Hi my name is Janette and welcome to my blog! This will my source of keeping you all updated. So lets start with the basics:
1. This summer I am going to Burundi and then Rwanda for 3 weeks.
2. I am going with the organization: 'Souls of the Feet'.
"Souls of the feet began in 2009 as a simple idea to get shoes to people who didn't have them but is now a charitable organization that exists to connect people from around the world through local and international projects that transform lives. The team going on the 2014 Burundi/Rwanda Trip will have opportunities to be a part of many projects like building houses in rural villages, clean water initiatives, soccer programs, working at orphanages, and much more. We are there to love and serve in whatever ways we are needed.
At Souls of the Feet, we use projects as the vehicle through which we can connect deeply and build strong relationships in the community. As a team we will be working for two weeks on the ground with some of the organizations that do great work and have become our close friends in Burundi. These include YFC Burundi, Harvest for Christ, and Long Miles Coffee Project. After this, we will be heading to Rwanda for one week to get involved with Ubuntu Rwanda, to debrief, and to learn more about the history of Central africa.
Every year our friends in Burundi and Rwanda tell us that what means the most is the fact that people flew half-way across the world to spend time with them. Our presence has even more impact than the projects themselves. And ever year, the people on the Souls of the Feet team realize that while we are able to make a huge difference in the lives of our friends in East Africa, the lives that are transformed the most are the people that embark on this journey." *
3. We are going there to love, learn and serve by whatever means necessary.
4. I will try and keep you all as up to date as possible. You are all an important aspect of this adventure. I might be the one physically going to Africa, but you are all partnering with me through prayer and finances and without your support this trip will not be possible. (Please jump over to the donation page for more information about how you can support me financially.)
5. I have only been outside of north america once (To the u.k in 2012)
6. Currently our group consists of 8 people but we are still accepting applications (hint hint)
6. Burundi Is one of the top five poorest countries in the world
7. "Rwanda and Burundi are similar in size and population, and taking history into account, both suffered a similar fate. Armed clashes between Hutu’s and Tutsi’s have flared up and down since the 1960’s, but climaxed in the 1994 genocide. In Rwanda the genocide lasted for about 3 months during which an estimated 800.000 people were killed. After that the fighting continued in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, but Rwanda itself remained relatively quiet. In Burundi however, the killing continued with less intensity but over a longer period, with 300.000 dead by 2004, and the last rebel groups only being disarmed recently in 2009. This means that Rwanda has had much more time to rebuild the country and benefit from international aid projects. The resulting differences are very well visible. While Rwanda has a flourishing agriculture, farming in Burundi is still very basic. More children can be seen going to school and the roads are undeniably better in Rwanda." **
http://www.soulsofthefeet.org/index.php/about/about-us *
http://destination-africa.reislogger.nl/rwanda-burundi-western.87060 **