August in Rwanda (Week Kabiri, 2)

Week 2 of August was Peace Corps In Service Training, or following with PC's love for acronyms, IST. IST is a weeklong retreat marking the completion of Phase I of our deployment in the field. It was the first time all of us PCVs reunited since we were sworn in on April 15th and shipped out to site. During the first three months we were expected to acclimate and adjust to our new homes, conduct a community based assessment identifying community needs and starting to think in terms of what our projects will be like.

IST was a time for us to share on our experiences, successes and failures during the first three months. We each gave a 10 minute (timed) presentation to the rest of the PCVs. In between, we had some language training and other group activities such as brain storming for group projects.

I should mention that IST was held at a nice resort in the town of Kibuye on Lake Kivu. Kibuye is a beautiful lake front town in the western province and sits in a lagoon on the lake. Lake Kivu, one of the great lakes of eastern Africa, boarders Rwanda to the west with the shore on the opposite side belonging to the war-torn DR Congo. The lake is crystal clear despite disputed reports of possible Schistomises and pockets of methane gas and is dotted with several islands.

On Wednesday, we sailed off to Amahoro or Peace Island. PC set up a picnic for us out there along with full service lunch (the kitchen staff along with all the silverware, big stainless steel food containers, and drinks joined us on the 35 minute boat ride to the island!! it was cheaper than ordering brochettes on a stick and french fries!!)

IST turned out to be a relaxing and rejuvenating week for us. The days consisted of breakfast in the morning starting at 7 followed by training sessions from 8 to 12 when we break for lunch. we then start again from 1 till 5. At 5, a group of us would change in to swimming trunks and bathing suites and go for a swim in the lake with the watchful eye of our medical director!! (p.s. non of us contracted Schisto as far as I know, yet to be confirmed). With the full moon lighting the night sky during this week, one couldn’t resist night swims in the lake under the bright light of the full moon reflecting on the lake!!

I must say that I was looking forward to go back to my site after IST full of energy and excited to start my new project.