One of our many friends we meet along the way.
Today was another full and adventure filled day! We started the day with another run through Kigeme. I thought we were supposed to be acclimatizing yet my lungs are telling me a different story (Carolyn actually thinks she lost at least one of hers!). We huffed and puffed through the run and were grateful when we saw our house!
After we recovered from the morning run, we went to a ceremony celebrating the graduation of the new paravets (43 in total). These are the paravets being trained to assist the farmers who will be contributing their milk to the Milk Collection Centre. The older paravets who we trained a few years ago were there to celebrate with their fellow Rwandans. The graduates were very happy at their successful completion of the course. The Bishop was present as well as a number of the Pastors from the different Archdeaconries. There were a few sector veterinarians present and, of course, the food security team.
We encouraged the new paravets to continue their learning and encouraged the older paravets and the veterinarians to be mentors to their new charges. These new paravets will indeed make a big difference in the Kigeme Diocese for farmers and their livestock. It will be exciting to see the changes as time progresses.
After we recovered from the morning run, we went to a ceremony celebrating the graduation of the new paravets (43 in total). These are the paravets being trained to assist the farmers who will be contributing their milk to the Milk Collection Centre. The older paravets who we trained a few years ago were there to celebrate with their fellow Rwandans. The graduates were very happy at their successful completion of the course. The Bishop was present as well as a number of the Pastors from the different Archdeaconries. There were a few sector veterinarians present and, of course, the food security team.
We encouraged the new paravets to continue their learning and encouraged the older paravets and the veterinarians to be mentors to their new charges. These new paravets will indeed make a big difference in the Kigeme Diocese for farmers and their livestock. It will be exciting to see the changes as time progresses.
After the celebration, we met with the majority of the students in the Post-Secondary program, some presently studying and the rest have completed their program. We updated each other on what has happened in our lives since we last saw each other. We were encouraged again by the work ethic of the group. Not all of the graduated students have found employment in their field of study, but they are all working at something, their own small business, or for someone in a different field. Two are working with international NGOs towards community development/ improvement.
The conversation progressed to discussing how to help each other, and encouragement - to not just wait for the perfect job but to set goals and work hard in smaller projects to reach them. One of our most senior students, Alexis, stated that he was discouraged by the low salary of his first teaching job. So, he started with three chickens to supplement his income. He is now married with one child and living in his own home. He encouraged all of the other students to not just stick with only one job – to work hard and use their time wisely. He has focussed on establishing his family and home. He has reached that goal and now wants to focus on giving back to his community. As we left, the group was exchanging contact information and are going to try to form an association to support each other. What a powerful group of young men and women – very encouraging for the future!
The conversation progressed to discussing how to help each other, and encouragement - to not just wait for the perfect job but to set goals and work hard in smaller projects to reach them. One of our most senior students, Alexis, stated that he was discouraged by the low salary of his first teaching job. So, he started with three chickens to supplement his income. He is now married with one child and living in his own home. He encouraged all of the other students to not just stick with only one job – to work hard and use their time wisely. He has focussed on establishing his family and home. He has reached that goal and now wants to focus on giving back to his community. As we left, the group was exchanging contact information and are going to try to form an association to support each other. What a powerful group of young men and women – very encouraging for the future!
In the evening we met with the Bishop to discuss the trip thus far. He wanted to know how we found Kigeme Diocese this trip and to give him our thoughts on progresses in the Diocese. It was a lovely conversation and we all felt encouraged by the changes in the Diocese and the prospect of the continuation of a strong partnership between the Kigeme Diocese and Kids for Kids/ Udder Project.
We then had another delicious meal at the Bishop’s home. Rwandan hospitality is second to none!
We then had another delicious meal at the Bishop’s home. Rwandan hospitality is second to none!
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