I will be working with Uyisenga N'manzi along with my fellow delegate, Kristin Bain. This group works primarily with children who, because of conflict, the genocide, and the ever-growing HIV/AIDS epidemic, have been forced into heading their households. This group's aim is to work toward the support and rehabilitation of these youth that have suffered both economically and psychologically. Many young girls that are supported were also victims of rape or other forms of sexual violence previously. During the Genocide, as well as before and after, this form of crime was used often throughout the country of Rwanda. All of these children have been thrust into situations that are too advanced for their ages and they are often left to support siblings and their commmunity as a whole.
Global Youth Connect's work (my work) will center around various activities of support for the local NGO and the children that it helps. This is amazing considering that I have given a great deal of thought to devoted my career towards helping at-risk women and children, primarily those affected by sexual violence, as well as orphaned children. In the past, delegate workers have written grant and proposal projects as well as developed an international internship program. They have also implemented three great programs in the Niboye Peace Village:
1. "Memory Book" photo project with the orphans
2. Friendship Bracelet weaving project (which they later sell for profit)
3. Yoga Project (which since its creation has morphed into a gymnastics program)
I love arts and crafts and one important thing to remember is that these "arts and crafts" can and do help to generate money for the youth being supported. I was also a gymnast for many years and continued as a coach during and after I had finished competing. I think I may need to brush up on my skills so these kids don't school me! I have gotten a couple of disposable cameras donated and I am hoping to get more donated for the trip; I have had similar ideas of creating a photo project. I have read quite a few articles about this being a very positive idea for youth. Plus, I am debating on cameras at the moment and I hope to have a nice DSLR for the trip so I can capture every moment :) It looks as if being able to communicate could pose a problem though.... this is even more incentive to learn as much Kinyarwanda as I can prior to leaving!
Below are the program assignments for our delegation. We will be in two's for our Volunteer Service Organization (VSO) assignments so hopefully this will satisfy my mom in knowing that I will not necessarily be alone!
Volunteer Service Organizations | North American/International | Rwandan Participants |
Ajprodho | Jordan Hye-Won | |
Coporwa | Julie Christina | |
Health Development Initiative | Neil S. Joelle R. | |
Uyisenga N'manzi | Mary Brittany G. Kristin B. | |
Rapp | Brittany C. Erin M. | |
Ishyo | Lowell B. Adrianna L. | |
Kigali Hope | Freddy R. Erika P. | |
ADBEF | Melanie H. Krista W. |
Now on a side note, today was fairly eventful. I am in the process of applying for the Fulbright Scholarship and have finally narrowed down my country choice from ALL of them to ... approximately 30-35. Yes I understand that is still a lot of countries but I am working it down towards an eventual country selection of one. One problem I had encountered (other than being unable to pick a country) is that Southeast's previous Fulbright Program Advisor was no longer in charge of the program and since then no one else had picked up the pieces. I was able to meet with the Executive Director for International Programs at Southeast today and he informed me that he is more than willing to take on the responsibility of being the Fulbright Program Advisor for our University. He has called and emailed with the proper association and that is one less stress now for me to worry about! He seems very nice and eager to help so I cannot wait to begin molding my 13 page application!
Thinking about this and discussing overseas travel got me thinking about just how quickly this trip to Rwanda has come around. I leave St. Louis airport July 20 at 6 pm (I believe) and that leaves me with a mere 63 days until I leave the USA! How crazy is that? I want to say I am ready but it just isn't true. I am ready for the experience, but not ready in the sense that there is simply too much to do before that date! My preliminary project proposal is due to my professor by June 15 (she will be out of the country right after that up until my trip so I have to get it in extremely early). Once that proposal is complete I will be a lot more at ease.
Director Ahmed also brought up another valid thought today; how much travel have I done? Honestly, not much. At least as far as international travel is concerned. Yes I have been to Canada and Mexico. Besides those family excursions, my only other international travel was with my University almost a year and a half ago. We visited Spain, Ireland, Gibraltar, and Morocco. It was amazing and I believe that trip is what solidified my love for traveling. The Director seemed to believe that I am ready for this trip to Rwanda and for the Fulbright and could take on the title of International Traveler fairly easily.... I guess I will figure out whether or not that is true sometime between July 20 and August 17!
Below is a map of where I have been. Not as impressive as I was hoping! Obviously blue and turquiose highlight the countries to which I have traveled. I have seen approximately 4% of the world.
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