Hello, my name is Linda Naugle and I work for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in New York. For the next week, I will be traveling in Rwanda with UNICEF supporters, visiting our program sites and meeting the people of Rwanda while learning more about UNICEF's incredible successes in this country.
Rwanda, known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, is still recovering from a violent and tumultuous past that feels all too recent. But the genocide of 1994 has changed components of the social structure, including more women taking on leadership roles. They have been prominent in and outside the government, and were elected to fill nearly half the seats in the lower house of Parliament. Their leadership has been critical to the continuing recovery of a nation that lost one-tenth of its population in about 100 days, according to international peace experts. Interacting with these courageous women will be incredibly inspiring, to be sure.
I will arrive in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, at night on October 20 and will meet my six fellow travelers then. We will begin our journey the next day with an overview of UNICEF in Rwanda led by the local field staff. Please come back to visit this site and join us on our journey.
Comments (5)
I'm truly looking forward to your entries!
Would you be able to tell us a bit about the six supporters that will be travelling with you and your projected itinery? (major waypoints/overnights)
Posted by Tom Naugle | October 19, 2007 12:59 PM
Posted on October 19, 2007 12:59
Sure - We have Marjorie and Bob from Chicago, Olivia from Colorado, Farida from Connecticut and Barbara from New Zealand, as well as Nancy from the US Fund office.
Our itinerary is quite detailed but most of our visits will be in Kigali and surrounding area. On Wednesday, we will travel to Butare for an overnight visit there. Stay tuned!
Posted by Linda | October 22, 2007 11:28 AM
Posted on October 22, 2007 11:28
I too look forward to your entries and any photos that you will be taking. I know you've only been in Rwanda for a few days but so far, what is the most noteworthy, striking, or fascinating thing you've observed of the culture? How is the rest of the crew adjusting to the travels?
Cheers!
Posted by Jenn Alton | October 24, 2007 10:38 AM
Posted on October 24, 2007 10:38
It's encouraging to read the various postings detailing the success of UNICEF in Africa and particularily Rwanda. What is the relationship between the Hutsi and Tutsi now?
Posted by Tracy Ashworth | October 24, 2007 10:58 AM
Posted on October 24, 2007 10:58
Hello Dear,
I have been in Rwanda for two years (2000-2004).
I appreciate the Rwandese in devoloping their country. I have visited Rwanda in 2006. I was surprised to see things are not the same. For real, it's changed a lot, they are walking towards the direction of success in every aspect.
Neat and clean Kigali, new buildings and relaxing joints, more of all the friendly people. They really changed their way of living in their community because of what happened in 1994.
I'm still worried about many homeless children that need love and care. I request the UN to urge developed countries to send in more funds to Rwanda instead of fighting for oil, spending billions of dollars. That money wasted on war can change a country but not few people.
Regards
David
Posted by DAVID | June 17, 2008 3:54 PM
Posted on June 17, 2008 15:54