What's in that Monkey Juice?

There is a coffee shop in Musanze right down the street from our Fatima Hotel called Crema, and believe me when I say it is a little piece of Boulder right here in Africa.

Everything, from the smells to the customers to the sounds to the overall environment, just screams stereotypical Boulder life. It has been nice to debrief, rest, enjoy the amazing service, and delight in the best coffee around.






There is one drink that is only found in this coffee shop called the Golden Monkey, and I have fallen in love. Warning: Consider this to be a sappy, love song for my newfound joy. Take a break from the serious blogs written for this beautiful form of entertainment.

Oh Golden Monkey, Oh Golden Monkey, what is in that Monkey Juice?
Your birth was conceived out of the ingenuity of a Congolese barista, and I couldn't be more happy that you have found your way into this world.
How lucky am I, that of any place on this Earth, I found myself in the right place at the right time...the only place at the only time.
I have considered buying lottery tickets, because the luck I have absorbed by finding you is sending me over the top.

What am I most enamored by you?

Is it your technically proficient creation? I witnessed how each grain of coffee is specially chosen, finely ground down, and weighed to the exact specifications. I watched the meditation of precise brews and filter separations. And I couldn't contain my joy once you were soaked in a mixture of honey, cinnamon, apple juice, and ginger soda, hand-pressed until each last drop was finalized.

Is it your beauty? Maybe it is the condensation that finds itself on your glass. Maybe it is the golden color that I can only imagine what heaven's streets are colored with. Maybe it is the ice clanging ever so slightly up against the glass that awakens a what was once lost in my mind. Or maybe it is the beauty found within...

I was always told to seek out the beauty from within, and I now understand why. The first time I tried your delectable taste, a symphony erupted in my heart. The sweetness of the cinnamon, the spice of the ginger, and the purity of the coffee bean all combine for an out-of-body experience.

Your scent makes me come alive, and I can't wait to soak up the goodness you will surely bring. They say long distance is hard, but I know we can work it out. Just the thought of your taste rejuvenates my mind and refreshes the dullest parts of my body.

I know this is selfish of me, but I wish you were closer. I could enjoy a cup of you with each meal, share your beauty with my friends, and always know you are near.

But I guess this is the price you pay for traveling...and for love. You share your heart with others, and that part of you will always remain after you've gone.

It's so hard to say goodbye, but the comfort I reside in is knowing that I will be back...and the taste will be all the sweeter.

Goodbye, my love. Until we meet again.

Your love,

Gary

This Simple Yellow Jerrycan

You cannot go anywhere here without seeing a simple yellow jerrycan. I have been thinking about this a lot, and the drastic need for water that is exemplified by these containers. But I think it is so much more than that.

This simple yellow jerrycan symbolizes strength. There are very few people I know that can take a 40lb awkwardly- sized jerrycan and carry it 10km...let alone multiple trips a day.
Assessing Gasiza was an eye-opening experience for sure, as the hike to and from the village to fetch water is treacherous, with steep, rocky, jagged terrain that would challenge even the most skilled of hikers. On top of all that, they do this without any type of reasonable footwear. I think seeing a simple yellow jerrycan can empower you, inspire you, and cause you to contemplate how blessed you are.

This simple yellow jerrycan allows for a symbol of equality. No matter who you see, no matter where you go, you can always find these yellow jerrycans. From Kigali to Cyanika, from our hostel Mijo to the gas station diner, from the Goico Plaza to the Nyagabugogo Bus Station, there is no lack of these yellow jerrycans. I have seen this resemblance as an indication that everyone needs water...no one is exempt. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, if it is a crisis, everyone is in the same boat.

This simple yellow jerrycan is a sign of humility, yet ironically, is also a sign of pride. The humble spirit that fetches water can be so overcome with pride for the water that is gathered.

This simple yellow jerrycan is strikingly noticeable. You can pick out one of these miles away, and it always fancies your sight. For some reason, you can't help but look at these marvelous containers. I think deep down, it is a physical representation of how important water is to us.

This simple yellow jerrycan portrays a smile. It could be the little girl using it like a drum, creating an upbeat dance rhythm that draws in a crowd. These jerrycans can ignite a smile when there is enough water at the rainwater catchment system. By using them, people can unite over stories and experiences shared over the water collection with this simple yellow jerrycans.

This simple yellow jerrycan brings about so much pain and sorrow. Wilson, the chief of Nyrautosho, had a daughter that was beaten nearly to death on the way to fetch water at a nearby lake. It was no fault of him or his daughter. It is just a result of a persistent problem that is encompassed by this simple yellow jerrycan.

This simple yellow jerrycan resembles time. We all can agree on one thing...time is one of the most precious gifts we have. With this valuable resource being limited, what we choose to do with it defines us more than we know. How can this simple yellow jerrycan take up so much time? When each trip takes upwards of 4 hours to collect water, you can envision how difficult it is to keep a steady job, maintain a reliable water source, and constantly bathe and wash your clothes. And although most people know the importance of treating your water before use, it is easy to see why many still don't. After spending all day collecting water, the exhaustion of this simple yellow jerrycan can weigh on you more than you know. When the water need is immediate, how can you justify investing more time?

Here's the thing. I can sit on my soapbox all day and talk about how important clean drinking water is to me, to our team, and to the world. But until you realize the struggle people face daily, it is difficult to truly comprehend what so many others around the world have to go through every day. As you go throughout your day, please be reminded of water in all of its beauty, and of this simple yellow jerrycan. 

Excuse Me, Are You Guys Park Rangers?

As the trip nears its end, the team has finally become as acclimated as possible to the people, the culture, the food, the language, and of course, the dancing. Just the other day, we were walking down the street, and a lady asked us if we were park rangers...and I think I will take that as a compliment. LOOK OUT PARK RANGERS, HERE WE COME!

We are nearing the end of our trip now, and it is safe to say that the time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday we were prepping for our first Community Vision Board meeting, and yet our final meeting will be tomorrow. I have a feeling it will be bittersweet, but I am excited to conclude our findings with the chiefs, discuss our future plans, close out the 3 systems that our team has been tirelessly working on for the past five years, and then a feast. Pastor Jacques has invited the team and all the chiefs to a meal at his house where we can break bread and enjoy some quality fellowship. Stay tuned for more on how that goes.

Quick Updates on the past few days.

We went and assessed the third site in Hanika, and I am ecstatic about the potential impact that this team can have in this part of the world.
Man, clean drinking water is unbelievable vital to our success and well-being, and there is not a day I am not reminded of that.

Last weekend the team headed back into Kigali. We went to the Kigali National Genocide Museum and a safari in Akagera National Park. Enjoy some of the quality pictures (group pictures to come later)!

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.

"Hi, I'm a zebra. No one knows what I do, but I look pretty cool, Am I white or black?"

--Ariana Grande

Never seen some monkeys getting attacked by small little birds before. 

Stay tuned for more blog posts!

Big Progress in Week 2!

Muraho! This is Cassidy with a quick recap of our last few days here in Rwanda. 

We've been gaining valuable information about our future projects while having a great time connecting with the community and experiencing the joys of this beautiful country. 

This week has been very informative so far. We started off with our second Community Vision Board meeting where we had the opportunity to speak with the chiefs of the five villages where we've already implemented, as well as one of the officials of the Cyanika sector where our team will continue to be working. We had the opportunity to introduce our mentor, Cole, and he was met with an incredibly warm welcome from the Community Vision Board. 

One of the greatest parts of this trip has been seeing how grateful the community is for the work we've done. The village chiefs come up to us with smiles from ear to ear and look at us deeply as they express their gratitude for our work. This level of appreciation was something I never imagined while working on our projects back in Colorado, and I think it's important for all our members and supporters to understand how valued their work is. The four of us represent such a large team, and we wouldn't be able to do it all without each and every one of you back home, so thank you all!

We started the Community Vision Board by meeting discussing a future latrine project with one of the sector officials of Cyanika. He informed us that there is a need for public latrines in a playground where there are frequent soccer games and practices, as well as some government meetings. We are planning to check out the specific site tomorrow, as well as investigate more about what a good versus bad latrine would look like for this specific community. I think a latrine project offers a new challenge that will be fun to explore. 

At the meeting, we also talked with the chiefs about what they need to have repaired and what they recommend we change about future designs. The information gained through this discussion will help us match our design to the community's specific needs and maximize our impact in the area. We learned that the tanks are dry a few months out of the year, and sometimes they overflow during the rainy season, so I hope that we can adjust our designs to better match the water storage capacity with the roof size. 

After our meeting, we went down to visit Lake Burera, which is where members of the community are walking to fetch water if they are too far from a government tap stand or one of our rainwater catchment systems. The road leading to the lake is steep and rocky. It's hard for me to imagine carrying a 20L jerrycan for so many miles on that terrain. The lake was breathtaking, but the water near the shore was murky and filmy. Hasan described to us that people will typically pay someone to swim a little further out to get the fresh water, but little kids collecting water for their families will stay right on the shore. It was incredibly impactful to see the community's alternative with my own eyes. It really justifies the importance of our work back home. 

Today, we spent some time visiting two of the potential sites for new rainwater catchment system implementation, Gasiza and Kavunda. Gary and Hasan worked on surveys with some of the community members to gain a better idea of the need in the community and their current methods for water collection. As always, Gary was making a lot of friends and forming a good connection with the community. Cole, Casey, and I worked on taking pictures and measurements of the sites for future designs. Unfortunately, Sonrisa was still recovering back at the hotel, working on survey data. We are grateful to have our mentor, Cole, around now, and we've been exploring different design options with him. I feel like I've learned a lot from these discussions, and I think that his input will be a great help as we start our next designs! 

Gasiza and Kavunda are pretty far from the main area in Cyanika, but we were surprised to find a new road leading to Gasiza, which will really help us to get trucks and materials out there next year! We analyzed two plots at Gasiza, and one of them seems well-fit for a new system. It is one of the most densely-populated villages in the region, so it will be a new challenge for our team. The site at Kavunda is small, but we may be able to use the chief's home as our roof structure, adding tanks and gutters for a more simple design. 

We ended the day today taking loads of pictures at the Kibaya site built last year. 

The Kibaya system being put to good use. 

One of the amazing women we interviewed
who thanks us for bringing the Kibaya system into her life. 

It's incredibly rewarding to hear that our systems are impactful, and the connections we've made with the community have been truly life-changing. I have been amazed by how well people can communicate despite different languages and cultures: whether it be a giant smile, like the one we get every time we see Donatien, or giggles from the kids of Cyanika after I turn around and make a funny face. It's a good reminder of how well-connected we all are and how we can truly help each other.

Donatien's giant smile. 

We always find friends in Goico Market. 

The kids of Ntarama love to play follow the leader. 

 

Beginnings of Week No. 2

Hello friends and family! It's Sonrisa again, with the latest updates on our team adventures in Rwanda!

The best news: Cole has arrived! Cole left Denver late last Friday night and arrived in Kigali yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. We left Musanze on Saturday morning and headed to Kigali to meet Cole at the airport. Hasan came with us in order to visit a friend of his from Cyanika that is living in Kigali at the moment. 

When we arrived in Kigali, we met Hasan and his friend, Jessy, who just also happens to be Jacques's niece. We spent most of the rest of the day with Hasan and Jessy in Kigali, going to a HUGE local market in Kigali called Kimironko Market. We nearly lost Cassidy on a moto but thank goodness her driver found us waiting for her fairly quickly. Jessy had taken us to the market to buy local crafts, however, the market was SO crowded and we were nearly the only mzungus in sight so we were promptly swarmed with vendors hollering "Brother! Sister! Come, come, come! Look at this - it is so beautiful!" It was very overwhelming and none of us ended up buying anything because there was just so much to take in and process at the moment. After the market, Jessy took us to a restaurant in town where we had fresh juices, chapatti wraps, and, of course, french fries. 

The next day, Sunday, we had some time to kill before Cole arrived so we went to Caplaki Craft Village. The craft village is for sure a tourist haven and the prices are a bit more than at local markets, but there are lots of good things to purchase in an environment that is much more relaxing to be in.  Caplaki is called a "craft village" because it is an open marking lot type of area lined with vendor stalls. We practiced our bartering skills and headed back to our hostel to drop off our newly purchased items before picking up Cole at the airport. 

(thanks, Google for these photos for the markets - I didn't get the chance to take my own)

Our motos dropped us off and after we paid, one of the drivers immediately pulled a wheely and started to do crazy tricks in the street, giving us quite the show. He even stood on the seat with one leg, using the other to steer and accelerate. And that wasn't even the whackiest part! After pulling a couple leg-pivot-donut-things in the middle of the street, the moto driver got off his bike and offered it to a cyclist training in the neighborhood who happened to be passing by. The cyclist got off his bike and literally hopped over to the moto (he had only one leg), hopped on and took off down the street while swinging his one leg from side to side on the motorcycle in order to shift. By far, this is one of those memories I'll have forever that seems to be uniquely "Africa" in my mind as I could never imagine seeing anything of the sort happen at home. 

Cassidy and Casey went to the airport to pick up Cole while Gary and myself stayed at the hotel that way everyone coming back from the airport could fit into a single cab.  We took Cole for his first meal in Kigali and naturally we ended up going to Now Now Rolex, a staple of last year's travel team that is turning into the same thing this year. 

Now Now Rolex 

We took the (very bumpy and hot) bus back to Musanze from Kigali this morning and have spent the rest of the day not doing much. Gary and Casey went to Goico market to pick up and get clothes made from one of the many seamstresses who work there. Cassidy, Cole, and I spent some time researching and talking about the projects and the possible addition of the latrine project to our team's work. For those not familiar, our team is currently researching and assessing for a possible latrine project in Cyanika that the team would work on in addition to the rainwater harvesting we currently do. We have met with a sector official who has told us that there is a need for good and safe latrines in public areas where football matches and community meeting take place. The rest of this week will see us meet with the sector officials again and have them show us examples of poor and good public latrines in the community that way we have a better idea of what the project would entail before we make any decisions on our involvement with this latrine project. 

Gary, his favorite seamstress, and our translating friend, Amis 

Tomorrow is Tuesday and we will be meeting with the Community Vision Board again in order to introduce Cole to the chiefs and to talk with the chiefs of our current systems about what our future plans for building systems are. They have selected three other villages for the team to assess so that we can plan on what next year's implementation trip will look like. We hope to build two systems next year. 

We have had much more downtime than I had expected when creating a schedule for the trip. I was expecting there to be more repairs that need to be made at the systems in Cyanika but everything looks great! When we have met with the system caretakers and talked with them at the sites, they have explained to us that while there are a few minor things that need repair, they have already ordered the replacement parts and are prepared to fix them ASAP, without any assistance from the travel team.
The only disappointment that I've experienced this trip (other than getting a surprise cold) has been the terrible air quality that is in both Kigali and Musanze. The sky, in both places, is heavy with smoke from fires burning trash and wood. It reminds me of a Colorado sky during a heavy wildfire season. The resulting visibility is so poor that you can't see the Virungas (volcanoes) from Musanze except at night when the red sun allows for a peek at the silhouettes.

Smoky Kigali skies

That time Gary got his shoes cleaned at a car wash...

Hi all!

Since the last update, Gary and Cassidy have completed the community surveys at Kibaya and Ntarma. From what I hear, all things went well, however, Sonrisa and I were not able to help out. We have both been feeling a bit under the weather... probably due to the really, really poor air quality we have had during our stay so far. Hopefully this smokey smog will lift soon and we will all get to feeling better!

Anyways, on to better news. As Gary mentioned in his post, the community has been extremely gracious and welcoming towards us so far. My absolute favorite moment so far happened when Gary, Cassidy and I were surveying the community at Nyarutosho. Cassidy and I had stepped out from under the shade of the structure to get some air, when one of the villagers we had surveyed approached us. She gestured for us to follow her and after a brief hesitation, we did. We had really no idea what she had planned for us since she didn't speak any English. After a short walk, we arrived at her home. She was so happy to show us her livestock and home and offer us to sit with her. We had some very broken communication with her and her daughters, then we made our way back to the system. it may seem like a small gesture, but I just felt like it was really special to be invited into this intimate part of an already isolated village and I really appreciated her kindness.

And now for the main point of this post (sorry for the clickbait title). We had a pretty chill day today in Musanze. We went around surveying building materials to use next summer and ended up at the shopping center, where Gary paid to have a shirt made by one of the tailors. It took a couple of hours to make, so we left and came back. As we were walking back to the shopping center, Gary was insistent that he was also going to find a shoeshine to clean his shoes. I was doubtful, especially since he was wearing sneakers and how do you shine sneakers? Gary got his shirt and we asked our newfound friend (Hamisi) where we should go. He said he would take us to get our shoes cleaned and lead us to car wash right around the corner. After a brief conversation with the workers there, Gary was plopped down on a bench and his shoes taken from him. I was admittedly a bit smug at this point because I had told Gary that this wasn't going to work out for him and this was definitely an unexpected turn. Even better, at this point I had assumed his shoes would be returned to him soaking wet. A few minutes later, the man returned with his shoes. I excitedly walked over to see his work and I can now admit... I was wrong. Gary's shoes looked brand new and were returned completely dry. I still have no idea what he did to them, but it was definitely a memorable experience. Here is a picture of the whole exchange, with Gary's new shirt and all. 

That's all for now. I can't wait to get back and share more stories with the rest of you back home.

Casey

Ay Musanze, How Ya Doin?

The past few days being in the community have been incredible, awe-inspiring, and joy-giving. For starters, the views both from our hotel and in Cyanika are breathtaking. Mt. Muhabura is the largest volcano in the region, and it seems to remain the only constant on the horizon.

Our team met with the Executive Sector Director of the Cyanika Region on Tuesday morning to discuss our schedule for the trip as well as the long term goals our team has with the community. He outlined the areas of need that we will be assessing and indicated the strong desire for latrines that would greatly benefit public area sanitation. He couldn't thank the team back home enough for all their hard work...so GREAT JOB TEAM! We are your representatives, but this couldn't have been possible without the long hours put in from all our members. It is special that people here understand and value that. I miss you all!

Afterward, we were able to meet with the Community Vision Board, composed of all the chiefs and owners of the systems. Not only were they overtly humbled and grateful to be meeting with us, but they all were very proud of the success of the systems. Their kindness and willingness to talk with the team and tell us their stories, meet their families, and invite us into their homes is a true indication of how genuine Rwandans are.

People here are proud to say hi to a muzungu (foreigner), so we have definitely been getting a lot of hello's, handshakes, and head nods from strangers. Everyone, from our taxi driver Misu Niza to our hotel waiter Jean Claude to our translator Hasan, has shown us tremendous hospitality, and we are lucky for the time we have with them.

We have kicked off our survey and community testimonial data collection and will be doing so all week. We were able to attend the Munini site today and hear firsthand how the systems are impacting the community.















Water is a life source that affects all that we, as humans, do. It is unbelievable to see how something as simple as a water catchment system can transform a life, a family, a community and a lifestyle. Time after time, people emphasized how their health has improved, their income has increased and become more reliable, and how their quality of life has soared to new heights. Children can attend school, fathers can work reliable hours, and the family has vastly improved hygiene...all rewards of a seemingly simple idea of obtaining rain for clean drinking water at an accessible and affordable cost.

In the city, you can see the lines of people waiting for water at the government tap stands that charge large sums of money for a jerrycan. In this, the full effect of our systems can be understood. Those that live far from the city cannot reach or afford this water. Even more so, our systems are thriving when compared to the other alternative option, obtaining water from a lake in Uganda 15 kilometers away.
Hasan told us that the favorite drink in the community used to be milk...why, you might ask? Well, many people feared the water they gathered from the lakes and the streams, as it made them very sick. They would much rather drink the milk in confidence that they would not get sick.

The team was invited to Jacques home today after our work with the surveys. Jacques is an employee of our partnered NGO, Village Makeover, and one of our guides on this trip. He truly cares for everyone in his community, and treasures the relationship he has with the team and their friends back in Colorado. The best part about going to his house was meeting his family, and hearing his young son, Shaka, introduce himself. "I am fine, smart, and hard-working".

I just want to end by saying that clean drinking water should never be taken for granted. It is refreshing to see those who understand the power of water. Walking around on this rocky, volcanic terrain and carrying 20L jerrycans is no easy feat, regardless of if you walk for 5 minutes or 6 hours. We are all very blessed, so I encourage you to be conscious of that when you wash that stain out of your clothes, sing in the shower, slurp up at the drinking fountain, or take a dip at the local pool.

Stay tuned for more awesome updates throughout the trip. Thanks for all the support...SKO BUFFS!