Day 2: Isabel and Alexandra
The eager group of CA leaders accomplished many things
today, including a visit to the Village of Hope, a local Kigali market, and
attending Kigali’s finest orphan music school.
After a filling breakfast with pineapple and passion fruit
juice, the group piled into a bus and travelled half an hour to the outskirts
of town where they encountered the Village of Hope. The Village of Hope is
a network founded soon after the genocide that supports both women and children
of all ages. Walking into the main building, people sat on benches. Babies,
children, teens, mothers, and grandmothers all intensely observed the visitors.
After a brief tour of the community, which included a visit to the directors
and an on site doctor, the group was serenaded by young African teens. Singing,
dancing and clapping commenced. It broke the barrier that limited the
interaction between the groups. Each group was able to learn something from the
other. Once the crowd settled down, three women volunteered to share the
genocide’s impact on their life. Both young and old were able to reflect on how
the village has brought happiness and hope to their lives.
Later did the two groups unite, teaching one another songs
from their individual nations. The American group started with Shakira’s song
that was played for the World Cup in South Africa, followed by the classic camp
songs and pop artists (Michael Jackson). The smiles and the laughs filled the
room. The feeling that hit the group of CA students was like no other
before. This feeling, this exchange of
culture, this experience, this is why the students were here; this is why they
traveled twenty-nine hours.
More to follow about the rest of our day!
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