Bishop John Rucyahanna
March 8, 2009, 12:31 pm
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Bishop John Rucyahanna | Tags:
a thousand hills,
accomodation in ruhengeri,
anglican church,
john rucyahanna,
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moses tay,
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ruhengeri,
Rwanda,
school in rwanda,
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Handing book ceremonyBishop and team Singapore discussing synergies
I finally met Bishop John Rucyahanna
When Alan first considered coming to Rwanda, Bishop Moses Tay gave us a book called “Never Silent”. It is such a powerful book. That was my first introduction to a man named John Rucyahanna. Subsequently, I read another book called “A Thousand Hills” by Steven Kinzer. This second book also had a section where they interviewed this man. Believe me, this is one awesome man.
John Rucyahanna is a man of God. If it is God’s principles, and should anyone try to violate them, even at the expense of losing sponsorship – something that is needed in African churches, he will not keep silent. This man suffered much in the genocide years – losing family members, losing home and country. He has been a refugee, a baker, a teacher and obviously a pastor. Through it all, he kept his eyes focussed on God. One of the first things he did was to set up a school for orphans when he returned to Rwanda post 1994. This is no ordinary school. He came back to a broken country, and many, many orphans. This visionary understood that if no one loved these orphans, no one helped them heal from the trauma, they will be a major social problem for the country. So he set up a school, brought the orphans in and gave them an education, telling them that they can be leaders and entrepreneurs – giving them a dream and a hope. The school is called Sonrise School. In no time it became one of the best schools in Rwanda, with many clamouring for a place. Today, Sonrise school has some 1000 students, half of whom are orphans.
The more I read about him, the more I thought that this incredible man must be very intense and fiery. I did not expect such a jovial man with a twinkle in his eye, and a warm, welcoming voice. He does not mince words – he willingly shares with you the limitations of the Rwandans, he understands the difficulties we face when dealing with local issues. At the same time, he reminds us the focus is the redemption of Rwanda – and that definitely includes social and economic redemption. Essentially, he is reminding us that we should not tire of doing good. He may be a bishop, but he is also an astute businessman. Very frankly he tells us he needs to equip the people to earn a living – to be financially strong. He is very clear about the way ahead. To rebuild Rwanda, you need to rebuild the people. His eyes show sorrow, and a little anger when he shares how the children of the egg seller may never have eaten eggs. The priority is to get himself a beer, not nourishing his kids with eggs. This is part of the social ill that needs to be corrected.
He is indefatigable in getting there. His school now runs programmes for primary to secondary students. Soon they will also have A level classes. A university is being built, and he runs a classy lodge. This is where he hopes to train his students in vocational training, in hotel and catering perhaps.
Incidentally, this former baker must have taught his staff well. The muffins they sell are the best in all of Rwanda. The fragrance just lured us to peek into the kitchen. The chef promptly offered us some freshly baked ones and we were sold. Needless to say, we bought a whole lot!
Ps will upload pics later – the camera is not with me – so visit this space if you wanna see his photoo
Drive to Ruhengeri on a Muganda Sat
Every last Saturday of the month is Muganda. This is a very interesting concept – and the first I have seen in any of the countries I’ve been to. Muganda is compulsory community service. Work includes landscaping, road repair, grass cutting and whatever the location needs. It starts early in the morning, and is concluded by a talk. Before Muganda ends, cops are crawling everywhere, stopping vehicles, checking if there are any locals trying to escape. No one is exempt, male or female. I suppose the only ones not included are the very young, the infirm, those in essential services and muzungus! – haha – muzungus = foreigners. Even so, muzungus can volunteer – but you can imagine, very few do.
Girls and Muganda
This is one reason why Rwanda is so clean. Personally, I think it is a good idea – though it might seem kinda autocratic. With such a past, anything that allows the community to get together regardless of ethnic differences, or rank and status is a step towards harmony. Furthermore, a talk for the entire community, especially, if it is rightly angled, can push government policies and plans.
Talk after Muganda
As for we three Singaporean muzungus, we did some weeding – our kangkong patch is doing sooo well. We planted some spinach as well. The at about 10 am, we set out for Ruhengeri. Alan had been quite stressed lately, and a drive to the countryside is always welcome. It was a beautiful morning, crisp and cool. Along the way, we saw groups of people either still working, or seated, listening to the community speeches. Police was still active, and quite a few local vehicles were pulled up, and the drivers and passengers hauled off to do some work.
Just outside Ruhengeri, we saw a butchery. So with complete delight, we stopped and bought a whole lot of meat. The pork here looks very fat, but when it is cooked, the meat is delicious, and not “fatty”. I guess these are “kampong” pigs, which though fat, are not force fed with artificial “fatteners.” The meat tends to be chewy and has a very nice flavour. The next day, Alan’s housemate made kong bak pao for lunch, and we had some thin slices for tom yam steamboat for dinner. That together with some wild mushrooms we bought along the way made for a heavenly meal indeed.
Ruhengeri is an interesting town, just a short distance away from the foothills of the Virunga mountains, where the silverback gorilla live. I also took some photos of the Anglican church at Ruhengeri – Bishop and Cynthia will be thrilled to see how wonderful the new building looks. Anyway, we did not even venture to see the gorillas. It costs an arm and a leg for foreigners – US$500 each, and the trek will take 2 hours at least. So I think I will stick to watching National Geographic.
Anglican Church in Ruhengeri
Roadside Butchery
Rwanda Finally
February 27, 2009, 7:29 am
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Rwanda | Tags:
Rwanda
Rwanda Finally
It was not an auspicious start! I was down with a dreadful cough and cold. The entire journey lasted a full 24 hours and by the time I reached Kigali I was bushed. My first transit in Bangkok was short, but I did not expect the long walk between the two planes. With a hand carry that had no wheels, the walk was interminable! It did not help either that the transit in Nairobi, originally long at 6 hours, was lengthened to 8 hours. Nairobi Airport is in need of refurbishment. There were hardly any trolleys and did I regret having hand-carry. Furthermore, I had bought some orchids in Bangkok for a friend who runs a nursery in Kigali. While making enquiries at an information desk, I left the flowers there. Felt so miserable – all the trouble for nothing. So between coughing, spluttering, and losing my orchids, I did not have a good trip. Furthermore, all the flights I was on were full. Could barely believe there is a global recession! I was very grateful when I finally touched Kigali soil.
After a nice nap, I was whisked off to dinner by the Singapore Crowd. They were feeling very pleased with themselves. That morning they had their first audience with President Kagame. The meeting went very well, so they were all very happy. Thus dinner out at the best eating place in town – a place aptly named “Heaven”. The food was great and the garden and view breath-taking. It was really a very nice conclusion to my first evening in Kigali. Will write more by and by.
Internet here is excruciatingly slow. Will need to find out if I can upload photos or not – without being killed by the speed, that is.
