This week's adventures!

This week started off a bit shaky for me. On Sunday, I woke up in a cold sweat and with a huge pain in my stomach. I believe it was due to eating in the jeep during the safari. There was dirt flying all over the place so there was no way for me to fully clean my hands. The bacteria on my hands must have upset my stomach. I spent the day in shivers but I tried my best to power through it. I decided to go into mu mugyi (“town” in Kinyarwandan) with two other girls to buy fabric. We entered into a few fabric stores until I found the perfect one. I chose a lavender and dark purple/burgundy colored fabric and decided to make it into some cool harem pants and a maxi skirt. After class on Monday, five other girls and I went to the tailor in another town. We got measured and was told to come back in one week. I'm very excited to see how my pieces turn out! I will post a picture of them as soon as I get them. :)

On Tuesday, the same girls decided to go into town again to explore the shops around the street where the tailor was. However, we all became impatient waiting for the bus and decided to go into mu mugyi again. Some bought groceries at the nearby super market. One of my roommates and I were both starving and suggested to stop by Bourbon Coffee. We both ordered iced caramel macchiatos. I also ordered some meatballs...which were delicious. The coffee and the food was so on point! We then made our way back to our homestay where we played a few rounds of "Hide and Seek" with the children and house maid. It was very funny because my second roommate was called "Creepy" by one of the children because she hid very well! We then ate dinner and got ready to go to bed.

On Wednesday, one of the students and I went to a cafe after class called Inzovu African Village. There were many pieces of artwork on display from paintings to handmade pouches. After enjoying some iced coffee and a juicy burger (that I thought was better than the burger at Bourbon Coffee), we purchased a few gifts for our friends and family there. My friend and I felt as if we hit the jackpot for souvenirs because the items for sale were beautiful, but cheap!

Delicious food from Inzovu African Village

Thursday was our weekly hospital lab. Half of the group went back to Kubagabaga Hospital to finish fixing some pieces equipment from last week whereas the other half that I was with went to C.H.U.K., another local hospital. This hospital was a teaching hospital where students are trained to become health professionals. We first took a tour of the technician working area. I noticed that there was a lot of broken equipment laying around. According to the head technician, most of the pieces haven't been touched for a very long time. However, this hospital had better funding than Kubagabaga so getting any extra equipment/pieces was easy. The hospital was also more organized when it came to keeping records of repairs. After the tour, we started fixing equipment. One group looked at a patient monitor whereas my group looked at a suction machine. Although we found the problem for the suction machine, we weren’t able to find a replacement part.

Chucking up the deuces with Grace at C.H.U.K.

Seflies at our hospital lab

Friday consisted of class and preparing for my weekend trip with half the group. On Saturday, we went to Nyungwe Forest National Park to do the canopy walk! It was beautiful up there. We trekked for about 30 minutes before we got to the shaky bridge. On the bridge we saw a beautiful landscape of the rain forest. Although I slipped and got mud all over myself, the views made it all up.

Holding onto dear life at the canopy walk

Beautiful view from our guest house over the weekend

On top of the world with Bre!

Safari, so good

The second week in Kigali has come to an end! Time really has flown by this week. This is probably due to getting into routine with everything here. I believe that it’s safe to say that I’ve become accustomed to living here. I’m also enjoying the food a lot more!

This past Thursday, we had our first hospital practical lab. We visited a local hospital in Kigali and helped fix its equipment. Many groups looked at oxygen concentrators whereas my partner and I checked out an infant warmer. I had a lot of fun troubleshooting the equipment because I was able to use my knowledge to fix equipment that is crucial to patient lives. Besides fixing equipment, our group was able to take a tour of the hospital as well. The layout of the hospital was very different to that in America. The hospital was an open space which almost resembles a hotel resort. The pace of work is also a lot slower. I remember seeing patients waiting over an hour for their appointment. Visiting the hospital really helped me envision where I will be working and what I’ll be doing in the second month.

Cleaning out a filter from the O2 concentrator

Speaking of the second month, we also found out which cities all of us will be going to. My partner and I will be heading to Byumba, a small town located approximately an hour and a half away from Kigali. I’m very excited to see what is in store for us! Truthfully, I am a little sad to know that our group will be parting ways for the second month. I hope to be able to see everyone over weekends! J

On Saturday, the majority of us went on a safari trip at Akagera National Park. We departed from IPRC around 5 AM to get to the park. We arrived to the park around 8 AM and began our safari. Our group was split into two jeeps. Our driver raised the roof so we can get better views of the animals as well! We saw giraffes, water bucks, hippos, and plenty of giraffes. I hoped to see lions but it was already too late in the day to see them since they are the most active early in the morning. Although the ride was very rocky and a moth flew into my mouth, I had a lot of fun spending time with everyone. One tip I’d suggest for those going on this safari is to ride in the first jeep! I was in the second jeep so all the dust and dirt from the first one would fly towards us. I definitely would recommend this trip!

Up close and personal with the zebras

Safari selfie :)

First weekend here!

For the lab classes this week, we learned how to make an extension cord, soldering and desoldering equipment, and opening up some common equipment we will see at the hospital and learning its circuitry. It was so much fun implementing my knowledge from class into these hands-on type of activities.

A blurry picture of me looking at a centrifuge!

This weekend, our group visited the Millennial Village and Reconciliation Village. At the Millennial Village, we took a tour around the health clinic there. We looked into the technician’s lab and the maternity building, which was recently built. Although very small, it serves a community of 30,000 people! I was amazed at this number because of how small the clinic was. I hope that the clinic continues to grow to help improve patient healthcare in the community.

We also visited the genocide memorial. The tour guide led us through one of the churches where the Tutsi tried to seek refuge. However, that church went under attack. You can see bullet holes through the roof and old blood stains. On the ground were all the clothes of those who lost their lives there. In the basement there were some skulls on display. Some were cracked due to a blow of a machete. Behind the church was the final resting place for the victims. All the skulls and bones were carefully lined up in the walk-in grave. To see this in real life was very moving. Words cannot explain the pain, but also peace, that the memorial emitted. However, it was very sobering to know that Rwanda has worked hard to rebuild itself from the genocide. That was when we made our way to the Reconciliation Village. This is where the once-Hutu and Tutsi people live together. We met some of the elders who have survived the genocide, who shared their experiences on that. When we first arrived there, we were greeted with a traditional dance. They even offered us their banana beer! The banana beer tasted chocolate-y and a hint of smokey-ness. Before we left, they said their farewells with another traditional dance, and even brought us up to dance! I wasn’t very good at the footwork, but I still had fun!

The welcoming dance the villagers prepared for us. My apologies for the photo coming out so dark!

Right before I tried the banana beer!

After visiting the village, we went to lunch, then made our way to the national soccer game! Rwanda went against Mozambique. It was my first time ever at such a huge sporting event, so I wasn’t too sure of how everything worked. I quickly learned which teach was which and when to cheer and boo (although I still got funny stares). Unfortunately, Rwanda did not win, but I still had a great time rooting for the team! We ended our day by getting some pizza and walking back to our homestays.

VIP seats at the Rwanda vs. Mozambique game!

No internet: good or bad?

The day started off normal. I woke up, went to class, and went out to walk around town with a few of my classmates. I was able to purchase cellular data so I can talk to my family and friends back at home as well. I was planning on getting ice cream afterwards, but decided to go back to my homestay since it was close to dinner. As soon as I got there, I saw the kids and the maid in the front yard playing tag. I said hello to them in Kinyarwanda (Muri aho!) and they immediately asked me to join. I was hesitant at first because I haven’t played the game (or ran haha) in ages but joined anyways. As we were playing, my two roommates came home and joined in the fun as well. We taught them how to play Duck, Duck, Goose and they had so much fun. We also had a few rounds of Hide and Seek and a game called Cat and Mouse. One of my favorite moments was sitting in my hiding spot and looking up and seeing all the stars twinkling in the night sky. The sky is not this clear back at home! Towards the end of our fun, the maid showed us a traditional Rwandan dance. I was so impressed by her dancing because of all the hip isolations she can do! She asked my roommates and me to join her. Although we were not half as good as her, we still had a lot of fun!

Many people would think that having no internet will be like the end of the world. I remember in the beginning of this trip, I wondered what people in Rwanda did in their free time, especially without internet. After this night, I knew now. People actually talk to each other without being distracted by their cell phones. Being able to play with my homestay was like a breath of fresh air. I almost forgot what it’s like to enjoy family time without electronics. Although I was sad to not have internet before, I know now that it’s actually a blessing. I hope that I can spend more time with my homestay family!

No pictures this time. I had too much fun to remember to take pictures. :)

Made it to Rwanda! First few days here

It was a long ways here but I finally made it to Rwanda! I met my host family, who is extremely welcoming! I can’t wait to get to know them better. J The first night was honestly a little rough for me. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling extremely homesick. I really wanted to talk to my family and friends back at home. The thought of living in a new country by myself made me feel hopeless. I realized that I hit the second stage of culture shock: depression. This explains why I felt in such ways. I decided that I would call everyone back home the next day.

The first full day here was a lot better. I finally met everyone that is part of EWH. They’re all friendly people and I can’t wait to work and get to know them better. For the first half of the day we learned greetings in Kinyarwanda. For the second half we had an introduction to our lab work and a formal orientation to EWH. After class, everyone decided to go out and explore the town. One of the students and I decide to go get money exchanged. We also tried to search for internet around town. We heard of a restaurant with Wi-Fi, called Whatsapp Pub, and decided to go there with another student. When we got seated, we realized that we were actually at a bar! There was no internet access either! We wanted to leave but we already ordered water and food. So, we ended up studying at the bar! LOL.

After eating at the restaurant, we ended up going to a building on campus with Wi-Fi. I was able to talk to my sister, dad, and my best friend from college! Talking to them made me feel a lot better. Although I got disconnected, hearing a familiar voice made me feel happy. I will definitely call again!

Jade and I enjoying the beautiful weather during break! Surprisingly, the weather here is a lot cooler than back at home.

Partying it up real hard by studying at the bar!

Beginning of an Adventure

Today is my last day in my comfortable home in Arlington, Virginia. I'm filled with mixed feelings ranging from excitement to nervousness. I wonder what great adventures I'll experience but am also sad to know that I will not be seeing my family and friends for two months.

I want to thank everyone who has helped support me to get me to travel to Rwanda with Engineering World Health (EWH), regardless of it being financial or emotional aid. This experience will definitely be one to remember for this will be my first time travelling out of the country alone without my family. I hope to learn a lot about how to utilize my skills as an engineer and to be able to learn more about a new culture. I can't wait to meet everyone that will be on this trip with me as well!

Come join me in my adventure! :)