Law, Life, and the Land of a Thousand Hills: My Rwandan Internship Experience
Vibrant Vignettes: Embracing Rwanda's Cultural Tapestry
My journey started on Sunday, May 14th, when I first set foot in Rwanda. I was immediately struck by the abundant greenery, the rolling hills, and the striking contrast between vibrant hues of green and the red-orange dirt strewn throughout the city. Rwanda, a country under constant development, boasts well-maintained roads crisscrossing the city of Kigali. It's one of the cleanest cities I've ever encountered, with street cleaners and gardeners contributing to its pristine appearance.
The following morning, Monday, May 15th, marked the beginning of my professional journey here. I was fortunate to have Ronald, my boss, pick me up and introduce me to the workplace. Conveniently, I live a mere two miles away from the office, near Rwanda's esteemed golf course—a favorite haunt of the president on weekends—and within a stone's throw of a local tennis club. As a person who thrives on routine, I devised a daily plan of walking to work, hitting the tennis club for a workout or a game, strolling home, and then enjoying dinner. A concern, though, is that while living abroad, I sometimes develop routines that offer stability, but may inadvertently confine me to a particular area. So, to ensure I fully explore the city's beauty, I've decided to intersperse my weeks with small adventures rather than reserve them for weekends.
Throughout my first week in Rwanda, I've been met with kindness and warm greetings at every turn. Every morning, as I walk to work, I exchange smiles and 'good mornings' with at least 20 people—an aspect I always cherished while living in countries outside the U.S., where avoiding eye contact can often be the norm in public spaces. The small, friendly exchanges here, especially as a noticeable foreigner, have brought me a sense of gratification and appreciation.
The RBJ office, nestled in a three-story house in one of Rwanda's safest neighborhoods, has an open, engaging workspace on the ground floor. With our desks overlooking the verdant outdoors and a cool breeze filtering through the open windows, it's a pleasant environment. My colleagues extend their courtesy by involving me in conversations in either English or French—the office's primary languages, alongside Kinyurwandan. Lunchtime is a communal affair, with around 15 of us gathering around a long table outside to eat and socialize. Even when the conversation shifts into Kinyurwandan, the resulting laughter is a universal language that I find contagious.
Rounding off my impressions of this vibrant city is the primary mode of transportation here—the moto-taxi. On particularly hot days, when a walk to work might compromise my professional appearance, I opt for a quick and affordable moto-taxi ride. These ubiquitous vehicles provide a popular means of getting around the city, and I'm eager to use them more as I explore Kigali in the coming weeks.
Human Rights, Human Stories: Tackling Legal Challenges with RBJ
Rwanda Bridges to Justice (RBJ) is a nonprofit organization devoted to protecting human rights, particularly for society's most vulnerable groups. Our focus rests mainly on children, women, and the elderly who are wrongfully detained and subject to inhumane treatment. RBJ strives to provide legal protection and uphold humane practices within Rwanda's criminal justice system. In my initial week, I've had the opportunity to work on several significant projects. These included drafting grant proposals for the U.S. Embassy and establishing programs that provide legal education to Rwandan youth who've suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse within the prison system. While the details of these children's experiences can be emotionally distressing, it's encouraging to note that these are ultimately success stories culminating in the children's release. My previous training in handling sensitive material at the Tahirih Justice Center in Houston, Texas, prepared me well for these tasks. The Tahirih Justice Center (TJC), based in Houston, Texas, is a legal aid organization dedicated to protecting immigrant women and children seeking to escape gender-based violence and persecution. Working closely with TJC at the young age of 17, I was taught how to offer support to individuals primarily from Latin America who were seeking asylum in the United States. This work aimed to help those fleeing severe conditions, such as human trafficking or domestic violence. This early exposure to human rights advocacy has shaped my passion for the field and serves as a foundation for my current work with RBJ.
As I look forward to the coming weeks, I feel emotionally and mentally equipped to handle the increased intensity of this type of content effectively.
Moreover, my first week also included revising proposals for our affiliate office in Burundi. The Burundi office's work mirrors our cause but operates within a context of governmental instability leading to excessive detentions. The proposals we're developing there aim to highlight these statistics and extend protections to the vulnerable groups most affected.
One of RBJ's upcoming initiatives involves establishing a connection between students at the University of Rwanda Law School and a program in the U.S. In this effort, I have facilitated a potential partnership between RBJ and the Black Law Student Association at William & Mary Law School. I believe this alignment could provide an excellent opportunity for the BLSA organization, as it may align with their values.
Regarding my upcoming weekend, it will be focused and productive as I will be participating in the Joint-Journal Competition. While this rigorous competition takes precedence over exploration and relaxation, I eagerly anticipate the enriching experience it promises to provide. In the pursuit of balance and recreation, I eagerly anticipate participating in a local soccer match next weekend, a delightful routine my colleagues engage in every Saturday. Not only am I excited to join them, but I am equally determined to showcase the prowess of their Argentinean colleague on the soccer pitch. These activities, both professional and recreational, are a part of my journey to blend work, learning, and cultural immersion during my time in Rwanda.
Overall, my time in Rwanda has been rewarding so far. I chose this internship with a goal to expand my capacity for empathy. As someone who often resorts to logic and reason when faced with emotional situations, I believe this experience can help me become more attuned to emotional contexts. Having previously worked in the United States, Hong Kong, Argentina, and Germany, this is my first experience in Africa. These varied experiences have allowed me to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds effectively. To be the comprehensive lawyer I aspire to be, I believe that engaging with diverse cultures is crucial. In addition to beginning my legal career with meaningful work, I'm genuinely excited for the learning and growth that lies ahead in Rwanda and Africa over the coming weeks.
