by the shores of Lake Kivu

Faye has already given a great description of the SAFE Course.  As difficult as it was to keep it all together, the course ran smoothly and many people commented that they had never attended such a well-organized program.  They did not think it was possible to teach without power points, so were surprised they could learn so much by interactive teaching and learning.  One woman told me, “I used to think anesthesia was boring but now I want to read and learn”. 

Megan and I traveled to Gisenyi this weekend for a much needed break. She had been in Rwanda for nearly a week and had only see the inside of the Dereva Hotel.  We traveled with my son, Alex, and Emmy.  Emmy is our supreme driver and friend.  He gave Megan some background on the land of a thousand hills.  There has been plenty of rain recently, so the countryside is brilliant green.   Each year the roads are better than the previous year.  Now there are highway signs!  The country looks great.

The four of us had lunch at by the beach at the Serena hotel and relaxed.  Then Megan and I went to Paradis Malahide but Alex and Emmy traveled back to Ruhengeri so Alex could visit the gorillas the next day.  We rested by the water and watched the fishing boats heading out for a night of fishing on Lake Kivu.  The men sing as they paddle out.  That evening we had dinner by the fire pit in the lodge and watched a performance by a group of highly energetic traditional Rwandan dancers.  The drummer was seriously talented. 

 

After a delicious breakfast on the shores of Lake Kivu, Megan and I travelled back to Kigali and spent the afternoon at the Serena Hotel revising plans for the SAFE Course this week. Sender, our surgical friend from McGill, arrived yesterday.  Our big group gathered again for a fine dinner at Khana Khazana.  Today it’s back to work at the Dereva Hotel in Rwamagana…