Race4Rwanda

From Nick: Parting words...

We got back from Rwanda last Friday and despite my best efforts, I fell fast asleep by 6pm that night. As the weekend rolled on and I became more accustomed to my home time zone, I engaged in many conversations with my family and friends about by trip. In some of these conversations I think I was successful in portraying my message, which was what I saw and what I felt during my trip to Rwanda. Most times, though, it was clear that the only way to understand what Rwanda is to go there. One needs to greet the people to see how friendly they are or use their own eyes to behold  the magical vistas of rolling hills, lush farms, and densely populated streets. To be at the genocide memorial and to actually touch the smooth concrete slab which protects 250,000 victims of the genocide is something hard to explain. It’s equally hard to explain how amazing the students are and how diligently they study, work, and play. The village really is a magical place and it’s spell is upon me. Memories of being there are woven tightly into the fabric of who I am now. I’ll carry those pictures and feelings with me for the rest of my life. I am very grateful at having had this opportunity.

Thank you.

1 week ago

From Kevin: Final Note

There isn’t much I can say that hasn’t already been said. This trip was beyond my expectations in so many ways. I had certainly read about the history of Rwanda and the genocide. I had also read the blog postings and talked to the people who had traveled to ASYV before me. Going into this trip, I thought I was well prepared and had a strong mental picture of what to expect. The reality of being in Rwanda, passing by the site of mass atrocities, seeing the victims of the genocide in person, and watching the healing of ASYV firsthand … well, there is frankly no way to prepare for that. I sat and listened to a person younger than me tell of how he was beating to death (but survived), hacked with a machete (and survived), tortured for 2 weeks unmercifully and lived to not only tell the story but dedicate his life to help others. Nothing can prepare you for that. Brian and Seth indicated that one of the purposes of us going was to come back as ambassadors to this cause. I can tell you I will certainly do my best, but I know whatever I do won’t be enough. I encourage anyone reading this to please find me or anyone in the group and talk to us. Please talk to anyone who has been there before. If at all possible, go yourself. A few people had called ASYV a miracle, now that I’ve been there and seen what is doing, I could not agree more. A huge thanks to Brian Walsh for coordinating this trip and showing patience with our group when mere mortals would have caved. Another huge thanks to Seth and Anne for making the village and this trip possible. Kevin 1 week ago

From Bill: Reality Check

After the past 8 days in Rwanda, one might say “it’s back to reality” but the real answer is that it’s back to a different reality.  Rwanda is, in many ways, a world away and very different from here, but it also is real and there is so much going on and so much more to be done.  This trip was a life changing experience for me and the ASYV was my first real taste of philanthropy.  The setting is a beautiful country, bountiful in food and agriculture but lacking so much in infrastructure with 85% of the population lacking basic necessities like power and running water, living in mud huts and with a weak educational system.  On top of all that, there is the fragility of people living amongst one another who participated only 15 years ago in one of the worst genocides of all time, torturing and slaughtering neighbors and friends.  Out of all of this is a shining star - the ASYV - that we all hope will help a group of orphans from the genocide find a new and positive meaning in life and bring opportunities they would never have had without it. I hope and pray that all this truly will make a difference and that this country will continue to develop for the good of all its people.  I made many new friends and and am so thankful for the opportunity to see, touch, smell and feel the reality of Rwanda. I look forward to helping ensure the continued success of the ASYV and of these amazing kids.

Bill

1 week ago

Last update from (New Jersey)

30 hours of flying gives one a lot of time to reflect so you would think that i would have organized my thoughts by now but i haven’t so forgive the stream of consciousness that follows.

This was a fabulous trip. Brian was dead-on accurate with the thematic: beauty, sadness, and hope.

I can say with all honesty that i’ve never seen a country as beautiful as Rwanda. The rolling mountains, the people, the unbelievable warmth as a 2 year old comes running 100 yards across a dirt field carrying his naked 1 year old brother screaming “mazungoo, mazungoo’. They just want you to know that they are happy you are visiting their country. When we walked through some town coming back from the opening ceremonies of the King’s village people were genuinely interested in talking to you and the feeling was mutual. We all felt enriched by it.

Much has been said about the gorilla trek so i don’t need to repeat it. I consider it a once in a life time experience to be that close to such raw strength, majesty, humility, family interaction and ‘human-ness’. Words can’t describe what we saw in the jungle at 10500 feet but i’m glad we saw it.

The genocide memorial and orphanage will, much like the gorilla trek for other reasons, stick with me for a life time. I don’t believe we had a dry eye in the group and i’m proud to have shared such a jarring emotional experience with my fellow travellers, some of whom we had just met on the flight over. Had we not seen these two places we may have come away with the impression that everything is great in Rwanda but how can it be when less than a generation ago so much senseless tradegy occurred. I don’t know how it will affect me in the future having visited those locations but i’m confident it has affected me, hopefully with a greater understanding of the potential depravity of mankind, the thinness of the bonds we call civil society, the challenge we have in front of us to simply not walk away and remember just the good things, and a much deeper and more profound level of empathy for what the human spirit can achieve when it chooses to move on with life.

Finally, the village. Ann, Seth, Brian, Tina, and all those that were instrumental in building that village deserve some sort of award. An award not just for the vision they had of what ASYV can become but how to get it there in such a short period of time. I still don’t see how they pulled it off but they did and my hat goes off to them. I’m truly honored and humbled to be part of it now and dedicated to staying involved in the future.

The proof of the success of ASYV is obvious when spending time with the kids there. As the Who said: “The kids are alright” and they are.

Neal

1 week ago

From Tina: Boo Hoo My Friends Are Gone

Today, the Liquidnet Guys (and Gal) left the village. To say they were loved by all would be an understatement. The impact that the Liquidnet Family has on the village is tangible and visible throughout. The previous groups left their mark and were tough shoes to fill. This group; Mike, Jeri, Neal, Nick, Kevin, Arif, Bill and Brian were excellent ambassadors and carried the torch for the family.

So you all know, the Liquidnet Family was WELL represented no only by this group, but your fearless leader, Seth, was here as well and gave a very inspirational speech.

As with previous Liquidnet groups, they all worked very hard at various tasks needed to prepared for the dedication; everything from moving furniture up to the community center to painting, arranging chairs. No task was too big. Also, as with previous groups, they had tremendous interactions with the kids, counselors, housemothers and volunteers.  They set up laptops, played volleyball, worked in the learning and art centers, went to family time, spent time in the farm, and attended school.

Their presence here is enjoyed and loved by all. The village is already wondering when the next group is coming.

On a personal note… I had the pleasure of sharing a house with them all and rooming with Jeri. I felt like i was in a house with my brothers and sister. We had engaging conversations, we laughed, we shared incredible thoughts and feelings (yep, the guys had feelings). While I have known Nick and Kevin for about 16 years, I feel like I have forged a new connection with them both. To Mike, Neal, Jeri, Bill and Arif I have found 5 new friends. 5 friends that i share and special bond with; we will forever be connected through this special place. Brian… what can I say. You have worked tiressly for Agahozo-Shalom and to share it with you and the Liquidnet Family is happiness.

So, my friends THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for being here and with me during this very special time. This is a time i will never forget.

To my past Liquidnet Family visitors; Cathy, Coop, Tony and Zhen Xu… time to come back and see how far we have come.

Again, thanks

Love to you all

Tina

2 weeks ago

From "Jeri":Peace

Well our time here is just about done - we are packed and waiting for the bus to take us to the airport.

Yesterday i did some miscellaneous things around the villlage - that’s the way it goes - you do whatever you are asked and it is great to be able to actually help regardless of how small it may seem.

At lunch yesterday I asked a young lady what her favorite thing to do was-her answer was-“feeling the peace”. She said this is the first time since she can remember that she felt peace - how incredible is it that we could be part of giving her the gift of peace.

I will get back to all of you later with some more info - our bus just arrived!

Jeri

2 weeks ago

From Neal

Today is our last day:(

The past two days we’ve been setting up laptops, day and night. Yes, ETS, I know how to set up a laptop but i choose not to at liquidnet….so maybe this trip has taught me to never, ever, ever leave the liquidnet premises because i’ll have to do real work.

Last night we visited a few families for family night. It was very strange. Kevin and I went to two all girls houses. I’ve always wanted to feel like a rock star and now that dream has come true. We sang, we danced, we took pictures…..a good time had by all. Or perhaps they were just humoring me so that i would leave:)

Did i mention we challenged the kids to a game of volleyball? To give you a sense of how it went, just watch skeet shooting some time and liquidnet would be the skeet. They did give us a lot of latitude and “spiking bill maw” impressed them once or twice plus Mike “the flying spike serve” almost made it to the net. Fortunately, we were able to give the umpire a 100,000 rwandan francs and he called it a tie.

I’m not looking forward to 20 hours of travel ahead of us but it is a small price to pay for the past 9 days here. I can’t wait to come back.

From Neal

2 weeks ago

2 weeks ago