Lessons Learned Traveling with African Road
We [Kelly Bean and Lori Martin] began African Road in response to our long-term, on the ground, friendships with a variety of remarkable East African leaders. And now, through yearly travel, we are able to introduce our friends from the United States, Europe and beyond, to these dear friends in Rwanda and Burundi.
Our yearly trips to East Africa are designed very specifically as learning trips geared for travelers who are earnestly interested in discovering the stories of other cultures by developing relationships and friendships. We are inspired by and learn from Rwandans and Burundians who are doing innovative and remarkable things, pressing forward in spite of many, many challenges. Through these encounters, our trips can be transformative for travelers and our African friends alike, because they connect people heart to heart.
Most people from the Global North are comfortable being problem-solvers, and often come to Africa with the mindset that they need to offer concrete help by performing a job such as digging a trench or building a house. It might feel like a challenge at first, to realize their value is not in ‘doing’ but their value is in being present and becoming friends.
Though our trips, we challenge the prevailing Western mindset that we’re more capable of doing things than the people we’re coming to visit. We want to give travelers the experience of struggling with the discomfort of simply being with others instead of trying to fix what we perceive to be their problems. Moving beyond the tendencies to want to fix things by performing a one-time act, we draw travelers into the necessary and real benefits of having ongoing conversations about what healthy contributions toward valuable sustainability can look like.
Also, on our trips our travelers learn to let go of perceptions they might have of how they envisioned Rwanda and Burundi to be so they can be present to the people and culture of each unique country. It is then that they can experience the true richness of these African communities that might otherwise be missed.
By sitting with others, travelers can begin to understand the intricacies and complexities around sustainability, and of cultures that struggle with poverty. This person-to-person contact – really listening, by walking and talking with together – creates a bond that can inspire people to consider a long-term commitment rather than just sending in a one-time donation. Our Rwandan and Burundian partners value the power and gift of presence. They tell us that the validation of their efforts and the friendship established through being seen and known is worth far much more to them than simply sending them funding.
We trust and hope that those who travel with us will return home inspired to share the stories of their new friends with others in ways that broadens understanding and expands friendship opportunities; the travelers realize they are no longer giving money to an anonymous source but helping their new friends out.
Currently we lead one trip a year; this year’s trip, which is happening in October and November, focuses on Rwanda and Burundi. It also includes an option to travel to Akagera Game Park, a side trek that allows travelers to see more of the beauty of Rwanda, its landscape and wildlife.
For updates on African Road’s 2014 trip to Rwanda and Burundi follow them on Facebook ‘African Road’ and twitter at @AfricanRoad #AfricanRoad2014.