GYC international participants homestays (Chloe in the new family)

GYC international participants had the opportunity to stay at homestays for three nights. Homestays were paired with local participants in the program or GYC alumni to experience Rwanda first-hand, with their host families.

I had the opportunity to spend my homestay in the compound where Vincent, the GYC program assistant lives. Next door, I spent the weekend with family of his along with Eugenie, one of GYC's program participants from Gihembe Congolese refugee camp. My first realization upon arriving at my homestay is how different the American and Rwandan diet are. Since my arrival to Rwanda, I have become accustomed to the spread of potatoes, bananas, rice, and greens that come with every meal. However, we have eaten according to the time table of Americans, eating by 6pm, where Rwandans often eat dinner at 10pm- a time when I am ready to for bed and can't eat much. In my efforts to show my host family that I appreciated the food they provided, I did my best to adjust to their eating schedule, assuring that I would be hungry come 10pm.

I also had the wonderful pleasure of seeing my host sister prepare for her friend's wedding. This included watching her get dressed in a traditional gown and pose for my pictures as I looked on at her utter beauty, adorned with yellow, blue, and silver.

Chantal prepare for her friend's wedding.

 I also got to try homemade banana beer that is used especially for weddings- something much sweeter and more delicious than the banana beer I had previously tried at restaurants.

But above all, the best experience I have had from homestays is the connection and family the experience has made me. Vincent, our program assistant welcomed me with open arms, introducing me to family, friends, and inviting me to partake in his life, including playing pool, dancing, and having the opportunity to try my new favorite Rwandan dish, akabenzi or pork, something that I am still craving. My host sister also spent my final morning talking with me about situations in Rwanda versus the United States, especially in reference to 1994. I had the opportunity to expose some of my greatest insecurities and struggles and she equally confided in me. The same opportunity came about with my friend Eugenie. Within these three days, I had made my host sister and homestay partner my family, which I believe is the point of homestays. I now feel like I have a home to come back to and family to visit should I come back to Rwanda.

This feeling was only solidified as I said goodbye to my host mother who does not speak English. As a thank you gesture for her, I bought her painted dishes for her table and learned to say "a gift for you" in kinyarwanda. She equally learned how to say some words in English for me and embraced me to show her gratitude. Even with a language barrier, she became my family. I cannot speak for all homestay participants, but I feel we all left with our world expanded and with a connection to Rwanda we did not have before. We each came as individuals and are leaving as a part of a family.