Where does the good go?

June 11, 2009

This morning I went to my travel wallet to get a couple more bills and was shocked and confused at what I saw. The brown enveloped that help all my Rwandan francs (from having exchanged $400) was not in the wallet. I certainly had not moved it. Next, I opened the pocket to check for my American cash - all fresh, crisp, new $100 bills - GONE.

At first, I did not know what to do. I literally stood there, trying to sort through the situation in my mind. I knew I should notify someone, so I went to tell Shirley right away. She of course was deeply grieved and began asking me several questions. Once Yolande, our housekeeper, arrived, they together sought to determine how this happened.

The emotion of the loss and the violation hit me in waves intermittently. I was determined not to let this disrupt the great day I had planned visiting the International Justice Mission (IJM), but it was difficult to see how it would not, as I was in and out of tears.

The journey to IJM itself was an adventure. I was to go to the Ministry of Justice and walk a bit from there. I got a moto and began the ride; however, it soon becae clear that my driver was not sure where the Ministry was located. We stopped a number of times to discuss its locations with other locals and finally stumbled upon it. I reluctantly gave him 800 francs. I had mixed feelings about it.

1) These were all the 100s I had left.

2) He did not know where he was going and therefore inconvenienced me.

3) He did try very hard to get me to the Ministry.

4) 800 francs is less than $2.

Upon finding IJM (after first knocking on the wrong door), we had a morning prayer, and I was then given an office tour briefly. Everyone in the office seems so friendly and driven. I then accompanied Bridgette to the field (to the Jali sector) to visit a cooperative and some clients.

The cooperative was an agriculture initiative involving a few clients that drew on group dynamics (Hutu/Tutsi) and group responsibility. They began by growing mushrooms and have expanded to other vegetables. Based upon their success, they are now planning further expansion and are even seeking a partnership with UOB but have yet to establish a suitable program to fit their needs. I hope though that some partnership is made. Whenever I met people there and they learnt I worked at UOB, they were hopeful I could help them and/or provide them with a loan.

While in Jali, a nearby school let out for recess, and all the kids gatherd to gawk at the muzungu (white person). I was literally encircled. Some kids were smiling, giggling, staring. Those immediately next to me touched my hair and skin. They seemed intrigued by this strange creature that was me.

I would not say that I enjoyed meeting with clients, but it was certainly enlightening and interesting. As usual, language proved a barrier to my understanding, and thus I fought getting distracted quickly (particularly in light of the issues weighing heavily on my mind). Bridgette translated for me periodically, which was very helpful; even with the limited information available to me, I was deeply moved by the stories of the clients.

A mother and daughter who cultivate crops together on limited land explained their position of constant vulnerability, as male relatives take everything of value from them: money, harvests, chickens, etc. They are simply trying to figure out how to survive and become independent of these men who continually exploit them. The more I considered their story, the sadder I became, for this situation is probably not uncommon. Evidence that womenare the poorest of the poor.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing IJM and the work they do - truly considering a similar placement in the future. Hadley said they are hoping to build more partnerships with other NGOs, as their purposes and visions overlap. I think that is key, as many organizations address similar issues and similar target groups but in an isolated way. A more consolidated effort to solve the very same problem would obviously be more effective.

Another consideration - in speaking to people at IJM, they each had different timelines for entering this type of work. Some came straight out of college, and others made themselves a financial cushion working in large corporate legal firms before entering their field of true interest. I cannot decide which is better, if there really is a better path. In time, I will have to decide myself.

Upon returning home, I began to try to settle my money issues more completely and learned of the extensive efforts being made by various people, particularly Shirley and Yolande. They went to the police station after having spoken to people in the neighborhoos (other guards, etc.) and learning that Deo, our gardener, had left yesterday morning unusually with a large bag, saying that Shirley had given him leave. Shirley and Yolande spent several hours at the station, and subsequently, Yolande went with Claude, a former guard of ours, to Deo's home. Tom Allen has also been very concerned and helped me find the best way to receive additional money with Bridge2Rwanda's help. I hate to have caused so much stress and inconconvenience to so many people - it truly is amazing the waves this has caused.

For Shirley, she has lost a trusted staff member. Deo has worked for her for two years.He is like a son. She had rarely doubted him. Now she must witness and undergo this horrible situation and try to find someone trustworthy to replace him.

For Deo, his life is potentially ruined. He has a wife with possible health problems and three sons. If he is caught, he will certainly be arrested, beaten, imprisoned, raped, and infected with HIV. According to Shirley, such is the Rwandan criminal processing procedure.

For me, it is an unfortunate, confusing situation that has taught me to be alert, aware, cautious, safe at all time; however, I am still learning how to separate that from a resentful, bitter, cynical attitude, expecting the worst. Also, I found myself confused at having all my money stolen from my travel wallet inside my backpack while my camera and my ipod remained - both were in plain sight.

In discussing the matter with the other ladies of the house, some unexpected issues arose (at least unexpected to me). Shirley is planning to hire a private investigator but worries this will upset Yolande, as she thinks Yolande will want to handle the matter herself. Tupo brought up the Hutu/Tutsi issue: the PI is a Tutsi; Yolande, Claude, and Deo are Hutu. Tupo said, "Well, the Tutsis are the ones running the country. A Tutsi will be the one to solve this problem. Not a Hutu." - using code names the whole time ("H" / "T"). It seems odd to me that those identities remain so politically charged in social dynamics, but I suppose change take time, particularly when it comes to attitudes toward identity (others' and one's own).