Giving What We Can!

Dinner with Prof. Alan Fenwick and others. 

It is hard to believe that I have been in Rwanda for three weeks already! Today marks the beginning of my fourth week here, and I am just as excited as I was when I first arrived. One of the many things that I enjoy about my job here is the opportunity to meet people from different parts of the world. I assumed when I first arrived that most of my encounters would be with Rwandans or American ex-pats. Yet, through various meetings and fellowships, I have met people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, the United Kingdom and many others.

Alan Fenwick was someone who I had the opportunity to meet during my first week here. Alan is a Professor of Tropical Parasitology at the School of Public Health at the Imperial College in London, England. Alan also directs the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI), which is a collaborative project to assist countries in sub Saharan Africa control schistosomiasis, intestinal helminths and other Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that leads to chronic ill-health and affects more than 200 million people in developing countries, 85% of them in sub-Saharan Africa. SCI is supported by organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,  The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva Global and others.  When Alan and I were talking over dinner about philanthropy and the huge need that exists in countries like Rwanda, he mentioned an organization called Giving What We Can. This organization was started by ordinary individuals to eliminate poverty in the developing world. To that end, the now 101 members have pledged 10% of their income, which equates to over 30 million dollars! The interesting thing to note is that these individuals come from all walks of life, they have different religious beliefs but one common purpose, to use their income to effect socio-economic change.

I know what some of you are thinking, "I have a limited income, I can't afford to give 10% to charity, I'll leave that to people like Bill Gates!" The beauty of this project is that it provides a breakdown on some of the spending done in developed countries like America on items such as ice cream (11 billion) and cigarettes (50 billion) each year. Now hopefully most of my readers don't smoke, but if we put something like that into context, its almost alarming how much is spent on that bad habit. As part of my job for Pfizer, back in the states, I talk to my clients about smoking cessation on a regular basis. One of the things that they are always astounded to hear is how much patients spend on cigarettes. Its almost ridiculous to think of low-income patients spending over $5000 each year on cigarettes yet these same patients can't afford to pay for their own health care. The point is that people spend money on the things that matter to them. If anyone disagrees, think about what matters to you, is it up-to-date hairstyles? Do a quick calculation of how much you spend at the hair salon each week and multiply that by 52, yes, you've really spent that much on your hair in a given year! (I have been guilty in the past of spending a lot of money on my hair, more than I am comfortable disclosing to the public)

Now my purpose in writing this isn't to judge anyone's spending habits, but to draw attention to the fact that we can all do more. Whether you give already through a local church or organization, your money matters and should therefore go towards causes that matter to you. Check out the Giving What We Can website to get ideas on the scope of the problem and ways that the international community can join together.

If anyone is interested in donating money, here are some organizations to consider:

Organizations close to my heart:

1. A-M Agape Blessing Ministry

2. Charity Water

3. World Vision Africa 

 Organizations working to alleviate poverty and improve healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa:

1. The Access Project

2. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

3. Giving What We Can

4. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria 

5. ONE 

6. Rwanda Works 

7. William J. Clinton Foundation


It is an important practice to take the time to research organizations thoroughly before giving any money, to make sure that they are financially accountable.

1. Give Well

If you have any organizations that are close to your heart, please list them in the comments section below, and remember to always give what you can ;)

Parlez-vous Francais? Tuvugane iKinyarwanda?

"Mwaramutse!"

Every morning as I arrive at work, I am greeted by my colleagues with this Kinyarwanda greeting. Kinyarwanda is the native dialect of Rwanda, as well as some parts of neighboring Uganda and Burundi. The other language most common to Rwanda is French, inherited from Belgium, which colonized Rwanda in the 19th century. However, over a year ago, the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, declared English as the new official language of Rwanda, leaving many Rwandans, scrambling to learn English. So as a native English speaker, I have offered my English language skills to my co-workers on the condition that they help me with my French and to a lesser degree,  Kinyarwanda.

I started learning French in the 7th grade and took it until freshmen year in High School. So with three years of French behind me and one short weekend trip to Paris after college, my French is tres mal (very bad). Whenever someone speaks to me in French, I try to warn them that Je parle en peu Francais (I speak a little French). Yet, I was amazed a few times this past week when my Franco-phonic colleagues were speaking at lunch and I understand a lot of what they were saying. I failed to contribute much to the conversation other than the occasional oui (yes) or Je ne sais pas (I don't know). Which makes me more determined than ever to re-learn French and converse adequately with my colleagues and the rest of Rwanda.

Kinyarwanda is a different story. I have found that it is a difficult language to learn, because my tongue absolutely refuses to form certain key words. Kinyarwanda is a tonal language which means words are not always pronounced as they are written. A perfect example is the word Rwanda, while we say Ra-wanda in America, most Rwandans say Gwanda because the Rw makes a Gw sound.  HUH? Yes, you read that right. Not only that, but most Rwandans can't pronounce the letters L or R, which makes for more interesting dialogue. Difficult but not impossible! I plan to learn at least some Kinyarwanda, since most of the people in the rural villages that comprise most of Rwanda, only speak this native dialect.

Here are a few Kinyarwanda words to know:

Mwaramutse:  Good Morning
Meze neza  : I'm fine
Bite? : What's up?
Yego: Yes
Oya: No
Uvuga Icyongereza? : Do you speak English?

In looking up some of these words in Kinyarwanda, I came across this interesting fact; Kinyarwanda is also the name of a new feature film produced by and starring Rwandans. It was chosen as the Official Selection at the Sundance Film Festival for 2011. According to the movie's website, the movie tells the story of how Muslims and Christians helped each other during the 1994 genocide.

"At the time of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the Mufti of Rwanda, the most respected Muslim leader in the country, issued a fatwa forbidding Muslims from participating in the killing of the Tutsi. As the country became a slaughterhouse, mosques became places of refuge where Muslims and Christians, Hutus and Tutsis came together to protect each other. KINYARWANDA is based on true accounts from survivors who took refuge at the Grand Mosque of Kigali and the madrassa of Nyanza. It recounts how the Imams opened the doors of the mosques to give refuge to the Tutsi and those Hutu who refused to participate in the killing."

KINYARWANDA Extended Trailer from Alrick Brown on Vimeo.

Land of a Thousand Hills!

Rwanda is called the "Land of a Thousand Hills" because of its numerous hills. I like to call it, "Land of No-Name Streets", simply because I have yet to see a street sign. On my first real day in Kigali, I had the chance to tour the city and see some of its famous hotels and landmarks. Knowing where these places are gives you an idea of how to get around to other lesser known places. For example, instead of saying that you live on a particular street, you would say, I live three hills down from the Gorilla Hotel or near the UTC Center, etc. It can get pretty confusing at first, but after my first full week, I am starting to get the hang of it. 

My days have been consumed with work from 8am to 5:30p with a break for lunch from 12:30p-1:30p. Since the entire office dines in, buffet style, I have been well fed thus far. Rwandan food is similar to the food of the Caribbean Islands, consisting of plantains, cassava and rice with beans. In the evenings, I am usually back home taking a nap. Now that the jet-lag is wearing off, I am free to do more and see more of Kigali and its neighboring villages. The only places other than my apt and work that I have ventured to is, to Heaven Restaurant and Bourbon Coffee. One thing to note about Bourbon Coffee is that they have three locations in Kigali, one at the two malls in town and one at the airport. Bourbon Coffee is the Starbucks of Rwanda, using the famous bourbon coffee beans grown in Rwanda to make their signature coffee drinks. The business has made a name for itself in Rwanda and has recently expanded to Washington DC and NYC. Yes, you too can get your fill of Rwandan coffee at their new location in Union Square.

 So that has been my exciting life so far. If you're not entirely convinced that all is well, here are some pics of my first week in Kigali. Enjoy! 

 THE LANDSCAPE

THE FOOD 

THE PEOPLE

That's me, hard at work.

Some of my co-workers with their Pfizer swag

All Staff Meeting

Dinner with Linda

Lunch with Peace Corps Volunteers

I'm in Heaven...

"Heaven is more than a place, it's a social enterprise." That's the first thing I read as I sat down for dinner at Heaven, a premier restaurant and bar in Kigali. Heaven is a not only known for its exceptional food and service, it strives to do good by giving back to the local economy. Based on an idea by Alissa Ruxin, wife of Access Project founder, Josh Ruxin, Heaven's goal is to create jobs, support local farmers, suppliers, technicians and artists, as well as provide ongoing training to workers to improve the local service industry.

That's an ambitious goal for Kigali, where there aren't many restaurants or much of a social scene. To say that I have spent most of my evenings at home catching up on work and chatting with friends and family, speaks volumes on the lack of things to do in Kigali.

So you can imagine how excited I was to go to Heaven and experience the best of Kigali. You immediately feel like you have been transported to another place. The ambience of Heaven is reminiscent of an island bungalow, with its thatched ceiling, open views and wooden tables and chairs. I ordered the "Heavenly Soup of the Day" which was a creamy chicken soup and the Charcoal-Grilled Chicken with Potato Croquettes. Everything is fresh and organic, and I could taste the difference with the chicken I served at Heaven and what I was used to back in the States. The food and drinks were delicious and I savored every bite. Definitely a worthwhile trip for anyone living in Kigali or planning to visit.



Heaven's Gateway





An inside look







Creamy Chicken Soup of the Day

Charcoal Grilled Chicken w/ Potato Croquettes

"Heavenly" Merchandise

For more information on Heaven, please visit their website: www.heavenrwanda.com

GETTING THERE....

Eight hours from New York City to Brussels, another eight hours from Brussels to Kigali. That's the length of my journey to Rwanda. Just 16 hours stands between my old life and this new one. I really can't say that this journey started when I boarded the plane. It started a long time ago when I decided in my heart that I wanted to live my life to make a difference. It take guts to step out and do something different from your normal routine. Each day is afforded the same opportunities to do something extraordinary but rarely do we step up to the task. I always looked at the people who decide to step out in faith and accomplish enormous feats, with admiration and wonder. I knew that they were special, gifted with a certain 'je ne sais quois' that allowed them to reach the impossible. Celebrities and some just really brave regular folk who stand up for a cause, fight for the underdogs of society or just say NO to injustice. They are the real heroes in this world. How dare I think that I can do something as great as them. Oh no, for a long time, it was just a dream...

I read the book "The Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson a couple of years ago. Its a book that stars a character named Nobody, who wakes up from a dream in which he achieved an impossible task. He lives in the land of Nobodies and is fearful of his dream. He thinks to himself, how can he a nobody have such a dream, a dream like that belongs to the Somebodies of this world, certainly not him. Yet his dream persists, despite the naysayers in his family and his city. He embarks on a journey that leads him into the land of Somebodies, through the Wasteland, and eventually to the place where his dream is fulfilled. Along the way, he learns important lessons about himself and what he believes. He learns to never give up on his dreams and that sometimes it is failure  that leads him closer to his dream.

I am thinking about all of this as I'm sitting on the plane. This is true not only for me but for so many of my friends and loved ones, who have amazing dreams for their future. One wants to start her own business, another wants to go back to school, travel overseas or get a record deal. Each dream is unique but the fears, emotions, heartaches and joys are all the same. We want to do someting different and accomplish the things in our hearts. I start to look through the Album playlist on my video monitor and come across the album "Wake Up Everybody" by John Legend and the Roots. This album immediately grabs me. It is soulful and inspiring all at once. As I listen to it, it evokes images of the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr. I remember his dream of desegragation, at the time, people probably laughed at him and told him, that his dream of seeing blacks and whites drink from the same fountain and go to school together would never come true. Unfortunately MLK Jr never lived to see his dream fully realized, but he set the foundation so that others could realize their dreams.

Dreams are great, but they should never stop there. Dreams should be lived out everyday, in the lives that we lead. I had this dream of going overseas and helping people in developing countries. I never knew that my dream would take shape the way that I did. I just started to say yes to some of the doors that were opened in my life. I learned from my failures and trust me, there were many to learn from. I know so many people who give up after the first failed attempt, they go back to their normal routine and promise to never try that thing again. So I want to encourage you to try again, and again and again, however long it takes you to get there, just do it. History is lined with people who never gave up, like Thomas Edison, Madame CJ Walker, Michael Jordan and countless others. So stop dreaming and WAKE UP! Do the things that you have only dreamed about and let your life count!

Voice overhead: "Welcome to Kigali, hope you enjoy your destination...."

SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE....

 Its been a hectic couple of weeks preparing for this trip. From getting vaccinated to shopping for endless supplies, I really can't wait to get on the plane so I can finally get some rest. When all is said and done however, I wouldn't have had it any other way. That's the pace of NY life, go hard or go home. For those of us that live in the city, we know that everything is in overdrive. The non-stop social activities including two farewell parties, lunch and dinner dates, trying to see everyone before I leave. The "last meal" syndrome, where I eat everything in sight because as everyone keeps telling me, "you won't get that over there, so eat up". I'll be lucky if they don't wheel me onto the plane with all the "excess baggage" I've put on in the last couple of weeks.
             
Also as much training and preparation as you do for a trip like this, mentally it is very hard to imagine living in a culture that is radically different from this one. A culture that is slow paced, where things are not as easily available. I know there is going to be some culture shock, but I'm still very excited about the next couple of months in Rwanda. There is no guidebook, website, or class that can ever compare to the actual living in country experience. However, I truly believe that all of the trips that I have taken over the last couple of years to places like Brazil, Haiti, the Philippines, and Egypt have prepared me for such a time as this. The major difference with this trip is the duration and scope of work. Rather than visiting for a couple of days, I will be staying for a couple of months, getting to know the people, languages, cultures, and work ethics of Rwanda.

I am honestly very excited about this next chapter in my life and I am equally as excited for those of you taking this journey with me. I know that I am not alone in this experience as you send your support, prayers, and well wishes. I will be posting on a regular basis while I am in Rwanda, so keep checking back for the latest entries.

   

RWANDA!!

Happy New Year!! Yes I know we are almost at the end of January, but its never too late to celebrate new beginnings! For those of you that know me, you know that I love to travel to new and exciting places. I believe that when we travel, we shouldn't just stay in nice hotels and do the regular tourist things, but we should meet the natives and give back as much as we can. This is the main purpose of this blog, along with my random musings. Well I have some really exciting news to share with everyone. Are you ready for this???!!!

I was selected to be a Global Health Fellow for my company, Pfizer Inc. As a fellow, I will have the opportunity to work with an International Development Organization to help them with their business and management needs. In this case, I will be working with The Earth Institute, Columbia University's Access Project, in Kigalia, RWANDA!!!! I will be based in Rwanda for the next couple of months working with the The Access Project as a Communications and Media Fellow. 

The Access Project works to improve the health of "impoverished people, communities and countries. In Rwanda, the Access model is applied to utilizing business and management skills to the public health systems, in order to increase access to life saving drugs and critical health services." -Access website. The sad reality is that most people in developing countries like Rwanda die relatively young, from preventable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The goal of the Access Project is to improve the health of the people in areas where they wouldn't otherwise have access to healthcare. Once you have healthy people, you can then focus on not just lifting people out of poverty, but creating sustainable wealth for generations to come. Josh Ruxin, the founder of The Access Project as well as Rwanda Works, which applies the health, then wealth approach, is based in Kigali, Rwanda and regularly contributes to the Huffington Post, Forbes.com and New York Times. I am so excited to work with him and the teams of both The Access Project and Rwanda Works to bring stories from the field of people who have been helped by the over 79 health centers throughout Rwanda. 

Looking back, my journey to becoming a fellow and working in Rwanda, has come full circle. I initially started this blog, as a means to combine my passion for traveling with my need to be more socially responsible to the places that I travel to. One of the very first things that I posted was a song by Brooke Fraser, with the haunting lyrics, "Now that I have seen, I am responsible..." Its fitting that Brooke was singing about her trip to Rwanda and a girl named Albertine, whom she promises to never forget. Now as I prepare for my own trip to Rwanda, I ask that you lend your prayers and support for my fellowship and for the people of Rwanda.


For more information on the Pfizer Global Health Fellows program, please click here: Global Health Fellows

Rwanda is landlocked and located near DRC, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania respectively.

A new dawn, Lake Kivu in Rwanda.

DISCLAIMER: I am an employee of Pfizer. The statements or opinions expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent those of Pfizer.