Half the Sky

I don't like it when people claim that they 'don't know where to start' when trying to explain something.  I always think - 'well, don't start then, wait until you know where'.  But right now, that's how I feel.  I want to write everything, every detail about our day in Rwanda today, but at the same time I don't want to write anything, because I am still processing everything which we have done today.  Bear with me through my ramblings, there is a lot to say. 

We awoke very early and bundled into waiting minibuses to transport us to Rukira, a community in the Eastern region of Rwanda, close to the Tanzanian border.  Rukira is an example of a successful partnership between a WAGGGS organisation and a community.  It is a community of 108 women and girls who have been affected by violence.  (I'm going to call it AGR from now on, which stands for Association du Guides Rwanda).  AGR has worked in partnership with the people of Rukira.  It was profoundly affected by the genocide in 1994; many women have been affected by violence, HIV is prevalent; many women have been raped; many have no right to inheritance.  

We arrived to a glorious display of singing and dancing by the local Guides.  We were ushered underneath huge marquees, with a huge group of Guides clad in their white Stop the Violence t-shirts, which are the same as our black Stop the Violence t-shirts.  The entire community joined with us, forming a huge circle around a centre stage.  We heard two extremely moving testimonies, one from a woman and one from a girl, both of whom had been affected by violence.  I am not going to write the details of their testimonies, as that is not appropriate.  But I will tell you this - they both spoke extremely powerfully about how their lives had been blighted by acute violence.  The strength which these women displayed, as they talked about their experiences, was incredible.  They have been through things which you cannot imagine.  They are able to stand up and give their testimonies because of the way in which AGR has worked with them to empower them, enabling them to move on from their tragic experiences.  They both spoke of how grateful they are to AGR for providing them with counselling, teaching them about family law and giving them hope for the future.  

A series of lengthy speeches followed, as is characteristic of African village events.  The representative of the District, who is in charge of social affairs, spoke, as did the Governor of the Province.  They spoke of the how the AGR have helped to bring skills to the women, trained them in life skills.  Women are very vulnerable in this society, but AGR have enabled them to be empowered, to stand-up, to  say  no, and to have more self respect. 

There was a moving presentation by the local Guides in Rukira; they presented the Guiding light to WAGGGS, by presenting Gabriela, the Chair of the World Board, with a candle, representing the light of WAGGGS which they have received and are passing it on to the rest of the world.  Gabriela then made a beautiful response, which was very apt. She said that she had felt pain in her heart and tears in her eyes, listening to the testimonies.  Where Guides find injustice, pain and hate, it is our duty to provide commitment, love and mission.  Knowledge, education and intentions is not enough - we need to learn and grow. 

Here in Rwanda, we have seen real, tangible work; a positive partnership between an MO and a community, which has resulted in great success.  This is a great model for us and other MOs to follow.  We need to be outward-focussed in our thinking, to look at where the need is, then to partner with organisations which are working in the areas where our principles guide us. 

I wonder what you are thinking reading this.  We all get so bogged down in our issues, but the testimonies I have heard tonight put things into a whole new perspective.  Everyone has things going on, in their lives, work, family etc., but compare that to the stories we have heard today, and things feel  different.  Think about it.  Watch Hotel Rwanda.  Watch 'Shake Hands with the Devil'.  I have seen both of these - the latter is from a very different perspective, and explores the UN commander who was there during the genocide, going back to Rwanda years later; it is very powerful.  There is also a book you should read, but to my shame, I've forgotten the title, but I will post it once I remember; this book highlights one woman's story through the genocide and testifies to the strength of her faith.  And if you don't have a faith, or don't identify with a particular faith, you might be dubious.  Trust me - read the book, once I've remembered the title.  It doesn't matter where you are on the whole faith spectrum, it will challenge you.  It's short - you can read it in a few days, maybe three commutes.

Anyway, back to today.  Today was a huge community experience, and there is likely to be renewed interest in joining AGR, considering the huge numbers of people who attended the event earlier.

The feedback session afterwards was interesting.

On our return, we started a session on campaigning and action planning, which involved looking at posters for various campaigns and deciding how effective we thought they were.  In groups, we planned our own advocacy campaign, using a 3-pronged approach: educate; take action; advocate.  Our campaign was on 'dating violence'.  This is not a cheerful subject.  Nothing to do with 'violence against girls' is cheerful.  Fact.  

My patrol, which is called 'Queen of the Night' (which is a flower, not a prostitute), was responsible for writing the WAGGGS blog today, which you can find here, if you are interested.  Each day, a patrol is given different responsibilities, be it running reflections in the morning, conducting evaluations in the evening, writing the WAGGGS blog or making a video clip, which will be available sometime soon. 

So - what have we learnt?

Partnerships are the way forward.  WAGGGS MOs need to link up with orgs working in particular areas of interest, to form effective partnerships and effect change.  I said this at the beginning, but I'll say it again - WAGGGS is a hugely powerful body, with 10 million members, across 145 countries.  If you are female, you may well be one of those 10 million, and if you're not, well, if I'm honest, you're missing out.  You know where I am.

Goodnight all. 

p.s. Women hold up half the sky.