A few weeks ago while waiting on a friend's arrival at Kigali Airport I struck up a conversation with Francis who was there visiting a friend. We started talking about Rwanda and our work. I learned Francis started a non-profit called Mosaic Foundation nine years ago with funding from two international religious organizations. Mosaic's mission is to fill the gaps in the lives of Rwandans in poor and remote villages. Francis focuses much of his efforts on what he calls "home affairs" in four discricts (out of 30) where he implements literacy and life skills training for women and children in remote villages. He also conducts activities on cultural understanding, recreation, and reconciliation. His organization's annual budget is about $60,0000 with 20% generated from renting part of the building their offices occupy. Francis helped create "clusters" of local non-profits in each of the four districts where he works. When he finds village needs out of his reach (houses, water, livestock, etc.) he partners with the other cluster members to get what is needed if possible.
As I've gotten to know Francis, I've learned a lot about his passion and inspiring work. He was born in Rwanda but was orphaned at a very young age. His early memories include a very difficult life in Burundi as a refugee and sleeping on the dirt ground in a kitchen for a number of years. He attended boarding school for high school and saved money by selling individual cookies out of larger pack to the rich school children. In his years after school he served as a soldier in the RPF in Rwanda, and also attended seminary for some time. He recalls hard moments as a child where he sought spiritual answers to his questions of why he had no parents, and how he could find educational opportunities. He says he made promises to himself and to God that he would help others if he were given the opportunity to learn and have resources. He never attended University, but later worked for the government for a few years at the Rwandan Embassy in Kenya. At that time he felt he was not doing enough to help others and live up to his promises so he left to start his own organization. His friends and colleagues thought he was crazy to give up stable resources and income, but he looks back with no regret over being able to create his own mission and help others. In every conversation with Francis, his passion and love of his work shines through. His lack of university education but keen business mind is admirable. He created a Board of Directors and invited individuals to become members of his organization. He employs four administrators in Kigali and five community leads in every district where he works. Francis' impact on the villages and his unique relationship to so many children and families in Rwanda is incredibly important and impactful.
I showed Francis the public library at the US Embassy and talked with him at length about the things I've studied and learned about nonprofit management. I shared ideas with him about creating a website and communication materials, organizing his fundraising, and focusing his mission on measureable outcomes. He is thrilled to hear these ideas and thanks me profusely; of course this is a simple thing for me to do. I've given him some of the management and social work books I brought to Rwanda and he is always eager to learn more. In return, he invited me to visit his projects in Rwanda. I am humbled by this invitation, and happy to see all that I can.
In my job managing US Government programs in Rwanda, we work with the local government to build national health care capacity and with international partners to implement large scale HIV/AIDS programs. Meeting Francis and seeing his work, fills an important gap in my experience here allowing me to see aspects of poverty and needs in Rwanda that are not HIV/AIDS-related. Also, it helps legitimatize my experience through talking with people in the village and seeing first-hand their struggles. I am proud to know and join Francis at the indvidual level and the village level. There is something to be said for seeing one problem and doing what you can to solve the problem immediately. We need individual-level support in the world as much as we need large efforts of developed countries helping poor countries to fight infectious diseases and improve health systems. Both levels create a healthier world; and I want to be a part of both levels.
Our first Saturday trip: Eastern Province, Kayonza District, Mweri Sector, Kigarama village.
We drove about two and half hours outside of Kigali reaching dirt roads on the winding hillside. I travelled with Francis, Concorde (who drove us) and FiFi his secretary (below.)
Francis chattered about the statistics of this sector- 22,000 people; 39% illiterate; 95% rely on agriculture for income.
We walked to a remote village on paths like this.
In the village we joined a community meeting led by one of Francis' program leads. This group gathers for Francis' 9 month literacy education programs and anytime Francis comes to the village so he can check-in with the community. An elder in the community came forward with a traditional musical instrument (umuduri) and played a song for us and then wrote his name on the chalk board. I was introduced to the group as a friend of Francis' and unexpectedly asked to give a speech about my work, and my reason for visiting. The group shared about their concerns and problems to Francis and I. Many remarked how hard life is and how tired they are from carrying heavy things and walking far to get water and health care. Others mentioned alcoholism and gender inequality as great hardships. One person felt the water is not clean and contributes to eye, teeth, and kidney problems in the village. When asked about health issues, people mentioned malaria, skin disease, TB, teeth, and eye problems. When given the chance to ask me questions, the group asked how they could get medicine since the health clinic is often to far too reach, and what do we do about domestic violence in the US. I fielded questions the best I could for about 30 minutes. One young girl asked if I was married- that was an easy question! I felt exhausted after this meeting. The number of problems is overwhelming and feeling helpless for answers is difficult to endure. I took some solace in being able to offer them understanding and letting them know I cared for them; but of course it feels not enough.
After the community meeting, I was introduced to a local female soccer team. They were very proud and excited about this group, as it is unique to have girls involved in a sport. I asked who the team was playing against and they mentioned they had not had a soccer ball for about 6 months now.
Francis showed me that homes are often made of mud bricks but a better sturdier way is to use cement bricks.
One of the organizations in the cluster has been conducting a project to teach this village how to make cement bricks.
Francis is most passionate when he sees a family or children living in substandard one-room homes (which is fairly common in Rwanda). He says it brings up his own painful childhood living in these conditions. On this day I visited many one-room homes. It was hard to see. The houses were bare and had only straw mats for sometimes 5 or 6 family members to use for sleeping. In more than one we learned the family members were sick with allergies and asthma, sometimes sleeping inside with animals as well. Here is one family in front of their original one-room house with a skimpy thatched roof.
Francis and his cluster helped build this much larger five room home, and now this family uses the smaller structure as a goat house.
They also have a pig in the backyard indicating their income and resources have improved.
In another area of the village Francis has planted trees for firewood as an agriculture and income-generating project.
Francis is particularly proud of an area where he planted 1,000 mango trees in the yards of local families. He gave many of the trees directly to the woman in the household so it is seen as hers, and if the husband leaves he cannot take the tree with him. These trees will provide food and an opportunity to sell the fruit. Francis would like to expand this project in this and other villages if possible. 
There was a well in-between two of the villages we visited. Many people feel the iron in the water causes stains and bad teeth.
Francis introduced me to the families living in these homes. I spoke at length with two single mothers and their children. They told me a little about their lives and asked me a lot of questions about mine.
This is Odette who has six kids. She married a soldier who died. She told me her life is very hard and she wants to make a better life for her children. She is happy to have a home in this group of new houses, but wishes she had means for income such as livestock or a sewing machine. I asked her what she would change if she were mayor (which made her giggle) and she said she would better the lives of the children in the village. Often they are turned away from school because of poor clothing, no shoes, or illness.
This is Sovia who has 4 children and was married when she was 9 years old in Uganda to a man with multiple wives. She left him and fled to live with her mother in Rwanda who has since passed away. She echoed her friends words of wanting to help her children. She had many scars on her neck and chest but didn't mention what has happened. She said she wishes for eye glasses for her children, and medecine for skin and eye allergies.
The children gathered around and sang many songs for me.
Francis is particularly proud of an area where he planted 1,000 mango trees in the yards of local families. He gave many of the trees directly to the woman in the household so it is seen as hers, and if the husband leaves he cannot take the tree with him. These trees will provide food and an opportunity to sell the fruit. Francis would like to expand this project in this and other villages if possible. 
There was a well in-between two of the villages we visited. Many people feel the iron in the water causes stains and bad teeth. Next we visited a neighborhood of 39 homes built by a partner in Francis' cluster. Francis helped identify the area and choose the families to receive homes.
Francis introduced me to the families living in these homes. I spoke at length with two single mothers and their children. They told me a little about their lives and asked me a lot of questions about mine.
This is Odette who has six kids. She married a soldier who died. She told me her life is very hard and she wants to make a better life for her children. She is happy to have a home in this group of new houses, but wishes she had means for income such as livestock or a sewing machine. I asked her what she would change if she were mayor (which made her giggle) and she said she would better the lives of the children in the village. Often they are turned away from school because of poor clothing, no shoes, or illness.
This is Sovia who has 4 children and was married when she was 9 years old in Uganda to a man with multiple wives. She left him and fled to live with her mother in Rwanda who has since passed away. She echoed her friends words of wanting to help her children. She had many scars on her neck and chest but didn't mention what has happened. She said she wishes for eye glasses for her children, and medecine for skin and eye allergies.
The children gathered around and sang many songs for me.At the end of the day we returned to Kigali. I wished I could solve every problem that I saw throughout the day. After having worked in HIV/AIDS programs for nearly a year, I was overwhelmed with the number of basic care issues faced in the villages including other health (skin, teeth, eyes), food and nutrition, housing, and clean water. I found myself asking people all week about the impact our programs have on these issues. A lot of people agreed it is difficult because the HIV/AIDS money is directed by the US Congress to fund specific activities, so we can't make a larger impact on these general needs in Rwanda. This gap is more often filled by aid from other coutries or international NGO and faith-based support.
Our second Saturday trip: North Province, Gicumbi District, Byumba Sector
The next Saturday I travelled again two and a half hours outside Kigali to visit other programs with Francis and Concord. This time we visited a District office and met the Social Affairs Director for the district. He spoke very highly of Francis and indicated how much he has helped the District. As we drove around, it was clear this area was a wealthier area than our last trip. Francis thought this might be because the ground is a little more conducive to growing, and the elevation keeps bugs and mosquitoes away. We stopped at a private hospital funded by someone who came to visit this sector in 2007. The visitor recognized that a small health clinic funded by the District was not sufficient for this sector so they donated funds for this new clinic through Francis and the other cluster partners.
I toured the surgery room (below) and the maternity ward.
I met a nurse who said there are no doctors to staff the facility yet. He showed us a stark cabinet in the pharmacy. He indicated he would like to go to school and become a doctor, but has not had the opportunity.
Next we visited a community center/town hall in one village. Francis explained that he uses this location to reach out to over 300 Twa community members (Pygmy people, first inhabitants of Rwanda now 1% of the population; it is believed that 30% of their population died in the genocide). The Mosaic Foundation community employee in this area has been teaching a literacy program for this group over the past nine months.
Some of the group came to greet me and sang songs for me. Similar to the previous weekend, they all shared about their community concerns and had a chance to ask questions. Many of them thanked Francis for helping them to learn to read and write. At least two people told of letters they could now read and write. Many of them said it is challenging because they can read but they don't have access to books or paper/notebooks to write. Some of them mentioned domestic violence and prostitution as the biggest problems in their community. They asked me questions about what widows do about raising children alone in the US, and how do we discipline our children. They indicated they wanted tools for income generating such as carpentry, brick-making, and sewing tools; and things to read such as books about skills.
These visits with Francis have had a big impact on me. I understand the problems and village life a little clearer and am thankful this will enhance my ability to impact program development and management at the macro/government level. On a personal level, it is a struggle to see and listen to so many problems and not have immediate answers or ways to help. Francis' motivation to tackle every problem heard is appealing and I hope to help him as much as possible. We crunched some numbers together to consider some of the costs are associated with the needs we heard. 1. $5,000 to build one house
2. $3,000 to grow 1,000 mango trees
3. $50 to buy one soccer ball in Rwanda
4. $3 per year to buy health insurance for one family member
5. $15,000 to buy carpentry, sewing machines, and brick making supplies for one year
Francis' philosophy is to look around to see who is being left behind, identify and provide what they need to get caught up with the rest of us. Many of us do this; some of us look to help family, or neighbors, or immediate community. Others help their country or global efforts. Rwanda has a special place in my heart; I want to see people have basic needs met and an opportunity to prosper. I would like to raise money for Francis and do whatever I can to help him help these villages.
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