I haven’t eaten beans for 4 years, rice only sometimes. Before, I always used to say that folk “wisdom” – don’t give birth, which I don’t like. And really, it was like that until 4 years ago.
This in the photo is lunch for our little ones: beans and rice, and the one up at the very top is something… which I have no idea what it is. And so every day, except that something at the top changes, and sometimes there is nothing.
They cook beans differently than we do. Rice similar to us, but more regular – as the masterchefs would say. One meal. To survive. There are no 2, no 3, no 8 rows, and I know that for now it is impossible to change, because simply – they don’t have any more. As if it doesn’t belong to them… And it belongs to them, they deserve 10 courses each, even with those extras “on a bed of dandelions”… Oh, everything!
When I see beans, I get a tingle down my spine, because it is one of the first sad associations I have with Rwanda. The non-starving ones, happy to have at least that, and me still unhappy about the beans. If the children who are not part of the Roadmap eat 2 to 3 times a week, and ours every day – I should already be happy. But I didn’t.
I am happy that they are alive and that they go to school. When I first entered the kindergarten that we took over for care, the children ate liquid porridge in a 2 dcl cup. And that was all. For the whole day. Kindergartens had at least that, but schools had nothing. I say to the school director – We are changing this! The director says to me – But, they are eating…, looking at me in wonder, while I look at him in even greater wonder.
While we were both amazed, I started writing the list. I want them to have a glass of milk, a boiled egg, bananas, biscuits. That their fruit changes. The director answered me – They like that porridge. I will also answer – They will like this too. Let them try. They are small… they need it.
The director says – We don’t work like that. I answer him – We will work!
He tried to explain to me that not only in Rwanda, but in all African countries – whoever has porridge in the kindergarten – is the top. I tried to explain to him that he can do better and that there is a peak above the peak.
I’ve seen so many bloated stomachs from hunger, from the gases that are created when you don’t eat.
Today, kindergarten children eat everything from our list. The first biscuit in life, egg, milk… Children of Roadmap for help.
And believe me, I don’t know whether to cry or laugh. Like, I should be happy that we changed something for the better. But… still thousands and thousands of children have nothing to eat. The road sign really works at “lightning speed” to feed as many children as possible, but even lightning seems slow for all these needs. At least to me. And at least to people who understand.
