Today was a new beginning for me. I have been lucky enough to travel around

the world for my career, but I never dreamed I would ever be in Africa. For some

reason, it always seemed so far away, physically and mentally. To be here is a

dream in and of itself; to be doing what I love to do only makes it better.

This is especially true because of the circumstances. The children I am teaching

have close to nothing, but so much to give. I felt the warmest welcome coming

into the MindLeaps center – nothing but generosity and smiles.

Once the classes started, the respect and eagerness these kids have to learn is

incredible. I was taken aback, and still can’t believe the day I’ve had.

I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for this art form, for this program, and

for life and the small impact we can all have on each other. I am truly honored to

be here and to share what I have learned in my lifetime with these amazing kids.

After some jet lagged sleep, we zipped through the hilly roads of Rwanda’s

capital city, Kigali, on motorcycle bikes! These are the most popular form of

public transport, and we arrived at MindLeaps Center gripping our hands for

balance on the back of these “motos”. We were greeted with nothing but love.

The kids had been awaiting our arrival: knowing us each by name.

The boys were working on phrases (proudly wearing their MindLeaps T’s – which

they earn from attending for two solid weeks). For these two weeks, our goals

will be: keeping their attention, having the class move at a swift pace with some

fun music, but also delivering some key concepts, corrections and progression in

their skills. The smiles were big with some sweat pooling on the floor by the end

of Day One!

Today is only my second day in Kigali, and I already feel at home and very

comfortable. So many things happened throughout the day that blew my mind.

The scenery of this place is breathtaking as I ride on the back of

the

“motos” (motorcycle taxis), which I rode without holding on today – but only for 5

seconds! (Tomorrow I’ll try for 10 seconds.)

I also have already formed a bond with some of the kids. We spent our

breaks

drawing pictures, doing math problems, writing out the alphabet, and of course,

a little bit too!!!

Today during my class, the kids were so into it that, while their group wasn’t doing

the phrase, they would be outside looking through the window doing it just to

practice and make sure they were ready for their turn.

And, of course, the kids high jacked my phone and filled up my storage with

photos of them doing heel stretches and splits. How can you not love them?!

Though the hardest part

of the day was

when one of the kids named Eric told me

he didn’t want me to leave. The honesty in his eyes just stole my heart. So many

emotions run through you as each day goes by.

After having a tiring but fun

class with the MindLeaps teachers, I went to a

rooftop film screening with my colleagues and met some awesome people and

artists. The humility and humanity of this place is just so amazing.

I had the pleasure to watch our Executive Director, Rebecca Davis, teach the

kids today. Using a memorized syllabus that is taught here at MindLeaps, she

said, “Let’s show Mark and Ashley our very best dancing!” They smiled and

yelled in Kinyarwanda being so excited to show their moves to us – and that they

did!

They didn’t stop moving the entire hour. Wiping sweat from their brows, the focus

in their eyes told me that they were going to do this “C-jump” even if it was the

last thing on earth!!! All of this hard work caught up with these three later in the

day. Those who dance together, nap together 🙂

Today I am exhausted, but once I get off my moto and walk into the MindLeaps

Center, the enthusiasm and greetings from the kids melts it away. We had the

privilege to watch the kids take their usual class with Rebecca, and it was

refreshing to see. They know the class so well now so it was almost as if they

were showing off for us, which was very cute! They also showed us some

choreography their usual teachers made for them, and stuff they made

themselves, which was awesome!

My students made huge improvements within these three days so I couldn’t be

more proud. During our break, Ashley and I took a short walk around the

neighborhood and just couldn’t believe the culture and surroundings. Children

came up to us on the street and shook our hands for no reason. People carried

heavy loads of fruit, vegetables, and plants on their heads as they walk. It did

seem like most people were a little shocked or confused to see us walking

Nonetheless, we were just captivated by the beauty of the landscape and

scenery, and the people doing their everyday tasks outside.

In my last class of the day with the teachers and two top students, we started to

create choreography together and it felt like we all had a nice moment. I think

they all liked the way the movement felt or were simply interested in moving their

bodies in a new way. It was a very creative and collaborative afternoon. Great

day – again! 🙂

It took just a few minutes to get out of Kigali, and then we were hit instantly with

the green lush hills of Rwanda. The hills are cultivated with plateaued crops –

making them look like intricate quilts. People scattered the sides of the road

dressed in brightly colored traditional garb and carrying fruit, rice, and even

building materials on their heads. We made a quick stop to get some film footage

dancing in front of these majestic hills. It was breathtaking.

Onwards to Sonrise School to meet some of the boys that have been through the

MindLeaps program and are now sponsored in full time boarding school. It was

“visiting day”. The other students had family to come see them. Quickly I realized

that Rebecca and Eugene are these boys’ “family”. Upon arrival, their faces went

from stoic teenager looks to big smiles and hugs. We got to meet them but it was

clear that our relationship wouldn’t have time to get much further since we only

had an hour to visit with them…I was wrong.

We sat on the hill and they told us about school. They talked about their favorite

subjects (social studies and science) – but also brought up the concern as to

whether they were being treated fairly compared to the other students (only our

students are former street children).

It was so clear that this was an open and

safe space for them to bring up anything they were feeling with Rebecca. One

said, “Life is good at school. There are no big problems here. We appreciate you

Rebecca, and all that you do for us.”

We wrote cards to their sponsors who donate to enable them to go to school, but

the conversation quickly moved to one of their favorite things: basketball. I taught

them a new English word “free throw”, and they told me that they like to score but

not play defense. They said they like sports but were sad that they didn’t get a

chance to dance anymore. They insisted that they forgot all they learned at

MindLeaps – but I told them I didn’t believe it.

They took us up to a cement platform in front of the church and we put on some

beats on our phones. They most definitely had not forgotten. They taught us

some super cool steps as we took turns going in and out of the circle. They

insisted that we, “TURN TURN! Do a pirouette!”

By the end of the hour, there were hugs and goodbyes. It was incredible to see

how these young men are so dedicated to their studies and continue to support

each other in order to succeed.

Today was rough. That’s the best word to describe it. Hearing and reading about

the genocide in Rwanda is one thing, but seeing where it happened and the

remains of the events has left me quite speechless and uneasy. The trip to some

of main genocide memorials in Nyamata was extremely overwhelming. I

imagined how it would all be, or how it would look in my mind, and it wasn’t

preparation enough for seeing it in that moment, being there and feeling the

people and their spirits.

The remains of buildings and clothes and other things you can imagine that are

there brought all my senses to life. With the life that I have been given, I can

even begin to imagine what it felt like to be a part of these events, to be there, to

have family taken from me. My words cannot describe the feelings I have about

this specific trip today, so I will leave it alone.

We continued our journey to the home of a boy from the MindLeaps’ program,

and the unsettled feeling remained. Though his mother and neighbors welcomed

us with generosity and humility, we were surrounded by poverty. You become so

filled with mixed emotions because you see how people can have close to

nothing, but exude so much love and joy, and appreciation for the little things

they do have.

We ended the day with a trip to see where some of the kids in the program sleep

on the streets. The kids sat with us with smiles on their faces as they told us how

hungry they were and how they need out help. Even us giving them moments of

our time and energy was enough for them. I am overcome with admiration for this

culture and for these people. I can go on for days, but I will keep it as simple as I

can: gratitude – appreciation – and love.

A moment that warmed my heart today came from Jesuit – one of the youngest

boys in my class. We were going across the floor, one by one. I quickly realized

that, to the boys, this was a competition to see who could do the best. Before

Jesuit took his turn, he looked to the mirror, kissed his own reflection, and

pointed his finger at his face as if to say, “Boy – you got this!”

It was a private little

ritual that I got to witness and realized how determined these kids are at every

moment.

I’m so impressed with the progress the students and teachers have made in this

past week. Today, all the choreography we worked on was extremely clear, and it

was great to see the kids all working together and being aware of each other.

The teachers have also improved so much and are now making the movement

we’ve created their own. The product we have created is simply stunning.

Leaving the center after all this beauty, we were taken to the Kigali Genocide

Memorial Museum in Gisozi. The tone of the day changed as we were guided by

Rebecca through the history of Rwanda, and how the genocide came to be. It

was truly unbelievable to see how this great country was changed and how it

suffered. Learning the way it all happened changed my whole perspective on this

trip – and on life.

I won’t go into detail, but these people have overcome great tragedy and loss,

something many of us will never

experience in our lifetime. We took all this built-

up emotion with us to

an empty rooftop in Kigali and let it all out through

improvisation movement as the sun began to set. It was a colorful – and once

again emotional – day here is Rwanda…another one I will never forget.