CHAPATI!

As Mona, Molly, Kristina and I walked into the DIZA (DUFATANYE INSHUTI Z’ABANA ASSOCIARION-“friends of children association” compound in Rwamagana, we could hear kids talking in Kinyarawanda. The only thing I understood was “mzungu”(foreigner) and the next thing I know, I was surrounded by these young children running away from their classrooms while their teachers asked them to come back into their classrooms. Each of us were swarmed with children –each of them wanting hold our hands. They were the cutest, most outgoing kids who just wanted to hold hands, take pictures with our camera and wear my sunglasses. I had 5 children holding on to my hand while they were trying to push each other away from my hand so they were the only ones holding on to my hand.

The kids running to me and holding on to me :)

After the 1994 genocide, the Fred Rwigema orphanage was set up for the children who were separated from their families. The orphanage was closed in 1997 since the government of Rwanda wanted to put orphaned children in foster homes rather than orphanages. DIZA formed in order to continue supporting the most vulnerable children. DIZA provides support to children through sponsoring the children for costs to go to school and educational materials. Sponsors are from many countries including France, Canada, Ireland and England. It costs $355/year to sponsor children in primary school and $550/year in secondary school. The primary beneficiaries were children who survived the genocide but DIZA also helps children from families affected by HIV/AIDS, disability and poverty. DIZA also has a Nursery school which is used to educate sponsored children along with other children.

One of our projects while we're in Kibungo is to help write proposals in order to get more sponsorship for children who are currently on the waitlist and funding to build a primary school as DIZA’s main goal is to provide excellent education for the children. We are currently conducting a situational analysis for DIZA and working on running focus groups with the help of Eric Platini who is the coordinator of DIZA.

"CHAPATI" -this is what they say as the picture is being taken...

Me and the kids again :)

Back to the children. They were the most adorable kids I've seen who loved posing for pictures. The best part about taking their pictures was when they all yelled out "chapati" instead of "cheese". I wonder why it was chapati and not cassava or bananas or some Rwandan food. I thought the funniest/cutest thing was when the child refused to go home with her mother and wanted to stay with my friend Molly during our meeting with the coordinator. She ended up sleeping on my friend Molly's lap during the meeting which was the sweetest thing. They also enthusiastically sang and danced to songs in English and I wondered whether I was as hyper and excited as they were when I was a kid. 

He took my sunglasses and wanted his picture taken-what a stud?

Anyways, hope you have enjoyed reading my posts... I shall keep updating you. 

Cheers!

xx