My days are numbered...

So I have a little over a week left in Rwanda, and I wanted to get a
few thoughts down before I leave.

I already know this will not be the last time, as I know thoughts and
memories of the beautiful people and scenery will stay with me for
quite some time.

The Third World has been my home for the last few months.

Third World people have fed me, housed me, laughed with me (sometimes
at me, with good reason), and inspired me. They have confided in me,
shared experiences to which I've have had nothing to say to console,
and taught me more about life than I could have ever learned at home
in the First World.

Faces.

These are the first things we overlook when we hear about issues and
conflicts in these parts of the world. We forget about the people, the
families, the jobs, and the lives. Everything gets lumped into the
abstract, impersonal terms that we use to describe other nations'
problems.

Third World.

I don't think this is intentional. We don't mean to avoid or minimize
these problems, or diminish their validity.

But their faces find no home in our vague terms and there is no room
in our ambiguity for individuals.

I really don't mean to bring up the past, or accuse anybody of
anything other than what I myself am also guilty. It's just easy
for us to get comfortable in our own little spheres and forget or
ignore things that are happening to other people that are just like
us.

I saw an Rwandan kid the other day that looked just like me. I mean,
serious. Other than the beard and the obvious skin color, he could've
been my twin.

Good looking kid, I might add.

It made me think about who I am. What would my life have been like if
I hadn't been born under the circumstances that I was? Am I more
deserving of attention, or more important because of the fact that I
was born at Great Plains Regional Hospital in North Platte, Nebraska,
instead of Le Hopital de Gisenyi-Rubavu?

These are purely thought-provoking questions and subject matter, more
for myself than anyone. However, we can all find truth in these words,
and apply it in some arena of our lives.

Give it a try. Bet you don't have to come to Rwanda to see a difference.

But I know quite a few people here who would love it if you did.

Utah State University article

http://usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=38067

Christmas morning as a 5-year old.

(The following is something I wrote for my organization's blog, unganafoundation.blogspot.com)

That’s the closest comparison I can think of when trying to describe the look I saw on 85 Rwandan kids’ faces this afternoon as we handed them their new XO laptops. It really was incredible to see the amazement come out as they booted up what was now their first trip into the information age. During the next few months, and then for the rest of their lives, they will be able to progress like never before.

Rwanda is quickly beginning its ascent into being the foremost technological country in Africa, and is committed to making it happen in all areas of the population, including in primary schools. This investment in the future is inspiring, and was seen in the children’s excitement as we handed them this new instrument. Right off, they began testing the XO’s capabilities; taking pictures, searching for more information in the Wikipedia activity, and drawing pictures of their houses. Until now, the children have been entirely dependent on others for their education, awaiting instruction from the overworked, underpaid teachers. With the introduction of the XO, a child can supplement the education given them in school with their own interest-driven activities, with a healthy dose of problem solving, hands-on discovery.

At the UNGANA Foundation, we appreciate this refreshing confidence in the future. We are devoted to making this endeavor sustainable. Education is not effective with a “flash-in-the-pan” mentality, but must be seen as a process that will continue indefinitely.

With that in mind, we will continue to work with the ULK Primary School, offering them tools and preparing them for the time when they will be able to proceed on their own, learning things that we aren’t capable of teaching.

Today is the day.

(The following is something I wrote for my organization's blog, unganafoundation.blogspot.com)

Today we’re going to the ULK Primary School to deploy 85 XO laptops to 85 5th graders who won’t even know what hit them.

They’ll have no idea that with these new machines, they will be able to take education into their own hands. Right now, they have no idea that they’ll soon be:

• Writing the stories of their lives
• Adding pictures of themselves to the stories
• Sharing activities with their colleagues
• Drawing pictures of their favorite animals
• Learning English by creating their own memorize activities
• Surfing the Web for information on their own country
• Using an encyclopedia to learn more about the endocrine system
• Writing a report on the East African Community with research from various sources
• Learning along with their teachers
• Teaching each other
• Working in groups without even knowing it
• Emailing pen pals on the other side of the world
• Blogging
• Showing their parents how to use a computer
• Creating simple computer programming
• Who knows, maybe creating complex computer programming
• Playing problem-solving games

A whole new world of educational possibilities is waiting for these children to discover. In partnering with One Laptop Per Child, the UNGANA Foundation believes that, when given the right tools, children are capable of doing amazing things; even in the most remote places. Today we will see that seed planted, and we are committed to helping nourish it.

I've written about this before

I visited the Kigali Memorial Center again today, and was reminded of the things that we humans do to each other.

I tried to look at each skull in the exhibition individually; as a different person, with a different life. I looked at the pictures of the victims, donated generously by their families, and thought what it would be like to see a brother up there, or an uncle, or a friend.

As I sit in the beautiful gardens surrounding the center, I can’t help but notice that the flowers that bloom here now bloomed before and during the atrocities, as they have forever.

Moving forward

Never stopping

Always progressing

Humans may be the only creatures that continuously digress; that seem hindered by their own perceived nature.

“Never again.”

After the Holocaust, who would have ever said, “I’ll occasionally stand by and let this nightmare happen again”?

But we have…

And we do…

As long as people suffer and we strengthen divisions among us, whatever they may be, the word “never” will remain weak, its weakness symbolizing our inability to progress.

In order for us to move forward, at some point, we’ll have to make that step.

One year ago, I sat in this same place and wrote, “Let us return strength to the phrase ‘Never Again.’”

Maybe someday I won’t have to.

There it is. The culmination of 5 years of blood, sweat, grape juice, milk, ramen noodles, tears, and money. Of course, the real diploma isn't in there; i won't get it for eight weeks. Just enough time for them to make sure i don't have any outstanding parking tickets, library books, or pending custody battles. I should be ok on two of those. It's been awesome. Probably the most developmental time of my life. I feel great; ready to take on the world. Stand back and watch me fly, sucka!

I wonder if i look as much like a communications student as engineering students look like engineering students.