Friday, August 10, 2007
It's been almost a year since I arrived here. These are some things 'I've learned' here.
-I've learned that 'yes' can mean 'no' and that raising your eyebrows can mean 'yes'
-I've learned how to walk in the dark
-I've learned how to make an adaptive cup for a child with CP out of a peanut butter jar
-I've learned how to stay calm, and silent
-I've learned how to dance salsa
-I've learned how to use and re-use flip chart paper
-I've learned how to bucket bathe
-I've learned how to ignore my hunger all day
-I've learned to love to shop
-I've learned that death may just be a part of life
-I've learned that not all bananas are peel-able
-I've learned how privileged I am
-I've learned to be a bit patriotic to the US
-I've learned to say 'trousers' instead of 'pants'
-I've learned to be ready for anything
-I've learned that if you put someone in prison, you are responsible to bring him dinner every night (at least on a domestic violence related charge)
-I've learned how to be Posh Spice
-I've learned that drinking too much fanta really can rot your teeth
-I've learned how to live without reliable water and electricity
-I've learned how to bake without a proper oven
-I've learned that the word 'proper' has a less negative connotation to British people
-I've learned that organized religion is similar the world over
-I've learned that I love to sing with my colleagues before we start our work day
-I've learned to be my own fashion designer
-I've learned to like pasta
-I've learned to live without crackers (and burritos, and sushi...for that matter)
-I've learned that connecting with people can cross all language and cultural barriers
-I've learned to sew and to saw
-I've learned not to be too trusting
-I've learned that I still enjoy hand washing clothes even when it is out of necessity
-I've learned to love a language most people have never heard of
-I've learned that ALL stereotypes can be defied
-I've learned to question how to give
-I've learned never to try to give 'prizes' to 80 street children at one time
-I've learned to share food
-I've learned what a guava looks like
-I've learned how to send a text message
-I've learned how to find my way with no street signs or maps
-I've learned that I think that lining up should be important around the world
-I've learned to wash my hair, once, hmm, maybe twice a week
-I've learned how to ride on a moto in a skirt
-I've learned the strength in people
-I've learned how to scare cockroaches into playing dead
-I've learned that I am just as poor a matchmaker in Rwanda as in the US
-I've learned to 'scale' secure gates
-I've learned that many people truly believe that money grows on American trees
-I've learned that I look Chinese
-I've learned variations of my name: Julianna, Julia, Lilianna, Junior, Robbins...
-I've learned that I will never understand what it means to have survived the genocide here
-I've learned that there is so much more to learn...
-I've learned that 'yes' can mean 'no' and that raising your eyebrows can mean 'yes'
-I've learned how to walk in the dark
-I've learned how to make an adaptive cup for a child with CP out of a peanut butter jar
-I've learned how to stay calm, and silent
-I've learned how to dance salsa
-I've learned how to use and re-use flip chart paper
-I've learned how to bucket bathe
-I've learned how to ignore my hunger all day
-I've learned to love to shop
-I've learned that death may just be a part of life
-I've learned that not all bananas are peel-able
-I've learned how privileged I am
-I've learned to be a bit patriotic to the US
-I've learned to say 'trousers' instead of 'pants'
-I've learned to be ready for anything
-I've learned that if you put someone in prison, you are responsible to bring him dinner every night (at least on a domestic violence related charge)
-I've learned how to be Posh Spice
-I've learned that drinking too much fanta really can rot your teeth
-I've learned how to live without reliable water and electricity
-I've learned how to bake without a proper oven
-I've learned that the word 'proper' has a less negative connotation to British people
-I've learned that organized religion is similar the world over
-I've learned that I love to sing with my colleagues before we start our work day
-I've learned to be my own fashion designer
-I've learned to like pasta
-I've learned to live without crackers (and burritos, and sushi...for that matter)
-I've learned that connecting with people can cross all language and cultural barriers
-I've learned to sew and to saw
-I've learned not to be too trusting
-I've learned that I still enjoy hand washing clothes even when it is out of necessity
-I've learned to love a language most people have never heard of
-I've learned that ALL stereotypes can be defied
-I've learned to question how to give
-I've learned never to try to give 'prizes' to 80 street children at one time
-I've learned to share food
-I've learned what a guava looks like
-I've learned how to send a text message
-I've learned how to find my way with no street signs or maps
-I've learned that I think that lining up should be important around the world
-I've learned to wash my hair, once, hmm, maybe twice a week
-I've learned how to ride on a moto in a skirt
-I've learned the strength in people
-I've learned how to scare cockroaches into playing dead
-I've learned that I am just as poor a matchmaker in Rwanda as in the US
-I've learned to 'scale' secure gates
-I've learned that many people truly believe that money grows on American trees
-I've learned that I look Chinese
-I've learned variations of my name: Julianna, Julia, Lilianna, Junior, Robbins...
-I've learned that I will never understand what it means to have survived the genocide here
-I've learned that there is so much more to learn...
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Just a few quick stories.
Often, daily if not hourly, myself and other `abazungu` (foreigners) get asked for money (if not a job, biscuits, a doll...). Not infrequently, it goes like this `give me my money` (that may just be the only English someone speaks). We each learn to cope in our own way with this, depending on the context usually.
One friend, tries to bring a bit of humour into the situation, by holding out her hand and saying in Kinyarwanda the same demand, ie, ndashaka ijana (i want 100). She usually says it with a smile until the other person laughs a bit and then they part.
This weekend this friend and I were on a long walk. She had had had an incredibly frustrating work experience that had made her feel quite unsettled about some things related to being a volunteer here as a foreigner and even Rwandan culture. She was venting more then usual about some of her negative experiences.
3 small boys stopped us and demanded money. She stuck with her typical reaction of asking the same back of them. After about 3 minutes of a back and forth, it appeared that the boys were trying to actually negotiate a handout down from 100 francs to 20 francs. That is until it became quite evident that one boy encouraged another to give my friend their only money, 20 francs (about a nickel). He handed it over.
Needless to say something very, very positive about the culture here: if someone has something (even the most poverty-stricken young boy) and they believe you need it more then they do, they will give it to you.
Now, I could debate and discuss for days why I do and do not give here. Or if that attribute really is positive (savings accounts are fairly rare here), but what I won`t debate is that those children showed us a kind heart. (In the end, we bought them a bag of cakes-after searching a ways down the road and returning to them, and explained that we do not like being called `umuzungu` and being asked for money all of the time...that we are here to help people with disabilities and we are volunteers...but that we see that they have good hearts because they wanted to help my friend...and we wanted to say thank you).
Next, just wanted to say, that no treadmill, awesome New Balance trainers, hikes to Pt Reyes or anything can put a girl in shape as much as a 2 hr 15 min `walk` just to my first work site the other day. The social agent I was working with defies all stereotypes about `African time` and African walking pace (usually fairly leisurly and slow). We were booking it the entire time. No food, no drink from 630 am to 6 pm, not good, but I may just come back in shape.
Often, daily if not hourly, myself and other `abazungu` (foreigners) get asked for money (if not a job, biscuits, a doll...). Not infrequently, it goes like this `give me my money` (that may just be the only English someone speaks). We each learn to cope in our own way with this, depending on the context usually.
One friend, tries to bring a bit of humour into the situation, by holding out her hand and saying in Kinyarwanda the same demand, ie, ndashaka ijana (i want 100). She usually says it with a smile until the other person laughs a bit and then they part.
This weekend this friend and I were on a long walk. She had had had an incredibly frustrating work experience that had made her feel quite unsettled about some things related to being a volunteer here as a foreigner and even Rwandan culture. She was venting more then usual about some of her negative experiences.
3 small boys stopped us and demanded money. She stuck with her typical reaction of asking the same back of them. After about 3 minutes of a back and forth, it appeared that the boys were trying to actually negotiate a handout down from 100 francs to 20 francs. That is until it became quite evident that one boy encouraged another to give my friend their only money, 20 francs (about a nickel). He handed it over.
Needless to say something very, very positive about the culture here: if someone has something (even the most poverty-stricken young boy) and they believe you need it more then they do, they will give it to you.
Now, I could debate and discuss for days why I do and do not give here. Or if that attribute really is positive (savings accounts are fairly rare here), but what I won`t debate is that those children showed us a kind heart. (In the end, we bought them a bag of cakes-after searching a ways down the road and returning to them, and explained that we do not like being called `umuzungu` and being asked for money all of the time...that we are here to help people with disabilities and we are volunteers...but that we see that they have good hearts because they wanted to help my friend...and we wanted to say thank you).
Next, just wanted to say, that no treadmill, awesome New Balance trainers, hikes to Pt Reyes or anything can put a girl in shape as much as a 2 hr 15 min `walk` just to my first work site the other day. The social agent I was working with defies all stereotypes about `African time` and African walking pace (usually fairly leisurly and slow). We were booking it the entire time. No food, no drink from 630 am to 6 pm, not good, but I may just come back in shape.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
This blog comes from Julie, Harriette, and Darryl:
It has been a great visit. Some highlights include: a farting elephant, a peeing giraffe, a recently-deceased zebra (of natural causes) being eaten by vultures, lion cubs, adolescent cheetahs playing, about 101 different bird species, missed luggage, cool lodges, car breakdowns, an elephant taking down a tree, the big 5 (cape buffalo, elephant, black rhino, lion, leopard), julie's big 4 (giraffe running, giraffe peeing, giraffe spreading legs to drink water, giraffe sex - castro style : ) ), duty-free shops in the Nairobi airport (we had a long layover), Trafalgar Square, Js house (wow!), Charles the wimpy silverback gorilla, dad getting kicked by a 300 lb lady (gorilla), hardcore hiking! literally up to our knees in mud! yea mom and dad, seeing Jack Hanna's house at our lodge, j's local market in Gikondo, an evening at Pasadena (see previous blog) highlighted by 2 amazing male intore (cow dancers), meeting j's colleagues, shopping for ikitenge (fabric), relaxing weekend on lake Muhazi including eating an entire grilled talapia weighing in at about 7 lbs, fancy city market, local and regional bus trips, lots of walking, mosquito nets around bed, visiting the Genocide Memorial museum in Kigali, visiting the orphans in j's neighborhood, meeting the guesthouse 'help' Didi and Gerard (Gerard had bought mom and dad welcome gifts! how sweet)
So proud of mom and dad for taking everything in stride and enjoying the trip and travels and new experiences (and learning some Kinyarwanda, WOW!).
It has been a great visit. Some highlights include: a farting elephant, a peeing giraffe, a recently-deceased zebra (of natural causes) being eaten by vultures, lion cubs, adolescent cheetahs playing, about 101 different bird species, missed luggage, cool lodges, car breakdowns, an elephant taking down a tree, the big 5 (cape buffalo, elephant, black rhino, lion, leopard), julie's big 4 (giraffe running, giraffe peeing, giraffe spreading legs to drink water, giraffe sex - castro style : ) ), duty-free shops in the Nairobi airport (we had a long layover), Trafalgar Square, Js house (wow!), Charles the wimpy silverback gorilla, dad getting kicked by a 300 lb lady (gorilla), hardcore hiking! literally up to our knees in mud! yea mom and dad, seeing Jack Hanna's house at our lodge, j's local market in Gikondo, an evening at Pasadena (see previous blog) highlighted by 2 amazing male intore (cow dancers), meeting j's colleagues, shopping for ikitenge (fabric), relaxing weekend on lake Muhazi including eating an entire grilled talapia weighing in at about 7 lbs, fancy city market, local and regional bus trips, lots of walking, mosquito nets around bed, visiting the Genocide Memorial museum in Kigali, visiting the orphans in j's neighborhood, meeting the guesthouse 'help' Didi and Gerard (Gerard had bought mom and dad welcome gifts! how sweet)
So proud of mom and dad for taking everything in stride and enjoying the trip and travels and new experiences (and learning some Kinyarwanda, WOW!).
Monday, May 14, 2007
Hello all.
Just finished what feels like the climax of my job here, though it really isn't. After months of observing the 'activities' of my center, doing twice a week trainings with the physiotherapy team, and sewing and sawing toys and adaptive equipment...the physiotherapy team has completed a week-long, back-to-back training for all of the social agents at work. It was exciting on all ends. All of the mwarimu (teachers/trainers) and umunushuri (students) were amazing, and I couldn't be more impressed and pleased by everybody's contributions. WOW (as my friend Pierre here is known to say : ) )
Now building up to my next 'big' project: meeting mom and dad in Tanzania for a safari!
Also, went to the paraolympics (standing and sitting volleyball) 2 weekends ago in a southern town, Butare, and have become a groupy of a few teams. Try to imagine (because I am rubbish at uploading my pictures) a coach with one arm guiding a team of men who scoot on the floor to spike the volleyball over a net (just about 2.5 ft off of the ground), almost none wearing their prosthetic legs, if they do have them. I told my friend Bernard (who plays in the standing Vball games only) that he is lucky because his prosthetic arm is really solid and strong and he can use it to get the ball over the net with more force. A blast to watch!
Just finished what feels like the climax of my job here, though it really isn't. After months of observing the 'activities' of my center, doing twice a week trainings with the physiotherapy team, and sewing and sawing toys and adaptive equipment...the physiotherapy team has completed a week-long, back-to-back training for all of the social agents at work. It was exciting on all ends. All of the mwarimu (teachers/trainers) and umunushuri (students) were amazing, and I couldn't be more impressed and pleased by everybody's contributions. WOW (as my friend Pierre here is known to say : ) )
Now building up to my next 'big' project: meeting mom and dad in Tanzania for a safari!
Also, went to the paraolympics (standing and sitting volleyball) 2 weekends ago in a southern town, Butare, and have become a groupy of a few teams. Try to imagine (because I am rubbish at uploading my pictures) a coach with one arm guiding a team of men who scoot on the floor to spike the volleyball over a net (just about 2.5 ft off of the ground), almost none wearing their prosthetic legs, if they do have them. I told my friend Bernard (who plays in the standing Vball games only) that he is lucky because his prosthetic arm is really solid and strong and he can use it to get the ball over the net with more force. A blast to watch!
Friday, April 27, 2007
For anyone who I don't know or I haven't seen in a while (and all the others in my life)...thank you so much for your comments. They are something I truly look forward to. Feel free to put your email on here and we can have a bit more of an exchange if you have any questions I can try to answer...
I think it is about time for little and quite big 'everyday observations'
-heard a squak as i accidently stepped on a chicken who was riding comfortably under the seat in front of me on the minibus (reminded me of one of the early scenes from an old classic 'romancing the stone' : ) )
-turned when i heard a loud, loud cry on the street, only to see a 'teenage' goat being hoisted onto the back of a taxi moto (motorcycle) - the helmet didn't fit him : )
-had a day off work, in my neighborhood only, as the president (Kagame) was coming to our area to oversee the 'reburial' of bodies from the Genocide (the location came out during witness and defense testimonials of the Gacaca process)
-seeing little bare feet peaking out from mamas and little girls (could be 7 years old themselves) sides as babies are cradled around their backs
-seeing small men carrying loads 2 1/2 times their height (and possibly weight) upon their heads
-planning to walk my 15-20 minutes to my local market for something specific such as eggs or avoka only to spot a lady carrying that needed product upon her head, after some greetings, she accompanies me home so i can get some money and pay her (love the walking markets, as i call them), then i realize how heavy her wares are, as i help her lift her basket of goods back upon her head
-EVERYTHING stopping when it rains, but umbrellas out and useful to protect from the sun
-greetings of cheek to cheek 3 times, and lucky men get to do a forhead bump (i am fighting for some egalatarianism on this front : ) )
-seeing grown men (sometimes in military uniform) sitting between eachothers' legs and walking with their arms around eachother down the street (homosexuality is illigal here)
keep the comments coming! will do my best with the pictures, but i am photo challenged!
j xx
I think it is about time for little and quite big 'everyday observations'
-heard a squak as i accidently stepped on a chicken who was riding comfortably under the seat in front of me on the minibus (reminded me of one of the early scenes from an old classic 'romancing the stone' : ) )
-turned when i heard a loud, loud cry on the street, only to see a 'teenage' goat being hoisted onto the back of a taxi moto (motorcycle) - the helmet didn't fit him : )
-had a day off work, in my neighborhood only, as the president (Kagame) was coming to our area to oversee the 'reburial' of bodies from the Genocide (the location came out during witness and defense testimonials of the Gacaca process)
-seeing little bare feet peaking out from mamas and little girls (could be 7 years old themselves) sides as babies are cradled around their backs
-seeing small men carrying loads 2 1/2 times their height (and possibly weight) upon their heads
-planning to walk my 15-20 minutes to my local market for something specific such as eggs or avoka only to spot a lady carrying that needed product upon her head, after some greetings, she accompanies me home so i can get some money and pay her (love the walking markets, as i call them), then i realize how heavy her wares are, as i help her lift her basket of goods back upon her head
-EVERYTHING stopping when it rains, but umbrellas out and useful to protect from the sun
-greetings of cheek to cheek 3 times, and lucky men get to do a forhead bump (i am fighting for some egalatarianism on this front : ) )
-seeing grown men (sometimes in military uniform) sitting between eachothers' legs and walking with their arms around eachother down the street (homosexuality is illigal here)
keep the comments coming! will do my best with the pictures, but i am photo challenged!
j xx
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Hello everyone!
Time for Julie's Kinyarwanda proverb blog...
-'Yampiye inka!' 'You have given me a cow!' - cows are so meaningful and important here (used in the dowry ceremony as well), that if someone says this to you with warmth, it is quite positive, as a good friend, or with malice or laughing, they are telling you that whatever you are telling them (or selling them) it is ridiculous and you need to lower your price!!
-'Amategeko arusha amabuye kuremera' 'Laws are heavier then stones' - you get the idea
-'Ibuye ryagaragaye ntiryica isuka' 'If you see a stone, it cannot destroy your home' - this one is really good for me, as i often try/do see things optimistically and then get hurt because i wasn't willing to see the whole truth; anyway, if you see the stone (bad, negative, hurtful) while you are building your home, you can go around it and it won't break your tool, so you will be able to successfully build your house
-'Kibuno mpa amaguru' literally means a 'butt give me legs' OR Run Fast!! - funny one! love using it : )
The last few days have been interesting with Genocide Memorial. Pretty much stayed in and did work during the whole day. Felt uncomfortable participating in national activities as an 'observer'. More later when I have spoken to friends that went.
Lots of love, happy Passover and Easter, Jules
PS Our website have toys: www.dbdtoys.com check it out!!! yea Jess!!!
Time for Julie's Kinyarwanda proverb blog...
-'Yampiye inka!' 'You have given me a cow!' - cows are so meaningful and important here (used in the dowry ceremony as well), that if someone says this to you with warmth, it is quite positive, as a good friend, or with malice or laughing, they are telling you that whatever you are telling them (or selling them) it is ridiculous and you need to lower your price!!
-'Amategeko arusha amabuye kuremera' 'Laws are heavier then stones' - you get the idea
-'Ibuye ryagaragaye ntiryica isuka' 'If you see a stone, it cannot destroy your home' - this one is really good for me, as i often try/do see things optimistically and then get hurt because i wasn't willing to see the whole truth; anyway, if you see the stone (bad, negative, hurtful) while you are building your home, you can go around it and it won't break your tool, so you will be able to successfully build your house
-'Kibuno mpa amaguru' literally means a 'butt give me legs' OR Run Fast!! - funny one! love using it : )
The last few days have been interesting with Genocide Memorial. Pretty much stayed in and did work during the whole day. Felt uncomfortable participating in national activities as an 'observer'. More later when I have spoken to friends that went.
Lots of love, happy Passover and Easter, Jules
PS Our website have toys: www.dbdtoys.com check it out!!! yea Jess!!!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Muraho muraho. Apologies for my blog neglect of late. Things had been hectic with much illness, death, 2 house moves, and more.
I do have a lot I could share. Perhaps about the beautiful 26 year old man who had polio as a child and TB of the backbone as an adult. On Monday, he came to greet us in his house (about 6 ft X 10 ft total) climbing uphill in a classic crabwalk style (hands behind scooting on his bum) with his younger child balanced gracefully on his stomach. Or something silly, like how everyone here asks me if I am hungry everytime I yawn. I would be in big trouble if I was hungry everytime I was tired in life! Oh my.
However, I have been wanting to write a bit more about peoples' names here. To clarify an earlier entry: generally a baby is named at about day 8 through a celebratory naming ceremony. Though I missed my neighbor's, I did get to watch the video for 3 hours straight! Most babies are given 2 names, KINYARWANDA French, as such.
Without "taking the piss" (that is for my British friends!) as this is only my understanding of just a few names here, I thought I might try to make a bit of a creative entry through a totally fictional story wrapped around some friends' names. The story is random but relates a few of my experiences here. Enjoy...all translated Kinyarwanda names will be in italics with the (KINYARWANDA French) name following.
One day little G-d helps me to grow up (IMANAIRERE Diane) was crying to her mama. She said, "I don't know how I will learn and grow", and her mother answered, "Imanairere, G-d will help you to grow up". Little Imanairere told her older brother, I thank G-d (NISHYMIMANA Yves), "I thank G-d". But Nishymimana said he has a friend at school who is even luckier; his friend's aunt had told him that his friend will have help all his life in development of everything. He told his sister that they should go seek advice from his school friend, G-d helps me in development (MUJYAMBERE Richard).
So the two wee ones (that's for my Scottish friend Rose!) took a taxibus (a large van) to mu mujyi (town). Then they wove through town to find the Nyenyeri line as the taxi stops often switch with no apparent notification. They squeezed onto the second taxibus and slipped onto the back bench. They heard a young man, I have someone who can take my place (NDICUNGUYE Fabrice), shout "I have someone who took my seat!" They shouted back, "twicarne" (shove over) and all fit easily on the bench. Ndicunguye calmed himself as his lovely best friend, If you could you would be a hero in all areas (MUJYARUGAMBA Pierre), took both of his hands gently in his, rubbed his back softly, and told him that all will be well.
So the kids stayed on the taxibus, but as it stopped for petrol on route, a seller of nailclippers opened the window to market his product to them. A quick opportunist reached his hand through the open window and snatched Diane's cellphone. The nailclipper seller, Innocent, yelled "I am Innocent!" as sometimes these events happen with accomplices. Well, another passenger, Tresor (Treasure Paul) had witnessed the entire episode and ran after the thief, caught him and returned the phone to Diane. At this point the crowd decided against calling the police. Instead, they asked the old man, G-d heals you (HAKIZIMANA Joseph) sitting in the front to say a prayer for the thief to make him choose to be good and to thank Tresor for rescuing the phone.
Later that afternoon, in Gikondo, all 3 kids enjoyed some orange fanta, goat brochette, and had their hair done at Shaloom Saloon...and all felt good about their ability to grow and cope, with Aa little help from friends!
Yours,
MUROREKWERE Julie (When you see her give her parents a cow for dowry) or something like that!!
I do have a lot I could share. Perhaps about the beautiful 26 year old man who had polio as a child and TB of the backbone as an adult. On Monday, he came to greet us in his house (about 6 ft X 10 ft total) climbing uphill in a classic crabwalk style (hands behind scooting on his bum) with his younger child balanced gracefully on his stomach. Or something silly, like how everyone here asks me if I am hungry everytime I yawn. I would be in big trouble if I was hungry everytime I was tired in life! Oh my.
However, I have been wanting to write a bit more about peoples' names here. To clarify an earlier entry: generally a baby is named at about day 8 through a celebratory naming ceremony. Though I missed my neighbor's, I did get to watch the video for 3 hours straight! Most babies are given 2 names, KINYARWANDA French, as such.
Without "taking the piss" (that is for my British friends!) as this is only my understanding of just a few names here, I thought I might try to make a bit of a creative entry through a totally fictional story wrapped around some friends' names. The story is random but relates a few of my experiences here. Enjoy...all translated Kinyarwanda names will be in italics with the (KINYARWANDA French) name following.
One day little G-d helps me to grow up (IMANAIRERE Diane) was crying to her mama. She said, "I don't know how I will learn and grow", and her mother answered, "Imanairere, G-d will help you to grow up". Little Imanairere told her older brother, I thank G-d (NISHYMIMANA Yves), "I thank G-d". But Nishymimana said he has a friend at school who is even luckier; his friend's aunt had told him that his friend will have help all his life in development of everything. He told his sister that they should go seek advice from his school friend, G-d helps me in development (MUJYAMBERE Richard).
So the two wee ones (that's for my Scottish friend Rose!) took a taxibus (a large van) to mu mujyi (town). Then they wove through town to find the Nyenyeri line as the taxi stops often switch with no apparent notification. They squeezed onto the second taxibus and slipped onto the back bench. They heard a young man, I have someone who can take my place (NDICUNGUYE Fabrice), shout "I have someone who took my seat!" They shouted back, "twicarne" (shove over) and all fit easily on the bench. Ndicunguye calmed himself as his lovely best friend, If you could you would be a hero in all areas (MUJYARUGAMBA Pierre), took both of his hands gently in his, rubbed his back softly, and told him that all will be well.
So the kids stayed on the taxibus, but as it stopped for petrol on route, a seller of nailclippers opened the window to market his product to them. A quick opportunist reached his hand through the open window and snatched Diane's cellphone. The nailclipper seller, Innocent, yelled "I am Innocent!" as sometimes these events happen with accomplices. Well, another passenger, Tresor (Treasure Paul) had witnessed the entire episode and ran after the thief, caught him and returned the phone to Diane. At this point the crowd decided against calling the police. Instead, they asked the old man, G-d heals you (HAKIZIMANA Joseph) sitting in the front to say a prayer for the thief to make him choose to be good and to thank Tresor for rescuing the phone.
Later that afternoon, in Gikondo, all 3 kids enjoyed some orange fanta, goat brochette, and had their hair done at Shaloom Saloon...and all felt good about their ability to grow and cope, with Aa little help from friends!
Yours,
MUROREKWERE Julie (When you see her give her parents a cow for dowry) or something like that!!
