We arrived in Kigali at about 6 pm. We had to wait a bit for our hosts to come and get us. Then we were taken to a guest house, Scripture Union, in Kigali for the night. They fed us a great meal, then we went on a hunt to exchange some money - a first time experience, a 'drive through' Forex! We didn't seem to question the fact that the entire dealing was out of our vehicle and on a back street. Hey, we got a pretty good exchange!
Back to the guest house for some sleep, as we knew it would be an early start in the morning!
Back to the guest house for some sleep, as we knew it would be an early start in the morning!
Some scenery along the drive to Kigeme.
We were correct about the early morning! We beat our alarm and were up at 4:55 - and had our people come looking for our luggage!!! A quick brekkie and we were on the road by 6 am and in Kigeme by 8:40 am!! That included a few stops for supplies along the way! We were met by a number of old friends! Really felt like coming home! We spent the morning 'moving in' to our homes for the next 3 weeks, unpacking and setting things up just right! We also unpacked all the supplies etc brought for this leg of the trip - lots of vet supplies! Including the microscope donated by Dr. Jaswant Singh, DVM, University of Saskatchewan. Then Rachael and Leah spent some time looking through the materials for the talks at the Food Security Sites. In the afternoon we met with the APAP executive committee. APAP is the group of local farmers Rachael first started working with when she came to Rwanda. She was very excited to see them and here about all the great stuff that is going on. As well, the new committee seems to be a good group with solid plans and goals. We were really encouraged. THE BULL SAGA: So, the last of the current APAP bulls, "Fred" has been sold to a market. He did a good service to the local community having helped produce over 300 calves. Well done Fred!! We are currently suggesting that instead of a new bull, we concentrate on training the vets and paravets on artificial insemination. | 
Early morning city scape in Kigali.
Pastor Vet Felicien trying out the new microscope.
Rachael and Carolyn with the APAP executive Committee.
|
Sunday morning we went to church and found lots more of our old friends! We were treated to lots of singing, Rwandan's love to sing and participate in choirs!
In the afternoon we visited a few farms. On one farm, the milk production in the cow has increased to 10 L / day form initially 1 - 2 L / day! Quite an improvement. On the way to the last farm, we had to walk across the soccer field where there was a game going on. We were surrounded by lots of children watching who were from the Congolese refugee camp on the hill. They followed us! We walked through a section of the camp and picked up lots of kids! There was lots of laughter and touching of our white skin!!! A little hard when going down some of the hills as they were scrambling in and out of us and bumping us a little. Guess we were quite a show! The living conditions in the refugee camp are less than ideal but these people are amazing at making the best out of a challenging situation.
In the afternoon we visited a few farms. On one farm, the milk production in the cow has increased to 10 L / day form initially 1 - 2 L / day! Quite an improvement. On the way to the last farm, we had to walk across the soccer field where there was a game going on. We were surrounded by lots of children watching who were from the Congolese refugee camp on the hill. They followed us! We walked through a section of the camp and picked up lots of kids! There was lots of laughter and touching of our white skin!!! A little hard when going down some of the hills as they were scrambling in and out of us and bumping us a little. Guess we were quite a show! The living conditions in the refugee camp are less than ideal but these people are amazing at making the best out of a challenging situation.
RSS Feed