Hey guys,

This morning, after finally a decent night sleep in the comforts of Solace, we were visiting the Healing and Reconciliation Project. This scheme has been set up to help repair bridges between both the Hutu and Tutsi people after the brutalities of the Genocide. We arrived there to a tradional style of building to a packed room of smiling faces. Men and women, young and old attend these meetings frequently and we definately received a warm welcome ! We were treated to not one but two beautiful songs written by one of the women there complete with tradional Rwandan dancing. Soon we were all pulled up to our feet and danced along side the exhuberant Rwandans ! In response we showed them some Scottish social dancing and roped some of the Rwandans to join us, although some of the moves seemed to be lost in translation ! Afterwards we were given a tour of the maize fields, which both the victims and perpetrators of the Genocide work together on farming which is part of reconciling both sides to learn to live in peace and community. When we returned to the building, Jack showed off some of his amazing card tricks much to the delight and astonishment  of the Rwandans. Next, our good friend Pastor Paul wished to show us some houses that had been built for widows of the Genocide where we heard the heart breaking story of one women. She explained to us how as a Tutsi, her whole family had been murdered and also how her husband had betrayed her and their family by pretending to be Hutu and is currently in jail for this crime. While still trying to understand the tragedy of her story, we were all shocked to be introduced to the very man who had murdered her family. Intially horrified at the concept of calling the man who had caused you so much hurt 'brother' we then reliased that this man was truly sorry for his crimes, and had built houses along with bonds with these widows, in an effort to atone for this past. It was the courage of these people who both forgive and ask for forgiveness from one another that truely inspired us.
After a delicious and filling lunch, we took a small walk through the city center of Kigali which gave us a chance to witness the hustle and bustle of the capital. After this we were all delighted to be able to visit the street kids bakery where we were greeted to the smells of warm fresh bread and delicious doughnuts. Next we returned to the street kids project again. There we were able to play some games with the kids including 'rock, paper, scissors'. Joanne and Katie soon found two adorable little babies, who both have said they want to take home ! After a long tiring day, we retired back to Solace. Tomorrow we're all looking forward to a bit of a long lie and a longer visit to the streer kids again. Cant believe we've only got 3 days left !

Love Claire and the rest of team Rwanda xxx

 Some of the fantastic dancing the group displayed

 We tried to join in but we didnt have theirt rhythm.

 The sound as all the women in the room sang was very moving

 These girls sang and danced for abolut 10 mins.

This house was built by a genocider shown in the photo ( blue shirt) he built the house for the woman in the traditional style dress standing beside him. During the genocide he murdered her family.
She has found a way of forgiving him and he now supports her as she has no support network.
This is typical of the work carried out by the reconcillation group.
A quote from one of the widows " if you do not forgive somebody, you give them the power over your life. Foregiveness is not fro the other person it is for you

 The street kid project has a bakery. The older street kids bake bread and distribute it on their bikes. Here is an example of their produce.

As you can see Victoria enjoyed the donoughts.