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Stakeholders, Acronyms and Blue Cheese

Year two validation just came to an end for Hinga Weze. In the spirit of aggressive partnership, Hinga Weze invited many of our stakeholders to a year-end meeting at the Marriott hotel in Kigali. Those invited included government of Rwanda officials from MINAGRI and RAB , USAID representatives, CHAIN partners and D.C. representatives from CNFA and Plan USA . The takeaway from all of those acronyms is simply that Hinga Weze was thorough in inviting stakeholders from as many levels and sectors as possible. That was even more so illustrated when the list of invitees grew from 30 to 60 people in a matter of days. In the end, district vice-mayors and similar lower level government officials were added to the invitation list in order to elicit their valuable input as well as the chance for Hinga Weze to solidify their support on year two projects happening within their districts.  The lead up to this event included many late nights, internal meetings and MEL data consolidation. Oh, t...
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My first safari in an inspiring national park

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A giraffe and zebras in Akagera National Park I took a much-needed break from work last weekend when I went on a safari in Akagera National Park . It was really spectacular to see some of the eastern parts of Rwanda since I am based centrally in Kigali and usually head west for work. As a child, I used to rip pictures of wildlife from National Geographic magazines and post them on my bedroom walls. This trip gave me the chance to finally see some of those magnificent creatures in the wild. Additionally, I was able to learn more about Rwanda's history and its dedication to wildlife protection, all while riding around in the coolest vehicle I have ever seen.  After Rwanda's civil war in the 1990s, much of Akagera National Park was reallocated as farmland for returning refugees. The park size was diminished considerably and poaching went unchecked, decimating animal populations. However, after human security returned to the country, the government of Rwanda committed ...
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Whose idea was the white polo shirt anyways?

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Lake Kivu from Bethany Hotel One of my first assignments for USAID's Feed the Future project was a week-long trip to the Lake Kivu region near the Rwanda-DRC border. The people who live in this region boast that the lake is free of crocodiles and hippos so I had hoped to do a little swimming while there. Alas, I never got to swim. Looking at the water, however, was still enjoyable as I ate breakfast near the lake shore each morning. It was a wonderfully calm way to begin my day. This is something I lack in NYC as I am usually greeted by traffic and trash-filled streets on my morning commute. I've learned to endure (sometimes even enjoy) the chaos. My team began the week by attending USAID CHAIN collaboration meetings and learning events in Rutsiro district. These meetings are designed to reduce overlapping services and build partnerships among USAID implementing partners ideally ensuring that services are distributed in the most efficient and equitable manner. This ...
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It's What I Do

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I bought a copy of Lynsey Addario's bestseller, It's What I Do , a few years back. Like so many other books in my life, reading it became a low priority each day as grad school papers and part-time jobs took over my daily to-do list. However, when packing for Rwanda I decided to bring it along as my first summer read, a decision I don't regret! It's What I Do is now on my all-time favorite book list. I can't say there are many autobiographies on that list but this book spoke to me. Lynsey Addario writes about what it was like becoming one of the first female war photojournalists. She writes with candor about her struggles and determination through this lifelong journey. Many of the questions she asks herself about balancing her personal life and (often international) career are questions I too have asked myself. Reading this book was like joining a support group for career-focused women who are consistently asked, "but why are you trying to have it all?...
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Touchdown in Kigali

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So here I am, in Kigali, Rwanda. I arrived about two weeks ago in the land of a thousand hills and I must say Kigali is gorgeous. I have traveled to more than 30 countries and I was still immediately impressed with how hospitable Rwandan people are as well as how incredibly clean Kigali is. I mean, I could eat off these streets! I probably won't test that theory out but still, this city is immaculate. Outside the Feed the Future headquarters in Kigali So, what am I doing here? I am a Nutrition Assistant for Plan International, specifically working on the  USAID Feed the Future Hinga Weze Activity ! Launched in June 2017, Hinga Weze will sustainably increase smallholder farmers’ incomes, improve the nutritional status of Rwandan women and children, and increase the resilience of the agriculture and food systems in a changing climate. Plan International is a subcontractor on the project and a s a Nutrition Assistant for Hinga Weze, my job is a mix of Social and Behavio...
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