Christmas party
Before Christmas, Partners In Health (PIH)/Inshuti Mu Buzima (IMB) organized a Christmas party for their staff. We gathered together at Lemigo, a 4 star Hotel in Kimihurura in Kigali, to reflect on and celebrate our work-related achievements for the year, in addition to enjoying each other’s company. The party’s dress code was black, white, purple and everyone was encouraged to bring a friend or family member.
With my cousin Cadeau, we arrived at the party at 6pm, finding a joyous crowd, dressed to impress, and exchanging secret Santa presents. In the background a live music band playing Rwandan traditional and modern songs entertained the group.
With my co-fellow Petera, we mobilized a small group of staff and prepared a surprise flash mob dance, “Waka-Waka this time for Africa,” that got all staff on their feet celebrating Africa. It was wonderful to see everyone in their ‘non-work’ faces, with their families and friends, enjoying delicious food with beer and wine. One of our colleagues proposed to his girlfriend. The party ended at a night club.
Christmas holidays
During Christmas I had ample time to be present to my surroundings. I visited my relatives and friends back in my native town, Mushaka, in the Rusizi District of the Western Province. As I traveled for one of these visits, I passed through Nyungwe national park, marveling at the beauty of nature.
Nyungwe is the best preserved mountain rain-forest in Central Africa, with a variety of plants and animals found nowhere else in Africa. I enjoyed watching the waterfall on beautiful hills, birds and monkeys singing and saluting passengers all along the road.
I really loved every second of my time at home. It was calming. Long lost friends came to see me with best wishes for the New Year. I enjoyed cooking and feeding my nephews and niece.
I spent very little time on the computer and phone chating, and I liked that. I was very relaxed and energized for work back in Rwinkwavu.
Global Health Corps’ Mid-Year Retreat
As soon as work began in the New Year, we had our GHC mid-year retreat at King Fisher Resort Hotels in Jinja, Uganda. Fellows from Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, together with GHC staff, gathered to share our experiences from the past six months at our different placement organizations. The retreat covered many interesting subjects, including engaging presentations and group discussions. My co-fellow and I made a video presentation which showed a typical “day in the life.” You can watch our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyPbIsEWRzA.
We visited one of the sources of the Nile river in Lake Victoria before ridding to Samuka Island where we had a real pool party swimming, playing soccer and volleyball, dancing, and eating.
The last night of our retreat was very interesting. I participated in a game called “Newlywed”. It is a game that pits fellow pairs against each other in a series of revealing question rounds to determine how well the pairs know or do not know each other. Rwanda fellows paired with Burundi and Uganda fellows, asked questions about each other’s co-fellows. My co-fellow and I won third place. Later that night, I also participated in an organized talent show. Fellows showed their talents ranging from Afro-beat music to dancing and singing. I danced to traditional Rwandan music, and sang “All of Me” by John legend, karaoke style. It was full of fun, joy, and emotions.
The retreat was very helpful to me because it reconnected me with other fellows and staff. I had time to reflect on my work in the past six months, but also to think about the next six months of my fellowship year. Now that I am back to work, I look forward to working much harder to achieve my professional and personal goals.