A crucial week

It has been a while I didn’t write here and that is because of so many reasons. When I call this posting ‘A crucial week’ it is because I hope that answers will be given, answers that I was waiting for, for quit some time now. Since I was finalizing the assessment from MINISPOC and MINEDUC not a lot happened though the Minister of Education was rather encouraging when I was meeting him a few weeks ago. The thing is that I did my philosophical part of the job by creating a framework and developing a vision but now we have to go fast into the implementation part with the executive authorities. It is not a lack of good will, it is that in this country so many things are going on; so people can hardly manage all those changes within a framework of twenty four hours. I see it by myself, I’m here four months now and days fly by. This is not  lack of confidence in Rwanda's ability to cope with this, at the contrary! I really hope we will come to conclusions for implementing the goals of my stay here before the end of the coming week otherwise I have to start considering returning to Europe, at least for a while. The problem I will face then is, that from my previous experience I know things will not evolve faster when being absent.

In between Reflection(s)… 

I have two of them. I’m happy the referendum showed such a clear yego because this country needs more time to get into the visionary thoughts of its president. It is clear that the population thinks that a winning team shouldn’t be changed after the tremendous revolution this country has seen since the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. 

The other thought is rather a funny one. It is good that this country also loves dance and not only the spoken word because in the opposite case, world records of meetings, speeches and debates would be broken here every day. I’m not always sure about the results of all that talking but there is a debate, without interruption, consistently consequent.

And meanwhile...

During the coming weeks I have to see more clearly about my future here. Meanwhile I am filming the rehearsals of the opening ceremony for the CHAN 2016 (The 2016 African Nations Championship will be the 4th edition of the African Nations Championship, the biennial international football championship organized by the Confederation of African Football). It is the first time such rehearsals are filmed serving as a reference for the future. Probably I will also make a documentary about the preservation of Burundese culture in exile. At the end of the month we will organize a showcase for the three dancers who have to go back to Senegal to continue their study towards a professional dance certificate. It is meant as a fund collecting and promotional presentation in a major hotel here in Kigali.

Some thoughts about the Christmas- New Year period.

I felt absolutely delighted to have the families of Egide and Francoise and Athanase, and Cecile and Jojo united to celebrate Christmas’ eve together at my place. Almost twenty eight people in a garden party with delicious food and drinks and a marvelous ambience. We didn’t had that much time to make pictures as we had to eat and drink, but there is a small album you can view on: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206979589360013&type=1&l=7be55b4ed2

As I promised last year I wouldn’t have missed spending December 31 - January 1 at Joselyne’s family house to celebrate New Year but above all Jojo’s twenty-third birthday. What a joy, what a happiness, what a family and so proud being part of it and them. Knowing those people makes clear what you are missing not having your own family. And Jojo, radiating beauty and determined about her future. The speeches were full of emotion and great humanity. It ended my year and started the new one under the best auspices. See some pictures at: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206979726843450&type=1&l=62d2d5e994

So let me wish you all a prosperous 2016. 

My special thoughts are for Chris and Ronny and their daughter Marijke with her family, hoping strongly that they can forget the ‘annus horribilis 2015’ as soon as possible!

I cannot forget to mention especially those wonderful people I had around me the last couple of years… Ana, Angela, Angelica, Pato, Assiyeh, Veronica, Elena, Paola & Co. Carolina, Maribel, the Erica’s, Maribel, MARIA LAURA, , Stefania, Jessica, Juliette, the Joana’s, Fatima, Amila, Jennifer, Denys, Luigia & Giuliano, Alida, Fezeka, Cristina, Ruski, Maria Pasqual, Angela & Gaetano, Diana & Gianluca, Macarena, Lakshmi, Benno, Bipin, Yared, Aki, Abraham, Gonzalo, Mauri, Saoul, Douglas, Rob and all the others who made my time in Delft a most wonderful one…  Chris & Ronny & co. Kees and Family… Marieke since time immemorial and last but not least Catherine!

H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Rwandan Ambassador to the Netherlands.

And then here in Rwanda… 

JoJo, Athanase, Egide, Cecile, Francoise, the kids from both families, my niece Naissa and her parents, the friends from the ‘sports club’ and their spouses. The dancers from Abatarutwa and especially those magnificent 11+2 participating in CHAN 2016. 

And professionally … 

The incredible Thomas Bazatsinda, Choreographer, Consultant in culture and performing arts and member of the Artistic Council of the National Ballet and choreographer of the 2016 African Nations Championship opening ceremony CHAN 2016.

The shining Aimable Twahirwa; Actual: Policy Advisor of BENEVOLENCIJA HTF (Peace building through radio drama and grassroots activities) Artist, Singer, Producer and organizer of cultural and artistic events and festivals. Previously, Director of the University Arts Centre (revitalization of culture and the arts) in Butare, Director of the center for Kimisagara Youth (detection and talent development in sports and art

And last but not least (that is how you announce a musician is n’t it?) sunny Ben Ngabo, one of Rwanda’s most outstanding musicians, especially known for his fusion of voice and percussion.

They are not only great professionals but also fine personalities!

I apologize if I forgot someone, please warn me for the oblivion and as a penitence I will have a Waragi Coke with Athanase and or Egide.

Yours always.

Guy.

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