Coffee and Reconciliation in Rwanda
March 14 - 23, 2008 |
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Join Kimberly Easson and Dr. Steven Livingston, two internationally recognized experts on coffee and politics respectively, for a magnificent and highly informative tour to Rwanda – a country once divided by ethnic strife and violence that has since become an inspiring story of renewal and collaboration. This ten-day tour will focus first on the history and political context of Rwanda, followed by an in-depth look at the struggle and hope created through the burgeoning coffee industry that has lead to the heroic transformation of this small African nation. Finally, we’ll wind up our adventure in Rwanda with a visit to the must-see Volcanoes National Park and home to the amazing Mountain Gorillas.
We invite you to join us for this spectacular and awe-inspiring adventure to this warm and exotic country that will challenge and awaken you.
Price: $1995 (Land costs only)
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Background
Between April and June 1994 -- in the space of 100 days -- over 800,000 Rwandans were murdered in one of the worst genocides of the 20th Century. Why did it occur? How does one come to grips with such violence? And, most importantly, from our encounter with the reality of these events, what can be learned about reconciliation, social justice, and even compassion? How has Rwanda emerged from this period of unimaginable tragedy into a new dawn of hope? Rwanda has much to teach Westerners looking for ways to reconcile the base appeal of retribution with the inevitable need for reconciliation.
During the first three days of our tour we will focus on the events of 1994 and its aftermath. This will, no doubt, be challenging, as it should be. But our intention is not to act as voyeurs of suffering. Instead, the point is to build a foundation from which the story of modern Rwanda can be told. Rwanda is emerging as an amazing success story. Our objective is to hear and see that story. As travel writer Janice Booth exclaims, “I’ve seen the whole country transform itself from a shell-shocked ruin, site of appalling horrors, into a vibrant, prosperous, safe and energetic nation, well able to tackle the demands of the 21st century and to welcome tourists. Its progress, in only nine years, has been astonishing.” Our focus is on that remarkable success story, beginning with an understanding of where it began in the dark days of 1994.
One of the most effective catalysts for peace and reconciliation is hope. Today, hope in Rwanda is found in its coffee cooperatives. Coffee has played an important role for many Rwandans in transforming their lives, communities and country toward reconciliation and prosperity. The next fours days of our tour focus on how coffee is bringing continued hope to many Rwandans.
To get the most out of this tour, we have provided a list of Suggested Reading
Itinerary
Arrival day: March 14
Welcome dinner and brief introduction to the activities of the tour.
Overnight: Hotel Chez Lando, Kigali
March 15, Day one: Introduction to Rwanda 1994
Following a brief orientation to Kigali, we will visit the United States Embassy where we will be briefed by embassy officials on the current political and economic situation in Rwanda. From there we will visit the Forest People’s Project. In partnership with the Community of Indigenous Rwandans, the FPP helps Rwanda’s third ethnic group, the Batwa. Most people have heard of the Hutu and Tutsi, but fewer people know of the Batwa, an indigenous group with only about 25,000 surviving members. During the genocide, about 30% of the Batwa population was killed. We will visit FPP’s Twa Pottery Project in Kigali. A Fair Trade initiative, the Twa Pottery Project trains Batwa potters in Fair Trade principles. Following a break for lunch we will visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial and Education Centre located in Kigali. This is a solemn site, one not to be rushed through.
Overnight: Hotel Chez Lando, Kigali
March 16, Day two: Confronting History
We will drive to two important sites in the history of the genocide: Nyamata and Ntarama, both churches that became killing grounds. Though obviously grim, the enormity of events in 1994 are brought home by visiting these places.
Overnight: Hotel Chez Lando, Kigali
March 17, Day three: The Rule of Law and Reconciliation
Nearly 80,000 suspected perpetrators of the genocide are still in prison awaiting trial. To meet this daunting backlog, Rwanda re-established a traditional system of justice called Gacaca courts. Local leaders are elected and given training in basic rules of evidence and jurisprudence. Some 11,000 Gacaca courts are in operation in Rwanda. In 2003, an amnesty program led to the release of approximately 30,000 suspects. They returned to live among their former neighbors, the survivors of the genocide. We will visit a Gacaca court. These are grassroots courts – literally, the term Gacaca means grass and comes from the traditional system of dispute resolution by senior members of an extended family. They are, we believe, an interesting and just means of dispensing with the backlog of prisoners, allowing them their day in court to confront their accusers and to dispute the evidence against them.
Overnight: Hotel Chez Lando, Kigali
March 18, Day 4:Introduction to Coffee in Rwanda
Visit the Maraba Coffee Cooperative to understand the 'new' Rwandan coffee sector. See coffee being grown on the small, 100 tree plantations, then picked and carried to the washing stations. Witness the colorful processing work at the washing station. Visit with coffee farmers.
Overnight: Hotel IBIS
March 19, Day 5:Focus on Quality
Rwanda coffee tasting tour at the RWASHOSCCO Specialty Coffee Quality Laboratory and Training Center. Cup Rwanda's regional coffees from different cooperatives then visit the Karaba Coffee cooperative or BufCafe. See another processing operation and visit with farmers bringing in the coffee. Understand the fermentation, washing and drying of the coffee. Visit a moving 'Genocide Memorial' and then go through Africa's most primitive high altitude virgin forest 'Nyungwe' to arrive at Cyangugu on the southern end of Lake Kivu.
Overnight: Hotel des Chutes
March 20 , Day 6:
Early morning departure though a breathtaking drive along the lake to visit a series of coffee operations in the Rusenyi district of Kibuye province. See additional milling process and visit with farmers. Late afternoon arrival to beautiful Kibuye town – “one of the most beautiful places on the planet” with old volcanic islands surging from the crystal clear lake Kivu.
Overnight at Bethany Hotel
March 21, Day 7:
Early morning boat trip to an old volcanic island – hike up the inclines to enjoy the scenery. Afternoon travel to Kibuye to Ruhengeri in the Northeast of the country.
Overnight: "Gorilla Nest" hotel
March 22 , Day 8: Mountain Gorilla Tour
Mountain Gorilla Tour and afternoon visit to Gisenyi on the northern end of Lake Kivu.
Overnight: Hotel Chez Landon, Kigali
March 23 , Day 9: Departures
Janice Booth, Rwanda: Brant Travel Guide, 2nd edition (Guilford, CN: The Globe Pequot Press, 2004), p. vii.
