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Day 11
Today, the team woke up feeling fatigued and shared a quiet breakfast. As we near the end of our time here, we’re filled with mixed emotions—sad to soon say goodbye to the incredible women we’ve met, yet excited for the final two days of programming.
After another delicious breakfast at the hotel buffet, we set off with our driver, to visit Group 1 at the center. These beautiful, resilient women welcomed us warmly. We began by reviewing the solutions they had brainstormed during our last session—ideas aimed at addressing challenges in their community. They spoke about the power of educating the next generation as a catalyst for lasting change and emphasized the importance of achieving greater equality for women.
After a fulfilling discussion, we introduced a creative activity: making journals. We explained the different ways they could use them—to write down thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, or to create art as a form of self-expression. It was a gentle and inspiring session.
Following lunch, we traveled to a second center to meet with Group 2. This group is larger and more spirited, with several children coming in and out, which made for a lively atmosphere full of energy and love. Many of the women here still feel the weight of living in the camps, and shared bathrooms continue to be a major concern.
Before the session began, one of the girls offered to bring other women who hadn’t arrived yet, so Sara and I walked with her to her tent. It was a humbling experience. The small space houses nine family members. It’s hard to fathom that these families have lived in such conditions for 11 years, bearing the trauma of the genocide and its aftermath. The heat was stifling until a fan was turned on, providing some much-needed relief. Despite everything, the families were so welcoming and insisted we stay for a quick visit. They brought out cold water and peach drinks, and with the help of our translator, we had a lovely chat before heading back to the center together.
The program went well. This group had much to share and expressed deep appreciation for having someone willing to listen. We ended the session by creating beautiful journals decorated with stickers and jewels. Some of the girls used paint to place their fingerprints next to their best friends’ on the covers. We also took Polaroid pictures of each of them to include in their journals, a special memento they were excited to have.
Back at the hotel, we were treated to a home-cooked meal by a friend of one of our partners. It was absolutely delicious—flavorful chicken and rice, with a beef and tomato dish. Later, our friend came by to collect the dishes and invited me to meet the family who had prepared the meal. I eagerly accepted. Their home was filled with warmth and hospitality. They had five lovely daughters and served me coffee, cake, and a beautiful plate of fruit. I returned to the hotel with a full belly and a full heart.
— Gillian
