First taste of Rwanda

So it has been almost 2 months since we arrived home from Rwanda, and I have been doing a lot of reflection, trying to digest what I have learned in Rwanda... sometimes experiencing some gastrointestinal discomfort (get the pun? HA-HA). I had the opportunity to briefly (all in about 10 min) share the highlights at church last Sunday. Since coming home, I finished one summer course at UBC and am completing my second one right now... then VACATION!!!

On our first weekend in Rwanda, we stayed in Kigali (the capital) where we had orientations. We walked around the city near our gorgeous hotel Beausejour, and saw many armed guards. We also noticed people hissing "ssss ssss ssss" on the streets, and we thought people were being rude or doing cat calls..... BUT we learned pretty quickly that these "hissing" noises were used to get people's attention. Pretty amazing when that one person out of the crowd will turn and respond... how did they know that "ssss sssss" was for them?!

Beausejour, beautiful little hotel about 10 min away from the airport

We also experienced our first meal in Rwanda (must say it was very good in comparison to the next 6 weeks!).

Talapia (fish) in mushroom sauce, rice, french fries (yuuuummy), and veggies

We were enjoying the views of the hills, and got our first taste of riding on taxi-motos.

Vroom vroom... R & I ready to weave through the traffic

We visited Hotel Des Mille Collines (where Hotel Rwanda actually took place).

The pool where water was rationed for hotel guests during the genocide

And we had the opportunity to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. Before writing about the stories and experiences, I would like to share with you some of the cold realities many of these people faced after the genocide.

The outside of Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre

My heart has never pounded so fast and hard as I walked through the memorial. The memorial is built in a circular format with the accounts of the genocide written around the outer most circle of the memorial. In 1994, an estimation of 1 million people were killed in a mere 100 days. This genocide differed from other genocides, such as the Holocaust, because neighbors, friends, and family were ordered to kill those who were Tutsi. Most people were not killed by guns, but by machetes and other farming tools. The country was littered with bodies.

The inner circle included displays of skulls and bones of those who perished. Furthermore, the tools used in the genocide, such as machetes, were displayed along with particles of clothing that were left behind. One of which included a shirt clearly from Canada (that really hit home for me). Then I walked into a room filled with pictures of those who have perished. I was surrounded by them.

My heart was pounding, my head was spinning... I had no emotions to express, not even a tear fell... I was so stunned. As if these were not enough, we walked upstairs to a memorial for the other genocides committed in the world... none of those were any less horrible or petrifying. How did our world end up like this? Why haven't we learned from the past? Or have we?

Mass graves at the Kigali Genocide Memorial

The suffering of those in the genocide was already too unbearable to fathom. We then walked into the children's memorial corner. We were surrounded by photos of children who were killed in the genocide. Many children were murdered as a measure to ensure extinction as the next generation would also cease to exist. Under the photos were descriptions of what the child enjoyed eating, their favourite thing to do, their favourite person, and other personal details of their lives. In my mind, I could picture these children playing and happily enjoying their childhood. The last description was how they were killed. Some of these included their friend/neighbour killing them even after begging for mercy and reminding them of their friendship, others smashed against the wall, and many other devastating and shocking accounts. I was so shaken that I could neither move nor think clearly. My heart wrenched with pain and sorrow, yet still no tears could fall from my eyes. How could anyone be so cruel to hurt the innocent children....? This part of the memorial was entitled "Wasted lives...". When I had regained my composure, I remembered thinking and hoping that these children's lives will not wasted, but that they serve as a clear and painful reminder of the cruelty of humanity and to ensure that we, as global citizens, do our part to prevent these genocides from occurring again.

A long moment of silence

After visiting the memorial, my heart was heavy. This was the start of our journey in Rwanda. I was prepared to meet people in villages who were heavy-hearted, depressed, sad, and have no hope. After all, if it were me, I would still be grieving after 16 years... I mean, how would anyone be able to let go of the indescribable anger and sadness, and truly forgive after witnessing your family being murdered?

However, the friends and people we met in Rwanda proved to be much different than I could ever imagine. They are living in hope, forgiveness, love, perseverance, and diligence.

Home sweet home... but Rwanda stole my heart

I am home from the 7 weeks journey to Rwanda. Since I could not log into my blog in Rwanda, I would like to share my experiences and reflections in the next couple of weeks.

When I think about Rwanda, what comes to mind? Just to name a couple of the most striking memories...

- friendship... different colors, one people!!

- sounds of laughter, hope, and love

- endless hills of splendor

- papaya, pineapples, bananas, passion fruit, tree tomatoes

- you really only want to try their buffets once... trust me...

- african tea

- smoky, warm water for a bath

Oh, how I miss Rwanda. It really felt like home. I hope to go back one day... one day soon, at least in my dreams. This has been an experience of a lifetime, and I have learned so much. More to come soon!

When you leave a place you love, is it the smell, sounds, or sights that most remind you of that wonderful place?

Safely in Kigali

We arrived in Kigali safely last night after 2 delays and 1 flight cancellation... WE MADE IT!!!!!!!



We flew from Vancouver to Amsterdam to Nairobi, then stopped by Burundi (but didn't get off the plane) then FINALLY to Kigali. What an adventure!



When we got to Amsterdam, we trained into DT and spent couple hours strolling there. There were so many tourists!!!! Many people were riding bikes- whether in dress shoes or runner, and dresses or casual clothes. The canal was as beautiful as it was when I was there with my family 2 years ago. Unfortunately, the flowers had not bloomed yet on the floating flower shops.

We then flew from Amsterdam to Nairobi. Since our flight was delayed, we walked quickly to our next gate upon arrival only to discouver that our flight from Nairobi to Kigali was CANCELLED!!! We waited in the airport from 7:30am to 12:30pm only to be faced with more delays. When we finally landed in Kigali, my heart leaped with excitment, but my body yearned for some sleep.

We arrived at our hotel called Beausejour. It's beautiful here. The landscape is green with those flat trees that you see in movies like Lion King! I can't believe we are here. People are extremely friendly here and try to help us as much as possible. Our rooms are so nice too! We each have our own rooms with our own bathrooms and a basin for showering. We were all so happy to have a warm shower last night. My room has 2 beds- one of which I use to put all my clothes on.

We had dinner at Hotel Chez last night. I had grilled fish with mushroom sauce, fries, rice, and veggies. Also had a passion fruit juice. Was very good. Tasted like an asian meal from Richmond hahaha

I faced my first bug attack last night. There were a couple dozen ants eating a piece of dirt when I got home last night from dinner. Of course, knowing me, I panicked. But I remembered I had bug repellent in cream form... so I encircled them with the repellent. Good news... the repellent works as the ants could not get out of the little circle I made around them. Bad news... they were still alive and panicking as well and repelled by the smell of the cream. So I took all my courage and used toilet paper and wiped up the cream and ants combo and ran to the toilet and flushed them down! All safe... well, UNTIL I saw a spider beside my clothes this morning. Maybe... I need to learn to co-exist with these things called bugs...

Anyways, breakfast time. Woke up at 6:30am this morning because my room is facing the road and traffic was noisy and made me all paranoid.

Goodbye Vancouver, Hello Rwanda!

It's down to the last 4 hours in Vancouver before we head to Rwanda! I can't describe my excitement!

How do I feel?
Obviously excited, a bit homesick (yes already)... Actually I don't really know what to expect, which is really unusual for me since I really like things planned and organized so I know exactly what will happen and what I will be experiencing. This time, I am learning to be flexible and open to experience, and yet I have a strange sense of peace.

What are my goals?
I am very blessed to be able to experience and learn from a new culture. I know the people in Rwanda will teach me very important life lessons, and just hearing their stories will give me a new perspective in life. I am also excited to be involved in a long term project, in which we will be collaborating with 12 local Rwandan students to conduct baseline nutritional research. As most of you know, I don't have a lot of experience in research, so I feel extremely excited to be learning through experience... an eye opener for sure. I hope through this trip and experience, my eyes will be opened and am looking to see if this could be a possible career path.

What are my fears/worries?
Most of you know, I worry a lot because I like to know what is going to happen so I can adequately prepare myself. However, I have a great sense of peace that I know comes only from Him. But here are a few fears/worries I have- some are funny and others not so much.

- I'm really scared of bugs!!!! I will be inspecting my room every night before I sleep to make sure I am not sleeping with any of them... don't laugh, bugs scare me!
- Will 6 weeks be enough for the research and also for us to understand the needs of the community?
- Will I be so attached that I don't want to leave?
- Will the research that is collected make a difference and will it be effectively used for a long-term solution?

Those are just a few for now...


Who am I when I come home?
Hmmms, when we were asked this question in one of our pre-departure sessions, I was quite hesitant to predict how much I would be changed because change can sometimes be subtle, and I know it will take some time for me to digest and reflect on everything that I will be experiencing in Rwanda. However, I do hope to become a more aware individual, more compassionate, loving, and learning how to meet others' needs and care for others in a meaningful manner. In the end, I will still be me, but hopefully grow through this experience.


I will miss you all very much! Thank you for all your support and encouragements! See you when I come home!

Inside out, upside down... blessings in disguise?

Just when I thought my world has been turned inside out, upside down and nothing is according to plan- in fact, I feel like I am on plan Z!- I am reminded how much I have in life and to count my blessings. I have a loving family who is always by my side with encouragements, love, and support. I have the greatest friends anyone can ask for, and they are always there for me during the hard times, and sharing in my joys and adventures. I have had a great opportunity to work with such passionate and caring people- many of whom have become my good friends- in the past 2 years. Now, I have a second chance at education and by His grace I have the opportunity to go to Rwanda.

When I have been feeling blue in the last couple of months, He knows my heart and sends people into my life to remind me of how much I am loved and how important I am to Him... Thank You for never giving up on me. And to those people whom He has put in my life and have been so gracious to me, THANK YOU!!!!

These are but the tip of the iceberg of overflowing blessings I have sometimes overlooked when faced with difficulties, stress, and frustrations. I am reminded to count my many blessings daily.

When I think about Rwanda and the people I will encounter, I am reminded of their great strength, faith, and perseverance after enduring such horrific and heart-wrenching events in their lives. I am really looking forward to learn from them and to experience a new culture- all at the same time participating in nutritional research.

3.5 weeks to go... 1 more paper, 3 exams, booking tickets, packing... oh, how time will fly!

What blessings have been overlooked and need to be treasured?

Look Great and Feel Great Fundraiser

Couple weeks ago when I got accepted by Go Global at UBC to go on this trip to Rwanda to conduct baseline nutritional research, I shared this with my girl friends. To my surprise, they were even more excited than I because it had not entirely hit me that I would be leaving for Rwanda in less than 2 months. Without wasting any time, my good friend Emily, who has recently taken up a new endeavour as a consultant for Arbonne, suggested enthusiastically that we should have a make-up party as a fundraiser.

Emily began with her usual introduction of Arbonne and their environmentally friendly, botanical and herbal based, hypoallergenic, and high quality products. As this was a fundraiser, Emily so eloquently and efficiently show-cased all of Arbonne's products in one short hour, and passed around her recommended products, including the RE9 advanced corrective eye cream (reduced my eye bags in less than a week), the FC5 ultra hydrating hand creme (which smells absolutely amazing!), and the Figure 8 On the Go Creamy Caramel Chews (yuuuuums).

Then, Emily let us go try all her available products, including some of the new products that Arbonne just released! What a treat! Of course, us girls quickly gathered around the make-up table, and like little kids we played with make-up for a whole 2 hours!

Some of us learned how to do the smokey eye technique...

Perfecting her work of art!

others tried the amazing lip glosses...

<---- before lipgloss

after lipgloss------>

G is amazed at

how the bright red

lipgloss brought out

her lips

A big thank you to those who came out to support me on this trip to Rwanda, and especially to Emily who donated her sales to my trip. If you would ever like to pamper yourself with these products, book a party with Emily by emailing her at emilyhtyu@gmail.com

Nothing is more golden than friends.

We're going to Rwanda!!

Six UBC students are embarking on a 6 week Go Global trip of a lifetime to Rwanda, Africa in May of this year. Come out and learn about our International Nutrition and Food Security project and what is means to be involved in community-based research and development.

Date:	Monday, March 29, 2010
Time:	5:15pm - 6:45pm
Location:	International House, 1783 West Mall, UBC

Please join Roberta, Gurjeet, Sharon, Melissa, Kaylen, and Sung Kyu for a fun and relaxed evening on Monday March 29th to learn about what's going on in Rwanda today and about the country's nutrition status (or should i say MALnutrition status!).

We are lucky to have 2 guest speakers who have extensive experience and involvement in international nutrition initiatives:

1) Dr. Judy McLean, UBC Professor (FNH 355; FNH 490)
- Dr. McLean is also a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO) and is currently working on a supplementation program in Cambodia. She is also an advisor and co-author of the Nutrition Manual for the Millennium Villages Project in Africa, and has done work in Rwanda and Kenya. She will also be going with us to Rwanda in May!

2) Sarah Elder, Masters Student in Resource Management and Environmental Studies
- Sarah has done extensive health-related work in Rwanda and we look forward to hearing about her Rwanda experience!

This event is a great chance to learn about getting involved in international volunteer work, and a chance to learn some interesting facts about Rwanda.

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided!

Hope to see you all there!!