2025 Rwanda Delegation— Haran Sanders
Theater ‘26
I wish to learn more about other cultures outside of the Unities States while aiding in giving back. I have also always wanted to go to Africa.
June 4, 2025
The area is as nice as I imagined. the ground is so clean and I have yet to see a garbage can meaning cleanliness is taken extremely serious
I had my first bit of food today as well. everything is fresh and good for you, the Fanta is made with cane sugar I believe.
The people are interesting. they all look very serious then they are all smiles when you say hello. this place is also built in mountains so everywhere you look no matter what town you are in you will see other towns in other mountains many miles away.
June 5, 2025
We went to the memorial center to learn more about the 1994 genocide. It was upsetting to be there knowing what happened all those years ago and remember that 30 years later violence is still a huge struggle we all face.
June 6, 2025
We visited the Nyamata church memorial. This church is where many were killed and it housed bones and coffins and old clothing. Even bloodstains, bullets holes, and grenade fragments. It was all preserved to pay respects. After we were finished, we walked to the bus and saw a car and a family arriving to the church. These were the family of a victim whose body was discovered. The death count was over 250,000 and three decades later bodies are still being found. Later this day we visited the reconciliation village where we were greeted by children and singing and dancing. We heard from victims and perpetrators all in the same village. We did this all in the same room as well. The culture of forgiveness is so strong that these people are not only reconciled but also friends. Some even joke around about it.
June 7, 2025
This was our first time working with the teachers. They are way more passionate than teachers in America. I taught them “Zip Zap Zop” which is a theater game where you all have to pass zip zap zop (in that order) to each other. They are a very emotive and have fun with the games we play. They love their kids and teaching is more than a chore to them and they do not see the job for the paycheck.
June 8, 2025
The second day we worked with them again and taught them new things. I taught them “We Will Rock You”. They seem to love anything you bring to them and they are always willing to learn with no frustration.
June 9, 2025
And finally we got to meet the kids and they are all so lovely to be around. It started with the big assembly where we were greeted by them and after they went to the classes. They are all so very smart and playful. They were all very respectful and loving. I held my arms out and about 10 of them came to hug me.
June 10, 2025
We went to a coffee hike today. We hiked up a mountain and baked and crushed coffee beans to drink. The walk wasn’t that bad.
June 11, 2025
We went on another hike today. It was not as easy as the last one at all. I got to walk across a canopy that was very high off the ground. The hike there was easy but the hike back up the mountain was challenging. It felt great at the end of the day.
