Amanda in Africa: June 2007

Thursday, June 28, 2007

The adventure begins (already?!)

Still 45 days before I leave for Rwanda, but I feel like the adventure is already beginning. Last Thursday I went to the travel clinic and got 6 shots at once! Me… the girl who used to pass out after shots (I mean vaccinations, not tequila) in school! I wore my 6 little spot bandaids with pride that day. I still smile when I see the one little bruise that’s left over.

Joanna, the rep from World Vision who will be leading us in Rwanda, is currently there right now with another group. Yesterday, someone passed her blog onto me, and she just posted the funniest, most suspenseful story I’ve ever read about the group’s near-death-by-elephant experience this Sunday. I’m going to ask her permission to put it up here, because it’s just too good!

Aside from all my shots and crazy elephant stories, I have seen a nine year old Canadian girl get excited about sponsorship and give up some of her allowance, and a six year old spend an entire week putting pencil and sticker sets together for the little girls in Rwanda. I’ve seen the money I need for this trip pop out of nowhere (God is amazing). A woman at my church got busy knitting little dolls for me to bring before the trip was even confirmed and I wouldn’t be surprised if she finishes 100 of them before I leave. So many other cool things have happened, and right now I’m just excited to see what’s going to happen next!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Going to Rwanda

I will be traveling to Rwanda this August 13-30 with World Vision. Since the release of the movie, Hotel Rwanda, many Canadians have become familiar with Rwanda’s horrific past. The memories of the tragic genocide are still so fresh in the minds of most Rwandans. To make matters even worse, the HIV/ AIDS epidemic is now further devastating the country.

While there, I will be part of a group of Canadians assisting in the construction of a new home for a family in need. We will also learn about the work that World Vision is doing in the community and see how the lives of children and their families are being transformed. The idea is for us to return home to be able to share that story of hope with others.

Books to Read

The End of Poverty, by Jeffrey Sachs (forward by Bono) - Looks into the root causes of poverty and challenges us to end in it our lifetime.
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculee Ilibagiza - This is the best book I've ever read (and I read a lot). Immaculee survived the 100 day genocide by hiding in a bathroom. When she emerged, most of her family was dead. Her story of survival and then forgiveness is a must read for everyone.
Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda, by Romeo Dallaire - The head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Rwanda chronicles his struggles to stop the genocide while abandoned by the UN. The book is a little long, but offers much insight into the genocide. A good read for anyone who is angered by the UN’s disregard for the genocide (not that it will make you feel better about it).

Movies to Watch

Hotel Rwanda - The story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who risked his job and life to house over 1,000 Tutsi refugees during the genocide.
Ghosts of Rwanda - A disturbing and informative documentary that explores the genocide that the world ignored. Includes interviews with many of the key players, survivors, and those who turned away when Rwanda needed help. (Warning: This film contains extremely graphic images from the genocide... not reenactments.)
Shooting Dogs - Depicts the events leading up to the massacre at the Ecole Technique Officielle, where the UN abandoned 2,500 Rwandese that had come to them for protection.

Amanda in Africa