Random Adventures

I seem to get myself into some crazy adventures. This one is up there as one of the most random adventures…ever. It begins like this…I was reading the Bract Travel Guide to Rwanda and there was an article about a man who built some solar ovens in Rwanda. I sent him an email and told him that I was interested in building one at the village. He wrote back the next day and was very helpful. He has since left Rwanda and returned to his home in South Africa. He suggested that I go and visit a South African couple that are doctors in Rwanda. He gave them one of the ovens. As I set out on Sunday morning to find them, the only thing that I knew was that they are doctors at the hospital in Gahini. My plan was to just go to the hospital and ask around. Two of the other volunteers were headed to a lake that’s located very close to Gahini so we went together. I was an experience from the very beginning….

We took a moto for about 20 minutes to catch the bus. On the moto ride, my whole bag opened up and the things inside were all over the road. I began to yell…STOP at the driver. We turned around and about 15 kids came running with my things. I recovered everything but some food and my book.

After a long bus ride we arrived at Jambo Beach. It’s at a beautiful lake and it was so peaceful to sit there. After we ate, I left my friends and headed up a long hill for a walk to Gahini. I arrived at the hospital and began lurking around. I finally found someone that worked there and inquired with them. The woman pointed me in the direction of another doctor. The doctor was so nice and walked me to their home. Unfortunately, they were not home. I wasn’t sure what to do. I decided to leave a note. The doctor I was with finally found their phone number and we called. I waited at his home until I was trying to contact the South African doctors. I finally reached them and he said he was on his way. I was relieved that I would actually meet them! When he arrived I couldn’t believe it. I saw him while I was at Jambo Beach and didn’t even know it was them. He drove me back to Jambo Beach. I sat with them for awhile and they even invited me back to their home for coffee and cake…boy was that a treat! Their home is beautiful. It’s up on a hill overlooking the lake. They are doing such amazing work in the Gahini community and around Rwanda. I still can’t believe that I was brave enough to just show up and meet them. They said that many people do it and they are glad to meet me. I was relieved. If I was them, I don’t know what I would think if some random person showed up at their home. I’m looking forward to staying in touch with them! I love making friends!