I have been fighting a strange sense of uneasiness for the past two days. It is not vicious and does not keep me from my business, but it's as present as the wind.
The more I complete, the more the trip begins to feel real; the more uneasy I become. As much as I do to prepare, I constantly feel that I'm forgetting something vital.
I find myself checking my pockets frequently: "Passport? Here. Immunization record? In this one. Where's the camera? Ok, it's on that chair."
Today I got a call from Allan Thompson, he told me Mbonisi had gone missing while en-route to Rwanda. He wondered if I had heard from him, I hadn't.
I got a text later telling me there'd been a mix-up with the travel agent and Mbonisi had arrived safely in Kigali.
It's everything I've been feeling in a single event.
There is nothing I can do to address uneasiness I can't trace and so I have stopped trying. Instead, I've been acting on a strong desire to attend to spiritual and intellectual interests.
I've owned a copy of Plato's Republic for years now, but had not read much of it until this week. Now I can think of nothing I'd rather do than read about Socrates and his buddies, drinking Olde English at the Agora. There is something comforting in the meticulous logic of the text; it makes me feel grounded.
Even so, I'm really only able to relate to Socrates' Athenian friends, the ones with questions and few answers. I'm not sure what to make of that exactly. I wouldn't feel consistent if I could.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Friday, 29 April 2011
Rwanda Journal, Entry 22: Friday, April 29th
Today was full of more activity than I'm able to recount coherently now. I have more travel documents and fewer tasks; but the details have blurred together and I'm not sure how to separate them. I'll rest, reflect and try to sort them out in the morning.
(UPDATE: Saturday, April 30th)
Accomplished on Friday, April 29th:
(UPDATE: Saturday, April 30th)
Accomplished on Friday, April 29th:
- Submitted pre-departure research report to the International Student Services Office.
- Received vaccination document for yellow fever.
- Received visa information from Rwandan Embassy.
- Confirmed housing and logistical arrangements in Kigali.
- Made payment arrangements with travel agent.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Rwanda Journal, Entry 21: The City that Blew Away
It feels like nature is angry.
The wind is impossibly powerful and violent. Around the city, gusts of grit-filled air sting the eyes and knock down trees. When the trees hit power lines, or homes, the damage is extraordinary.
Emergency crews have been darting about the city all day. Police act as wardens where lights have lost power; firemen work to remove broken branches before they smash houses. I haven't seen many ambulances yet, and I'm glad for that.
I surveyed the destruction with my friend Tony, earlier. He owns a minivan and agreed to help me move a bed from my mother's house in Alta Vista.
We were blown away by the wind's intensity. I saw a 30-foot pine tree uprooted and splayed out along someone's front lawn. Bins and boxes, put out for trash day, were thrown into fences; garbage lined the sidewalks.
I did not think to bring my camera on the trip, and soon regretted it. But I may have another chance to take photos tomorrow. We have to go collect the other half of the bed.
When Tony and I got to my mother's house, we realized the box spring would not fit in the van. We were able to squeeze the mattress into the back, but the only way to transport the box spring was on the roof. We didn't dare try to tie it down.
We agreed it could only end one of two ways if we did. Either the box spring would fly off the van and hit a traffic warden; or it would turn the minivan into a kite with no strings. We didn't want either and decided to go back for it when the wind dies down.
I have just learned that Environment Canada has a wind warning in effect throughout the city... obviously.
The wind is impossibly powerful and violent. Around the city, gusts of grit-filled air sting the eyes and knock down trees. When the trees hit power lines, or homes, the damage is extraordinary.
Emergency crews have been darting about the city all day. Police act as wardens where lights have lost power; firemen work to remove broken branches before they smash houses. I haven't seen many ambulances yet, and I'm glad for that.
I surveyed the destruction with my friend Tony, earlier. He owns a minivan and agreed to help me move a bed from my mother's house in Alta Vista.
We were blown away by the wind's intensity. I saw a 30-foot pine tree uprooted and splayed out along someone's front lawn. Bins and boxes, put out for trash day, were thrown into fences; garbage lined the sidewalks.
I did not think to bring my camera on the trip, and soon regretted it. But I may have another chance to take photos tomorrow. We have to go collect the other half of the bed.
When Tony and I got to my mother's house, we realized the box spring would not fit in the van. We were able to squeeze the mattress into the back, but the only way to transport the box spring was on the roof. We didn't dare try to tie it down.
We agreed it could only end one of two ways if we did. Either the box spring would fly off the van and hit a traffic warden; or it would turn the minivan into a kite with no strings. We didn't want either and decided to go back for it when the wind dies down.
I have just learned that Environment Canada has a wind warning in effect throughout the city... obviously.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Rwanda Journal, Entry 20: A Report for the Man, part 2
I've posted the first draft of my pre-departure report. It's a bit of a cop out as a blog post, I know.
But there's some useful information about the programs I'm doing and about the place I'll be going.
I haven't had reason to put it into the blog until now and I'm not the type to do the same job twice unless I have to.
* * *
Introduction:
The Ontario Global Edge program seeks to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and competitiveness among Canadian youth. As a participant in the program, I am committed to these goals and have created learning objectives that reflect this commitment. My OGE internship has been jointly arranged through a media development project called the Rwanda Initiative, based out of Carleton’s journalism school. The Rwanda Initiative has separate objectives for its interns, requiring them to learn about journalism and its place in a developing society like Rwanda. I have established learning objectives to satisfy the components of this program as well. The first three relate to OGE program, the final two relate to the Rwanda Initiative.
Learning Objectives:
Economic Overview of Rwanda:
Rwanda is a poor rural economy located in the heart of Central Africa. The CIA World Factbook reports that as many as 90 per cent of the country’s 11,370,425 people rely on agriculture (largely subsistence farming) and agro-processing as their primary means of survival. Mineral extraction and processing (gold, tin ore, tungsten ore and methane) have also become important industries, in 2008 minerals overtook coffee and tea as Rwanda’s primary export. Despite the numbers involved in agriculture, tourism remains Rwanda’s most profitable industry and supports the remaining 10 per cent of Rwandans involved in service-based industries.
Rwanda has enjoyed 17 years of stability and growth following the end of the civil war in the mid-nineties. Even so Rwanda remains a deeply impoverished country with an uncertain economic future. Rwanda ranks 152nd out of 162 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) and has been classified as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) by the International Monetary Fund. Rwanda’s per capita income is $1,100 (USD) meaning few Rwandans have the purchasing power to support a globally competitive marketplace. The 2008 recession weakened the market for Rwanda exports but it has gradually improved. In 2010, the country’s growth rate was 6 per cent, up from 4.5 per cent the year before.
In the absence of extensive foreign investment intra-African trade has become central to Rwanda’s economic survival. The CIA World Factbook indicates that Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Swaziland account for more than half of Rwanda’s export revenues (Kenya: 33.88 per cent; DRC: 13.56 per cent; Swaziland: 5.43 per cent.) Rwanda is an active member of the African Union and other regional trade bodies that aim to promote economic integration.
Relationship with Canada:
Canada has maintained diplomatic relations with Rwanda since its independence from Belgium in 1962. Canadian general Roméo Dallaire was force commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda during the ’94 genocide; Canadian development agencies have established large aid networks in the country; and Canadian legal experts are active in bringing genocidaires to justice at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Despite these points of connection, trade and investment between the two countries is paltry. According to 2010 figures from Industry Canada, Canada exported $1,217,454 worth of goods and imported $455,476. According to the Department of Foreign Affars and International Trade, Canada’s limited economic interest in the country focuses Rwanda’s electricity production and distribution industries, investments in infrastructure and information technology. Regardless of modest trade and private sector investment, the Government of Canada has committed itself to a rage of aid projects in Rwanda, focusing particularly on the agricultural sector.
Details of the Placement:
I have confirmed an 8-week placement at an entertainment and lifestyle magazine called Kigali Unplugged from May to July. Douglas Mugerwa, founder and managing editor of the magazine tells me the magazine needs content and help with business development. Mugerwa has sent me a letter of invitation that I will use to apply for a Rwandan student visa. While I have yet to be given a formal title–and may not receive one– I expect to have responsibilities similar to a junior-level marketing and sales manager. Kigali Unplugged needs to attract new advertising partners, improve its web-presence and strengthen its branding, all tasks usually associated with a marketing and sales position. These aspects of the placement should allow me to accomplish the learning objectives associated with the Ontario Global Edge program:
I will arrive in Kigali in mid-May, began my 8-week internship and return to Canada in mid-July. I have created learning objectives to structure my experience and satisfy the requirements of the Ontario Global Edge program and Rwanda Initiative, respectively. These will be the metrics by which I gauge the success of my internship experience, in an educational sense. I believe these objectives are realistic and achievable given the responsibilities I will have during my placement at Kigali Unplugged.
But there's some useful information about the programs I'm doing and about the place I'll be going.
I haven't had reason to put it into the blog until now and I'm not the type to do the same job twice unless I have to.
* * *
Introduction:
The Ontario Global Edge program seeks to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and competitiveness among Canadian youth. As a participant in the program, I am committed to these goals and have created learning objectives that reflect this commitment. My OGE internship has been jointly arranged through a media development project called the Rwanda Initiative, based out of Carleton’s journalism school. The Rwanda Initiative has separate objectives for its interns, requiring them to learn about journalism and its place in a developing society like Rwanda. I have established learning objectives to satisfy the components of this program as well. The first three relate to OGE program, the final two relate to the Rwanda Initiative.
Learning Objectives:
- To better understand the role of small to mid-size business in the global marketplace.
- To better understand the challenges and struggles of building and operating a small to mid-size business in a developing economy and society.
- To broaden my understanding of global business culture and develop the skills and knowledge to compete at the international level.
- To practice journalism and gain reporting experience in a foreign country.
- To employ my skills and training to support the work of an emerging media outlet.
Economic Overview of Rwanda:
Rwanda is a poor rural economy located in the heart of Central Africa. The CIA World Factbook reports that as many as 90 per cent of the country’s 11,370,425 people rely on agriculture (largely subsistence farming) and agro-processing as their primary means of survival. Mineral extraction and processing (gold, tin ore, tungsten ore and methane) have also become important industries, in 2008 minerals overtook coffee and tea as Rwanda’s primary export. Despite the numbers involved in agriculture, tourism remains Rwanda’s most profitable industry and supports the remaining 10 per cent of Rwandans involved in service-based industries.
Rwanda has enjoyed 17 years of stability and growth following the end of the civil war in the mid-nineties. Even so Rwanda remains a deeply impoverished country with an uncertain economic future. Rwanda ranks 152nd out of 162 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) and has been classified as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) by the International Monetary Fund. Rwanda’s per capita income is $1,100 (USD) meaning few Rwandans have the purchasing power to support a globally competitive marketplace. The 2008 recession weakened the market for Rwanda exports but it has gradually improved. In 2010, the country’s growth rate was 6 per cent, up from 4.5 per cent the year before.
In the absence of extensive foreign investment intra-African trade has become central to Rwanda’s economic survival. The CIA World Factbook indicates that Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Swaziland account for more than half of Rwanda’s export revenues (Kenya: 33.88 per cent; DRC: 13.56 per cent; Swaziland: 5.43 per cent.) Rwanda is an active member of the African Union and other regional trade bodies that aim to promote economic integration.
Relationship with Canada:
Canada has maintained diplomatic relations with Rwanda since its independence from Belgium in 1962. Canadian general Roméo Dallaire was force commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda during the ’94 genocide; Canadian development agencies have established large aid networks in the country; and Canadian legal experts are active in bringing genocidaires to justice at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Despite these points of connection, trade and investment between the two countries is paltry. According to 2010 figures from Industry Canada, Canada exported $1,217,454 worth of goods and imported $455,476. According to the Department of Foreign Affars and International Trade, Canada’s limited economic interest in the country focuses Rwanda’s electricity production and distribution industries, investments in infrastructure and information technology. Regardless of modest trade and private sector investment, the Government of Canada has committed itself to a rage of aid projects in Rwanda, focusing particularly on the agricultural sector.
Details of the Placement:
I have confirmed an 8-week placement at an entertainment and lifestyle magazine called Kigali Unplugged from May to July. Douglas Mugerwa, founder and managing editor of the magazine tells me the magazine needs content and help with business development. Mugerwa has sent me a letter of invitation that I will use to apply for a Rwandan student visa. While I have yet to be given a formal title–and may not receive one– I expect to have responsibilities similar to a junior-level marketing and sales manager. Kigali Unplugged needs to attract new advertising partners, improve its web-presence and strengthen its branding, all tasks usually associated with a marketing and sales position. These aspects of the placement should allow me to accomplish the learning objectives associated with the Ontario Global Edge program:
- To better understand the role of small to mid-size business in the global marketplace.
- To better understand the challenges and struggles of building and operating a small to mid-size business in a developing economy and society.
- To broaden my understanding of global business culture and develop the skills and knowledge to compete at the international level.
- To practice journalism and gain reporting experience in a foreign country.
- To employ my skills and training to support the work of an emerging media outlet.
I will arrive in Kigali in mid-May, began my 8-week internship and return to Canada in mid-July. I have created learning objectives to structure my experience and satisfy the requirements of the Ontario Global Edge program and Rwanda Initiative, respectively. These will be the metrics by which I gauge the success of my internship experience, in an educational sense. I believe these objectives are realistic and achievable given the responsibilities I will have during my placement at Kigali Unplugged.
Appendix:
Monday, 25 April 2011
Rwanda Journal, Entry 19: A Report for the Man
I woke up from an odd dream with a faint recollection of something I'd been told weeks ago.
It was something I needed to do; something I needed to give to someone.
The answer came to me when I began thumbing through a red folder I'd been given by Sara Lanoue, coordinator of the Ontario Global Edge program at Carleton, a few weeks ago.
"Damn it! I have to write a pre-departure report and give it to the school by the 29th," I said.
I know this doesn't seem so bad. I have four odd days to get it together and the document is quite straightforward. Even so, I feel strangely jolted at having to account for my expectations.
For weeks, I've been excitedly speculating on what I might find in Rwanda; what experiences I might have. But as I sit down to draft a formal report that outlines what I hope to gain from the experience I hesitate.
I'm not easily able to distill what I want to get out of this. I hope to learn about journalism and business as the Rwanda Initiative and OGE expect me to.
But I really hope to learn about the people, how they speak, think and act. I want to know what it is to live in a place where Hell appeared and receded. I want to know why some people care about other far away and others don't.
I doubt these are the kinds of things I will include in the report though.
* * *
So far, this is how much I've got:
It was something I needed to do; something I needed to give to someone.
The answer came to me when I began thumbing through a red folder I'd been given by Sara Lanoue, coordinator of the Ontario Global Edge program at Carleton, a few weeks ago.
"Damn it! I have to write a pre-departure report and give it to the school by the 29th," I said.
I know this doesn't seem so bad. I have four odd days to get it together and the document is quite straightforward. Even so, I feel strangely jolted at having to account for my expectations.
For weeks, I've been excitedly speculating on what I might find in Rwanda; what experiences I might have. But as I sit down to draft a formal report that outlines what I hope to gain from the experience I hesitate.
I'm not easily able to distill what I want to get out of this. I hope to learn about journalism and business as the Rwanda Initiative and OGE expect me to.
But I really hope to learn about the people, how they speak, think and act. I want to know what it is to live in a place where Hell appeared and receded. I want to know why some people care about other far away and others don't.
I doubt these are the kinds of things I will include in the report though.
* * *
So far, this is how much I've got:
Ontario Global Edge: Pre-departure Report
Submitted by: Cameron MacIntosh, April 29th, 2011
Introduction:
The Ontario Global Edge program seeks to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and competitiveness among Canadian youth. As a participant in the program, I am committed to these goals and wish to ensure that
Learning Objectives:
1. To better understand the role of small to mid-size business in the global marketplace.
2. To better understand the challenges and struggles of building and operating a small to mid-size business in a developing economy and society.
3. To practice journalism and gain reporting experience in a foreign country.
4. To employ my skills and training to support the work of an emerging media outlet.
5. To broaden my understanding of global business culture and develop the skills and knowledge to compete at the international level.
Economic Overview:
Rwanda is a poor rural economy located in the heart of Central Africa. The CIA World Factbook reports that as many as 90 per cent of the country’s 11,370,425 people rely on agriculture (largely subsistence farming) and agro-processing as their primary means of survival. Mineral extraction and processing (gold, tin ore, tungsten ore and methane) have also become important industries, in 2008 minerals overtook coffee and tea as Rwanda’s primary export. Despite the numbers involved in agriculture, tourism remains Rwanda’s most profitable industry and supports the remaining 10 per cent of Rwandans involved in service-based industries.
Placement details:
I have been confirmed a placement at a publication called Kigali Unplugged.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Rwanda Journal, Entry 18: Robbed by Children!!!
It was pretty scary, and I'm a little shaken up. Even so, I managed to post a link to a slideshow about the incident.
I went into Shawarma Town on Bank Street at around noon, and found myself at the mercy of a hardened criminal.
Luckily, I had my camera and was able to document the whole thing. I wasn't able to get his face but I heard people shouting his name, Hadi; I shudder every time I hear it.
I appreciate your support, it sucks feeling like a victim. Just because the robber was four, and his father owned the place does not make that any less true.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Rwanda Journal, Entry 17: Room with a View
 |
| Same kind as mine. |
I am now the proud owner of a Canon SX10IS.
It is the first DSLR I've ever owned. I've been fooling around with it all day.
I spent most of today at Tech Wall, a legal graffiti wall across from where I live. It's a photogenic place.
I've started a Picassa account to go along with the camera. It's basically Google's answer to flickr, and will let me catalogue the shots I take.
You can link to the gallery through the photostream on the left. I'll update it sometimes, so check it out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)