The Power of the Sun

The village is installing solar powered lights! The most exciting part is that it’s generating lots of questions. As you know, my 2 favorite things to do are hanging out with my kids and spending time on the farm with the farm workers. I was working in the amashaza (my new favorite Kinyarwanda word which is peas) with 5 of the farm workers. They just installed one of the solar lights at the farm. As we were working, they asked many questions. They were asking if the light cost money. I explained that it is a onetime cost for the light but it doesn’t cost anything to run it. I explained to them how solar power works (thanks to my job at Teva!) and the power of the sun. I told them that the sun doesn’t ask us for any money and they thought it was funny. They asked if also use them in the United States. I explained about many of the technologies that are being used as alternatives to power plants. I talked about solar, hydroelectric, and windmills. The conversation turned to many other things. They had so many questions and were very interested to learn about these things. I told them about cars that are powered by vegetable oil. I told them that I have friends that go to restaurants, take the used oil from making french fries, and then turn it into something that can be used for fuel. It’s amazing how installing one light led to some many questions and such a great conversation. I think this is one of the best ways to learn by experiencing and then asking questions. Goooooo...SUN!!!!

Family Senghol with the Solar Panels

The Good Things in Life

These days I've been spending much of my time on the computer finishing reports from last year. I'm very close to finishing those reports and finally spending some good time on the farm. Yesterday was a fun day at the farm. I was taking the peas from their outer shell. It's a very theraputic task. I also spent some time in the chicken house. Today we're going to weigh 150 of the chickens. This should be interesting...I'm sure some funny pictures/movies will come out of it! Last Friday night we had a party with the farm workers...I think these nights will definitely be some of my best memories.
At the Farm Worker Dance Party
It's been so great to come back and be with the girls in my family. The counselor from my family is no longer here so I've been taking a larger role in my family. They are thinking so much more maturely this year. Last year in a family debate, they decided that there was no need for a student government. Now, they're wanting more of a voice in the village and keep coming up with great ideas.

Dear Loyal Blog Readers

Dear Loyal Blog Readers,

I know many of you can't get through a week without your weekly fix of Life at Agahozo Shalom. I want to apologize to all of you. It's been a rough month but now I'm back and ready to blog. Highlights include the kids returning!!!!! We also welcomed 128 new students. I attended my first Rwandan wedding. I wore traditional clothing. I also attended an agriculture training...it will have it's own blog soon.

The Joys of Life in Rubona

I'm been living in Rubona, Rwanda now for almost a year and with each day, I love it more and more! These days what's making me love it even more is that I'm able to experience it with all of the new volunteers. It's like seeing a place with new eyes! Rubona is the little village where Agahozo Shalom is located. It's surrounded by this little village. If you walk down a dirt road for about 20 minutes, you reach the center of Rubona where the market is located. Walking to the market is always an adventure. I have come to really enjoy it because I always see friends along the way...one of the farm workers, his wife, a brave child that I have become friends with, or someone that just wants to practice their English. The homes are usually made of mud or cement with the most manicured front lawns.

You can hear many children yelling muzungu, muzungu along the way. I have gone through phases about what I feel about being called this. Sometimes I'm frustrated because I just want to be able to walk on my way. These days I realize that they are showing excitement just I like I'm showing excitement for new people and things. Going to the market never gets old. I guess it's the same for them...seeing someone who is different must never get old. I am trying though to introduce myself and have them look at me in a different way. If they can call me by my name then we go from outsiders to friends.

I have gone twice now with the new volunteers. I'm enjoying showing them all of my favorite places and introducing them to my favorite vendors. I took them to the home of the nuns in the area to get some pineapple wine. When we got there, they had pineapple and passionfruit wine....yummy! Yesterday we bought mangos...omg, I think I'm in love! I almost named this blog the ode to the mango but I'm sure that will come soon as I continue to eat as many as I can handle.

Enjoying the flowers at one of the homes in Rubona (I was told to be a flower)

Nothin' Like Putting Things in Perspective

Today was the volunteer trip to Kigali. I missed the trip last year because I came late, so I was excited. Sometime between leaving a place called the UTC until we reached the Belgium Memorial and walking in a crowded part of town called Nyambirambo, I lost my phone. I was so frustrated and beating myself up over it. Right before I left the UTC, a friend even told me to be careful with my phone but I guess I didn't listen well enough. When I realized it was gone, I tried to call it and look in places where it may be left....no luck. I felt very distracted, hoping I would find it. I had so many numbers on the simcard of the phone. I think I was more upset loosing the simcard then having to pay for a new phone. After lunch we visited the Genocide Memorial. It's not an easy place to visit. There was so much hatred that became contagious throughout Rwanda during the time of the genocide. It made me think a lot about loss and that my phone didn't even mater in the scheme of things. There were many parts of the memorial that were difficult. There was a section devoted to children that touches deep. My phone just isn't that important. After the genocide, now there's so much hope, forgiveness, and strength amoungst the survivors. It's amazing to be a part of a village that's looking forward to a better future.

Looking Back at an Incredible Year!!!

It's amazing to me that my life path led me to Agahozo Shalom Youth Village. It's definitely not something that I had planned but I believe if you allow things to happen that sometimes they will surprise you in life changing ways. This year has definitely been life changing as any experience like this should, but Agahozo Shalom is more than that. I see people that are just there one day and see the impact that it has on them. Imagine kids who were not expecting to have such a bright future...that is truly life changing. I could go on and on with stories of the incredible impact that Agahozo Shalom has on its students and everyone who is involved with the project. Throughout my blog you can find many of those stories.
It cost over $4000 per student to get a great education, have 3 meals per day, access to many activities, and a safe home to go to each night. Please help support these kids have a brighter future. Any amount can help in the effort to educate orphan students in Rwanda.
Please help in the effort. I have a goal of raising $500 this holiday season. You can visit http://www.asyv.org/ to donate and help support these teens. Please email me at amyprice33@gmail.com if you plan to donate so I can send you a personal thank you and tell you how you're helping support an amazing organization.

A Day to Party

We started the day with a friendly football (soocer for those of you living in the US) game between the farm workers and landscaping workers. When I showed up to the field, all the workers were dressed in their finest clothes. I was surprised because I thought we were there to play football. They all looked so nice. Soon after I arrived, they all had on different attire and were ready to play. I even played in the beginning but gave up my spot to one of the workers. I became the referee. Some of the players have some great talent and others were funny to watch. In the end, the farm workers won!!! Go Team!!!

After the game there was a cook out planned. We were suppose to eat at 12 but it was 4 by the time we ate. It was fun waiting around with all the workers. We took lots of pictures. It was a great day to take a day off and party!