Today started off somewhat frustating but then it got better. I tried to grab a taxi to Byimana so I could visit the boys. I asked one driver how much it would cost and he said 400 francs. This makes me angry because the drivers tend to overcharge us abazungu (white people). The boys tell us that when they take a taxi to Gitarama from Byimana they are only charged 200 francs. Usually we are charged 300, which we accept, so when a driver wants 400 I am really angry and frustrated. Frustrated because I need to get to Byimana, and the taxis are the only way (well, I could walk, but that would take about an hour. I may hop on a motorbike the next time). Anyway, I refused his 400 franc charge and walked away. I waited till that taxi left and I went up to another taxi waiting to go to Byimana. I asked him how much and he also said 400. I demanded 300, and he answered right back with a "oya, 400!" I decided to give in and take his offer. As I sat in the taxi and waited for it to be filled up with people, I seethed with anger. How dare he take advantage of me, just because of the color of my skin. I sat and thought about it, and slowly came to peace. I was getting upset over 100 francs, which is equivalent to a measly 20 cents. Then the overcharge did not seem so huge. 20 cents is such a small amount of money for me to get so upset about!
We took off and I arrived in Byimana with a better attitude and excitement for the day. I am planning a project for the Umuryango sponsors. I am going to be taking pictures, both posed and candid, of the boys as well as a short video. I think this will be a good way to update the boys' sponsors about what they have all been up to. I packed my digital camera and video camera so I can begin my work. I arrived at Umuryango and the boys were busy. There are just a handful since it is holiday. I communicated with Jean Pierre and Ndahimana that I wanted to get a haircut, so they took me. This was one of the highlights of the day. We spoke to each other the whole way to the barber, both in English and in Kinyarwanda. I was proud that I could carry on somewhat of a conversation. They asked me why I want to get my head shaved and I told them I am balding on the top and don't like to show it - "oya imisatsi (no hairs!). They thought that was quite humorous. We got to the barber and they told the man what I wanted. I have Ndahimana my camera and he took pics of my hair shaving as well as of Jean Pierre and himself. This barber is where the boys get their heads shaved, so I am going to become a regular customer. Plus, it is cheaper than the salon in Gitarama I had gone to.
When we returned back to the home, I showed them some files I had on my computer dealing with their sponsors. I had a letter from Ndahimana's sponsor, which I had just received this morning over email and I showed it to him. He was greatly blessed by it, and he and Jean Pierre each wanted to learn how to use my computer and write their sponsors a letter. So, I sat next to each of them and they typed away. The most precious part was watching each boy help the other and show him how to type and find the letters on the keyboard. Jean Pierre switched back and forth between Kinyarwanda and English and Ndahimana stuck to English. Then they asked me to proofread their work. It was such a blessing to read their letters because they are so incredibly thankful for their sponsors and their generosity. After we were all done, Ndahimana said tomorrow we will focus on writing my family a letter.
I also was able to take some nice candid photos of the boys...Siliac and Nyandwi coloring, Jean Pierre on the computer, Theophile marking his arm with a fake tatoo.
When I was ready to leave, Jean Pierre walked me to the taxi stop. I was able to get a taxi back to Gitarama for 300 francs. I would have paid 400 though. I was thankful for the wonderful day that God had given me.
We took off and I arrived in Byimana with a better attitude and excitement for the day. I am planning a project for the Umuryango sponsors. I am going to be taking pictures, both posed and candid, of the boys as well as a short video. I think this will be a good way to update the boys' sponsors about what they have all been up to. I packed my digital camera and video camera so I can begin my work. I arrived at Umuryango and the boys were busy. There are just a handful since it is holiday. I communicated with Jean Pierre and Ndahimana that I wanted to get a haircut, so they took me. This was one of the highlights of the day. We spoke to each other the whole way to the barber, both in English and in Kinyarwanda. I was proud that I could carry on somewhat of a conversation. They asked me why I want to get my head shaved and I told them I am balding on the top and don't like to show it - "oya imisatsi (no hairs!). They thought that was quite humorous. We got to the barber and they told the man what I wanted. I have Ndahimana my camera and he took pics of my hair shaving as well as of Jean Pierre and himself. This barber is where the boys get their heads shaved, so I am going to become a regular customer. Plus, it is cheaper than the salon in Gitarama I had gone to.
When we returned back to the home, I showed them some files I had on my computer dealing with their sponsors. I had a letter from Ndahimana's sponsor, which I had just received this morning over email and I showed it to him. He was greatly blessed by it, and he and Jean Pierre each wanted to learn how to use my computer and write their sponsors a letter. So, I sat next to each of them and they typed away. The most precious part was watching each boy help the other and show him how to type and find the letters on the keyboard. Jean Pierre switched back and forth between Kinyarwanda and English and Ndahimana stuck to English. Then they asked me to proofread their work. It was such a blessing to read their letters because they are so incredibly thankful for their sponsors and their generosity. After we were all done, Ndahimana said tomorrow we will focus on writing my family a letter.
I also was able to take some nice candid photos of the boys...Siliac and Nyandwi coloring, Jean Pierre on the computer, Theophile marking his arm with a fake tatoo.
When I was ready to leave, Jean Pierre walked me to the taxi stop. I was able to get a taxi back to Gitarama for 300 francs. I would have paid 400 though. I was thankful for the wonderful day that God had given me.
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