Jan 14/08 Rwanda, my birthplace of transformation

Where to begin about today?

Our day began late. Trying to find the Inesco House, the income generation project, was difficult at best.

This is the way life goes there, if there is one thing that doesn’t happen, it’s that the “t”s are never crossed and the “i”s are never dotted. That’s along way of saying we had to double back to the hotel as we couldn’t find the place with the sparse directions and wrong contact number given.

However, we persisted, went back to the hotel and found some other people’s numbers and got concise directions to go back again across town.

This was the place I had been waiting the entire time to go to, the home where I met all those women who touched my heart.

When we walked in they started shouting and dancing it as amazing.

Once things settled down a bit I explained what had been happening at my co-op and how my community really so much wanted to be involved in contributing to the success of the project.

I had a symbolic check signed by our board president and vice-president for the 5000 dollars that will be completely dedicated to their project.

This money will go towards their salaries, new equipment and supplies.

When I explained this to them, I could see one women who’s eyes were welling up with tears that she was trying to hide.

Everyone began clapping and dancing. One woman had brought out a drum. It was indeed time to celebrate.

They told us that we were now their family; we are one of them.

What can I say? I don’t think there is any other feeling like it. To be able to tell them they have a family in Canada, and we are part of theirs was amazing. To be able actually facilitate the coming of together of people in a way that will make such a difference in each and everyone one of their lives.
There has never been a joy so profound that I’ve ever experienced.

How can you not just want to do more?

We go through life taking for granted so much when so little can make such a difference.

Of course we had to buy lots of dolls and things to bring back with us. Last time, my friend gave away all the dolls which I was supposed to have, this time I made sure I got the goods!

This evening we headed over to our friend’s place Floride for dinner, and a good visit with her four children.

Her house needs to be finished. All that would cost is 2,200 dollars.

A few HIV positive youth want to start a bakery in order to make an income to be able to afford school fees, supplies and uniforms, this only takes 2,500 dollars.

It was amazing to find ourselves back in her house. It was just as I remembered it.

Her children are such a joy. Our one friend AC took out her iPod and the three were listening to Mary j. Blige , Amy Winehouse – the rehab song.

Speaking of rehab last summer, just out of rehab, here I was. Never in a million years did I think that I would have such an experience, let alone be able to come back.
When I came back home and started reading about Kabbalah, they were describing exactly this experience. I was connecting to light which comes from a place where you simply want to share.

This is indeed the place where light had been revealed in a way it never had been.

As I said to these women: Anything I’ve brought to you today is only a mere pittence compared to what you have given me.