goodpeople Travel to Rwanda March 2018 Itinerary Building peace through education and human engagement

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1 goodpeople Building peace through education and human engagement Travel to Rwanda March 2018 Itinerary 1

2 goodpeople Building Peace Through Education and Human Engagement Rwanda 2018 Rwanda, often referred to as the Land of 1000 Hills, suffered the loss of an estimated 1 million people during the genocide of More than two decades later, Rwanda is considered one of the safest, cleanest and least corrupt countries in Africa. Post genocide, the people of Rwanda have rebuilt their nation based off a policy of Unity and Reconciliation. Rwanda has universal health care and has the largest percentage of women parliamentarians in the world. Rwanda enjoys a steady 8 percent growth in GNP and has dramatically reduced its dependence on foreign aid. The incredible progress Rwanda has made toward achieving sustainable peace is remarkable. This trip to Rwanda will be an educational, week-long journey through the Rwandan countryside. We will learn about the Tutsi Genocide, the factors preceding the genocide and the transformational peacebuilding that has occurred post genocide. We will engage with genocide survivors and visit several genocide memorial sites. We will have the opportunity to speak with the transformational mediators who are contributing to peace and reconciliation work in Rwanda today. We will also experience the extraordinary nature and wildlife that one can only find in Africa! March 11, 2018: Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda We will be met on arrival at the airport in Kigali by our tour guide, Amon. Amon and his staff will travel with us each day we are in Rwanda and will gladly answer questions about the culture, the people, politics, the Tutsi Genocide, and other educational questions travelers may have. We will travel via Range Rovers jeeps that can easily manage the rough Rwandan terrain. 2

3 Heaven Boutique Hotel March 11 13, we will stay at the Heaven Boutique Hotel. MARCH 12, 2018 After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Bugesera to visit the Nyamata and Ntarama Genocide Memorial sites. These sites and the surrounding area are classified as two of the region s most devastated by the 1994 Tutsi Genocide. Nyamata Memorial The Church of Ntarama was converted into a genocide memorial April 14, 1995 and is dedicated to the 5,000 people who lost their lives there. One of Rwanda s six National Genocide Memorial Sites, Ntarama contains human remains, clothing, and artifacts belonging to those who were killed at the church, which remain on display at all times. 3

4 Ntarama Memorial This is a small church and school 25 km south of Kigali. A total of 5,000 people were killed in this church, many of whom were women and children. Women for Women International In the afternoon, we visit Women for Women project in Kimihurura (suburb of Kigali) Women for Women International s 12-month training program provides politically, economically, and socially excluded women in countries affected by violence with the vocational skills, health information, and rights education they need to overcome poverty, make healthy decisions, and build local networks to advocate for their rights. The program promotes women s social and economic empowerment as the key to building more peaceful and stable societies. Learn more: MARCH 13, 2018 After breakfast, we will depart for the Gitarama Genocide Memorials. We will return to Kigali for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Les Enfants de Dieu in Ndera (Kigali). Les Enfants de Dieu is a nonprofit secular organization established to assist and transform the lives of street children in Kigali, by alleviating their hardships and providing them with the opportunities to mature into valued individuals who can be reintegrated into society and contribute their skills, knowledge, and ideas. The organization runs a residential care center for approximately 130 boys between the ages of four and 18 in Ndera, a suburb of Kigali. The facilities include dormitories and classrooms, as well as a kitchen, multipurpose hall, and playground. The project employs 15 staff, including four teachers, a nurse, counselor, social worker, and project manager. 4

5 If children are willing to leave the streets, the organization's care center removes them from the harsh realities of street life by providing them with food, shelter, and basic healthcare. Then the boys begin a rehabilitation process that focuses on mind, body, and spirit. The children have access to health, sports, and vocational training, as well as general education and counseling to deal with stress and trauma. The ultimate goal is to reintegrate each child into Rwandan society. The center is focused on providing a child-centered service, meaning that a tremendous amount of responsibility is given to the children in regards to the management of the whole project. The children organize elections each year to nominate leaders from amongst those living at the center to deal with various aspects of life at the center, including administration, education, health and sports and culture. As a result of this process and responsibility, children feel more respected and empowered to create real change. In addition, although the project is made possible through fundraising, the center has several income generating agricultural initiatives aimed at moving towards financial sustainability. Learn more: MARCH 14, 2018 Drive to Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial. The genocide in Rwanda during the 1990s brought about a new level of brutality and cruelty in more than a few ways. A phenomenon that occurred during this particular genocide was the practice of massacring civilians, men, women, and children, in churches. It is estimated that eleven percent of those murdered perished in churches. A massacre of this kind took place at the Nyarubuye church April 15, Nyarubuye is in the Diocese of Kibungo, which is southeast Rwanda. This massacre brought many questions to light; questions about possible church involvement, what actually happened during the course of the two-day assault, the significance of the killings being in a church, and after the killings were over, how the events should be remembered and memorialized. In the Rwandan Genocide churches were reassigned from their traditional roles as places of refuge and worship and were turned into sites of unbelievable horror. The actual physical spaces were transformed from sites of worship to sights of death. The Nyarubuye Church Settlement during the genocide and now as a memorial site shows this shift. This afternoon we will drive to Akagera National Park. Lunch at the Lodge. Accommodations: Akagera Game Lodge, 5

6 MARCH 15, 2018 Akagera National Park lies in eastern Rwanda, hugging the border with Tanzania. It s characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains, and savannah. The varied terrain shelters wildlife including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. In the southern part of the park, vast Lake Ihema is home to hippos and crocodiles. We will enjoy an early morning game drive through the Akagera National Park. We will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a boat cruise where we will see the variety of bird species and also aquatic animals such as hippopotamus, crocodiles, monitor lizard, and others. Accommodations: Akagera Game Lodge, Learn more: MARCH 16, 2018 We will leave in the morning and drive to the north where we will explore the endangered primates species. Accommodations: Peakspot Lodge, 6

7 MARCH 17, 2018 This morning we will enjoy a hike where we will spot the golden monkeys of Rwanda. After our hike, we will spend the afternoon speaking with genocide survivors and hearing their stories about life after the genocide. Accommodations: Peakspot Lodge, MARCH 18, 2018 We will drive to the Lake Kivu area of Rwanda and visit the Ihumure Peace Association. The Ihumure Peace Association mediators work with families experiencing domestic violence, neighbors experiencing land disputes, and other family and community disputes and forms of violence. Ihumure Peace Association evolved from a group of peace clubs established by a Muslim community leader. At present, 7

8 the association is led by Pastor Augustin Habimana, an evangelical Quaker. Pastor Augustin received his initial training in conflict transformation from American Quakers. He built Ihumure s initial structure with funds from a USAID grant. Ihumure s trauma-informed mediation model was developed in partnership with Mediators Beyond Borders International. The Ihumure Peace Association now has eight fully trained mediators and workshop facilitators and soon will soon double that number. They are now officially registered as Community Based Organization for Peace Education Ihumure. Ihumure aspires to be an in-country local resource for Rwandan mediators, known as Abunzi, and also provide a replicable, community-based model to be used throughout the country to promote the national recovery from genocide. Learn more: After visiting Ihumure Peace Association, we will explore the hot springs or relax at the beach. Accommodations: Paradise Malahide, MARCH 19, 2018 Drive back to Kigali and visit the local markets before being transferred to the airport for your return flight. All-Inclusive Trip The cost of the trip is $5, per person and includes the following: Prior to travel... A list of recommended documentaries to watch A list of recommended reading (articles and books) Video presentations delivered by your hosts on the history of Rwanda, the Tutsi Genocide, and postgenocide peace-building You will gain access to a private facebook group where you will be able to engage with your cotravelers and begin to build a learning community with one another prior to the trip 8

9 In country travel... Pick up and drop off at airports All hotel accommodations Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each full day Bottled water throughout each day All in-country travel Access to parks, memorials, and other activities (donations at memorial sites are appreciated) Online presentations and lectures on the history of Rwanda and the country s peace-building initiatives to educationally prepare travelers Please note: The price of the trip does not include round trip travel to Rwanda. The price of the trip is based off of double occupancy. If you are not traveling with a partner, we can connect you with a roommate in advance of the trip. A non-refundable deposit of $ is due on or before November 15, We recommend placing your deposit as soon as possible. The remaining non-refundable balance of $ is due February 15, ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Scott Mischnick and Robyn Short bring their passion for travel, love of history and commitment to peace-building to every trip they plan. It is our hope that the trips we develop through GoodPeople inspire travelers to think differently about our shared human experience and encourage peace-building through education and human engagement. PAYMENTS/CANCELLATION A non-refundable deposit of $ is due on or before November 15, We recommend placing your deposit as soon as possible. The remaining non-refundable balance of $ is due February 15, Because GoodPeople partners with numerous travel guides, in-country agencies and in-country domestic flights (when applicable) are often booked on behalf of individuals traveling with us, we are unable to refund any portion of payments. For that reason, we highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of booking which should cover medical expenses, loss of baggage, cancellation fees, etc. Your travel agent will be able to advise and assist you with this. 9

10 Should any amounts remain outstanding, and legal costs are incurred to recover the debt, then GoodMedia Communications (GoodPeople parent company) has the right to add the legal costs incurred to the outstanding debt and recover these as well from the client. Should it be necessary to take legal action against the client, the client accepts and abides by any court or legal ruling that is made under U.S. jurisdiction. 10