When I was in Rwanda last year, I met a 24 year old Rwandan woman named Janviere. She had been a patient in a prior year’s mission and she speaks excellent English. On one of my last days there, she pulled me aside and told me that her 10 year old brother Trésor had lost … More Education for life
When I was in Rwanda in February 2019, I took a day trip to Akagera National Park for a safari. The park is a two hour drive from Kigali on the eastern border, near Tanzania. I adore this type of day trip, not only for what I saw within the park, but also for what … More Akagera Adventure
As Christmas nears, I begin drawing up the list of items that I will carry with me to Rwanda for my next mission. I am leaving on January 24, and this will be my fifth year working with IOWD. I can’t wait to see the sunshine, smell the lightly smoky air, and hear the joyful … More 2020 in Rwanda
When I was in Rwanda a few years ago, there was a film crew working with us to create the film you are about to see. This is not the final version–there are a few small details that need to be corrected, but it does a great job of capturing the experience. You can see … More Postcard from Rwanda
Time always goes too fast here in Rwanda. We run around all day, go out at night, then rinse and repeat. Here’s a small snapshot of my day. It’s now Saturday and I leave on Monday night. But tomorrow!! I am going on a quick safari tomorrow, to see Akagera National Park. I will take … More A day in the life
When I tell people at home that I am coming to Africa, there are several reactions: worry that I will never come home, amazement that I would go so far, excitement for the adventure that awaits, and joy that I am able to do this. Honestly, I feel all the same emotions as the trip … More God’s plan
Yes, that’s right, the best steak of my life in Rwanda. And the wine was pretty amazing too. I know it’s hard to imagine, but there’s more to Africa than safari and desert. But the day preceding the steak was long and hard for the surgeons. Here’s today’s vlog. https://youtu.be/YWurFd6jqwA
We have arrived! Having now made this trip 3 times prior, I now know what to expect: the plane ride is long (I hope no one sits next to me so I can stretch out–this is rare), Rwandan customs and immigration is a mess but I get through it eventually, and the night we arrive … More Arrival
Today I am sharing the story of one of IOWD’s former patients, Alexia. To jumpstart my fundraising effort this year, I am raffling off one of the shopping bags that Alexia makes. For each $25 you donate, you will get one entry into a drawing for the bag. I will announce the winner the day … More How fistula surgery changes lives
Leah's Rwanda 