Tag Archives: Rwanda

The forty TechWomen delegation members have all arrived in Kigali Rwanda as of today. We spent the morning of our first official day touring the capital, changing money, and shopping for crafts. In the afternoon, we laid flowers on the mass graves and spent several hours at the Genocide Memorial Centre. We just got back from a splendid dinner and dance hosted for us in a private home by the TechWomen Emerging Leaders whom we mentored from Rwanda. We are all tired and more-or-less jet lagged but experienced today as a powerful introduction to the culture we have come to learn about. I am still thinking through the exhibits and museum displays of photos, bones, and artifacts of genocide victims. This will take time to process.

Images Copyright 2014 by Katy Dickinson

Today was the 20th celebration of Heroes’ Day in Rwanda:

The National Heroes’ Day falls on every February 1 during which time Rwandan leaders and citizens pause and pay homage to specially fallen compatriots who paid the ultimate price for the greater good.

It was also our second day here in Kigali with the TechWomen delegation. Everything was closed for the morning to honor the heroes who fought against the Rwandan Genocide. So, five of us hired a car to see parts of the city and surrounding area that will not be on our official tour tomorrow. We saw one of the sources of the Nile River and even very briefly saw a monkey running uphill. We also went to the Caplaki craft cooperative and did some shopping.

Images Copyright 2014 by Katy Dickinson

The TechWomen delegation has started to arrive in Kigali, Rwanda.  Ten of us flew in today (San Francisco – Los Angeles – Amsterdam – Kigali), taking 24 to 36 hours for the trip, depending on what flights we got.  It was dark when we arrived so we mostly went to our rooms to tidy up and get some rest.  Three of the TechWomen Emerging Leaders met us at our hotel – so great to see them again!  The night smells spicy here.  This is my first trip south of the equator.  I am looking forward to seeing something of Kigali tomorrow.

Images Copyright 2014 by Katy Dickinson