Reflections on Rwanda: A Journey of Work, Nature, and Cultural Exploration
Leaving with Gratitude: The Impact of Empathy and Legal Work in Rwanda
In this final blog post, I'll be covering the last two weeks of my work at Rwanda Bridges to Justice and its partner offices in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Work has slowed down recently as we await updates on the funding requests, and school visits have decreased due to the students finishing their academic year. As my time in East Africa draws to a close, I made sure to finalize the three proposals for each office well ahead of the August deadline.
Before my sister departed, we organized one last excursion to Nyungwe National Forest for a series of hikes. Rwanda's diverse bird and butterfly species have captivated us throughout our stay, and the forest offered an opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. As we drove into the national forest, we were greeted by baboons and mountain monkeys scattered along the roads and grounds, making for an exciting prelude to our adventure. Our hikes began at 9 a.m. and continued until 1 p.m., during which we encountered various bird species and playful monkeys. This time, instead of taking the public bus, we opted to hire a driver from the office, allowing us to savor the country's stunning views in a more relaxed manner.
Returning to Kigali, the work week resumed, with me heading to the office while my sister explored the city. She engaged in cooking classes at a local women's center, participating in the rich cultural activities the center had to offer. After work, we reunited to explore the city's vibrant scene, frequenting jazz bars, art centers, and cozy coffee shops.
As my time in Rwanda comes to an end, I can't help but feel immense gratitude for the warm and welcoming people who taught me so much, particularly the power of empathy. The work I've undertaken here has been an important milestone in my personal and professional growth, thanks to the impactful legal work carried out at RBJ. I leave with a sense of fulfillment, knowing I was able to give back to a community that treated me with such kindness and open arms. While my time in Rwanda may be over for now, I eagerly look forward to the day I can return to this incredible country once again.