4th of July!
It is liberation day here in Rwanda, too, so today we will walk up the hill to the school for some ceremonies, and work with the girls on interviews in the afternoon.
It is so good to be back in Africa! I knew I was back when we rode in a wildly painted van, with the slogan, "My God" painted all over it, with cheerful African music blaring and the smoky sweet wind in my face.
We are all well, after a long trip on Ethiopian Air. 13 hours to Addis Ababa, then a long hot wait in Addis, and short jumps to Entebbe and then Kigali, Rwanda.
We are at the Dereva hotel here in Rwamagana, Rwanda, and you can see that on line if you look up its website.
More later! Time to run.
July 6
I think the short time we were here miraculously stretched, as we have formed some great relationships with the girls and staff at IWE. That first morning we sat in the dormitory eating/gathering room, and I was amazed to think that Ally and Ellie's book bought many of those red bricks that surrounded us. The government had issued a long statement in Kinyarwanda, which one of the teachers translated for us. It reviewed the history of Rwanda since the liberation of the nation following the genocide. The translator was very careful not to even mention the names of the tribes involved in the troubles, but still outlined the changes, improvements and challenges that remain for Rwanda. I took notes (partly to stay awake, due to jet lag!) and also because the government statement was the basis for the troubles that individual girls at the school have suffered.
We walk from the hotel along the busy tarmac road here in Rwamagana, and then up a hill of rutted red clay roads, past homes and fields and dozens of beautiful children who run out to meet us and follow us part way to the school. It is a good walk, and slow, as we stop to greet everyone along the way and practice the few words of Kinyarwanda that we have learned. Amy is the linguist among us, and not a soul goes by that she doesn't greet with a beautiful smile! Lauren quietly greets everyone as well, and I can see her absorbing so much, and being moved by it all as she takes hundreds of great photos. Ally is multi-tasking all the time, thinking about language, greeting people and figuring them out, planning the next version of the book, and even thinking of future research projects. Diane is quietly loving all these kids, sharing deeper thoughts in conversation with girls who almost all lack a mom to care about their ideas. What a great team! I am so privileged to introduce them to Africa.
After the Liberation day celebrations, and a walk back down to the hotel for lunch and a very short break, we started our interviews with the girls. We entered a classroom of girls and I introduced the book we had produced when Ally was in seventh grade. They were fascinated, and many of the girls who had contributed stories by email in 2008 found themselves in the original book! I challenged them all to write another biographical story for us, and also to meet with us to tell their stories and answer questions. I have offered a reward for the best written story, and all who wrote are hoping that they will win the mystery prize. That first group started interviewing and taking pictures with the girls, getting giggly and friendly enough to drape Amy and Ally's long hair over their own shoulders, for a photo of how they would look with long straight hair! I continued on to each class with a translator, and could tell the girls were excited to take part in a newer bigger book. They were shocked at the amount people paid for one book and that $9,000 had been raised by the girls already, so sharing their personal and often painful stories with people in America, who obviously care about them, became an important act of courage that they wanted to do with us.
There is so much to tell, but it is time for breakfast and I HOPE a good internet connection to post all this for you. Thanks for praying!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
4th of July!
It is liberation day here in Rwanda, too, so today we will walk up the hill to the school for some ceremonies, and work with the girls on interviews in the afternoon.
It is so good to be back in Africa! I knew I was back when we rode in a wildly painted van, with the slogan, "My God" painted all over it, with cheerful African music blaring and the smoky sweet wind in my face.
We are all well, after a long trip on Ethiopian Air. 13 hours to Addis Ababa, then a long hot wait in Addis, and short jumps to Entebbe and then Kigali, Rwanda.
We are at the Dereva hotel here in Rwamagana, Rwanda, and you can see that on line if you look up its website.
More later! Time to run.
It is liberation day here in Rwanda, too, so today we will walk up the hill to the school for some ceremonies, and work with the girls on interviews in the afternoon.
It is so good to be back in Africa! I knew I was back when we rode in a wildly painted van, with the slogan, "My God" painted all over it, with cheerful African music blaring and the smoky sweet wind in my face.
We are all well, after a long trip on Ethiopian Air. 13 hours to Addis Ababa, then a long hot wait in Addis, and short jumps to Entebbe and then Kigali, Rwanda.
We are at the Dereva hotel here in Rwamagana, Rwanda, and you can see that on line if you look up its website.
More later! Time to run.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
IWE Writers
Amy Bergey
I am 17 years old, and will go into 11th grade in high school this year. My younger sister, Abby, is 15, and my brother, Andrew, is 9. My parents are Lori and Dave. We have a dog named Charlie. At school I am on the volleyball team, the cheerleading squad, and my school's student council. My favorite subject is probably math. In the spring and summer I work at a nail salon, where I enjoy talking to all of the people that come in. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends. It has always been my dream to come to Africa, where I hope to live after college. I am so glad that God blessed me with this opportunity to visit you!
Lauren Kories
Hello! I am 17, I have two little brothers, and I live with my father. After this summer, I will be entering my senior year in high school. Many times you can find me either taking pictures with my camera, or see me reading a book for hours. I am also very happy to be a part of a church where I live. I have made many friends there, and through those friends I met Christ. I have been a lover of Christ for almost a year, and I can see all of the amazing things he does through me every day. I'm excited to have him working through me on this trip!
Kristen Swanson (Mamajojo)
My heart has two homes: the USA and Africa. God gave me ten wonderful years in Tanzania with our kids, Matthew (25), Joanna (23), and Will, our Tanzanian son (26). Now, my husband, Darrell, and I live in the USA, where I teach grades 6,7, and 8. I love to write, draw, and work in my garden.
Alison Telly (Ally)
I am fifteen and I have a younger brother named Caleb. I go to Pennridge High School, where I hope to study to become an author or an astrophysicist. Writing takes up most of my spare time already, so perhaps that is the career for me! Now that it is summer I have lots of time to do things like hanging out with friends or going to the park. It is also fun to go swimming with my dog, Harley, in our pool. He is always the first to jump in the water, so my family throws his ball around and plays with him in the water. It is a lot of fun to take pictures of him, which is another hobby. I cannot wait to see you. It is so exciting that God has given me the chance to meet you this summer!
Diane Telly.
I am married and have two children. We live in Pennsylvania in the United States. I work as a tax collector in my local town. We are not like the tax collectors of the Bible, we mostly keep accounting records of taxes paid. In my free time I enjoy walking and reading. I have played a lot of soccer in my life, but am getting older now, so I don’t play very much anymore. It was during my years at college that I learned what it meant that Christ died for me. Since then, I have been so very thankful to have God in my life. He has blessed me with a family that I love. Thank you for sharing your lives with us and for welcoming us to visit you at your school.
Amy Bergey
I am 17 years old, and will go into 11th grade in high school this year. My younger sister, Abby, is 15, and my brother, Andrew, is 9. My parents are Lori and Dave. We have a dog named Charlie. At school I am on the volleyball team, the cheerleading squad, and my school's student council. My favorite subject is probably math. In the spring and summer I work at a nail salon, where I enjoy talking to all of the people that come in. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends. It has always been my dream to come to Africa, where I hope to live after college. I am so glad that God blessed me with this opportunity to visit you!
Lauren Kories
Hello! I am 17, I have two little brothers, and I live with my father. After this summer, I will be entering my senior year in high school. Many times you can find me either taking pictures with my camera, or see me reading a book for hours. I am also very happy to be a part of a church where I live. I have made many friends there, and through those friends I met Christ. I have been a lover of Christ for almost a year, and I can see all of the amazing things he does through me every day. I'm excited to have him working through me on this trip!
Kristen Swanson (Mamajojo)
My heart has two homes: the USA and Africa. God gave me ten wonderful years in Tanzania with our kids, Matthew (25), Joanna (23), and Will, our Tanzanian son (26). Now, my husband, Darrell, and I live in the USA, where I teach grades 6,7, and 8. I love to write, draw, and work in my garden.
Alison Telly (Ally)
I am fifteen and I have a younger brother named Caleb. I go to Pennridge High School, where I hope to study to become an author or an astrophysicist. Writing takes up most of my spare time already, so perhaps that is the career for me! Now that it is summer I have lots of time to do things like hanging out with friends or going to the park. It is also fun to go swimming with my dog, Harley, in our pool. He is always the first to jump in the water, so my family throws his ball around and plays with him in the water. It is a lot of fun to take pictures of him, which is another hobby. I cannot wait to see you. It is so exciting that God has given me the chance to meet you this summer!
Diane Telly.
I am married and have two children. We live in Pennsylvania in the United States. I work as a tax collector in my local town. We are not like the tax collectors of the Bible, we mostly keep accounting records of taxes paid. In my free time I enjoy walking and reading. I have played a lot of soccer in my life, but am getting older now, so I don’t play very much anymore. It was during my years at college that I learned what it meant that Christ died for me. Since then, I have been so very thankful to have God in my life. He has blessed me with a family that I love. Thank you for sharing your lives with us and for welcoming us to visit you at your school.
IWE Writers
IWE Writers
Since we are asking the girls of IWE to share their stories with us, we have written short bio's to give them. I still have to learn how to upload pics from my iPad to my blog!
Amy Bergey
I am 17 years old, and will go into 11th grade in high school this year. My younger sister, Abby, is 15, and my brother, Andrew, is 9. My parents are Lori and Dave. We have a dog named Charlie. At school I am on the volleyball team, the cheerleading squad, and my school's student council. My favorite subject is probably math. In the spring and summer I work at a nail salon, where I enjoy talking to all of the people that come in. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends. It has always been my dream to come to Africa, where I hope to live after college. I am so glad that God blessed me with this opportunity to visit you!
Lauren Kories
Hello! I am 17, I have two little brothers, and I live with my father. After this summer, I will be entering my senior year in high school. Many times you can find me either taking pictures with my camera, or see me reading a book for hours. I am also very happy to be a part of a church where I live. I have made many friends there, and through those friends I met Christ. I have been a lover of Christ for almost a year, and I can see all of the amazing things he does through me every day. I'm excited to have him working through me on this trip!
Kristen Swanson (Mamajojo) My heart has two homes: the USA and Africa. God gave me ten wonderful years in Tanzania with our kids, Matthew (25), Joanna (23), and Will, our Tanzanian son (26). Now, my husband, Darrell, and I live in the USA, where I teach grades 6,7, and 8. I love to write, draw, and work in my garden.
Alison Telly (Ally) I am fifteen and I have a younger brother named Caleb. I go to Pennridge High School, where I hope to study to become an author or an astrophysicist. Writing takes up most of my spare time already, so perhaps that is the career for me! Now that it is summer I have lots of time to do things like hanging out with friends or going to the park. It is also fun to go swimming with my dog, Harley, in our pool. He is always the first to jump in the water, so my family throws his ball around and plays with him in the water. It is a lot of fun to take pictures of him, which is another hobby. I cannot wait to see you. It is so exciting that God has given me the chance to meet you this summer!
Diane Telly. I am married and have two children. We live in Pennsylvania in the United States. I work as a tax collector in my local town. We are not like the tax collectors of the Bible, we mostly keep accounting records of taxes paid. In my free time I enjoy walking and reading. I have played a lot of soccer in my life, but am getting older now, so I don’t play very much anymore. It was during my years at college that I learned what it meant that Christ died for me. Since then, I have been so very thankful to have God in my life. He has blessed me with a family that I love. Thank you for sharing your lives with us and for welcoming us to visit you at your school.
Since we are asking the girls of IWE to share their stories with us, we have written short bio's to give them. I still have to learn how to upload pics from my iPad to my blog!
Amy Bergey
I am 17 years old, and will go into 11th grade in high school this year. My younger sister, Abby, is 15, and my brother, Andrew, is 9. My parents are Lori and Dave. We have a dog named Charlie. At school I am on the volleyball team, the cheerleading squad, and my school's student council. My favorite subject is probably math. In the spring and summer I work at a nail salon, where I enjoy talking to all of the people that come in. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends. It has always been my dream to come to Africa, where I hope to live after college. I am so glad that God blessed me with this opportunity to visit you!
Lauren Kories
Hello! I am 17, I have two little brothers, and I live with my father. After this summer, I will be entering my senior year in high school. Many times you can find me either taking pictures with my camera, or see me reading a book for hours. I am also very happy to be a part of a church where I live. I have made many friends there, and through those friends I met Christ. I have been a lover of Christ for almost a year, and I can see all of the amazing things he does through me every day. I'm excited to have him working through me on this trip!
Kristen Swanson (Mamajojo) My heart has two homes: the USA and Africa. God gave me ten wonderful years in Tanzania with our kids, Matthew (25), Joanna (23), and Will, our Tanzanian son (26). Now, my husband, Darrell, and I live in the USA, where I teach grades 6,7, and 8. I love to write, draw, and work in my garden.
Alison Telly (Ally) I am fifteen and I have a younger brother named Caleb. I go to Pennridge High School, where I hope to study to become an author or an astrophysicist. Writing takes up most of my spare time already, so perhaps that is the career for me! Now that it is summer I have lots of time to do things like hanging out with friends or going to the park. It is also fun to go swimming with my dog, Harley, in our pool. He is always the first to jump in the water, so my family throws his ball around and plays with him in the water. It is a lot of fun to take pictures of him, which is another hobby. I cannot wait to see you. It is so exciting that God has given me the chance to meet you this summer!
Diane Telly. I am married and have two children. We live in Pennsylvania in the United States. I work as a tax collector in my local town. We are not like the tax collectors of the Bible, we mostly keep accounting records of taxes paid. In my free time I enjoy walking and reading. I have played a lot of soccer in my life, but am getting older now, so I don’t play very much anymore. It was during my years at college that I learned what it meant that Christ died for me. Since then, I have been so very thankful to have God in my life. He has blessed me with a family that I love. Thank you for sharing your lives with us and for welcoming us to visit you at your school.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Speaking of Jabez...
I pray that God
Would enlarge my territory
in words that I speak and write.
Stories that have changed my life
Have also changed this whole world.
May every story I collect and write
Reflect that cosmic story of change.
The stories of Jesus,
His parables and his own story,
Are made fresh in each of us
Each day that we listen at his feet.
The four gospels reflect their writers' intent,
Audience,
And personality.
They record the same life, but Matthew
Writes to Greek Jews,
Spelling out Jesus' geneology
And fulfillment of Old prophesies.
Mark nods to the prophets,
But jumps into the action
Of Jesus' ministry.
Luke, the historian,
Methodically writes
To the ages to come
John sees into the mist
Before earth time began,
Placing Jesus
On His throne over all the cosmos.
Would enlarge my territory
in words that I speak and write.
Stories that have changed my life
Have also changed this whole world.
May every story I collect and write
Reflect that cosmic story of change.
The stories of Jesus,
His parables and his own story,
Are made fresh in each of us
Each day that we listen at his feet.
The four gospels reflect their writers' intent,
Audience,
And personality.
They record the same life, but Matthew
Writes to Greek Jews,
Spelling out Jesus' geneology
And fulfillment of Old prophesies.
Mark nods to the prophets,
But jumps into the action
Of Jesus' ministry.
Luke, the historian,
Methodically writes
To the ages to come
John sees into the mist
Before earth time began,
Placing Jesus
On His throne over all the cosmos.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Ahhhhhhh! School's Out for Summer!
And summer promises to be interesting...
On July 2 I leave for Rwanda with some of my favorite people!
Amy and Ally are former students from Penn Central Middle School.
Ally's friend, Lauren, is joining us, and (Hooray!) Ally' mom, Diane, is coming along too.
They are all kindred spirits, "of the tribe of Joseph," (Anyone know that literary reference?!), and I am honored to introduce them to Africa.
Here is our itinerary as planned by ALARM, our host organization. If you don't know ALARM, check out their website at www.alarm-inc.org. They do amazing reconciliation and peacemaking all over eastern and central Africa, and they started the school we will visit, the Institute of Women's Excellence (IWE)
Rwanda Schedule, 2011
July 3 Arrive in Kigali - Etheopian Air #0807 - 12:15pm arrival
Travel from Kigali to Rwamagana (IWE)
Dereva Hotel
July 4 IWE
Dereva Hotel
July 5 IWE
Dereva Hotel
July 6 IWE
Visit Memorial
Dereva Hotel
July 7 5 Travel from Rwamagana to Kigali
3 depart to Uganda
2 stay in Kigali
Hotel in Kigali - ALARM Center
July 8 Kigali- Visit Ntarama Memorial and Kigali Memorial
Hotel in Kigali - ALARM Center
July 9 Kigali- Visit Kabuga Project
Hotel in Kigali - ALARM Center
July 10 2 Depart from Kigali
After our writing project with IWE, Diane, Ally, and Lauren will go to Uganda for a few days, and Amy and I will continue on in Rwanda, visiting projects and seeing the work of ALARM. Then we will all meet up again in Tanzania for a game park tour with more Penn Central alumni, the Keefe Family. We will spend a few more days in Arusha, and then Amy and I will be in Dar es Salaam for 5 days after all the others go home.
On July 24 Amy and I will arrive back at Dulles airport, to relax for the rest of the summer!
You can add your prayers for safety, health, and for our project to make a lasting difference for the girls of IWE.
And summer promises to be interesting...
On July 2 I leave for Rwanda with some of my favorite people!
Amy and Ally are former students from Penn Central Middle School.
Ally's friend, Lauren, is joining us, and (Hooray!) Ally' mom, Diane, is coming along too.
They are all kindred spirits, "of the tribe of Joseph," (Anyone know that literary reference?!), and I am honored to introduce them to Africa.
Here is our itinerary as planned by ALARM, our host organization. If you don't know ALARM, check out their website at www.alarm-inc.org. They do amazing reconciliation and peacemaking all over eastern and central Africa, and they started the school we will visit, the Institute of Women's Excellence (IWE)
Rwanda Schedule, 2011
July 3 Arrive in Kigali - Etheopian Air #0807 - 12:15pm arrival
Travel from Kigali to Rwamagana (IWE)
Dereva Hotel
July 4 IWE
Dereva Hotel
July 5 IWE
Dereva Hotel
July 6 IWE
Visit Memorial
Dereva Hotel
July 7 5 Travel from Rwamagana to Kigali
3 depart to Uganda
2 stay in Kigali
Hotel in Kigali - ALARM Center
July 8 Kigali- Visit Ntarama Memorial and Kigali Memorial
Hotel in Kigali - ALARM Center
July 9 Kigali- Visit Kabuga Project
Hotel in Kigali - ALARM Center
July 10 2 Depart from Kigali
After our writing project with IWE, Diane, Ally, and Lauren will go to Uganda for a few days, and Amy and I will continue on in Rwanda, visiting projects and seeing the work of ALARM. Then we will all meet up again in Tanzania for a game park tour with more Penn Central alumni, the Keefe Family. We will spend a few more days in Arusha, and then Amy and I will be in Dar es Salaam for 5 days after all the others go home.
On July 24 Amy and I will arrive back at Dulles airport, to relax for the rest of the summer!
You can add your prayers for safety, health, and for our project to make a lasting difference for the girls of IWE.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Talent Search! Videographer needed
From: Kristen Swanson
To: Film or production students interested in a life-changing project
Seeking a Videographer for our Service Trip to Rwanda
The Institute for Women’s Excellence (IWE) is a secondary school that serves girls orphaned by genocide and AIDS in Rwanda. The school is a project of ALARM, African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries, an African peace and reconciliation group based in Rwanda and doing outstanding work in Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Sudan, and Uganda. (See www.alarm-inc.org for more information on the organization).
In 2008, two seventh graders in Bucks County, PA, decided to write a book about the girls of IWE in order to raise money for a much needed dormitory. They have raised over $9,000 so far with the book, Inzozi, Dreams of the Future. The dorm has been completed, and they are continuing to raise funds for equipment and scholarships for individual girls. This summer I will go with the girls and a few other students and parents to the school in Rwanda to interview the girls, collect more detailed interviews, and revise the book, with the goal of publication. (So far they have self-published at Staples).
One former student, now a talented film major, has had to withdraw from the trip, and at first I just thought that I would take home videos of our trip and settle for that. But now I have received a request from ALARM for good quality film of their Rwandese staff, all of whom were affected directly and dramatically by the genocide, and have powerful stories to tell. I know I am not up to producing quality work that is worthy of their courage and commitment to making peace under horrific circumstances, and so I am looking for a creative film student that is able to do this project with us, for ALARM.
The cost of the trip is about $2500-3000 for a week in Rwanda. Conditions will be very basic, but as safe as any tourist travel can be. Crime in Rwanda is low, and the country is committed to maintaining peace and never again allowing genocide to occur. I have ten years of experience living and traveling in Africa, and will do my best, with the ALARM staff, to steer you in safe places. What will be in the most danger are your assumptions about Africa, the limits of human forgiveness, and perhaps your whole outlook on life. After our project, I am going to Tanzania with the group, for a few days in a game park, and then to explore examples of international business development, education, and health care, since my students are interested in those careers. You are welcome to come along to the game park and to see places like hospitals, schools, and small businesses, but the cost will add up fast once you get on the tourist circuit! I will be happy to estimate those costs for you if you are interested.
If you are interested, contact me at the following:
Kristen Swanson
98 Old Bethlehem Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
215-536-0967
kristen.mamajojo@gmail.com
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