Popsicle, Poopsicle, Dreamsicle

Muraho blog — We’ve finally reached our last day here in Rwanda after an incredibly two-weeks. We’ve completed everything we’ve hoped to, met everyone we have partnerships with (along with some new), been on safari, seen the capital Kigali and have made some special friendships along the way. I wanted to write this blog post like a game we’ve been playing almost everyday while being here. One day, over some lattes and strawberry shakes at créma, Jack had the great idea to start this game that he’d previously played working at a summercamp. He called it popsicle, poopsicle, and dreamsicle…i know at first I couldn’t bring myself to seriously refer to something as a poopsicle but we did it anyways. The game is pretty much a reflection of something good, something bad, and something hopefully that happened to you today. We started the game that day, and everyday since, when we had time sitting around together or at the dinner table, we would go around and all give our 3. We shared the game with our friend and partner Hasan, who got a kick out of the word poopsicle; with our host Jean, who would always give the most thought-out, well-said answers, and our friends in the Hingamafaranga club who didn’t know what a popsicle was (a frozen fruit snack in the US is how we described it). So I thought it be only necessary to share it with the blog: 

Popsicle: My popsicle for the trip, would have to have been seeing the impact of this project first hand. I knew this club was important and special when I joined it but the work we completed and the work I know we can complete in the future is incredibly impactful and sustainable on many levels and has the power to help many more communities of Rwanda. The most moving thing to me has been learning how the systems increase the number of children that can attend school since the amount of time it takes to fetch water is reduced. You can imagine how this will positively effect the development of the community and health of the children of future generations. As well as seeing the community buy-in for these projects (see blog post about community day). This popsicle could be many pages long but to keep it brief, being able to see our work first hand and meet the children and families who will benefit from this and maintain it in their future, has been one of the most rewarding things I have participated in my life to date and hope to experience more like this in the future. 

Poopsicle: My poopsicle for the trip is that we couldn’t have stay longer. Teams of the past were able to stay for a month and get to see more of the progression of the project and more of Rwanda. Two-weeks was wonderful but 3-4 would be really special. I hope teams of the future consider staying a tad longer, because once you are here you’ll find that you never want to go. 

Dreamsicle: Finally, my dreamsicle for the trip is that I hope there are many more projects to come in the future and that the impact continues to flow through the communities of Rwanda and change many lives. I hope the best for Jean and Hasan, their families, lives in Rwanda and all the good the future may bring them and hope to be reunited with them, and this team, again someday. 

Simply-put but this game has allowed us to reflect on our travels and thoughts  throughout the trip and if future teams are reading this definitely include this game when traveling or even at meetings. To popsicle, poopsicle, dreamsicle, the 2022 travel team, and Jean and Hasan thank you for a wonderful two-weeks together this experience will never be forgotten.

Catherine