Today we meet our lunch!

In Rwanda things connect.  We live in a world where we are separated from so many things in our lives.   We concern ourselves with our carbon footprint, recycling, community, and how large our impact is on the world.  We often do not see the direct connection to what it is we do and our place in the world.  In Rwanda there is a connection.  There is a direct connection to almost everything that happens.  We have a lot to learn, whether it is collecting firewood for cooking or rain water (a past EWB project) for drinking and washing.   The other day I noticed Rasta, our chef, walking by with a chicken, and I went over to see what was going on.  He proudly held up the chicken, then proceeded to rip the feathers off of its neck, cut its head off, place it in boiling water (so the feathers would fall out) and turned it into lunch within an hour.

We are still at L’esperance (Children’s Village Kigirama), monitoring the many projects completed by Engineers Without Borders and other groups over the years.  One of the projects was to build high efficiency stoves; this reduced the wood usage by about two thirds.  This is a significant savings for the orphanage, both in time and money.  In order to cook every meal someone must collect firewood and build a fire.  They know first hand their impact on their world.  There is a direct connection between cooking and fuel.  Saving trees is not only saving work but saving a valuable resource in their immediate neighborhood.

Because of the intense usage of the stoves, they are in need of repairs.  From the last blog, you saw that BJ and Sonya spent a day boiling water and testing the efficiency of the stoves.  It was determined that repairs are necessary.  It was particularly fulfilling to see that one of the former orphans, Innocent, is now working at the company that builds the stoves.  Innocent came to L’esperance and supervised the cook stove repairs.  He has a good job, has purchased land, and is planning on building his own home soon.  Innocent is one of our good friends in Rwanda.  And L’esperance is a good parent. 

Yesterday we decided to go to the weekly market.  The local market occurs here every Wednesday afternoon.  It is about an hour walk or a 20 minute moto ride to the market.  Many people from around the region come to this market, it is a social event.  A community connection if you will.  Vendors are selling food and clothing.  The clothes are mostly used clothes, people are trying on the clothes and then taking them to one of the many tailors working around the edge of the market to fit you into your “new” clothes.  Things and people connect.

While at the market we stopped to have lunch.  The owner was very excited and offered us goat brochettes as the specialty of the house.  After he took our order he walked into the street to solicit one of the many people strolling by with a goat, he completed the transaction then proudly walked the goat back by our table on the way to the kitchen.  We connect.  Lunch will be ready soon!