Notes from the Field: IFLI in Kigali, Rwanda
Thursday, May 27, 2010
We left India on a high note, after meeting with the core team on Saturday to reflect on the training, review the evaluation forms and processes and to discuss issues and concerns, resources and next steps. A strong image came forward that day about the state of the Potali Project. It is like a tree whose seed has been planted and has grown into a sapling. There are many people who are watching this young plant and helping it to mature into a strong adult tree. We named this widening circle of support including 1100 participant families, 40 plus practitioners and supervisors, the core team and international team, three partner agencies, global stakeholders and many volunteers who share the value of strengthening families.
We asked the question of what this tree will look like in its mature state. The branches of the vision include: 1) expanded program delivery; 2) staff development model; 3) international networking; 4) revenues from sales of Potali materials; 5) government contracts; 6) assured project based funding; and 7) connecting with local community resources. A final reflection from the group was the need to find the right size pot for supporting the growth of the Potali tree. When we consider the circle of relationships supporting this work, it is the quality and strength of those relationships that constitute the right size pot.
Before leaving Pune, we enjoyed a visit to Bhimrao’s home to greet Shakuntala and the rest of his family.
This morning we leave for Ngororero to participate in the closing session of the 5th cycle of training. The image for our time here is putting the roof on the house of this emerging body of work with families.
On Day 1, we settled into our gracious accommodations—Mathilde’s guest house. Mathilde’s hobby is gardening and we are surrounded by the beauty of colorful flowers, well cared for plants, trees and the songs of birds who also enjoy this special place in Kigali. We went to dinner to meet and greet Didacienne and her daughter Melissa, Mathilde and her husband Andre and to enjoy a traditional Rwandan meal.
On Day 2, we planned our time together by first rehearsing the journey of the project, hearing reports on the state of the work here in Rwanda and in India, and then to set our objectives and timeline for the coming days. Visits have been set up to meet with SOS villages, Svota, the assistant to the First Lady, and others. Mathilde will host a cocktail party next week to bring together more friends and supporters of this work.
On Day 3, the team met to review the evaluation forms and process. We have continued to write our India report. In the afternoon, Mathilde took Tina and Maryanna to the Genocide Memorial. Afterward, we visited Mathilde’s mother and shared some singing of hymns at her weekly prayer meeting. What a privilege it is to be doing work that celebrates and strengthens relationships in a world that continues to suffer from horrific acts of violence, hatred and betrayal.
We left India on a high note, after meeting with the core team on Saturday to reflect on the training, review the evaluation forms and processes and to discuss issues and concerns, resources and next steps. A strong image came forward that day about the state of the Potali Project. It is like a tree whose seed has been planted and has grown into a sapling. There are many people who are watching this young plant and helping it to mature into a strong adult tree. We named this widening circle of support including 1100 participant families, 40 plus practitioners and supervisors, the core team and international team, three partner agencies, global stakeholders and many volunteers who share the value of strengthening families.
We asked the question of what this tree will look like in its mature state. The branches of the vision include: 1) expanded program delivery; 2) staff development model; 3) international networking; 4) revenues from sales of Potali materials; 5) government contracts; 6) assured project based funding; and 7) connecting with local community resources. A final reflection from the group was the need to find the right size pot for supporting the growth of the Potali tree. When we consider the circle of relationships supporting this work, it is the quality and strength of those relationships that constitute the right size pot.Before leaving Pune, we enjoyed a visit to Bhimrao’s home to greet Shakuntala and the rest of his family.
This morning we leave for Ngororero to participate in the closing session of the 5th cycle of training. The image for our time here is putting the roof on the house of this emerging body of work with families.
On Day 1, we settled into our gracious accommodations—Mathilde’s guest house. Mathilde’s hobby is gardening and we are surrounded by the beauty of colorful flowers, well cared for plants, trees and the songs of birds who also enjoy this special place in Kigali. We went to dinner to meet and greet Didacienne and her daughter Melissa, Mathilde and her husband Andre and to enjoy a traditional Rwandan meal.
On Day 2, we planned our time together by first rehearsing the journey of the project, hearing reports on the state of the work here in Rwanda and in India, and then to set our objectives and timeline for the coming days. Visits have been set up to meet with SOS villages, Svota, the assistant to the First Lady, and others. Mathilde will host a cocktail party next week to bring together more friends and supporters of this work.
On Day 3, the team met to review the evaluation forms and process. We have continued to write our India report. In the afternoon, Mathilde took Tina and Maryanna to the Genocide Memorial. Afterward, we visited Mathilde’s mother and shared some singing of hymns at her weekly prayer meeting. What a privilege it is to be doing work that celebrates and strengthens relationships in a world that continues to suffer from horrific acts of violence, hatred and betrayal.
You know, I would almost label myself a "news addict." However, I found this blog spot as part of a class assignment. I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to read these postings. They resonate on so many levels with me. For one, this is service work that I hope one day I can engage in personally. Moreover, I realize that doing such would be consistent with some lifelong world views I have held. The last sentence in particular echoes that aspiration. Thank you for an upbeat, optimistic oasis to visit.
ReplyDeleteI follow your travels and beautiful stories with interest.
ReplyDeleteYour Potali Tree will be a symbol of the strength of your relationships with the beautiful people of Rwanda.
The tree to me represents hope on so many levels. It is in finding the right sized pot (the quality and strength of the relationships)to hold the tree is key. I also look forward to more of these stories.
ReplyDelete