Gisenyi:

Is in the mountains of Rwanda, on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. I took our teens to the border by motto to see the city of Goma and the stark contrast to Gisenyi. It had quite an impact on them. There are many people crossing the border of from Goma, which often sees violence, complete and total poverty – in a land rich with resources.

We went to the beach to watch the young people who are very talented in acrobats. After giving us a bit of a performance, they then included Sylvia Baldwin, into their pyramid.

Road are not paved in Gisenyi, but it is a city that is seeing improvement, even since last year. We hung with Sadiki, my friend whom I met last year when I needed help with my computer and phone. He is also an acrobat and is going to school to learn networking. He has a gift – but his heart wants to go to college outside of the continent of Africa. 

It was hard to leave Sadiki behind. He wants the same opportunities and has big dreams just like any other 20 yr. old in the world.

Interview with Franc

This country continues to mold and shape me in ways that I don't expect. I had an interview tonight...Franc was supposed to arrive at 6 pm, and arrived a little after 7 – it is Rwandan time, as they say here. We sat and had dinner together and after about an hour we moved to the sofa for the taping of the interview. Sylvia, my American student, wanted to be there to ask questions as well, which I want to honor, as she is very bright and compassionate and wants to know everything!

Franc was 6 when his family fled the country in 1994 during the height of the genocide in Rwanda into the Congo, where he lived in a refugee camp. Then a bomb went off in the camp and he was separated from his parents, his sisters - and had to live with another family. When he finally was reunited with his family, his father was numb - as was his mother. The kids had to raise themselves. He talked of his lack of trust in any human being, accept for God. I have heard many a genocide survivor speak like this.

He is such a gentle soul - he is a bright light. We finished the interview after about 35 min, and then the real talking began. I was moved to tears, as were my American travelers.

I see this man operating from a higher vibrational level, yet he has not experienced any happiness since 1994. How can such a bright light uncover that light from the inside out again? HROC (Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities) a trauma healing program being done here in Rwanda, has a chance at beginning to help him address and possibly heal his trauma.