Tag Archives: Kitenge

Rwanda

My Top 5 in Rwanda

I feel that many of my blog posts recently have been negatively focused. Talking about things like the genocide doesn’t make for happy reading. Therefore, I decided I would focus this post on my favorite things about this country, so here goes.

1. The people here are amazing. I’ve mentioned their resilience before. But, they truly are truly kind people despite all the challenges they face. Similarly to Ethiopia, if you see someone on the street that you know you stop and ask how they are and about their family. But, not just out of culture, but because they truly care. I feel like I am leaving yet another family as I prepare to leave Rwanda. I feel lucky to have so many people all over the world who care about, and who I care for.

Rwandans holding greens from the garden and listening to training.
Locals learning about farming and nutrition.
Rwandans watching a student grind organic pesitcide in a giant mortal and pestle.
Us doing new things is always a source of entertainment for the locals.

2. The environment here is spectacular from the weather to the green policies the country has in place. Walking down the street, you rarely see trash, and the green lushness of the country is wonderous.

Valley with rice fields overlooked by houses on the hill in the background.
The valleys here are mostly composed of rice fields while th hills are used for housing and other forms of agriculutre.
Fields of maize and houses on a hill.
Fields of maize and houses on a hill.

3. The Kuzamura Ubuzima staff could probably go under “the people,” but they are so great I feel like they deserve their own section. The KU staff went above and beyond in every sense to support us. They helped with our work, our cultural integration, and even our individual problems. They even opened up about their personal lives and agreed to be interviewed by our students so they could know more about Rwanda and life in this wonderful country. If you want a non-profit to support, these people deserve your money! About the staff.

Students and KU staff group photo.
Our amazing KU staff with the students.
Woman smiling wearing a colorful traditional dress.
Laurette, KU’s fearless leader, wearing Kitenge.
Emmanual holding a carrot from the farm.
Emmanual and Alex are affectionatley known as Emmalex.

4. Kitenge clothing is the traditional method of using very colorful patterns and styles to dress. Rwandans are very proud of their Kitenge, and it is very common to see women in dresses, and men in shirts made in this style. I even got a Kitenge vest hand made in the style, although mine is admittedly more subdued than many of the patterns.

Woman holding pot wearing a red Kitenge dress and a multi-colored head wrap.
Traditional Kitenge clothing.

5. Fresh fruit (and veggies)! I know, out of all the things I could have picked I go with my stomach. But, if you’ve ever had fresh fruit picked the day before ripe off the tree you understand. The fruit here is so tasty and fresh. I will miss eating passion fruit and baby bananas every morning with breakfast. If anyone knows where I can buy Tamarillos (known locally as Tomato Tree fruit) hit me up!

Bananas and avacados picked that morning.
Fresh veggies from the farm.
Veggies straight from the farm taste better!

Bonus: Also, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t say BEES! Even though I didn’t get to play with any this trip. 😦

Modern beehive

I feel completely honored and privileged to have been able to participate in this program and to feel accepted into Rwanda by all the amazing people I’ve met here. It would be impossible to sum up my experience in a simple post like this, but I hope you can see from these things how rich and beautiful a culture Rwanda has.

I have one final blog post going up in a few days, so keep an eye out for it. It should be a doozy.