Monday, April 14th
10:29
As I returned to Rwanda last night following my week trip to Cape Town, my emotions smacked me in the face at a velocity similar to that of my plane landing on the runway. In a few short months, Rwanda has become a second home, or maybe I should say third or fourth owing to my nomadic ways. No point in playing it cool here – when the border control officer said “welcome home” after verifying my visa, I teared up. I struggle to articulate the feeling and maybe I’m just an emotional cancer (yes, I believe in zodiac signs), but at the core, it is a warm familiarity and tranquility. On the ride home, all I could feel was a profound sense of appreciation for the opportunity to live in Rwanda, and love for the connections I have made thus far.
Although Cape Town is a beautiful destination (see above) filled with lots of outdoor activities (and cheap, delicious food and wine), this trip shed light on how much I take safety for granted. At this point, I am used to garnering ample attention while walking around in Rwanda because I am often the only white person in the village, but I never feel unsafe. People are just curious and want to interact with someone new and different. In Cape Town, however, I had to uber everywhere and keep my valuables hidden because there are many unsafe parts. So, while I enjoyed the views and outdoor activities, the safety concern followed me around like a dark cloud. Thankfully, I met some really cool people who helped me navigate the city and make the most of my trip, but reflecting on it leaves me feeling grateful for my freedom to move around safely in Rwanda. Fundamentally, this experience made me think about the detrimental effects of safety concerns (and, of course, actual danger when inflicted) on girls and women, especially in how such concerns (or unfortunate acts) shape (and limit) opportunities in life. On the flipside, I also contemplated the causes of such widespread safety issues, i.e., why an individual would resort to harming others or committing crimes. Although it is far easier to scapegoat individual character flaws, examining the matter from a more critical and systemic angle points to how colonial legacies and the apartheid era contribute to the modern day crime rate in Cape Town.
Sunday, April 20th
10:25
Happy Easter to all my friends and family! Once again, writing on a consistent basis has been difficult this month. Although work slowed down in terms of big events, the month has still been busy. Work commitments aside, navigating April in Rwanda (as a foreigner) has presented very context-specific challenges, but staying open and vulnerable has led to deeper connections, as well as an enhanced understanding of Rwandan history and culture. Although I was not physically in country at the start of the 31st Commeration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi (April 7th), I could still feel a country-wide shift in sentiment and purpose. 31 years later, Rwanda continues its collective mourning and healing journey. From social media posts detailing individual stories to hearing some colleagues open up about their personal experiences, the heaviness felt overwhelming at times. If I have learned one thing, however, it is to sit with all of the uncomfortable emotions.
At first, I was nervous to be present during this time because I feared that seeing foreigners could cause Rwandans to feel pain or resentment since the international community turned a blind eye in 1994. Talking with colleagues, however, shed light on my misconception, and on the power of forgiveness. My colleague shared that it is actually nice to have an outsider outlet because in her experience, sometimes there can be an undertone of ‘we all experienced something awful’ between Rwandans, which discourages sharing of individual traumas. While I will never understand the level of trauma as an outsider, this month reinforced that I can always provide a listening ear or shoulder to lean on. It is one thing to learn about a tragedy in a history classroom (i.e., a setting completely removed from the context), and an entirely different type of learning to be immersed in the place and befriend people whose lives were (and continue to be) directly impacted. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from and support my Rwandan colleagues, even if that support looks like just being present, because words will never suffice.
In a difficult month for Rwandans, I am grateful Duwe, Kojo and I were able to organize a fun, team bonding trip to Akagera National Park. For many of the staff members, it was their first time visiting the park and seeing the wildlife, which contributed to the palpable buzz on the bus throughout the day. The dad joke was easily, ‘do you like the African back massage’ owing to the constant vibrating and clanking of the bus seats through the bumpy dirt roads. While I do not think my body could handle another 12-hour day on a cramped omnibus flying over those safari roads, I would not trade the experience for any of those luxurious safari vehicles. Thankfully, we saw ample animals and even got within reaching distance to an elephant herd. More than the animal sightings, however, what made me the happiest was seeing how much the coaches were enjoying themselves and not worrying about anything else. Several times throughout the day, I made sure to look back and take mental snapshots (and some digital ones too) of everyone so absorbed in the present moment. Our coaches have a lot on their plates, so it is not often they get to relax and take a day for themselves. I’m grateful that, with the help of Shooting Touch, we were able to organize and deliver this team bonding experience.
Tuesday, May 27th
18:38
Over a month has passed since my last blog entry, and it feels like I have lived seven different lives in that period. Summarizing the key events would look something like the following:
Receiving tragic news that my high school soccer coach (and dearest mentor) suddenly passed away
Taking a trip to Seychelles (an African island in the Indian Ocean) – the most postcard worthy place I’ve ever been
Getting heart-stopping news (while in Seychelles) that my dad has colon cancer
Abruptly flying home to be with my family while my dad underwent surgery
Returning to Rwanda after two weeks, once seeing that my dad was back home and stable
Jumping right into an eventful week with the Basketball Africa League (BAL)
And here is what the month looked like in photos:
After an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and nonstop travel, I’m writing these words from a place of pure exhaustion, yet overwhelming gratitude – for my family’s love and health, for my tight-knit hometown, for my supportive and understanding colleagues, for the depth of my relationships with former coaches, teachers, and mentors, for the privilege to explore the world, and for the strength to keep going despite some of my biggest fears coming to life. Living abroad presents a multitude of beautiful experiences, but the biggest challenge by far is being so far from my loved ones. As I just alluded to, my biggest fear about living abroad is receiving bad news about my family or loved ones. The moment I found out about my dad, my head started spinning and I immediately questioned my career choices and desires. It is challenging not to feel both guilt for being so far away, and fear that I am missing out on finite moments with my (healthy, but aging) parents. And yet, if I allowed these hard emotions to guide my career decisions, it would leave me feeling inauthentic and imprisoned on my journey of self-actualization.
Although for unfortunate and heart wrenching circumstances, heading home in early May (ironically) helped reaffirm that I am making career choices aligned with my values and desires, even if the trade-off can be difficult. During my two weeks at home, many of my family and friends asked me “how’s Africa?” and “so, do you live in a hut?” While I know these questions came from an innocent and curious place, they elicit a very common American and/or Western perception of Africa. I have been fortunate enough to live and work in two countries on this continent, and to travel to a handful of others. I would like to openly and honestly address these questions. To start, I cannot tell you how ‘Africa’ is because it’s a massive continent consisting of 54 countries, and every country is so unique. Many may feel that I am overreacting here, yet my reaction stems from a discomfort with a widespread perception that all of Africa is the same. And worse, the characteristics tied to this perception are often negative (i.e., backwards, barbaric, dependent, corrupt, etc.). This is not to downplay or deny the very real issues that many African countries endure, however, it is to reiterate that Africa is a massive continent filled with countries that each have their own culture, history, and signature dish – and where lots of innovative and good things are happening too. So, I can tell you how Rwanda is, because that is where I’ve spent the past five months. *I highly recommend reading, ‘Africa Is Not a Country’ by Dipo Faloyin if you would like to uncover and challenge your implicit biases related to Africa and Africans*
Secondly, no, I do not live in a ‘hut.’ While my house certainly does not meet an American suburban standard of housing, I have concrete/painted walls, tiled floors, doors, windows, a roof over my head, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a bed. Living in this home, with all of its quirks and funky features, has shown me that all those other luxuries, though convenient and cozy, are not necessary. And yes, I do know people that live in ‘huts,’ but that is never by choice. Instead, it is mainly due to a lack of resources and access to opportunities, i.e., the aftermath of the colonial system’s legacy of social and economic discrimination that undoubtedly positioned many Rwandans unfavorably, with the effects of marginalization and exploitation still felt today. Many Rwandans in the villages where Shooting Touch operates live in clay houses that consist of one to two rooms, but let me make two things clear – 1) Rwandans take immense pride in their homes and possessions, as reflected by how spotless and orderly they always are, and 2) Rwandans are extremely efficient in their daily routines. In the time that I attempt to mop my floor (and end up just spreading the dirt around), a Rwandan woman in the village has cleaned her home, cultivated crops, cooked for her kids, and taken a trip to the market to get more food for the week. Furthermore, while it feels the Western world is the capital of waste, Rwandans are innovative and resourceful. Everyday I say to myself, man, just imagine what these people could do if they did not have to focus solely on survival each day. Therefore, ‘living in a hut’ is not a reflection of a lazy or ‘backwards’ individual; rather, it demonstrates an individual making the most of the minimal resources and opportunities available to him or her. I do not intend to guilt or shame anyone with these responses, on the contrary, I hope to share my perspective, and in effect, enlighten yours. More than words, the best way to change your perception is to head over here and experience Rwanda for yourself!
Thursday, May 29th
10:30
The end of May has been filled with all things Basketball Africa League (BAL). For many of my readers who may not be familiar (like myself prior to this experience), the BAL is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa and formed through a partnership between FIBA and the NBA. It marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America, and is currently in its fifth season, which typically runs from March/April to June. Kigali just hosted the Nile Conference from the 17th to the 25th of May, which consisted of four teams (Libya, South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda) competing against each other to qualify for the playoffs in June. Thanks to Shooting Touch’s partnership with the BAL, we had great seats for all of the games and were granted access to the VIP lounge in BK Arena (where my imposter syndrome was indeed in full effect).
To kick off the week, Duwe, Kojo and I attended the BAL Innovation Summit and listened to some big names in African basketball speak about the future of the sport on the continent. While the people in attendance were a mixture of government officials, corporate workers, nonprofit organizations like ourselves, and some artists, it quickly became evident that everyone in the room shared a passion for basketball and believed in its transformative capacity. Thus, despite sitting in a room surrounded by strangers, our shared passions created an innate connection and dissolved the distance. After finishing lunch, we hurried over to the Embassy to hear two U.S. Sports Envoys, Max Fennell and Greta Neimanas, speak about their stories and careers as professional athletes. The U.S. Department of State’s Sports Envoy program recruits passionate, community-oriented professional athletes to promote cross-cultural understanding and empower the next generation of athletes as leaders through sport. Max is the first African American Professional Triathlete in the United States and Greta is a two-time Paralympian and a two-time World Champion in Paralympic cycling. Although their backgrounds and stories differed, both individuals embodied what it takes to perfect one’s craft and become the best – intense devotion, discipline, and resilience. Thanks to Pacifique for the invite, and to Max and Greta for so openly and honestly sharing their stories and tips with us!
To conclude an exciting week, we co-hosted a full-day event on May 23rd with the BAL as part of their BAL4Her initiative. BAL4Her is the league’s commitment to promoting gender equality among fans and local stakeholders while developing pipelines and recruitment opportunities for women to fully participate and be visible across BAL operations. As part of the initiative, the BAL collaborates with corporate and community partners to provide financial support and raise awareness (through events and social media) for organizations that drive the female agenda forward. Considering that gender equality is a pillar of ST programming and that we operate through a gender lens, i.e., developing and evaluating programs with careful consideration of how gender impacts/and is impacted by them, ST’s work aligns seamlessly with the purpose of the BAL4Her initiative. Our co-event started off with a ‘BAL4Her Leadership Conference’ that provided emerging female leaders aged 18-30 (‘mentees’) with unique access to inspiring industry leaders (‘mentors’), workshops, and learning opportunities. The mentees were pre-selected prior to the event by the BAL through an application process. Thankfully, a good number of our Shooting Touch coaches and alumni attended the conference as mentees, which just so happened to also include an exclusive lunch with the Rwandan Minister of Sports!
After hearing inspirational speeches from Clare Akamanzi (CEO of NBA Africa), Amadou Gallo Fall (President of the BAL), and Nelly Mukazayire (Rwandan Minister of Sports), one of our own ST Abakecerus (‘grannies’), Violette, courageously took the stage and captivated the crowd with her story. Even though she spoke in Kinyarwanda, her passion, energy, and love were palpable. I believe what most made my allergies act up was how she addressed the whole crowd, yet simultaneously managed to directly inspire and encourage the young ST coaches and alumni in attendance. Reflecting on this moment, two things capture my emotions – 1) gratitude for the front row seat to witness the generational impact of ST’s work, and 2) immense pride to wear Shooting Touch across my chest. Following Violette’s speech, after which she received warm embraces from both Clare and Nelly, three panelists took the stage to share reflections related to women breaking barriers. These panelists included Vanessa Kodisang, Head of Culture and Engagement at Mastercard Foundation, Somdev Sen, CMO of MTN Rwanda (a mobile telecommunications provider), and Ingrid Karangwayire, Executive Secretary of BK Foundation. Although all three panelists hold powerful positions, I was moved by their humility and encouragement to the attendees to not get discouraged by the many obstacles they have faced and will likely continue to face on their journeys.
The later half of the BAL4Her Leadership Conference consisted of ‘breakout circles,’ wherein the mentees split into groups with one to two mentors per group and headed to separate spaces to discuss themes surrounding leadership, access and mentorship, and breaking barriers. While I did not get to sit in on any of these discussions because I was ensuring lunch was ready, the fact that the groups did not want to break for lunch was a good sign of their effectiveness. During lunch, Christelle and I found out that Amadou was not going to be able to attend the afternoon portion of the event led by Shooting Touch because he was due back in Kigali for a meeting. In true ‘think on your toes’ fashion, Christelle invited Amadou to quickly stop by our court (five minutes down the road from the conference) to see it and greet our grannies before returning to Kigali. Before I knew it, we were giddy with disbelief in the back of the President of the BAL’s car heading to our Nyamirama court. Upon arrival, Amadou gave a brief speech, and then was swiftly encircled by our dancing, fun-loving grannies. Seeing the President of the BAL bust a few moves was definitely not on my bingo card for the year, but it will undoubtedly go down as a top five work moment. Shout out to Amadou for taking the time to visit our court and women!
Following Amadou’s visit, the rest of the BAL4Her staff, mentors, and mentees joined us at our court to watch our grannies, 100 women aged 50 and older from our four courts in Kayonza, participate in a ‘Grannies to Heroes’ basketball clinic. The clinic consisted of four stations – dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense – with 25 grannies per station. After speeches from Clare and Nelly, we hopped right into a warmup and then started the stations. At the start, many of the first-time visitors were timid to hop in the stations, but something about seeing 50+ year old women absolutely getting after it makes you stop and say, if they are out here, what am I letting stop me? Evidently, the fear subsided as by the end of the clinic, everyone had worked up a good sweat. Our staff knew that the CEO of NBA Africa and the Minister of Sports would be present for the clinic, but I don’t think any of us predicted they would be running around and fully immersing themselves into the stations.
Working in such a small country that has an affinity for basketball and its growth, and where Shooting Touch has become well established and respected, sets the stage for numerous opportunities to directly interact with higher-ups in Rwanda and the wider-basketball ecosystem. These interactions have been a very neat (and unexpected) aspect of this Fellowship experience. For the most part, such interactions tend to be atypical for higher-ups given the nature and location of our work, but it is intriguing to see how they embrace this change. Something about the realness of Shooting Touch provides a much needed break from the confines and hierarchies of politics – at ST courts we are all just trying to promote gender equality, health, and a good time. From the CEO to the ST Abakeceru, together, we go further!
Friday, May 30th
09:42
The day after our exciting leadership conference and basketball clinic, the BAL invited the grannies that participated in the clinic into Kigali to watch a BAL game. Considering a majority of our Abakeceru have never left their village, this trip into the city was a monumental moment in their lives. Despite a long drive, our grannies showed up and showed out. Two of our grannies were pulled down to the court to compete in a layup competition during a break in the game, and I will never forget the way the arena erupted when Triphine drained the layup/jumper. After the game, some of our staff and grannies took a group photo with Amadou, Clare, and Nelly on the court. I am grateful that the BAL used their platform to recognize both Shooting Touch and the real game changers, our Abakeceru, who are the heart of ST and so deserving of the spotlight. Following the group photo, the grannies broke out in song and dance, which echoed throughout their section, quickly grabbed the entire arena’s attention, and continued on the walk back to the buses. After witnessing numerous outsiders’ reactions, it is safe to say that the grannies brought Kayonza to Kigali, and undoubtedly left their mark.
Thank you to Mthoko, Zaiya, and the rest of the BAL staff for being so fun to work with, and for always looking to highlight Shooting Touch!
Monday, June 2nd
09:40
To wrap up another eventful and rewarding month, we hosted visitors from the University of Tennessee at our Rwinkwavu court. I absolutely loved the way this group embraced our women and eagerly jumped right into the practice, dancing, and health lesson. Having hosted a handful of international visitors at this point, I have three main reflections:
1) Without fail, these visits showcase the power of sport in transcending language barriers and cultural differences – the understanding and love for the game is truly a universal language.
2) These visits often humble our guests – no one knows the nuances of ST courts (e.g., the space, balls, rims, backboards) better than our women who play on them everyday.
3) Our beneficiaries exemplify a love for the game in its simplest form which, in an age of social media where it feels many are driven by being the next highlight reel, is a refreshing reminder of what really matters.
Another month has flown by, and it is hard to believe only three remain in this Fellowship. With another eventful month ahead, I look forward to all that June is about to teach me, and I will continue to soak in all the moments, big and small. Above all, I will keep learning how to embrace the ache, the beauty, and the emotional whirlwind of loving people – and places – around the world.