In October when I was flying to Kigali, I had written about Karina Weinstein who was sitting on the flight next to me to Rwanda. We had talked the entire way both professionally and private. It was through Karina that I got to know FXB and gave the tea Union (UCTCCN) the idea to work with FXB Village in Gisenyi. The project is currently being worked on in Rwanda. I had told Karina that I would be in New York for Thanksgiving and would come say hi. So we met up this afternoon in the city. It was great seeing her again, catching up on her experience and my experience in Rwanda. Work at FXB seems to be going pretty well and hopefully I get to meet her soon in a different country! This is the reason why you need to talk on flights, a project was started and new friendships were made. Oh her son is the cutest! In the photo: Karina and I in NYC! It all started by meeting on a flight… Sounds almost like a love story doesn’t it ;)
Visiting #snbrussels in the #millescollinesbykempiski #millescollineshotel #Kigali & waiting for the sale of the #stromae tickets ! #Rwanda Concert tickets are now on sale ! (at Hôtel des Mille Collines)
After a flight of 8 hours I finally arrive in Kigali. The flight went great I sat next to a very interesting woman named Karina Weinstein, program director of FXB USA of FXB International with headquarters in Geneva and New York. FXB International helps the networks of the world’s poorest people (the bottom tiers). FXB works through a model of FXB villages providing basic needs of life such as housing, healthcare, food and education. It also provides training to create a business over time in order to become self sufficient within three years. FXB’ funding is coming from various donors such as USAID. I find it extremely interesting project as reaching out and helping the bottom tier in any society is an extremely difficult task. For more information on FXB International. Click here: https://fxb.org
Besides talking about her work and my work and our missions in Rwanda (I explained her Exchangevzw, BNP Paribas & microStart); we had a great time talking about our sons and personal views of the world. Our opinions were very similar; definitely staying in touch with NYC based Karina!
What was interesting on the flight was that it was packed with NGO workers. It’s clear that Rwanda is a great place for NGO workers as it a safe place which can guarantee safety to employees. Rwanda seems to be very open to foreign help and is very keen on continuous advancement. Many people on the flight were wearing t-shirts with the name of their NGO. So I noticed a lot of doctors on board for doctors without vacation. A lot of people from Water for Life (for Jesus) and other missionaries.
We landed around 19:00 and my dad had arranged for the station manager from SN Brussels to meet me at the plane. I was happy disembark the plane and immediately talk to someone I know. Especially if you are travelling to a place you have never been, it puts you at ease. I have her Rwandese number so any issue I can always call her and explain my issue in Dutch. Not that I jam expecting issues, after years of travelling in Africa I am so ready for this. Though it is the first time that I travel to the Mama Africa without having a family member waiting for me.
After a long line at immigration which is the most professional immigration line I have seen in Africa so far. Fingerprinting, questioning, pictures, etc… Well done Mr. Kagame ! I am liking this country already.
Photo of Kigali airport
P.S: Mind the spelling mistakes I am typing from iPhone 6
This morning I received a message from my Rwandese friend Nausicaa not to bring any plastic bags as it is against the environmental policy in Rwanda. Apparently all plastic bags are removed out of the luggage at the airport. I don’t like people going through my stuff so I ran out of my bed, reopened my suitcases and removed all the plastic bags. Just in time for the taxi. Arriving on the Brussels ring there was a huge traffic jam and this on a SATURDAY! I got scared as this week, the airport exit was closed and people had to walk miles to the airport. I have 3 bags and a heavy purse; my heart started racing and the clock was ticking. I made it to the airport 1 hour before boarding and the Africa T terminal is at least half an hour walk. Finally at the Brussels Airlines desk I thought the stress would be over. I was wrong ! My hand luggage was overweight! My purse on its own weighted 16 kg; I must give it to Louis Vuitton those bags can carry a lot of weight. I had to re-divide my hand luggage amongst my suitcases. I am not only carrying a lot of clothes but a lot of paperwork and folders for the mission and folders to represent Exchangevzw at the Rwandan Board of Development. After re packing (you can already imagine how that looked) I got my tags and finally ready to go. Nausicaa had told me to get amibae pills at the pharmacy so I decided to spurt back. Fingers crossed I make it on time for boarding. Naturalich, a long line at the pharmacy just for her to tell me I need prescription! I could have guessed… This is Belgium. Well I had a nice work out and I am sitting in my seat. Hopefully my friend Anya from SNBrussels is working as cabin crew on my flight today… ;) ✈️
Before starting to discuss the entire project with the Rwandan Organisation ‘Union des cooperatives Théicoles de la Crete Congo Nil - UCTCCN’ I have to be interviewed by Exhange vzw. (http://www.exchangevzw.be)
Exchange vzw is a Belgian organisation that offers companies and organisations the possibility to benefit from a wide range of voluntary top experts. Exchange offers expertise almost for free so that companies in developing countries can grow the (local) economy to create new jobs. Companies and socio-economic organisations whom comply with a set of clearly defined selection criteria can apply for assistance of a volunteer expert. Exchange vzw learned throughout the years that there is a tangible need for assistance on a technical or management level.
What is Exchange vzw procedure ? The selected volunteer expert and the company exchange of knowledge takes place directly. The entrepreneur/ company asks himself for expertise as he understands best what the needs of the company exactly are. The company decides which expert he wishes to collaborate with. (Me in this case!..yay.) Afterwards, an intensive exchange of knowledge and cross-pollination between both parties takes place. Exchange obtains tangible results with an absolute minimum of means. Voluntary high-level experts with the right competences, a proven track record and intrinsic motivation help companies expand or improve. Exchange funds itself via private companies and subsidies in the West whom are interested in giving ‘free consulting’ to help other companies.
I am nervous about the interview with Exchangevzw, it feels like going to a job interview all over again! What wil they ask? I am not a tea expert - I am knowledgable about the genocide but I am not an expert on Central and East Africa… So everything continues with Google search…
1. Youtube: is a good help starting with the US Policy toward Rwanda - Congressional hearing held on May 20, 2015 : 2,5 hours of listening while cleaning around the house gives you a little maybe ?‘biased? inside into Rwandan politics at the moment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMPSNh690NY
2. While reading the history of Rwanda all over again, I was shocked to find out that it was the Belgians who created such a large division between the Hutus and Tutsis. The Belgian colonials arrived and measured the noses of the local population. Hutus had bigger noses whereas Tutsis had slimmer more European-like noses. Everyone received an ID card that said whether they were Hutus or Tutsis. Such a division didn’t really exist in pre-colonial Rwanda. Being a Hutu or a Tutsi had more to do with how much wealth a person had. However, it was the Belgians who created the ethnical divide in Rwanda which later was a basis for genocide propoganda. While growing up in Belgium, we were not taught in elementary school why there was such a division between Hutus and Tutsis. We used to watch the news in 1994 of the genocide in school and were thought that it was the savage behaviour of the African people. (A good thing that there is now a movement called #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou). The 1994 genocide images have always stuck with me,… the red-colored rivers, the dead bodies floating…as a child I felt much pain for the Rwandan people.
Enough history read,
3. Tripadvisor: While going through traveller photos my love for Rwanda is growing stronger. Magnificent pictures by those travellers, I can’t get enough. Those mountains are beyond fantastic. My friends are telling me: ‘Now that you have seen the entire country online there is no more point to go.’ They are scared that I will be travelling alone. Most people still have those horrible genocide pictures of Rwanda in their head. After viewing Rwanda’s nature for hours I am convinced this might be the most beautiful place on earth.
4. Pinterest & Instagram: are good tools to learn about activities in Rwanda. On Instagram I learned that women are allowed in the Rwandan army just as Israel. Rwanda is one of the largest contributors of soldiers to the UN deployment missions. Rwanda also has 60% women in the government. Seems like Rwanda is the place to be for career driven women. #noglassceiling All of a sudden Rwanda is starting to sound as a better place to live than Belgium.
5. Stromae: is the most famous Belgian international artists and is of Rwandan origin. After scrolling down on his Facebook page I read that he has cancelled his concerts in Congo and Rwanda. It might be moved to September. Hopefully I ll be there as well! I definitely can’t wait to sing a long to Papaoutai in Kigali.
6. My personal contacts/ The importance of alumni networks: Who better to contact than my Rwandese friend Nausicaa HK whom I went to the international university (http://www.vesalius.edu) Vesalius College with in 2003? Last time I checked Nausicaa was working as a communication officer for UNDP in Kigali. I contact her on Facebook, Ubuntu she says! In no time I know everything about Rwanda and now have a place to stay in Kigali as Nausicaa is inviting me. That makes me think…Who else do I know? Aha! Anne-Marie from SN Brussels was previously station manager in Monrovia and is now based in Kigali. It seems as if I am going to have a good time in Rwanda and now I am ready for the interview with Exchangevzw.
