I've begun my fieldwork placement with Amahoro Great Lakes, an organization that uses athletics and culture to promote human rights and reconciliation. Personally, I feel their vision, and techniques for developing that vision are ingenious. They focus their attention on vulnerable children such as street kids, HIV/AIDs orphans, and child-headed households. They have a center in Kigali that houses 15 boys (ages 9-15). Amahoro pays for all of their school fees and the boys cook and clean. They're also in the middle of plans for building a vocational center for boys and girls who feel they are too old to go back to school.

Yesterday morning I was really busy with office work, but that's because I went to the internet cafe. In the afternoon I was struggling with no computer. It's unbelievable how slow things move without the internet. No wonder Africa is behind the U.S. I never realized how important internet access is for economic success. A little boy who walked me home one day asked for my email address. "How often do you check your email?" he asked. Without waiting for a reply he said, "You're rich. You probably go every day, don't you?" Well, I've never considered myself rich, but back home I access the internet once a day, twice a day, multiple times a day! And at the end of each use, I don't have to pay some old woman behind a desk. In fact, I don't even have to go to an internet cafe. I can log on in the comfort of my own home - or backyard- since we have wireless. So if internet is a measurement of wealth, I'm pretty damn rich. We forget how lucky, how fortunate, we are. It's good to be reminded. Good, but also painful.

Anyway, I'm in the process of sending a proposal to Macalester's Athletic Director to get the school to partner with Amahoro. I don't see how they can turn it down. It really isn't demanding of the school's resources. And the I think the benefits would outweigh the challenges or costs.

Yesterday we met with Amohoro's oldest team of street children. Half of them were either wearing sandals or no shoes at all. None of them had cleats. Whe we asked what they needed, all the equipment I predicted they would say was listed, but so were first aid supplies. That's something I never even though of. How basic, you know? I didn't even think of it, because I KNOW that if I ever get cut or bruised there will be bandaid and ice wiating for me, not to mention advil. Again, all the things we take for granted.

Later in the afternoon we visited the home for the 15 homeless boys. Ryan (my co-volunteer from GYC) brought a bag of crayons and red 4-square balls. The kids went wild with the toys. By the time we left 2 hours later, no ball had been laid to rest.

Gasana (my boss) told me that 4 of the boys are genocide survivors. Two and two are brothers. One pair went to live with their uncle after their parents were murdered, but soon thereafter the uncle left - disappeared! The aunt was left with 5 children of her own, so she told her two nephews she could no longer take care of them and sent them to the street.

Another young boy who lives there now was trying to carry Gasana's bags in the market for a profit last year. She began speaking with him and he said that he heard there was a shelter around, but he could never find it. Gasana took him straight there and according to her, "he hasn't caused a single problem" since he's been there.

I watched and played with the boys, and took so much joy in their happiness. I wonder if a year ago they would've believed they'd be in school, live in a home, have toys to play with - and the free-time to play.

Today I played with Amahoro's soccer team of 8 to 10 year-olds. It was a blast. They kept saying to pass it the mizungu (white person)! All were impressed that a girl knew how to play. I was happy to see the pennies I brought over get some use, but playing with them broke my heart. They use what must be a 10-year-old ball that's only halfway pumped and beginning to tear. Their field is a hard-packed dirt and none of them have adequate gear. Yeah, I brought over a few balls, a pump, pennies and shirts, but these donations don't even scratch the surface. These kids deserve so much more. Partly because of their past, partly because of their present situation, but also because they are the best 8, 9 and 10 year-olds I've ever seen play the game. If their talent isn't recognized soon, I fear they will forget they have any talent at all.

After only two days of this work I look back on my childhood in a whole new light. Childhood is so often taken for granted. Ah, how lucky I have been.