I get upset when I see these second hand markets all over #africa These clothes are donated by people in Western countries. Western ‘fake #charities pick them up for free and resell the clothes in bulk to African whole sellers. These clothes should have been #Free !! Western businessmen make a lot of money from this. On top of that second hand clothes from #Europe & #America are very expensive because they are considered better quality than new clothes imported from #China #scandalous #Gisenyi #market #Rwanda
First day of my Rwanda holiday OMG! Last night when I went to lay in my bed, I just started to laugh. Ohhh the bed was soooooo comfortable with fluffy pillows. I forgot that feeling, I couldn’t stop laughing from happiness. Never been that grateful for a bed! I slept 8 hours straight! & without Advil PM. That’s the forte time this happened in Rwanda. With no alarm, I woke up fresh and still quite early and my 9-year old son Skyped me. Finally, I have a strong enough wifi connection that can hold a video Skype call. I put in my headphones and went to have breakfast. My son and I virtually had breakfast together. I was eating at the breakfast table in Rwanda and he was eating at home. He helped me select what I should eat for breakfast. He saw a donut and that one I had to eat for him. He was able to wave at the Chef who was making me an omelette. For a moment it felt that he was here in Rwanda. We video Skyped at the breakfast table for 2 hours. The day feels weird without the tea union. It had been a big part of my life for 2 weeks straight. I also find out that you can’t have chicken in a taxibus and no heavy market goods. Numerien didn’t believe me that it was illegal. Smggghhh…. I miss the Union and all its people already. I saw that the hotel has a beauty centre and decided to go for pampering.
That day I also went to the pharmacy to buy amiable pills in town, just in case I get infected since I have been grubbing on food that I shouldn’t eat. I bought a double dosis Nausicaa :) Walking through Gisenyi, I got a couple of good photo snaps from the Nyiaragongo volcano in Congo. So much steam that comes out of there. In the night you can see the red fire in the background of Gisenyi. This place is just beautiful, we walked to some amazing ‘rich’ people neighbourhoods and into the market. The market of Gisenyi is quite big and they are constructing a building to move it into a proper construction. A type of shopping mall, one can say. These markets always upset me. They sell second hand clothing mostly. Second hand clothing that comes from Europe and America. These are the clothes that we put outside our houses for charity. They are being collected all over and sold in bulk by Western businessman to African whole sellers. The clothes are then resold through retail in the markets. It pisses me off! These clothes should be given for free! On top of all of this, these second hand clothes are very expensive. Second hand clothes from America and Europe are considered premium quality while new clothes are considered bad, low quality from China. My argument is that most of these Western clothes are also made in China. Thus, this reasoning makes no sense. No matter what quality, these clothes should be free. They were donated to be given away for free. This phenomena is all over Africa, not only Rwanda. On the positive side, it is sustainable. Gisenyi is small and we are quick back where we left off. I found the mosque that was keeping me up last week. Its actually far from where I stayed. Back at Lake Kivu, I watch the sun set and order yummy food. Lake Kivu is so big that it looks like an ocean. The water is always warm and the methane gas extraction continues to fascinate me. I might go out tonight ;) after watching #rwandaday live President Kagame is just saying that Kinyarwanda learning centres are being set up so that Rwanda’s or adopted Rwandans wanting to return home can prepare. I want to learn the language ! Let me find out where these will be.
Better picture of the #nyiragongo #nyiragongovolcano #nyiragongocrater #Congo
The active volcano #nyragongo in #Congo leaning against #Gisenyi #rwanda #rwandalicious #rwandaful #rwanda
Totally #zen by #LakeKivu #Rwanda #rwandaful #rwandalicious #rwanda (at Lake Kivu, Rwanda and Congo Border)
Enjoying the #serenahotelkivu in #Gisenyi 🌴#rainseason #Rwanda #rwandalicious #rwandaful (at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel)
Enjoying the Sunset at #LakeKivu Gisenyi #rwandaful Vacay in #Rwanda Day 1 #tumblr #blog : #microfinancemasala (at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel)
Showtime ! We have arrived at the end of the second week of the mission for Exchangevzw and BNP Paribas Benevolab. It is today that I have to present the conclusions of my findings. A short version of the strategic plan. Yesterday morning I had prepared the presentation before going to Rutsereco. It was showtime ! Last night I had gone to bed way to late as I was talking to a hotel guest about the genocide. He told me how his entire family was killed. (I will dedicate a post to his story.) So when I woke up this morning, I was tired. I rushed to get perfectly dressed, heels and makeup. We were back on Day 1, power dressing was necessary. The board of administration would be present and Jean Pierre, a representative of AMIR (Association of Microfinance Agencies in Rwanda). The meeting was scheduled for 8 o'clock. I ran out the Centre D'Acceuille with my heels on, up the hill trying to catch a taxibus. I was sweating before I got in. I was scared to be late but the matatu God’s are on my side. No one got in on the way and I arrived at 7:15. Numerien wasn’t there yet. Yes! I beat him again. At 7:45 he arrives and tells me: ‘you are a morning person’! This time he meant it! He asked me to prepare for the meeting because it has moved to 9 o'clock. I thought to myself Ohhh nooo! 9:15 Nobody there. Numerien said that the President of the tea Union had given permission that I could start. The manager of the Pfunda tea cooperative joins in, the manager of the microfinance agency joins in as well and we start. Surprisingly I had no stress. The entire plan and its French words were imprinted in my head. The words roll down my tongue. Augustin joins in and Jean Pierre from AMIR arrives. I am on a roll! At the end of the presentation it was suggestion and question time. Jean Pierre gave us really good suggestions in setting up the microfinance for tea farmers branch. The head of Pfunda Cooperative wanted me as a consultant to draft him a strategic plan too. I received farewell gifts and we headed out for drinks. Jean Pierre had a vehicle with driver and without thinking I opt for that vehicle. My time with taxibus had come to an end. We arrive at a motel and order drinks. It’s not even 12 and the Mutzig starts flowing. Mutzig beer with lemon Fanta. That’s a first. I discuss with Jean Pierre intensely BNP Paribas relations and the end of the mission. Jean Pierre left for Kigali while we continued my farewell lunch. Brochettes with French fries. My favorite. Nausicaa had advised me not to eat grilled anymore but I couldn’t resist. This time it was not organs, at least that’s what I think. I say my goodbye’s and inform them that they will receive the final strategic plan in 2 weeks. I will adapt it according to the new suggestions and the information from AMIR. I am included in the strategic plan and will have a lot of following up to do. Hence, I receive the title in their organization as Business Development Consultant for the Tea Farmers Union of Crete Congo Nil. My work here isn’t done. I thank them for the lovely gifts. They apologized they couldn’t find any tea from Pfunda. Green leaves only. It’s hard to find the local tea, everything is for export and Rwandans don’t drink tea. It’s no problem for me, I have learned a lot of new things on this mission and will stay on board. One last time in the taxibus to get my stuff at the Centre and a last meeting with RIM. Reseaux Microfinance. The meeting was short but I arranged for a second one. Finally at the Centre, I pack my bags and can’t believe the amount of stuff. I have given away so much already and yet the number of bags seem to grow. Is it the gifts ? I don’t know. While I was packing my stuff, I notice all of a sudden troops of mini roaches crawling from under the mattress! I thought to myself; this is the final straw, I got to go. I woke up this morning with an entire body full of bites. I have no one to blame but myself. I have an impregnated fitted sheet for mattresses. I had removed it to go to Rutsereco and when I returned to Gisenyi, I was too lazy to put it back. No one else but Francine to blame.
Numerien and I, each with a suitcase in the hand + 2 purses and 2 backpacks walk down to the Serena at the Kivu Lake. The hotel is 5 minutes walking distance from the centre. Numerien was acting strange because his request for a small mortgage was refused for the second time in the Bank of Kigali. He was stressed all of a sudden. I felt bad and tried to give him some advice. We ran into the special representative for sanitation of the district, a native of the tea fields. He advised me to include day cares into strategic plan of the union. Why didn’t I think of it myself. Perfect! More work! Arriving at the Serena Hotel, a resort looking type of hotel, Numerien gets anxious. He doesn’t want to come inside . He said the hotel is too expensive. I said I want to buy him a drink. We give my stuff to the butlers, whom X-ray all the bags. Tight security in this hotel which is actually not needed in Rwanda. We immediately receive hot towels and drinks. I want to go to my roommmmm…. Numerien is nervous. He doesn’t like the setting. I told him someone had hooked me up with the room for free. I didn’t want him to know I was paying these prices because he would have dragged me out. Lol Finally in the room. wow I forgot about tv’s, a bath, ohhhh A/C !!! I never appreciated luxury as much as today! I have normal wifi- no more 45 minutes per upload! We are so spoiled and I am grateful. I need a mission like this every year. I am ordering room service, paying 15 USD for a well deserved glass of wine. Let my 1 week of holiday begin !
This could be a neighbourhood in the suburbs of #Antwerp right ? @rayamroue @dedecrapuledeluxe @jessicaverrienti @kimmie_aug @kimmyvdv ? #whatthemediadoesntshowyouofafrica #Rwanda #Gisenyi
One of the lovely gifts. They tried to get me tea but it’s hard to find tea in the local market because 1) no one drinks it. The tea farmers don’t even know what tea looks like or taste like. 2) 99 percent is exported for the world market. So I received local table mats. Numerien went everywhere to have it wrapped so nicely.
Official photo with Augustin, the president of the tea Union. Having written the strategic plan, I will have to continue to follow up and execute certain items in order to help the tea farmers out of poverty! I am on board now as Business Development Consultant.
Going Away Lunch
Sorry Nausicaa! I know I wasn’t allowed to eat grilled food anymore (for the amibae) but this one was tasty and no organs on a stick :)
I will miss this #microentrepreneur I used to buy 8 bottles of water a day from her to quench the thirst caused by the #malaria tablets LOL She said I boosted her business these past 14 days #Rwanda #pfunda #nyundo
Last physical day at the #tea Union. I will remain on board as a business development consultant and most likely return for follow up. I wash lavished with gifts and thanked for being so courageous to push through the bare circumstances they put me through. It was all worth it !but no more taxi buses for me ! #matatu #nyundo #Rwanda (at Nyundo, Rubavu)
Ready to present a synthesis of the strategic plan for the #tea Union at #pfunda #nyundo #Rwanda … Why did the meeting room like a funeral home 😂? #tumblr #blog #microfinancemasala
Tea tasting !
My liquid gold, precious hot water.
The sweetest drink ever !
Tomorrow is the final day to present my strategic plan. I will present it to the board of directors, cooperative managers and the direction of Amir. This presentation will be at 8 AM in the Pfunda offices. I am happy it isn’t 6 or 7 AM. This means that tomorrow is my last day with the tea Union before I go on a 1 week holiday in Rwanda. I arranged for my mom to join me on the Rwanda tour. I found a direct flight with Rwandair from Lagos. I haven’t seen her for 4 years so we are both excited. Today, the second last day basically, we head to go to Rubaya. This was another 4 hours in a taxibus. I can’t handle that anymore ! We were at 2400 meters and I had difficulties talking. The altitude was killing me. I explained to Numerien that we live at sea level and the altitude might cause the complications. He didn’t really understand but said hurry up finish your business and we’ll return to Gisenyi. Numerien said he was surprised to see me at the office today. I was on time and was working on my laptop outside. He was half an hour late :) He said he thought I was going to call in sick or tired and would not have mind. I was like what!? I am dead you should have told me you were dead too. We could have both stayed at home! I made it clear to him that this is the reason why I incorporated in the business plan that the union needs their own vehicle. You can’t just be sitting in overpopulated, overheated taxibus’ and expect people to work without a problem. Numerien agreed also, he got out a town before me and told me to stay awake or else I’d miss my stop. I am going to prepare for tomorrow and wish me all the best of luck!