Art for Gorillas

Category: Art of Conservation (AoC) | Date: Mar 25 2009 | By: Julie

Above, AoC’s invitation to the 30 plus teachers and directors of Rushubi and Nyabitsinde Primary Schools in the Northern Province of Rwanda.

AoC hosts its first teachers and special guests Ubusabane / Conviviality. Our aim is to get everyone together for an informal conversation forum to hear what they like and don’t like about our project and if the program is having positive effects on the children, teachers, local communities, and conservation. We receive testimonials that indeed our work is paying off.

Photographed above is AoC’s special guest, the former governor of the Northern Province, Mr. Boniface RACUGU, and my assistant Valerie.

Guess who came to the party? None other than the adored and respected Governor of the Northern Province, Mr. Boniface RACUGU. He actually just received a promotion as Chairman of Itorero Ry’Igihugu - loosely translated as Head of the National Task Force - and has relinquished his governor position to Aime BOSENIBAMWE.

Vince, AoC’s agronomy teacher, is seen here standing to discuss the project’s first 7 weeks of classes. Governor RACUGU, Valerie, and I are seated near Vince.

We brought ’snapshots’ of our first 7 weeks of classes which included many of the teachers involved in the lessons. Here, directors and teachers are looking at the pictures.

Nearly 6 hours of conversation, discussions, and listening to Mr. RACUGU’s words of wisdom had passed and it was time to start heading home. Teachers and our special guest pose for a group photo.

The musician is playing a traditional Rwandan instrument called the umudori. He sings a beautiful song.

Mu Birunga, AoC’s project song, playing from the iPod as yours truly dances with the governor.

It was a wonderful event.