June 3rd, 2019

Today was a full, wonderful and sad day! We started off exchanging our money, I was so fascinated at the color, texture and how their money had apes on one side and baskets on the other. Which is very different from American money which has presidents. Their money has things that symbolize their country, unlike America with money that has the faces of our previous presidents. After, we went to Nyamirambo Women Center, this center was founded by women to help women. They teach women English and provide many with jobs some being tour guides and others sew things that are sold at their store which is right across the street from their center (I brought a beautiful book bag).This was so powerful to me, that women out here want to help others build themselves, this mindset is something I want to bring back. I want to teach my students that uplifting one another is a must.  After we heard a little about their history we went on a walking tour. I could not stop smiling Rwanda is beautiful! We visited places where some may get their vegetables and others ingredients for cooking.
         After visiting Nyamirambo Women Center we went to Kigali Genocide Memorial. My heart broke in half after I was done walking through the memorial. To kill so many innocent people, CHILDREN, I could not wrap my head around how someone can bash a child's head into a wall, kill a child with a machete, but to kill a child period! This part of the trip was eye opening because the people of Rwanda believe so much in forgiveness. They have forgiven the people that killed their family members which is something I don't think I could do. The view in Rwanda is so beautiful, priceless and words just cannot describe the beauty that my eyes witness nor the pain that I felt today. I am so honored to be here!!!

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