Mark and Ashley Blogs – Week #2
Day 8 in Rwanda: Impressions by Ashley Werhun We had the chance to go to a traditional Rwandan dance rehearsal. It was held in an empty stone building with broken windows and wooden benches piled up against the sides. As we came in, the director warmly greeted one of our MindLeaps teachers, Bashir, and welcomed […]
Mark and Ashley Blogs – Week #1
Day 1 in Rwanda: Impressions by Mark Caserta 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 […]
Julianne and Cassidy Blogs – Week #4
Day 22: A Florida State University Student in Rwanda: Julianne Simson Today the Kigali MindLeaps family had to send off two more family members! Both Cassidy and Keilah left today. Although Keilah will return in two weeks, the kids were equally heartbroken! Seeing Cassidy say bye to the kids was so sad. Even though […]
Julianne and Cassidy Blogs – Week #3
Day 15: A University of the Arts Student in Rwanda: Cassidy Giordano Every day I find myself amazed by something new with the students here; they are so creative and enthusiastic about playing with new movement. Improvisation has always been something I have found very challenging, even as a trained dancer, but the boys […]
Julianne and Cassidy Blogs – Week #2
Day 8: A University of the Arts Student in Rwanda: Cassidy Giordano Another week, another holiday and day off for the boys, or so it seems. I love seeing them outside of the center as they always greet me with big smiles, hugs, and a handshake (of course!). Today, just in walking around the […]
Julianne and Cassidy Blogs – Week #1
Day 1: A Florida State University Student in Rwanda: Julianne Simson Today was my first day in Kigali. I watched the first dance class of young boys who were so much fun to be around. They were so eager and committed to dancing – it was such a burst of energy! A few times […]
Rwanda Final Post – Murakoze
A little over a week ago I was out of the country to shoot an informational video for MindLeaps, an organization that “… creates dance and educational programs for street children and out-of-school youth in post-conflict and developing countries.” This particular project was in Rwanda. Yup, Rwanda! And when I travel to other countries I […]
Summer Camp – Back to Nature
Summer Camp „Back to Nature“ was opportunity for children and youth to unplug from technology, learn social skills, to be physically active and to reconnect with the nature. The camp was on mountain Vlašić and there were kids age from 10 to 14. For five days, besides various games, they had three workshops every day. […]
Nicole Corea in Rwanda – Part #3
Blog #9: Nicole Corea in Rwanda – Getting Ready to Leave Question: “How was my day yesterday?” Answer: (There is no quick, easy answer to that question!) I walked with one of my students, Passy, up Mount Kigali, taught my final training class to the team, did some more motion capture at African Digital Media […]
Nicole Corea in Rwanda – Part #2
Blog #5: Nicole Corea in Rwanda After the Rugerero performance, Keilah and I traveled to Musanze for another 2 days to enjoy some more fresh air and nature. After a day of exploring the hills we were invited to a celebration held by the local University Genocide Survivor’s Club. Of course we were called out […]