Reflections on class during summer study, by Shields

Today, we enjoyed a beautiful drive from Kigali to Musanze in the northern district of Rwanda. Along the way, we witnessed what is one of the most distinctive and beautiful features of life in Africa--the roadside.  Rwanda is no exception to other African nations in that a long drive affords insight into the deeply communal nature of life.  While there are many cars and trucks on the road (here, one will see caravans of trucks delivering goods to Congo, for example--often with bicyclers hitching a ride on the back of the caravan), one sees people walking to work, school, or market. We see people walking in the US, but it is often far less robust of a walk--either for exercise, a stroll, or to catch a bus.  Here, walking is so full of vibrancy, purpose, and joyful necessity.  One will see children walking together hand in hand or kicking a soccer ball made of bags and twine, women walking with babies on their backs and baskets of oranges or grasses on their heads,  or men walking children to school.  Today, I saw a women carrying a large metal girder on her head, a baby on her back, and three kids in school uniform at her side.  I also caught so many beautiful moments--women smiling with their children and kids playing a game of baseball with what looked like limitless energy.  So much gets done on foot!  Of course, the backdrop is also breathtaking:  waterfalls, mountains, purple flower petals blowing in the wind.  Rwanda is gorgeous.  Thus, it is a special joy to do what I love so much--teach--in this environment!  Tonight, we had class outside in a garden at the Muhabura Hotel as dusk settled.  The kids sat in a shape with no name and we had our second of several discussions focused on conservation (today marks our shift from a deep focus on gender to a concentrated focus on land).  Class began with laughter and Kenny hunting for a pen I hid for him in the garden.  Tonight, Ethan led class and, as with all of our classes, the students brought a depth that is unparalleled.  Having taught all of these students in Room 210, it is affirming to see their growth here.  Students who hardly spoke a word in our traditional classroom setting have been contributing three or four times in a class here.  Without a single complaint, they have worked their way through our 600 page reader.  Most of the readings are long and all are theoretical, complex pieces from peer-reviewed journals.  They incorporate the reading into their personal insights with ease; I am so grateful for this chance to see them shine and grow. As well, I appreciate the chance to learn from them.  We are all learning so much! I want to close with a quote from Ethan from his wrap-up at the end of class--a perfect message to consider as we embark on visits with ex-poachers and the gorillas themselves--and following a discussion about how best to balance the needs of the poor who need the land, the land itself, and the animals who live on the land:   "Animals deserve a place at the table even if they cannot speak for themselves."