAAdw/PpQFsEkif3Q/s400/IMG_0848.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>2012 Vision</b><br />
This year in the Nature Park the goal was to add, improve and maintain last year's achievements. So far this year, the Environment Club with the help of 16 families have:<br />
<ul>
<li>made new signs to direct visitors and ASYV staff/students to the Nature Park</li>
<li>made a new walking trail, and start tree seeds to plant in the Nature Park</li>
<li>cleared lantana (invasive species)</li>
<li>planted a living fence around the Nature Park</li>
<li>guided visitors on nature tours of the park</li>
<li>researched trees and animals of the park to make interpretive signs</li>
</ul>
<div>
Currently there are two projects that are being completed in the Nature Park. One is to finish some interpretive signs for the park. The other is to make a Natural Building meeting space just outside the park. This meeting area is to encourage more students, staff and visitors to come to the Nature Park and teach a core team of students natural building skills along side with leadership, teamwork and responsibility.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAVsiW2L_KQ/UGcl0dgH5II/AAAAAAAAAeI/3D76sxGmMxE/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAVsiW2L_KQ/UGcl0dgH5II/AAAAAAAAAeI/3D76sxGmMxE/s400/IMG_2151.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing bags filled with soil. One of the natural<br />building techniques we are using is called rammed earth or<br />earth bag construction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_oY2Z0WDlZM/UGck4l861HI/AAAAAAAAAd4/NyxMERAgWFU/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_oY2Z0WDlZM/UGck4l861HI/AAAAAAAAAd4/NyxMERAgWFU/s400/IMG_2128.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing cement to hold the poles for the building secure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-17472015329856422622012-09-16T13:38:00.000-07:002012-09-16T13:38:31.379-07:00It's a Jolly Holiday.... Here are the highlights from the 2nd vacation!<br />
<br />
My parent's came to visit the village and we went together to see the gorrillas in Rwanda and also to Zanzibar.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GNdUsGrBQg/UFYlJfSdlVI/AAAAAAAAAao/E0pQ6lzR6NY/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GNdUsGrBQg/UFYlJfSdlVI/AAAAAAAAAao/E0pQ6lzR6NY/s400/IMG_1618.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents after seeing the gorillas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Agahozo Shalom Youth Village, my Rwandan family was very happy to meet my parents! My parents generously helped with my 'save the trees project'- which was to transplant all the viable tree seedlings from the nursery at the school to the nursery at the farm. The school nursery was dry for about a month before my parents got there and the trees were looking very sad. Some had even reached the permanent wilting point (ie dead). I'm working on a rain water catchment plan for the growing space up there so we will no longer be at the whim of the municipal water.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSGZvygLTss/UFY0r3GF63I/AAAAAAAAAbg/IV71rZ-TQEk/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSGZvygLTss/UFY0r3GF63I/AAAAAAAAAbg/IV71rZ-TQEk/s400/IMG_1766.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree nursery of acacia, eucalyptus, calliandra, greveilla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After very nicely helping me with my random projects around the village and getting acquainted with village life... we left for vacation!<br />
<br />
First to the misty, cold(er) volcanoes of NW Rwanda. Home of the mountain gorillas.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WUuBy6qpthI/UFYjm-tGR0I/AAAAAAAAAag/7kN6AnnEMcY/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WUuBy6qpthI/UFYjm-tGR0I/AAAAAAAAAag/7kN6AnnEMcY/s640/IMG_1460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silverback contemplating life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then from there to Zanzibar. Spice and beautiful beach isle! wow! It was so nice to swim in the ocean and to eat food with spices. My parents left us in Zanzibar and we continued on our way overland (and a ferry) back to Rwanda.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzNILAKfeBc/UFYnAQP4hPI/AAAAAAAAAaw/ASktKEyONmk/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzNILAKfeBc/UFYnAQP4hPI/AAAAAAAAAaw/ASktKEyONmk/s640/IMG_1620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spices, white sandy beaches, clear ocean!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Most of our time was spent on buses but we did make one side trip to the Udzungwa Mountains. We saw Mangabeys which are an endemic species of monkey from these parts. We also met a biologist studying the shy, small, furry forest elephants. It was a beautiful place to visit, and the streams were clear! No mud water all thanks to the remaining forest cover on the Udzungwa Mountains.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fD5pU9-3nyM/UFYrmt9_-KI/AAAAAAAAAbE/8kRXf5aVjTc/s1600/IMG_1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fD5pU9-3nyM/UFYrmt9_-KI/AAAAAAAAAbE/8kRXf5aVjTc/s400/IMG_1682.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Udzungwa Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The rest of Tanzania was kind of meh. We didn't do the northern safari circuit, maybe next time. Although many people live on less than 1$ a day here, these are not the same people that go on safaris, or go to visit National Parks. My Canadian sensibilities are insulted by exorbitant park fees, required guides, porters and all the ring-ga-ma-roll around visiting East African Parks. But hey, this isn't Canada, where camping and hiking is cheap. I can't even imagine how much money goes into people climbing Kilimanjaro every year. Where does this money go? Back to the park? To the people? I don't know. <br />
<br />
The train should definitely be avoided. You only take it twice: your first and last time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGkWX7OOo-Y/UFYpNQKglNI/AAAAAAAAAa8/bvxg7jb0QHk/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGkWX7OOo-Y/UFYpNQKglNI/AAAAAAAAAa8/bvxg7jb0QHk/s640/IMG_1624.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The streets of Stone Town, Zanzibar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I know that some people love Tanzania, but compared to Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya- the people were not helpful, wanted to rip you off most of the time, and were aggressive. I was so happy to get back to Rwanda where people are nice, more honest and cleaner than Tanzania. I wonder if this is cultural or if there is also a difference because of the emphasis on lowering corruption in Rwanda. Tanzania gets many more tourists than Rwanda, but I'm not sure how much of the population actually benefits.<br />
<br />
The rest of the time we spent at the village. When we got back, they were just finishing off a theatre project with the <a href="http://www.itlp.org/">International Theatre and Literacy Project</a>. The theatre piece that they made was amazing! (see last blog for photos).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vyJC-tCrOY/UFYt2G3UGZI/AAAAAAAAAbM/g_5oe5fzjB0/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vyJC-tCrOY/UFYt2G3UGZI/AAAAAAAAAbM/g_5oe5fzjB0/s400/IMG_1723.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the village lived happily ever after...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had a month of quiet (kind of in an eerie way), no water -except from the rain tanks, fast internet (well fast for the village) and different projects. Jack installed a solar shower with some help. Basically he put a black piece of pipe on the roof which gets hot in the sun. (Think of a garden hose on a hot day). Our house keeps getting better and better, garden, mud oven and now solar shower!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Syt6BGKlW-o/UFY1sPYAkSI/AAAAAAAAAbs/cQfDp086VxE/s1600/IMG_1752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Syt6BGKlW-o/UFY1sPYAkSI/AAAAAAAAAbs/cQfDp086VxE/s400/IMG_1752.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun showers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-47637300893627697982012-08-07T10:53:00.000-07:002012-08-07T10:53:24.719-07:00Genunine Progress MeasuresI was inspired to write this after reading this <a href="http://elizabethmaymp.ca/news/publications/island-tides/2012/06/28/as-parliament-rises-for-the-summer-2/">blog</a> by my Member of Parliment, Elizabeth May. Elizabeth May is the leader of the Green Party of Canada and the first Green Party candidate to be elected in North America. She is also the best MP I have ever had. She is the role model of what every democratically elected MP should be.<br />
<br />
Here blogs and tweets are informative. Her emphasis on democracy, free speech, integrity and cooperation are commendable. She represents the Canada I want to live in. <br />
<br />
Her blog was about the <a href="http://elizabethmaymp.ca/parliament/private-members-bills/2012/06/19/canada-genuine-progress-measurement-act-bill-c-436/">Genunine Progress Act</a>, which is a way to measure quality of life instead of basing all our political decisions on GDP. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5O3S5oAvkq4/UCFFpB6-h6I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/nY-k5Y7kN-s/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5O3S5oAvkq4/UCFFpB6-h6I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/nY-k5Y7kN-s/s400/IMG_1417.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Intore Dancers at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
She quotes the late
Senator Robert Kennedy, who said just weeks before his death in 1968:<br />
<br />
<i>“Too much and too long, we have surrendered community excellence and
community values in the mere accumulation of material things….The (GDP)
counts air pollution and cigarette advertising and ambulances to clear
our highways of carnage. Yet the gross national product does not allow
for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the
joy of their play. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither
our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to
our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes
life worthwhile.”</i><i> </i><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i> </i></div>
How does this factor into Rwanda? So often the speech in 'third world African countries' is about development. Africa needs development - in order to....what? Feed it's people? have democratically held elections? provide clean drinking water? supply commodities to developed nations? provide a market for consumer goods?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uT_3NV4HAI/UCFGd1D-3SI/AAAAAAAAAZY/SoqZ7bzi4us/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uT_3NV4HAI/UCFGd1D-3SI/AAAAAAAAAZY/SoqZ7bzi4us/s400/IMG_1420.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agricultural land just below Volcanoes National Park. The potato basket of Rwanda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Never mind that Africa is a continent, not a country. Africa has <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html">more than one story</a>. <br />
<br />
And what does it mean to be third world? Is it as simple as taking GDP of a country as the indicator for the health of a country? Are the people actually poorer in the qualities that makes life worthwhile?<br />
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
What do you see in the small children in dirty, ripped clothing playing on the road? What do you see in man who pushes a bike full of pineapples 15km to the market? What do you see in two old woman resting in the shade of an acacia tree while they wait for a bus?<i> </i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<br />
Do you see only poverty... or can you also see the wit, courage, wisdom, learning, compassion, devotion... can you see that which makes life worthwhile?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
I think Peter Godwin illustrates this perspective clearly in his book '<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/18/books/18book.html?pagewanted=all">When the crocodile eats the sun</a>' about his birth country Zimbabwe. <br />
<br />
"<i>The cause of the cicadas' silence crests the path into sight; a ragged crocodile of small black children jogging back from school. Joanna takes in their threadbare khaki uniforms and the striped jute book bags bouncing on bony shoulders, and I can see how it must look to her. Even when they whoop and wave and flash bright-toothed smiles as they pass by, she sees ill-fitting, hand-me-down clothes and scuffed shoes or the bare feet of kids who walk miles to and from school each day and go home to thatched huts without indoor plumbing or electricity. But what I see are functioning schools: pens and paper and a near-universal education producing Africa's most literate population. She compares up, to the First World, where privileges are treated as rights. I compare down, to the apocalyptic Africa that presses in around us, where rights are only for the privileged.</i>"</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dprBdxDvt-k/UCFKA0PDKAI/AAAAAAAAAZs/EE7ODYzLWew/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dprBdxDvt-k/UCFKA0PDKAI/AAAAAAAAAZs/EE7ODYzLWew/s400/IMG_1700.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One side of the feuding families (asyv theater)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is true that there are many problems related to poverty in Rwanda. The fact that I am volunteering at a youth village for vulnerable orphaned youth is testimony to this. There are problems with access to clean water, to schooling, to food, to health care, to housing. Sometimes the stories I hear from the staff, the students, the farm workers, and villagers break my heart. But there are also these problems in Canada and any other country in the world. Perhaps the scale is just different.<br />
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
But back to the original topic. GDP was developed to measure basic flows in the economy. (Next two quotes taken from The Pardee Papers, No. 4. Jan 2009, <a href="http://www.bu.edu/pardee/pardee-paper-004-beyond-gdp/">Beyond GDP: The Need for New Measures of Progress</a>)
<br />
<br />"<i>The US Bureau of Economic Analysis’ description of GDP states the purpose of measuring GDP is to answer questions such as “how fast is the economy growing,” “what is the pattern of spending on goods and services,” “what percent of the increase in production is due to inflation,” and “how much of the income produced is being used for consumption as opposed to investment or savings” (McCulla and Smith 2007)</i>. "<br />
<br /> GDP was not meant to be an indicator for National Progress nor of well-being, but it is now used to compare quality of life in different countries. More frightening is that: "<i>Internationally, changes in a country’s GDP are used by both the IMF and the World Bank to guide policies and determine how and which projects are funded around the world</i>."<br />
<br />
There is at least one country that has refused to be pigeon-holed by its GDP. Bhutan measures its progress in not just economic growth, but
also <a href="http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/articles/">Gross National Happiness. </a><br />
<br />
"<i>The concept (of GNH) implies that sustainable development should take a holistic
approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to
non-economic aspects of wellbeing.... The nine domains are: psychological wellbeing, health, education, time
use, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community
vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, and living standards."</i><br />
<br />
And wouldn't you be better off if your MP, your government were making policy decisions based on a wider range of indicators than just how much money you were making and how much you were consuming? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j299_XHmJiM/UCFKhO_CGoI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/a6ctnfNkhIU/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j299_XHmJiM/UCFKhO_CGoI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/a6ctnfNkhIU/s640/IMG_1706.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing at the King's feast (asyv theater)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Many Rwandans struggle with poverty. Many Canadians struggle with poverty. Some Rwandans are very rich. Some Canadians are also very rich. We are the same and different. But one difference that strikes me is the access to education. While most Canadians attend good public schools up to grade 12, Rwandans have only to grade 9 and then they have to pay to go to high school. In addition, while I believe Canadian schools and teachers could have more funding, we are very well funded and developed compared to Rwanda. The textbooks, the student-teacher ratio, the level of teaching and extra-curriculars are far different in Canada than in Rwanda. Where as highschool is a right in Canada, it is a privileged in Rwanda.<br />
<i> </i><br />
Rwanda will progress as a country but not necessarily through the penny counting of IMF loans, but through the resiliency and the cooperation of its people. The GDP doesn't measure 18 years of continual work towards peace and reconciliation in this country. It doesn't measure how Rwandans are trying to move forward to make some things right after the tragedy of the genocide.<br />
<i><br /></i>
The other day, the enrichment year students did a performance after a two week workshop led by the <a href="http://www.itlp.org/">International Theater and Literacy Project</a>. The play was amazing (of course, but I am partial to these kids). It was about reconciliation and peace. Four of the characters in the play were orphans. They were actually the heroes of the story because by working together, they brought back peace and restored order in the village that had been feuding. They came together and although they were scared, and didn't think they could do it, one of them said something along these lines '<i>we are orphans but we are rich in mind</i>.<i> Together, we have the strength to do this</i>.'<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNQQ0s04m8E/UCFK9PPfS4I/AAAAAAAAAaA/VNwIu_SzSzM/s1600/IMG_1716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNQQ0s04m8E/UCFK9PPfS4I/AAAAAAAAAaA/VNwIu_SzSzM/s640/IMG_1716.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the orphans coming together to save the day (asyv theater) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-88113680558028089372012-06-06T04:41:00.000-07:002012-06-06T04:41:14.102-07:00World Environment DayYesterday was <a href="http://www.unep.org/wed/theme/">World Environment Day</a>. Every year the UN Environmental Programme chooses a new theme. This year the topic is ' The Green Economy, Does it Include You?'.<br />
<br />
Tuesday night is my time to program family time* so naturally, I thought to talk about the Environment on World Environment Day. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Family time happens 5 times a week for the Enrichment
year students, usually from 9-10pm. Usually they hear announcements,
talk about their days, their challenges, tell stories, talk about the
core values, or other topics like how to avoid getting pregnant, HIV
etc. On my night I usually bring a song to learn or a game because
otherwise half of them sleep. (and who would blame them... they are up
at 6 am and don't go to bed until after family time, and they are
teenagers.</span>) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-moA_iivleBI/T88mzjQa83I/AAAAAAAAAYU/3luYwcJq5Fg/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-moA_iivleBI/T88mzjQa83I/AAAAAAAAAYU/3luYwcJq5Fg/s320/IMG_0994.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Environment Club clear a new walking trail in the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
First we talked about 'what is the Environment?'. Why is the Environment important? What are the major problems facing the Environment? Now, with the exception of of one of the girls in the ASYV Environment Club, I'm not sure if many of the girls had ever thought about forests, clean water, clean air, soil health, pollution, climate change in that way before. (or had even heard of those terms before) Many of them knew about erosion (likely because this is the land of many hills, and many, many farms), and many knew that we needed oxygen to breathe.<br />
<br />
Sometimes in discussions with the Enrichment year kids, it is difficult to know if they are actually ignorant of a subject, the subject is outside their personal experience, or if they are lacking English vocabulary for the new subject matter. It may be a bit a combination of all of the above. <br />
<br />
For example, in school they have been doing sketches (skits, or theatrical performances) that they have written and performed. Most of them are about orphans, teen pregnancy, HIV and sugar daddies. Now, these are complicated subjects, but subjects that they have experienced (maybe not personally, but very closely), and have learned the English vocabulary for their sketches. The performances are very good and you can see they they understand the topic very well. Afterwards, there there are always questions for the performers. Here, although they seem to understand the questions, their ability to articulate their opinions in a coherent manner (outside the practiced lines of the sketch) are a bit more difficult. The answers end up sounding simplistic, even though you have just seen them perform a complex sketch. But slowly, slowly... the language will come, the ability to put their thoughts into words will come.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XcooOLTjE_w/T881GHJNIYI/AAAAAAAAAYk/IEYPNg4k4TA/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XcooOLTjE_w/T881GHJNIYI/AAAAAAAAAYk/IEYPNg4k4TA/s320/IMG_0801.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shady bench sitting area in the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, back to family time. I guess I am saying that it is not surprising that we did not have a riveting discussion in English about the Environment for many reasons. Which is why I brought in some videos clips to help me explain.<br />
<br />
Before they can understand the Green Economy, I wanted them to
understand the business model where 'the Environment is your enemy'. In
order to gain, you must destroy. This is the mentality with many
extraction industries.<br />
<br />
First I showed some clips from <a href="http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/Sections/The_Film/Manufactured_Landscapes.html">Manufactured Landscapes.</a> This movie is about the work of <a href="http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/">Edward Burtynsky</a>, a famous Canadian landscape photographer. He doesn't take pictures of what inspired the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_of_Seven_%28artists%29">Group of Seven</a>, but of large scale industrial landscapes. <br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1573904500"><br /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/Sections/The_Film/Manufactured_Landscapes.html">Manufactured Landscapes</a> is mostly about the large industrial manufacturing industries in China. What Edward Burtynsky is so gifted at capturing is the scale of these processes. It will blow your mind.<br />
<br />
So I showed them some clips from the <a href="http://www.basel.int/">e-waste</a> part of the movie. Over 50% of the world's e-waste goes to China, where it gets smashed and scavenged for metals that can be melted together to be sold again. The only problem is that there are many toxic substances in the computers that are released in the process of breaking them apart to get at these metals. In the movie, in one town, the toxins had run into the local aquifer so that they could no longer drink the water, and it had to be trucked in.<br />
<br />
This also points out that Environmental problems are not just issues of middle class Americans, Canadians, Europeans that drive hybrid cars, carry a to-go cup, wear birkenstocks and wax poetically about hiking and eating organically. As with many things in the capitalist system, the Environmental and social impact of business does not get accounted for in the price of an item. The problem is that because these costs don't show up in the price tag, the costs get socialized, and usually the are felt by the poorest people. Hence, when you are using you smart phone, you get to benefit of updating your twitter account on the fly, while indentured laborers s<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/dec/25/congo-coltan">lave away in the Congo for the Coltan.</a> When you buy a new computer and get rid of the old one, you are not the one who's water, soil and body gets poisoned by the e-waste, it is the poor people of China. When you <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2006/05/no-bar-code">buy</a> those non organic grapes from Chile, you may ingest some chemical residues, but the majority will be felt by poor farmers applying them and killing their soil. While the oil companies make money off the tar sands, it is the Aboriginal people of Canada that feel the effect because they can no longer <a href="http://digitaljournal.com/article/301291">drink the water</a> or <a href="http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/09/17/AthabascaDeformedFish/">fish</a> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/10/15/f-david-schindler.html">in</a> the Athabasca river.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pv0H8_AJ5oM/T885io8EIbI/AAAAAAAAAYw/5v9EFswWh64/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pv0H8_AJ5oM/T885io8EIbI/AAAAAAAAAYw/5v9EFswWh64/s400/IMG_0834.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Tulip tree planted last year in the Nature Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then I showed them clips from <a href="http://takingrootfilm.com/">Taking Root</a>, a movie about <a href="http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/wangari-maathai">Wangari Maathai</a>. The beginning of this movie illustrates the effects of how population increases and cultural changes towards the Environment were some of the causes of deforestation, desertification, erosion, loss of clean drinking water in Kenya. This in particular, impacted (and still impacts) poor women because they generally fetch water and wood for cooking and had to go further and further to get it. This is why Wangari Maathai started the <a href="http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/who-we-are">Green Belt Movement</a>, a movement to teach women to plant trees to reduce and reverse the social and Environmental impacts of deforestation.<br />
<br />
This film I used because the images are close to their lives, their experiences, than say, a tribe in the Amazon rain forest. Also it shows that Environmental destruction goes hand in hand with social effects. It also shows a different model, maybe part of the Green Economy, where people are working with the environment, instead of against it to make their living.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk66Xi0TPGY/T88-7EO81OI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ZOs0tLTyLZY/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk66Xi0TPGY/T88-7EO81OI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ZOs0tLTyLZY/s400/IMG_0807.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aloe in the Nautre Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The last thing I showed them was the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBfUvKCIwwQ&feature=related">Earth Song clip</a> from Michael Jackson's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson%27s_This_Is_It">This Is It movie</a>. Although it is cheesy, the footage and song have very simple messages to understand. Furthermore, Environmentalists get a bad rap for being downers all the time, so I wanted to end on something a little more up beat. In addition, as these kids are teenagers, and worship what is cool, can sing every pop song on the radio, I thought I wouldn't hurt to cash in on MJ's famous pop star status to sell my Environmental message ( I mean, it is his message too, at least in that song). MJ says in the film "<i>The time has come, this is it. People always say, they'll take care of it, the government will... they will.... they who? it starts with us, it's us. Or it will never be done</i>."<br />
<br />
At the end, I asked if anyone had any questions or comments. I'm not sure how much of any of it they had understood or absorbed... but sometimes they surprise you. One of my girls, who is also in the Environment Club asked: "<i>If people in America and Europe know that these industries cause pollution. Why do they still build them?</i>"<br />
<br />
Good question indeed... Why? The simple answer is greed and myopic decision making. Maybe the Green Economy will become the new model....one where as Wangari Mathai says 'we are not digging our own grave'. The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as:<br />
<br />
"one that results in <strong>improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities</strong>. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is <strong>low carbon</strong>, <strong>resource efficient</strong> and <strong>socially inclusive</strong>."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-5396123428311287612012-06-03T03:59:00.001-07:002012-06-03T04:57:47.793-07:00Gender in RwandaThere are differences between girls and boys. I'll give you that. There are differences between people who like girls, people who like boys and people who like both sexes. But do those differences have to translate into discrimination and differences in self worth or importance?<br />
<br />
I don't claim to be a gender issue expert. I'm not, nor am I particularly steeped in the politics or philosophical issues surrounding gender. However, after being part of a women empowered, gender bending performance group for 5 years, I have picked up some sensitivities towards theses issues. It would be hard to not pick up on these issues if you lived in East Vancouver for any length of time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAfCPuZ1Y08/T8swp4iSGeI/AAAAAAAAAXs/1HXY_M5BWCU/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAfCPuZ1Y08/T8swp4iSGeI/AAAAAAAAAXs/1HXY_M5BWCU/s400/IMG_0104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Target for ASYV Science Centre Egg Drop Competition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Rwanda, it's different than Calgary, East Van, Cortes Island, Salt Spring Island, Kingston, Whistler, Pemberton, Portland, Seattle... In some ways for the better. For example, Rwandan people are extremely affectionate. Hand holding does not mean that you are boyfriend/girlfriend. Cuddling and hand holding happen between any gender here. You will see two grown men walking hand in hand or hugging each other on the streets here. In North America, I'm not sure if many teenage boys have any physical interactions with their friends besides beating each other up. This is partly due to the fact that being a teenager is awkward and you are always trying to be cool- and being a lone wolf in North America is somehow cool.<br />
<br />
The other part is gender issues. Most teenagers are sexually insecure and raging with hormones. In North American society where, except for some progressive schools, cities and communities, being gay is still not universally accepted. In Canada we have gay marriage, but in the USA there are many, many States in which being gay is very scary. Even in Canada, I'm sure there are places where being gay can be very scary. That is why affection between same sex friends is not generally shown.<br />
<br />
So what does this mean for Rwanda? Well, unfortunately it does not mean that Rwandans have accepted gays and lesbians. A Rwandan told me that the whole point of being a successful Rwandan is to get married and have kids. Being gay just is not an option. So hence why two girls or two boys holding hands is just being affectionate and friends. I'm not sure if anyone here even thinks of the possibility of different sexual orientations.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dyvax9GiQN8/T8sx__Rcf7I/AAAAAAAAAX4/Uhr2rIxpawM/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dyvax9GiQN8/T8sx__Rcf7I/AAAAAAAAAX4/Uhr2rIxpawM/s400/IMG_0115.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening the egg box...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In many ways, the empowerment of women (feminism) and the empowerment of gays/lesbians is the same fight. The fight to be free of gender roles, to be free to live and work in society with out judgment of discrimination because of their gender or sexual orientation. <br />
<br />
What about Rwandan women? First of all, in Rwanda mamas are very well respected. In the village, mama's word is the law. Rwanda is very hierarchical, so generally they respect their elders (in some ways Rwanda feels like is has a caste system with differences in wealth and social power). So whether the teenagers respect the mamas because they are their elders, or because they are amazing women, I'm not sure. <br />
<br />
On the other hand, boys perform better in almost all subjects and sports than girls at ASYV. I don't buy that boys are smarter than girls. So either ASYV needs to improve its ability to empower the girls*, or Rwandan girls are socialized to have different attitudes/motivation than boys, or maybe a bit both.<br />
<br />
*<span style="font-size: x-small;"> to be fair, ASYV takes in more girls than boys. Although all students at ASYV are vulnerable orphaned youth, girls can be in more vulnerable situations than boys because of their physical stature and the risk of forced sexual violence. In every grade there are 5 families of girls and 3 families of boys. </span><br />
<br />
For example, we have been trying to have the first girls football (soccer) team at ASYV this year. My co-coach and I are both feisty North American women who have a low tolerance for sexual discrimination. We come from an experience that if you wanted to be on a good sports team in school or in clubs, you had to try out, work hard, and be committed. Here, although a 2-3 are really committed, most of our team is absent and lazy. Some could be really great players if they were committed. The girls always have excuses like they are sick or they have a headache. One or two I could believe, but 80% of the team, every week? When they do come to practice, they sit down and complain when they have to run. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWXKN7TMhuc/T8szz8RsG_I/AAAAAAAAAYA/MD3XaZS-gpo/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWXKN7TMhuc/T8szz8RsG_I/AAAAAAAAAYA/MD3XaZS-gpo/s400/IMG_0116.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening the egg box....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the boys team comes to practice after us, it's like night and day. They all show up, they show up on time, they practice hard, they don't complain, they are eager to improve their skills.<br />
<br />
In school it is the same thing. Boys always participate in class conversations, whereas girls hardly talk. Boys generally have better English skills than the girls (this could be a chicken and an egg issue). <br />
<br />
All the families choose names of heroes that they want their family to be named after. Out of 32 families, only 7 are women. When we were in the process of choosing the name for our family, I asked why they didn't want to choose a woman. The girls said 'we don't want to be the girls of a woman'.... as if this would be a great insult. Granted, some have psychological issues with their moms who maybe they never knew, abandoned them or were negligent... but still to have such a strong hate on for women? Where does this come from?<br />
<br />
So what gives Rwanda? To have such strong, respected mamas, such open affection between people and yet I feel like the girls are falling behind in every way. Maybe ASYV is a place for them to be safe, heal and learn for four years and then they will go on to get married and become awesome mamas. That is great. I fully support that. Because people that are healthy and whole will do more for the society than vulnerable, hurt and broken people.<br />
<br />
The only thing is, their words betray them. If you ask them what they want to do after ASYV they will say I want to be a business woman, a doctor, go to university, work at a bank, be a journalist, be a lawyer etc. But where is your motivation today to get you there? They have a maxim here that says ' if you see far you will go far'. Where are you going girls of ASYV? And how are you going to get there?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFLyuYty6Yc/T8s00j6zqtI/AAAAAAAAAYI/z-seMUIg0Fk/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFLyuYty6Yc/T8s00j6zqtI/AAAAAAAAAYI/z-seMUIg0Fk/s400/IMG_0117.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Disclaimer- there are also some really, really, really amazing girls at ASYV that are motivated, strong and smart. And all girls at ASYV are special and fantastic in their own way. This blog is how I see gender in general in Rwanda, and in ASYV on a more general level.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-64273718937908255762012-05-11T06:01:00.000-07:002012-05-11T06:01:02.359-07:00East African Botanical Resources are you out there?As a plant nerd- I love learning about new plants, their uses, their ecologies, their cultural link to the people that know, use or love them. I have been looking for resources to know about more plants in Rwanda and the surrounding area and so far have come up with little. I have been asking local people about the plants, their names, their uses and such but I have yet to find a plant nerd that I can communicate with, that is willing to share some of that knowledge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffw9cCM2QRM/T6zjVnJjN0I/AAAAAAAAAXc/d38PT5OXEcc/s1600/P1040961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffw9cCM2QRM/T6zjVnJjN0I/AAAAAAAAAXc/d38PT5OXEcc/s640/P1040961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stems of this shrub are hollow and were traditional used for straws</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last week I went on a field trip to different nurseries with one of the staff members. We were looking into types of trees and prices for the village. (The village also has a nursery, but doesn't have all the species I was looking for. If the village wanted to, I'm sure they could make quite a business by collecting seeds, planting them and propagating trees.) <br />
<br />
So any way, we going all around Kigali and the outskirts to look for trees with me towing along, communicating in Frenglish....yes that elusive language I learned as a French immersion kid comes in handy.... no actually, I was communicating both in English and in French because the person I was with is somehow difficult to communicate with, although excellent with plants. That's how the day went, lost in translation mime acts along with writing down the names and prices of trees so I can submit a budget for the environment club.<br />
<br />
Now, here I am at my computer with a somewhat illegible notebook of names of trees and plants that are in Latin, French, English and Kinyarwanda. Especially for the ones in Kinyarwanda I am trying to rack my memory for what my co-worker said they were- or if he did. So to the nets... collectively there must be something to help me out there.<br />
<br />
First I try this website <a href="http://kinyarwanda.net/">http://kinyarwanda.net</a> This website is the best tool on the net for help with the Kinyarwanda language. Amazing.... but no luck with Umusebeya<br />
<br />
So I put it into google and miraculously somebody has made a one line <a href="http://rw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umusebeya">wikipedia article</a> in Kinyarwanda about Umusebeya. To top that off, there are latin names in that article. Oh yes!! Botany Gold!! Latin names are the special password in internet searches about plants.... if you put in a common name you are more likely to get fluff, or not very helpful articles.<br />
<br />
So here you go- Umusebeya could be<i> Albizia adianthifolia</i> or <i>Albizia gummifera. </i>These trees are native tree species of Africa, and Rwanda are in their range. They have large, flat toped canopies, which are excellent for shade (which the village desperately needs). They also have flowers that attract beneficial pollinators and are important for certain species of butterflies. They are associated with nitrogen fixing bacteria so they grow quickly, have good timber. These species have also traditionally been used to treat many different kinds of illnesses.<br />
<br />
For more information on these trees:<br />
<a href="http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/albizadian.htm"><i>Albizia adianthifolia</i></a><br />
<i> </i><a href="http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/products/afdbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1760"><i>Albizia adianthifolia</i></a><br />
<i> </i><a href="http://database.prota.org/PROTAhtml/Albizia%20gummifera_En.htm"><i>Albizia gummifera</i></a><br />
<a href="http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/products/afdbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1757"><i>Albizia gummifera</i></a><br />
<br />
Also a another resource that has been helpful courtsey of google 'owns the universe' books is <a href="http://books.google.rw/books?id=x2o0BRRply0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=field+guide+to+common+trees+and+shrubs+of+East+Africa&hl=en&sa=X&ei=b-JdT_rcDYLrOZPn2f4M&sqi=2&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=field%20guide%20to%20common%20trees%20and%20shrubs%20of%20East%20Africa&f=false">A Field Guide to Common Trees and Shrubs of East Afric</a>a <br />
<br />
Happy Botanizing!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-30393654691581415592012-04-20T05:20:00.002-07:002012-04-20T05:20:43.553-07:00Happy TravelsThe end of term here was very busy and I seem to have developed an allergy to my computer. Farmer's are not known for their love of technology, some are pretty much techno-phobes. I'm not sure what the problem is... slow internet, so many other things to do, writers block, but when I look at the computer I say 'achoo' I don't want to go near that thing!<br />
<br />
However, we have just spent two weeks in Uganda and Kenya. So here is a bit of a photo essay of the experience.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3x65Fe9u8A/T5E0AmC-AdI/AAAAAAAAAWU/oZMupNxi_LY/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3x65Fe9u8A/T5E0AmC-AdI/AAAAAAAAAWU/oZMupNxi_LY/s400/IMG_0137.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lakebunyonyi.net/index2.php?page=1">Byoona Amarga</a>, Lake Bunyoni, Uganda. solar powered, composting toilets, library, good food, lake side setting of tranquility! I would head back there if Uganda visas weren't such a rip off!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Cr4UvxbryQ/T5E4v-CJusI/AAAAAAAAAXE/PtE-Vrf7vMk/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Cr4UvxbryQ/T5E4v-CJusI/AAAAAAAAAXE/PtE-Vrf7vMk/s640/IMG_0600.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kws.org/parks/parks_reserves/HGNP.html">Hell's Gate National Par</a>k, Kenya. Maybe the only park in East Africa where you don't have to be in a truck while watching animals. Rent bikes or walk on a DIY safari!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MSf3TdM5hKU/T5E3If-mf5I/AAAAAAAAAW0/wD93dca0nlY/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MSf3TdM5hKU/T5E3If-mf5I/AAAAAAAAAW0/wD93dca0nlY/s640/IMG_0561.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice Jack meandering quietly beside the African Buffalo- while I booted my way past them...I think I would take a bear over a buffalo any day. They seem little unpredictable and daft in a dangerous way. And they give a mean stink eye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9oqLXrnroU/T5E35RxyhlI/AAAAAAAAAW8/5-Yx8EGxEfM/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9oqLXrnroU/T5E35RxyhlI/AAAAAAAAAW8/5-Yx8EGxEfM/s640/IMG_0578.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebras! They make crazy alien/dog noises. for real. Also Hell's gate has some sweet camping on the rocks above all the plains where the animals are grazing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the most inspiring parts of the trip was visiting JB on his farm Balitah Ravens Farm in Butula District, Kenya. This man is a permaculture evangelist! No really- preacher turned permaculturalist.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVipi9mzNws/T5FGiXkf1DI/AAAAAAAAAXU/zEzxco8XF9I/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVipi9mzNws/T5FGiXkf1DI/AAAAAAAAAXU/zEzxco8XF9I/s400/IMG_0526.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JB and part of his family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was connected to him by Salt Spring's Michael Nichols of <a href="http://seven-ravens.com/">Seven Ravens Farm</a>. Both Michael and JB have been doing permaculture work in primary schools in the area. The permaculture projects are to develop food, shade, timber, trees, funds and training for these primary schools. They are amazing projects. I plan to write a more in depth blog post on them soon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FRB2KqakZ_8/T5E1KN-9onI/AAAAAAAAAWc/jirH7KOiNyY/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FRB2KqakZ_8/T5E1KN-9onI/AAAAAAAAAWc/jirH7KOiNyY/s640/IMG_0220.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish pond at Bukati Primary school with a forest around it to create a cooler microclimate. Rain water is harvested to feed this pond and the fish are harvested to feed the children.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The visit with JB really got a kick in my rear end to bring permaculture to Rwanda. It's happening in Kenya- why not Rwanda, why not ASYV? It seems like I will have to work hard to 'sensitize' the farm staff and admin to this idea. (Sensitization is a special East African English word which means to tell someone about an idea or a plan. Sensitization can be very frustration to someone of North American culture because they ask: 'why do we have to talk about this so much? can't we just do it?' But you can't do anything here without sensitization.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DsbuaGC9mPA/T5E2uAPBh4I/AAAAAAAAAWs/jvJE4gvKNbM/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DsbuaGC9mPA/T5E2uAPBh4I/AAAAAAAAAWs/jvJE4gvKNbM/s640/IMG_0356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JB and students working on the permaculture project at Buduma Primary School, Kenya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0vRCLrukz0/T5E12S9ljvI/AAAAAAAAAWk/QLR57ynapgg/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0vRCLrukz0/T5E12S9ljvI/AAAAAAAAAWk/QLR57ynapgg/s320/IMG_0312.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The programmer who planted trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Needless to say when I got back to ASYV this week I have been working
hard at my garden around my house. I was happy to see that the rains in
Rwanda over the two weeks we were away made the garden grow very well.
This is a little organic garden/permaculture seed that I hope will start
spreading around the village. The farm at ASYV has many directors- but
the little garden around the house is basically my domain. I have been
planting delicious food, fruit trees (I hope you will enjoy future
volunteers), composting, water harvesting, etc. I have been thinking
about how best to insert more of these little projects around the
farm... maybe the easiest thing is to start digging swales and making
rain water harvesting and contouring an actuality at ASYV. Since the
water system here is unreliable for agriculture it would be perfect. As
some permaculturalists say 'the problem is the solution'.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1fITvAOvec/T5E5doT7YeI/AAAAAAAAAXM/JyTJI023ht0/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1fITvAOvec/T5E5doT7YeI/AAAAAAAAAXM/JyTJI023ht0/s640/IMG_0591.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giraffe! They look like they should be walking around with dinosaurs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-58700243500049405992012-03-04T05:12:00.001-08:002012-03-04T10:35:55.784-08:00The sound of silenceI the deep dark winter in Canada, in the temple of the Rocky Mountains, the snow blankets the landscape with glittering whiteness under the sunny blue skies. The air is thin and sharp with cold and yet imbued with a hint of spruce, hemlock and fir. Green-black evergreen branches sag with the heavy load of snow. Life is still. Life waits for the the return of spring. If you listen closely you hear an insulated silence unlike anything else I've found. This is the sound of a quiet mind, of peace. <br />
<br />
On another continent- in the eastern province of Rwanda, the sound of an airplane overhead disturbs my musings. In urban North America you hardly even notice because it happens quite frequently. But here- the white noise of machinery has not dulled the sound of the birds, the crickets, the frogs. <br />
<br />
In some ways it is not quiet at all- there are 500 teenage students plus staff talking, yelling, laughing. There are radios blaring top Rwandan and American pop music while they are outside doing laundry, or hanging out. There are people around most of the time.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mCnIh0muao/T1MJ_5CpgvI/AAAAAAAAAV8/-_zWkrYFp8E/s1600/P1050153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mCnIh0muao/T1MJ_5CpgvI/AAAAAAAAAV8/-_zWkrYFp8E/s320/P1050153.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People enjoying the 1st part of a Rwandan Wedding</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
ASYV is located in a rural location, about 7 km off the main road, there is really not much motor vehicle traffic here. There are lots of people walking. Even small children- there are no such thing as strollers here. Mamas carry their babies wrapped in a cloth on their backs for about the first 1-2 years. As soon as those babies can walk, they do. It's not uncommon to see children of all ages carrying firewood, water, or other household necessities. There are bicycles going by carrying people and incredible loads of pineapples, plantains, people, water, fanta, banana beer, lumber...you name it!<br />
<br />
As for motor vehicle traffic- most of it on our rural road is moto traffic. They transport people and goods quickly and relatively cheaply... although not as cheap was walking, biking or bike taxi. Then there are transport trucks that carry usually plantains from this area to larger markets. Occasionally there are van taxis that come down this road- but not very often. And then there are also some personal vehicles- but these are still not very common in Rwanda. Most personal vehicles belong to the rich or middle class in Rwanda.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTzrxyn5mjg/T1MNSNYDMAI/AAAAAAAAAWE/tC03CvG1GHk/s1600/P1050155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTzrxyn5mjg/T1MNSNYDMAI/AAAAAAAAAWE/tC03CvG1GHk/s320/P1050155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rwandan wedding introduction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At ASYV, the property is surrounded by a fence and all traffic goes through the security gate. So even less traffic comes into the village. On weekdays there is 15 passenger van and a bus that take staff and teachers from Kigali and back. Then the higher up managers and directors have their own personal vehicles. But most staff and students walk in the actual village. Apart from the tractor and a couple pick up trucks for moving big items- there is very limited traffic.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55CvGO93Xy8/T1Jzy85eLBI/AAAAAAAAAV0/GbQa-8clW50/s1600/P1050150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55CvGO93Xy8/T1Jzy85eLBI/AAAAAAAAAV0/GbQa-8clW50/s400/P1050150.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the bike parking at the wedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now for those who will argue about the benefits of motor vehicles in
our modern day, and the accessibility they grant to the less mobile, the
elderly etc....I acknowledge that motor vehicles make life alot easier
for those who have them. It's not easy pushing a loaded bike a long way
to market everyday. But at what cost? And who bears the costs? <br />
<br />
But
this post is not about the politics of oil, cars, alternative
transportation....even though I have thoughts about all these subjects.
And I encourage you to get involved with any of these topics- especially
in Canada right now. .....<br />
<br />
This post is about sound. <br />
<br />
<br />
At night you hear the crickets. In the morning you are
awoken by the birds. Everywhere in between there are the sounds of
people talking, singing, drumming, hoeing, cutting the grass the
machetes, radios and cell phone ring tones. It is not silence- but the
sounds of life vibrate intensely here.<br />
<br />
<br />
I have lots of friends that fight every day to create
opportunities for quieter, safer streets for people to live in. Next
time you are going a short distance (I know it is still winter in North
America) to pick up some bread, going the mail box, renting a
video...think about taking a walk, a bike or a bus.... and listen to the
difference it makes in your local streets.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-59290891526349906002012-02-23T03:15:00.000-08:002012-02-23T03:15:34.187-08:00God sleeps in Rwanda<style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 2cm }
P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm }
-->
</style>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In our staff training before the students came, we heard many Rwandan proverbs or stories. In the old times, before the colonizers came to Rwanda, the people here used to say that while God might go and visit other places and people in the world during the day- God always came back to sleep in Rwanda at night. </div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGjxj1X67RU/T0YdNK7FqCI/AAAAAAAAAVg/Ecufe7Vv28M/s1600/P1050118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGjxj1X67RU/T0YdNK7FqCI/AAAAAAAAAVg/Ecufe7Vv28M/s400/P1050118.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice paddies near Rubona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today- God not only sleeps here but is very involved in day to day life. When I help a student with their homework- some of them say 'thank you, god bless you.' Church activities define the weekend here- what religious group is praying where and when.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Although the village is not religious institution, I would say that 99% of the students and staff here believe in God. I would say this is also true of Rwanda. Most Rwandans are some form of Christianity with a minority of Muslims. This month there has also been a group of young Jewish students here on a gap year between highschool and university. They have their own traditions and religious activities to add to the mix. Most of the incoming Rwandan students have never heard of Judaism before- so it is interesting to see the Jewish students and the Rwandan students talking together about faith and Religion.</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Atheism, Agnosticism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shamanism or any other faith (or lack of faith) is not known here. </div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So why is it, that Rwandans' are so hopeful, so faithful? It seems proposterous when you consider the country's history... or does it? We all need something or someone to believe in.... something to hope for. I think that Rwanda has many reasons to be hopeful and to believe in the future. </div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxk-MjlApdo/T0YeZZuFu0I/AAAAAAAAAVo/61UIEn2TKEc/s1600/P1050124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxk-MjlApdo/T0YeZZuFu0I/AAAAAAAAAVo/61UIEn2TKEc/s640/P1050124.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Mugesera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><b>Sufi poem
atributed to Hazrat Inayat Khan</b></i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>“ I asked for
strength</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>and God gave me
difficulties to make me strong</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>I asked for wisdom</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>and God gave me
problems to learn to solve.</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>I asked for
prosperity
</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>and God gave me a
brain and brawn to work.</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>I asked fro
courage</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>and God gave me
dangers to overcome.</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>I asked for love</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i> and God gave me
people to help.</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>I asked for
favours</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>and God gave me
opportunities.</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>I received nothing
I wanted.</i></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i>I received
everything I needed.”</i></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-84261559017768812242012-02-11T22:22:00.000-08:002012-02-11T22:22:38.236-08:00Questions and Answers???I cannot believe it has been a month since my last posting... ahh sorry. <br />
<br />
Alot
has happened in the last month and I wish I had a Jhumpa Lahiri's
skills at digesting small details to make a whole picture in an
interesting way. I'll try to do my best.<br />
<br />
So I've been
struggling with alot of different issues lately. Nobody ever said
coming to Rwanda to work with orphaned youth would be easy. If you have
ever seen the documentary '<a href="http://schoolingtheworld.org/">Schooling the World</a>'(I
would highly recommend it!), you might even think that my presence here
is exactly the opposite of helping. Am I just another neo-colonialist?
What kind of unattended consequences am I having here simply because I
am a foreigner?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXKa9yQyK-Y/TzbUhrr_tRI/AAAAAAAAAVU/6nrEpnVkYFM/s1600/P1040943.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXKa9yQyK-Y/TzbUhrr_tRI/AAAAAAAAAVU/6nrEpnVkYFM/s640/P1040943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ASYV Traditional Rwandan Dance Troupe- performing in the Amphitheater<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My struggles apart from the usual (I ask
myself the same questions in any occupation in Canada): what am I doing
here? Is this the right thing to be doing?.... are mostly philosophical
issues pertaining to the environment and farming,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I am helping with the Environment Club here and I have been
trying to explain about what the environment is- why we need it, how we
are a part of it etc. However, environmentalism is a foreign concept
here, especially for kids who have struggled all their lives to have
their basic needs fulfilled.<br />
<br />
For example- when I asked
'why are trees important?' I got some really great answers like: trees
produce oxygen, they help with global warming, they attract rainfall,
but I also got some interesting answers like they attract tourists, or
they are decoration when they are planted in a line. <br />
<br />
Also with the exception of three national parks, there are
very few 'wild' places in Rwanda. There is lots of greenery- but mostly
from tons of bananas. Like I said before- this place is one big
garden. Which is not to say gardens are not nature... let's just say
there is limited habitat for wild plants and animals who do not thrive
in garden type environments.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DvdhOspWnBU/TzbUOes0JpI/AAAAAAAAAVM/dYvcrwlPCFY/s1600/P1040968.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DvdhOspWnBU/TzbUOes0JpI/AAAAAAAAAVM/dYvcrwlPCFY/s400/P1040968.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bananas in the valley. The top of the hill is ASYV.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The question is- do humans have an innate
understanding of nature and their connection to the earth? Can a kid
from the slums of Nairobi who has lived in a landfill all their life
understand nature? <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>“You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you
inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their
own, that they must protect them.” </i>Wangari Maathai<br />
<br />
One
of the other challenges is that the kids think that all development is
good. Money is good, jobs are good, cities are good- it is all good.
Jack told his family about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandana_Shiva">Vandana Shiva</a>-
and her battle to fight large corporations who were trying to take away
the freedom of farmers by selling them GMO seeds. They had difficulty
understanding that someone who was trying to bring in money and western
ideas could be bad- or at least not have the best interests of the
farmer in mind.<br />
<br />
<br />
Which leads me to another sad observation. People everywhere
want suburbia. They want to live in a big house and have a car and be
fenced off. They can live with their families and watch TVs and drive
their car wherever they go. This is very much the predominant changing
landscape of Kigali. Goodbye small houses, goodbye poor people- make
way for suburbia. It's frightening. Suburbia doesn't work in North
America- it makes people, fat, isolated, and dependent on fossil fuels.
It is empty. Does the rest of the world need to follow in North
America's footsteps only to learn the same thing 20 to 30 years down the
line?<br />
<br />
<br />
"<i>I am increasingly sensing that the primary threat to nature and people
today comes from centralising and monopolising power and control which
inevitably generates one-dimensional structures and what I have called
"Monoculture of the Mind". The monoculture of the mind treats all
diversity as disease, and creates coercive structures to model this
biologically and culturally diverse world of ours on the privileged
categories and concepts of one class, one race and one gender of a
single species.</i>" Vandana Shiva<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtL3Ri8u0aE/TzbTilJdNmI/AAAAAAAAAU8/MJsH3EXCEAM/s1600/P1040973.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtL3Ri8u0aE/TzbTilJdNmI/AAAAAAAAAU8/MJsH3EXCEAM/s400/P1040973.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local swimming hole at lake Mugesara<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also I am struggling with some different
ideas of agriculture here at ASYV. Some ideas that are pretty much the
opposite of permaculture.<br />
<br />
<br />
It seems like everywhere I go, my perspective, my ethics, my
sensitivity towards earth care leads me into these conflicts with the
big machine of money and development. Sometimes I think that it would
be so much easier if I just consumed like a normal person and didn't
question the trajectory so much.<br />
<br />
<br />
However- that is not going to happen. One of my yoga teachers
says that a yogi is trying to line up their thoughts, words and
actions. You know you are making progress in your yoga practice when
you 'say what you mean, and mean what you say' (which is on another
note- is my New Year's resolution). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k-bjnVjTZM/TzbT43X6zsI/AAAAAAAAAVE/ZmI6uaXKuxc/s1600/P1040975.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k-bjnVjTZM/TzbT43X6zsI/AAAAAAAAAVE/ZmI6uaXKuxc/s640/P1040975.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wetland at lake Mugesara. Looking away from the lake towards ASYV.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Many people inspire me- but two
that I have bee thinking about lately (because of Rwanda's National
Hero's day) are Vandana Shiva and <a href="http://greenbeltmovement.org/w.php?id=59">Wangari Muta Maathai</a>.
Both are outstanding women who have fought for women's rights, the
environment and against big business/big governments. How do I become
like them? How do I tell the story of complex, living systems to the '<a href="http://www.rightlivelihood.org/shiva_speech.html">monoculture of the mind</a>'?<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>“Every person who has ever achieved anything has been knocked down many
times. But all of them picked themselves up and kept going, and that is
what I have always tried to do.”</i> Wangari Maathai<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-85664205302561248472012-01-20T11:00:00.000-08:002012-01-20T11:00:07.493-08:00Pictures of the farm<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgTLtA2o6Jk/TxkO7e2IbzI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Xkm5k_DWnzM/s1600/P1040927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgTLtA2o6Jk/TxkO7e2IbzI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Xkm5k_DWnzM/s640/P1040927.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ibishimbo- Dried beans lined up to dry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-37551IF4vsk/TxkPnj-iBQI/AAAAAAAAAU0/WlMnLYPFk84/s1600/P1040935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-37551IF4vsk/TxkPnj-iBQI/AAAAAAAAAU0/WlMnLYPFk84/s400/P1040935.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threshing the beans, blowing off the chaff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJy0SU2vNYM/Txf0RDsnklI/AAAAAAAAAUU/cAq0nFYaeaI/s1600/P1010529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJy0SU2vNYM/Txf0RDsnklI/AAAAAAAAAUU/cAq0nFYaeaI/s400/P1010529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bees!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-54525495109639768582012-01-19T02:18:00.000-08:002012-01-19T02:18:35.226-08:00Growing food in RwandaIt's hard to believe that we are now into the second week of school. It's true what they say- the days are long here, but the weeks and months race on. Now that the students are in school from 7am to 2pm, I have a bit more time to explore the farm. <br />
<br />
The farm has chickens, cows, bananas, avocados, guavas, citrus, pineapples, kidney beans, maize, coffee, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and more. It is relatively young, although I'm sure most of this land has been under cultivation at one point or another by previous owners. Except for a few trees, most fruit trees or on the farm were planted 3 years ago, and some are just beginning to give fruit.<br />
<br />
ASYV is physically located in a warmer and drier area of the country. The area of the village which is not landscaped with grass, hedges and trees, or farmed, is covered with bushes. Very few mature trees exist on the land either because it has been cultivated for such a long time, and/or the trees were cut down for fire wood over the years.<br />
<br />
In Rwanda, most people use firewood or charcoal to cook. Given the amount of people and the little land that is still forested...this is quite worrisome. In addition, many people plant Eucalyptus trees here because they are extremely fast growing. Eucalyptus are very good at sucking up water and nutrients from the soil and doesn't allow for other plants to create an understory. I think Eucalyptus might have a role as managed pioneer species in combination with native trees or other desirable fruit/nut/forage species, but a pure stand of Eucalyptus does not favour biodiversity.<br />
<br />
ASYV has planted trees in the main part of the village and also in an area called the nature park. This will be wonderful when the tree grow, and hopefully more trees we be planted specifically for shade purposes. This will moderate the temperature in the village, build the soil, buffer the wind, and create a more enjoyable micro climate. Depending on the species selected, they may also produce food, forage, mulch, and medicine. (Especially if this permaculturalist has anything to do with it!:))<br />
<br />
The nature park is an area behind the school that some of the past volunteers, staff and students helped to map, plant trees and build trails. This is a place to explore, relax and learn. This is an area that is unlike most of Rwanda. Natural spaces are few are far in between. <br />
<br />
<style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 2cm }
P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm }
-->
</style>
<br />
Riding in the bus around Rwanda, you get the sense that the whole
country is like one big food garden (with smatterings of the hedges and lawns aesthetic). Bananas, potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes,
beans, peas, and cows are everywhere you look. Crops are farmed
right up to the road and on incredibly steep hills. If I were skiing
some of those hills- they would be double black or black diamond
steep. However, I suppose that is what is needed for a
country of <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255);">11 m</span><span style="background-color: white;">illio</span>n people.
Lots of food.<br />
<br />
The traditional way of subsistence farming seems to involve
polycultures of different plants all growing together. However, the
plants that they grow (bananas, corn, beans, potatoes) are the same
all throughout the country. I wonder how much plant diversity there
actually is in the country- and what would happen if a fungus or
virus came through for one of those staple plants. I hope there are
many different varieties of those staple plants so that if something
happens, there is some resiliency.<br />
<br />
Something else that worries me is some of Rwanda's agriculture policies. They want to aggregate farm land so they can grow one crop and it will be easier to mechanize. Sounds like a familiar Western practice which I don't think has actually benefited any farmers (ask the farmers in the corn belt of the USA)... maybe these policies benefit the pockets of large agribusiness, but farmers... that is questionable. (The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan illustrates this very well)<br />
<br />
Although this policy this might make planting and processing more efficient, I'm not sure if it will produce more food. Furthermore, if mechanization is involved- might actually hurt the long term sustainability of the soil. Steep hills and tractors or rotatillers= soil loss, erosion for sure! Also it sounds like aggregating farm land would reduce farmer's agency in deciding what they want to plant. It would make them plant cash crops which are at the whims of international price markets and not allow them to grow food for their families first. Although I am sure there are lots of ways to improve smallholder production, I am not sure about this policy... (more about this and other policies later).<br />
<br />
On a lighter, and less controversial note, I started helping out on the farm this week. There are about 20 farm workers from the surrounding community. Most of them have been farming all their lives... so they think I am quite comical because a) I am a westerner and b) because I don't have their same level of dexterity and skill with the farm tools. One day they gave me a giant stick to use as a pry, and a machete to cut down bushes (to mulch the bananas). I could not for the life of me figure out how to wield the stick and the machete with any sense of efficiency- even though I had plenty of good role models.<br />
Another day, when I helped to beat the beans (to release the dry beans from their pods), I apparently had the wrong technique, even though I thought I was doing it exactly the same as everyone else. So I certainly have a long way to go to being awesome with the local tools and techniques, but it is a good way to build relationships and observe the farm. After all, the first principle of permaculture is 'to observe and interact'.<br />
<br />
If anyone out there has some ideas of of
wonderful permaculture all-star plants that can be grown here to add
diversity, resiliency, habitat and an income for the people of
Rwanda. I am interested in learning about these plants, finding them
and planting them.<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-88215247159090976602012-01-08T11:19:00.000-08:002012-01-08T11:40:51.452-08:00Pop Culture FailFor the last week all of the cousins, with help from four ESL teachers from Canada and the States, have been teaching English to the new students. Between all the lesson planning, teaching, meetings and other responsibilities there has been very little room to breathe. However, the teaching has been pretty fun and a good way to get to know some of the kids outside your core family group.<br />
<br />
One of the most challenging parts of teaching this week was to get the girls to talk and participate. In general, the Rwandan girls that have arrived for the first time at the Village are soft spoken, demure and shy. When you ask them their name you can barely hear them reply. This is also true of some of the boys, but they are generally a bit more outspoken and willing to speak in English. It is difficult as a teacher to gage if they understand or not if there is no feedback. Gradually over the week, my co-teacher and I managed to coax them little by little out of their shells so that we could actually have some decent conversations, games, presentations and exercises. <br />
<br />
This is also true of the girls in my family. As they have been getting to know their sisters, they turn into chatty, giggly teenage girls. Which is great, because I have actually been able to have a some fun conversations with them. All the students are curious, but the questions I get the most are: 'Do you have parents?' and 'Do you have children? or How many children do you have?'.<br />
<br />
The first is one that you would not typically get in a North American context. It is more like 'Are your parents still together, What are there names, What do they do?' something like that. In Rwanda, and especially with these kids- who are mostly orphans, having parents (that are still alive, or that they know) is a rareity rather than the norm. It's startling. I expected when I came to Africa to feel some sense of having been born into extraordinary riches- merely by the fact that I come from Canada, a generally peaceful country with good education and health care. I did not expect to feel rich or lucky for the fact that I have parents that have cared for me and taught me all my life. Although, if I really examine the idea of having parents, it is probably one of the best things you can have in your life- loving parents. When I say I have two parents, they kids look at me like I have won the lottery.<br />
<br />
The second question is also not super typical in a western context to someone in their late twenties. Part of it is that Canada does not have a very high birth rate compared to Rwanda, and also many Canadian women now have their first child from late twenties to mid thirties. It also seems funny because there is no question of having or not having children in their minds- just how many. Mostly my answer is: "I have no children, because otherwise I could not be in Rwanda at the Village with you for a year."<br />
<br />
My favourite question so far has been (with a very serious face) 'Melissa, Do vampires exist?' I had a whole bunch of very interesting question that night about conspiracy of the pyramid sign on the American dollar, mummies and Rambo movies... as if they had been saving all the questions they had ever wanted to ask a westerner. Amazing!<br />
<br />
<br />
The other questions I've been asked recently have been 'Melissa, tell us about Drake, Rhiannon, Shakira, Justin Bieber etc etc'. Now for those of you who know me- know that I am more of an eccentric type of music listener than the mainstream. (with exceptions of course!) Some of you might recall a story about a time when I met Swollen Members (a somewhat popular rap/rock band in Canada) and told them I had no idea who they were- and didn't listen to commercial radio. (harsh, I know).<br />
<br />
So I told my girls the little that I knew about Justin Bieber and the likes, but it wasn't very much. I said, I know about Michael Jackson and Bob Marley, and their response was 'they are both dead'. i.e Melissa, you are old- and listen to old music, <a href="http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n56/armybratgurl500/Fail%20Pics/?action=view&current=WESHALLDECIDEYOURLEVELOFFAIL.jpg&mediafilter=images">get with the program</a>. (On a side note, I did play some Bob Marley in English class to learn some lyrics and some of the boys LOVED it!)<br />
<br />
That's all for now- I've got to go study up on pop culture before my girls grill me again :)<span id="goog_1330166913"></span><span id="goog_1330166914"></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-28405633350264456792012-01-01T07:10:00.000-08:002012-01-01T07:10:28.879-08:00Photos of the Northern Province<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ef1zoe4ffaY/TwB0DzaI4dI/AAAAAAAAAT8/oDH4pCHAnn8/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ef1zoe4ffaY/TwB0DzaI4dI/AAAAAAAAAT8/oDH4pCHAnn8/s640/IMG_0125.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Baptism Party on Lake Burera. We were sleeping in that field in our tent only 2 hours before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e2r_G_85fTs/TwA12-U-tUI/AAAAAAAAATk/fCWDK-UNISI/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e2r_G_85fTs/TwA12-U-tUI/AAAAAAAAATk/fCWDK-UNISI/s640/IMG_0119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Burera Lake looking towards Mount Muhabura</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jGS1vBvbgPc/TwA2pKwkq5I/AAAAAAAAATw/9T99_LEshAM/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jGS1vBvbgPc/TwA2pKwkq5I/AAAAAAAAATw/9T99_LEshAM/s640/IMG_0126.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing Boats on Lake Burera- Notice the lantern shelf for attracting small fish to the surface at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8135763526841157108.post-83855750652729336182011-12-31T08:26:00.000-08:002011-12-31T08:26:51.299-08:00Memory Dance has made an appearance in Rwanda!<style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 2cm }
P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm }
-->
</style>
<br />
We have received our new families! In a family there is a mother,
a big brother/sister (counsellor) and us (cousins). I have 16 girls
that are eager to learn and happy to be in a family. My girls are age
15 to 18 and come from all parts of the country. In this village, the
family is really important because it is a way to know these girls
deeply, it gives them a sense of belonging, a family (which many do
not have), and to make them feel comfortable. This village is not a
boarding school. They do not want to have a institutional feeling
here because they think this would not help these vulnerable kids
that have grown up feeling unloved, alienated and alone.
<br />
The girls think I'm kind of strange. Mostly they just giggle and
stare at me when I talk with them. I'm not sure if this is because
they think I'm funny, they are shy, or they don't understand. Some
come to the village with pretty good English skills and some, barely
any. Next week we are going to be doing an English intensive with
all the new kids to help them out before they start school in
January.<br />
Their reaction to me is similar to many rural kids in Rwanda.
They think seeing a foreigner is more exciting than an ice cream
truck (if they had such things) and more entertaining than TV.
Crowds of children will follow you and stare at you with wide eyes.
The really brave ones might talk to you. When you speak in
Kinyarwanda or in English they think it's hilarious. They are very
curious about you and the kids/youth that speak English will often
walk with you for way so they can practice.<br />
Tonight we are having a New Year's Eve Celebration where they kids
will be performing traditional dance, hip hop, comedy, music, drama
and poetry. From what I've seen from peaking in on some rehearsal
time and leading memory dance chain as a warm up for the hip hop group- some of these kids have mad skills! I'm really excited to see
the performances and hopefully we can share some dance moves over the
year... maybe I can trade some Michael Jackson moves for some
traditional Rwandan dance moves. :)<br />
<br /><br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01727827338511609714noreply@blogger.com0