After 17 days of travel, Learning Trip participants returned home from their impactful trip to East Africa. The team learned from Changemakers in Rwanda and Burundi, and their communities. For new staff member Valerie Plummer, this was her orientation trip as she steps into her role as Development Director for African Road. In this guest blog, Valerie shares some of the highlights from the journey.
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I returned just a few days ago from an African Road Learning Trip with staff and an incredible group of participants from California and other locales. Learning Trips are an opportunity to visit the people and communities with whom African Road partners. It was not only my first time to Rwanda and Burundi, but my first time on the African continent, as a relatively new staff member at African Road! While it felt like we were “on the go” a lot – Tugende! – our group was able to authentically and relationally experience so much.
What I witnessed were people deeply committed to the betterment of their communities. I was struck how the work African Road and the Changemakers is an example of Asset Based Community Development, (ABCD), which is a localized and bottom-up way of strengthening communities through recognizing, identifying, and harnessing existing ‘assets’ (i.e. things like skills, knowledge, and capacity that individuals and communities have which can help to strengthen and improve conditions locally). Instead of looking at what a community lacks, the approach focuses on utilizing the ‘assets’ that are already there. And through close partnerships with the Changemakers, African Road walks alongside them as they skillfully build on each community’s strengths.
We were able to visit three villages in Burundi with which African Road has partnered, working with the ASSEJEBA team led by Changemaker Evariste Ndikumana, and I found one of the most stirring aspects to be the joyous singing and dancing with which the communities greeted us. I wanted to sing along but I kept getting choked up and emotional, and I still can’t figure out why. Perhaps it’s the combination of the rich colors, the singers in harmony, and the energy of the dance that gripped my heart.
Changemaker Evariste Ndikumana, dancing with community members in Gahombo village.
In the mid-sized village of Ndava, we were able to witness a number of indigenous Batwa community members working together to build a hut – starting with long poles that meet at the center, then long pieces of bark wrapped around the perimeter of the structure, and finally abundant thatching on the roof. Their speed, grace, and teamwork was extraordinary.
Batwa community members taught Learning Trip participants how to help build a traditional hut.
Following our week in Burundi, we traveled to Kigali, the largest city in Rwanda. Our time spent at the Togetherness Cooperative, just outside the city, was powerful. African Road began in partnership with Togetherness founder Steven Turikunkiko in 2010.
In addition to learning from the bakers, and tasting some delicious, slightly crunchy sweet rolls they had made, we were able to spend time with a group of women from the Ebenezer Sewing Collective, utilizing the VICOBA Plus training model led by Changemaker David Clemy. We heard how proud the women were to be wearing clothes that they designed themselves, and as they sell their clothes, they’re able to bring income to their families and save for the future. One of the group leaders, Donatille, while telling her story, said, “Growing roots is difficult, but now I see how strong I am.”
What a privilege it is for African Road to serve as friends and partners in these communities as we help one another thrive and flourish. I’m so excited for what the future holds for the Changemakers, and to play a part as I step more deeply into my role in supporting their goals and strategies. The work of African Road in helping to build community in East Africa alongside our partners is truly unique in its approach. Imagine what we can do together as we increase resources for continued positive change. Let’s go….Tugende!
Donatille shared her story about how VICOBA Plus gave her the tools and mindset to change her life.
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Photos from the Learning Trip by: Cindy Liu @dexinphotography / dexinphotography.wordpress.com