Media Coverage

http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=46&SubSectionID=139&ArticleID=5695&TM=60380.1



http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/lifestyles/currents/1102044,ev-rwanda-081408-s1.article


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rwanda-girls-30-jul30,0,4639385.story



http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/1088070,CST-NWS-rwanda03.article#


http://chicagopublicradio.org/Program_848.aspx?episode=26914

Our story starts at about 00:23:20.

Good bye!

Good Morning

In the morning people got to finally spend some time with the host families. Others chose to visit a local Chicago church. Two of the Rwandan girls even got baptized.

Farewell

Later we all met at Beth and Horace's (one of the host families) house for a farewell lunch. This was our last meal together. We could not believe this was the last day and our journey together had come to an end.

Goodbye

After the lunch, we all went to our host families' houses to do our final packing. We met at the airport at 7PM.
The Rwandan girls took the same flight the Chicagoans took on their way to Rwanda.








We had to repack a couple of suitcases because they went over the weight limit. We used all possible means! :D




But these were not actual goodbyes. We just said "see you later" because we promised to keep in touch and meet all together again some time soon. ;)

Chicago - Day 6

Brunch at Signature Room

We had an amazing buffet-style brunch at the top of the John Hancock Building.
















We also said a BIG thank-you and good-bye to Dr. Mardge, because tomorrow she is leaving for Mexico City to attend the International AIDS Conference. We presented her with a hand-made card with thanks and greetings from everyone in the group.




Soccer

Soccer is the most popular sport in Rwanda, so we thought it would be especially exciting for the Rwandan girls to see a soccer game while in Chicago. We saw the
Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA, from Los Angeles.







Thanks to our fiery support, the Chicago Fire of course won!
Let's hope no one loses their voice tomorrow. ;)

Chicago - Day 5

Freedom School








We all met with teens from The Freedom School for a chance to interact with youth from Chicago. We introduced our group and described what WE-ACTx does. In return we learned more about The Freedom School.

The Chicago Freedom School provides a space where young people and adult allies can study the work of past social justice movements, deepen their understanding of social problems, build new coalitions and develop strategies for change. They support new generations of young people who use their unique experiences and power to create a more just world.

Our group opened the discussion by asking questions about their experience. Later the Freedom School students had plenty of their own questions about our Chicago-Kigali Girls Exchange and Rwanda. Afterwards we had a quick lunch. Then we had small group discussions and time to reflect.
We also had to say the official goodbye to Latrice and Yonetta because they had to leave for college-related activities the next day.

Boat Trip















Later on, we took a walk on the Magnificent Mile to our next destination - a boat. The boat ride took us on the Chicago River through downtown, and also into the Lake Michigan so that we all could see the unique skyline of Chicago.

Some were very excited.





Others were too tired for excitement :D



Evanston

Then we all took the CTA Purple Line north to Evanston. The Rwandan girls had never been on a train that goes underground. So this was very exciting.
We went to a Lou Malnati's, a wonderful pizza place where we got to taste delicious Chicago-style deep dish pizza once again. And an ice cream dessert was a wonderful ending to this meal.





After that we went to Bill's Blues Club where we heard some authentic blues music. Some danced, some not - but we all had fun. After about an hour we all went our separate ways to get prepared for our last day together. :(