It has been another amazing journey to Rwanda and one that I will remember for a long time to come.
It is not often that we get an opportunity to return and see the results of work done in the past - to see the buildings and the pumps is fantastic, but more than that the chance to renew contact with the people and see that their lives have been changed for the better - that's what makes it worthwhile.
So tomorrow afternoon I begin the journey home. Thanks to those that again supported me on this journey, to those that gave money to purchase resources for the people of Gituro, and to those that have read and commented on my journey.
Friday, 19 September 2008
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Kiyunze
We rocked and bounced along a dirt road for about two hours this morning as we travelled to the village of Kiyunze.Just after the genocide in 1994 The Salvation Army was assigned to help this village recover from the effects of the 100 day murderous, destructive rampage. As well as the thousands that were killed in the area, houses, shops, warehouses, wells and crops were destroyed. The Salvation Army assisted the people of this remote village with roads, bridges, water, food and houses.
Today there is a dynamic corps in the village and the Sallies are well respected and recieved. We spent the afternoon talking with some of the locals and checking the condition of the water supply and houses.
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Kigali Genocide Memorial
Just outside Kigali, in a valley surrounded by markets and houses lies the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Opened in 2002 it serves to remind Rwanda and the world of the horrific results of genocide.
Surrounding the building are 14 large sealed concrete bunkers, (each 6m deep, 4m wide and 10m long). These mass graves contain the remains of 258,000 people – men, women and children that were murdered in and around the city of Kigali. But just down on the next terrace more concrete graves have been dug to house the remains that continue to be found.
The Memorial is divided into three sections: the bottom floor circles rooms that display the skeletal remains, the torn clothes and hundreds of photos representing the 1,000,000 that were killed. As you enter the outer ring you follow the story of a peaceful, united Rwanda through the ethnic division and hatred that resulted in horrific torture, mutilation and death. You are reminded of the complicity of some in the church, the ignorance of the international community and the utter impotence of the United Nations.
Upstairs one display outlines the stories of genocides throughout the world and reminds you of the potential of humanity to be completely depraved, whilst the second display shows large images of children, from 8 months to 8 years, and under the faces of the innocent their last words, their favourite foods, and how they died are recorded.
This Memorial continues to be a sobering reminder to the nation and the world. But as I left the building and walked through the bookshop I noticed a T-Shirt with these words on the front that reminded me that we have not learnt:
Surrounding the building are 14 large sealed concrete bunkers, (each 6m deep, 4m wide and 10m long). These mass graves contain the remains of 258,000 people – men, women and children that were murdered in and around the city of Kigali. But just down on the next terrace more concrete graves have been dug to house the remains that continue to be found.
The Memorial is divided into three sections: the bottom floor circles rooms that display the skeletal remains, the torn clothes and hundreds of photos representing the 1,000,000 that were killed. As you enter the outer ring you follow the story of a peaceful, united Rwanda through the ethnic division and hatred that resulted in horrific torture, mutilation and death. You are reminded of the complicity of some in the church, the ignorance of the international community and the utter impotence of the United Nations.
Upstairs one display outlines the stories of genocides throughout the world and reminds you of the potential of humanity to be completely depraved, whilst the second display shows large images of children, from 8 months to 8 years, and under the faces of the innocent their last words, their favourite foods, and how they died are recorded.
This Memorial continues to be a sobering reminder to the nation and the world. But as I left the building and walked through the bookshop I noticed a T-Shirt with these words on the front that reminded me that we have not learnt:
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Gituro Village
18 months ago there were 70 families living in tarpaulin and mud huts on a barren hill-top, walking 6km twice a day to collect stagnant filthy water.As we drove down the familiar dusty, potholed path spontaneous applause broke out in the vehicle as we saw shiny roofs glinting in the sunshine. A ‘three street’ village has appeared, gardens are growing, children are playing. This is the fulfilment of what was only a paper dream for me – and without wanting to sound proud, it is deeply satisfying.
Today there are 70 adobe brick 4-room houses with attached pit latrines fenced by green succulent plant fences. The nearby water bore and hand pump still works and is the gathering place for about 20 people gathering water and washing clothes. A brick community centre and a Salvation Army officer’s house stand on prime land a short distance from the village.
It was an emotional and amazing privilege to return to the village where I spent 5 weeks. I was able to meet the people and hear the stories of the way in which the project has changed and enhanced their lives. To meet the children and have them sing to me again was a rare and exciting opportunity.
The community centre is administered by The Salvation Army and as well as being a training facility for adult literacy, HIV/AIDS prevention, weaving and sewing it is home to the church. Today, (12 months after opening) the two officers administer a church that has: an average Sunday attendance of 140 with 45 Senior Soldiers, 48 Junior Soldiers, 44 Recruits, Junior and Senior Home Leagues, a choir of 18 and weekly prayer meetings and bible studies.Gituro is a vibrant, happy, clean and hope filled village.
LOVE is the difference
“If I speak in the language of the beneficiaries but have not love, I am only a well dressed agent.
If I have a gift for the work of community transformation and can negotiate hidden agendas, and if I have all knowledge and access to resources that can move mountains, but have not love, I am just an NGO.
If I deliver everything promised and in the process completely exhaust myself, but have not love, I gain nothing. I can build the best houses, and dig the deepest wells, but if I have not love, and I do not offer dignity and respect I am only a service provider.”
© Daryl Crowden 2008
If I have a gift for the work of community transformation and can negotiate hidden agendas, and if I have all knowledge and access to resources that can move mountains, but have not love, I am just an NGO.
If I deliver everything promised and in the process completely exhaust myself, but have not love, I gain nothing. I can build the best houses, and dig the deepest wells, but if I have not love, and I do not offer dignity and respect I am only a service provider.”
© Daryl Crowden 2008
Monday, 15 September 2008
Peace Baskets
One of the major influences of peace and reconciliation has come through the women of the country. In a desire to bring and maintain peace and reconciliation women put aside the emotive and divisive labels of Tutsi, Hutu or Twa and began sitting together to weave baskets. In the process the shared their lives: their pains, their hopes and dreams and they found a commonality that brought them together as people and that began a process of transforming the society.These baskets (‘Agaseke’ in kinyarwandan) are distinctive and unique to Rwanda and have become known as ‘peace baskets’ and symbolise “Escorting Each Other Along the Path of Peace”. The basket features on the Coat of Arms of the country and represents hope for a future that is peaceful and united.
The country and her people are well on the way to this reality. Today’s Rwanda is a modern day Phoenix: whilst the ashes remain as a reminder of destruction they also serve to point to renewal and reformation. Beauty has risen and is rising from the ashes.
The Salvation Army too, is a image of the transformation of a country and people. In the past fourteen years, since the genocide the Army has been established and grown in the country and spread to Burundi. Today there are 8 Corps (churches), 2 Outposts, 1,200 Senior Soldiers, 900 Junior Soldiers, 1,000 ‘Other’ adult Members.
The newest corps (‘living church’ the regional commander called it) is in the village of Gituro, which was the site of the emergency projects which began last year, and there are plans underway to open 2 outposts in the area soon. Over 100 people attend this church for worship with over 20 adults and 16 children becoming full members.
Today The Salvation Army Home League in the village of Gituro continues to be engaged in the process of peace and reconciliation, as well as income generation, by making and selling peace baskets in their community, and building foundations of healthy community with their neighbours.
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Reconciliation
As I write there are drums banging, people singing and shouting, balloons and party lights shining in the distance – an exuberant party is happening just down the road, (and I haven’t been invited!)
But it’s not a party; it’s a political party gathering because tomorrow there will be a national election. It’s compulsory for all adults to vote here, and from the people I have spoken to, they are looking forward to it. There is an atmosphere of expectation, hope and peace – people are happy.
Some of this hope comes from the events leading up to this election. Like the bible precedence, all families were told that they must return to their village of birth and there register as citizens of the Country. But this time there was one major detour from previous registrations.
In the past people have been identified by their cultural heritage – their National Identity Card marked them as Hutu, Tutsi or Twa. But this year this divisive categorisation, a catalyst for one of the worst mass genocides in history, has been outlawed and people are no longer being classified by heritage but rather claimed as Rwandan’s.
This apparently small change is a powerful message in the continuing process of reconciliation and a source of rejoicing and partying.
But it’s not a party; it’s a political party gathering because tomorrow there will be a national election. It’s compulsory for all adults to vote here, and from the people I have spoken to, they are looking forward to it. There is an atmosphere of expectation, hope and peace – people are happy.
Some of this hope comes from the events leading up to this election. Like the bible precedence, all families were told that they must return to their village of birth and there register as citizens of the Country. But this time there was one major detour from previous registrations.
In the past people have been identified by their cultural heritage – their National Identity Card marked them as Hutu, Tutsi or Twa. But this year this divisive categorisation, a catalyst for one of the worst mass genocides in history, has been outlawed and people are no longer being classified by heritage but rather claimed as Rwandan’s.
This apparently small change is a powerful message in the continuing process of reconciliation and a source of rejoicing and partying.
Monday, 8 September 2008
Rwanda Revisted
On Friday I take off to return to Rwanda for a few days.
It's been 17 months since I was working in the community of Gituro (remember the images opposite?) and I have heard that much has changed. My understanding is that following the completion of the building of latrines and the completion of the water pump and platform that there are now 70 houses and a community centre completed.
Whilst in Rwanda, (ostensibly to attend a workshop of International Emergency Services Team Leaders in Kigali) I will be returning to Gituro where I will have the opportunity to revisit the people and the programmes.
The question for me centres around the sustainability and relevance of the projects that The Salvation Army has implemented. Have they resulted in transformed and improved living for the people, and have they been delivered in a manner that has been sustainable by the people within their context and without the necessity of outside aid?
I'll let you know.
It's been 17 months since I was working in the community of Gituro (remember the images opposite?) and I have heard that much has changed. My understanding is that following the completion of the building of latrines and the completion of the water pump and platform that there are now 70 houses and a community centre completed.
Whilst in Rwanda, (ostensibly to attend a workshop of International Emergency Services Team Leaders in Kigali) I will be returning to Gituro where I will have the opportunity to revisit the people and the programmes.
The question for me centres around the sustainability and relevance of the projects that The Salvation Army has implemented. Have they resulted in transformed and improved living for the people, and have they been delivered in a manner that has been sustainable by the people within their context and without the necessity of outside aid?
I'll let you know.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Exclusive Memberships
In the last few weeks I have been reminded of the danger of pursuing membership (Senior Soldiership) for the sake of it. I have been reminded that in celebrating one group of people, we are in danger of isolating others and creating a hierarchy of belonging.
When we are perceived to be chasing after members (soldiers) for the sake of it, and hold them up as the ultimate prize we simultaneously assign value to the level of engagement that a person has to the movement - we create an in-group and therefore by (unconscious and unintended) design we banish others to an out-group.
out-group; Jesus wanted to create a come-on-in group, one that sought and
welcomed everyone' (Nigel Livingstone).
I did not covenant with God to enrol Soldiers! My Calling and my Covenant with God is "to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life". My Covenant is to create "a come-on-in group" where all people belong and are valued and accepted equally.
I'm not saying we don't celebrate people willing to commit their lives to being Soldiers, and that we don't challenge people to become Soldiers: but we don't do it to the exclusion of other members of our churches, and we don't do it in a way that makes others feel second class at best and out-siders at worst. (Soldiers are just one part of the body of Christ!)
When we are perceived to be chasing after members (soldiers) for the sake of it, and hold them up as the ultimate prize we simultaneously assign value to the level of engagement that a person has to the movement - we create an in-group and therefore by (unconscious and unintended) design we banish others to an out-group.
'Jesus didn't want to create an in-group which could banish others to an
out-group; Jesus wanted to create a come-on-in group, one that sought and
welcomed everyone' (Nigel Livingstone).
I did not covenant with God to enrol Soldiers! My Calling and my Covenant with God is "to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life". My Covenant is to create "a come-on-in group" where all people belong and are valued and accepted equally.
I'm not saying we don't celebrate people willing to commit their lives to being Soldiers, and that we don't challenge people to become Soldiers: but we don't do it to the exclusion of other members of our churches, and we don't do it in a way that makes others feel second class at best and out-siders at worst. (Soldiers are just one part of the body of Christ!)
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