Closing thoughts

I'm sitting at the restaurant of the Iris GuestHouse waiting for my ride to the airport to arrive in about 20 minutes. I have been here for nearly 2 months and have had an extraordinary time. I will likely write a few more things and post more photos in the coming weeks when I'm home and have a more reliable internet connection, but I wanted to leave one last post that was "truly from Rwanda."

My thoughts on international development and public health:

• Poor or developing countries that have good leadership can provide excellent primary health care for its citizens. And even ensure 100% affordable access.
• Any Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that is working in a country to provide clinical services, such as family planning, has a duty to train the local providers in these services to a level of competency that they can pass this knowledge onto their colleagues and the next generation. If such a capacity building component is absent from the mission of an NGO, it only serves to perpetuate a developing country's dependence on international assistance. The goal should be for local health care providers to be self-sufficient.
• Significant successes can be accomplished in solving difficult problems if they are approached in the proper manner, but they cannot be attained without support from the right people.

My thoughts on Rwanda:

• Rwanda is a wonderful place to hide from the Chicago winter! I can't think of a better place to live and work in January and February.
• Rwanda is has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
• Rwanda has some of the most beautiful people in the world.
• It is time Rwanda is known for its successes and its future.
• Rwanda has some of the best coffee in the world!
  

My thoughts on places to stay, eat, travel and things to do in Rwanda:

• Best hotel for the money in Kigali: Iris Guest House
• Best place for coffee in Kigali: Torero Cafe
• Best place for Pizza in Kigali: New Cactus Restaurant
• Best lunch buffett: Karibu restaurant
• Best tour agency in Rwanda: Rwanda Eco-Tours
• Best place to hang out for the day and/or people watch: the pool at Novotel hotel (Note: the Serena and Mille Collines were under construction when I was there)
• Best restaurant in Gitarama/Kabgayi area: GM Chez Lando

Other random thoughts:
Most important words to learn in Kinyarwanda:

• Murakoze (mura-koz-eh) = Thank you
• Muraho (mura-ho) = Hello
• Muramotse (mura-mot-seh) = Good morning
• Amakuru (Ama-kuroo) = How are you?
• Ni Meza (nee me-zah) = I'm fine

My ride is here. Back to the States!!!
See ya!