Last Update from Blake in Rwanda
This week’s events have been fairly interesting. Just as I began to wind down my research on the needs and overall thoughts of the potter associations I decided to visit one association not far from Kigali. This is a group that from a commercial perspective has accomplished quite a bit. They have an established market whereby they produce pots that are used in landscaping as well as cooking. Consequently, I assumed that the meeting would be uneventful as their income levels are assumaeably higher than some of the other groups. In addition, I have been looking into alternative energy sources for the kilns, which in this case means the use of coffee parchment briquettes. As a result of this work, the Director of Technical Research for this coffee project accompanied me along with Jean my counterpart from Dancing Pots.
I was warned ahead of the meeting that there could be some minor tension because this association has become rather arrogant over their achievements. I figured that by acting friendly and engaging some of the contentious issues could be resolved. I was wrong.
Tension in the meeting began to rise when they asked what benefit would this Director bring to the project. We informed the group that while more research needs to be conducted they could reduce their energy costs by 200% and not have to worry about future supply issues over wood. The Director began to take a few photos of the kiln and when this happened they told us that any pictures of the kiln (donor funded) would have to incur a ridiculous charge of RWF 3500 (about USD 7). We tried to explain that we needed the photos for research but that comment fell on deaf ears. I also could not understand the request as the kiln is not exactly a strategic military site. Consequently, this was just their attempt to either a) get some money out of the project or b) a show of ego. I think it was actually both.
As we spoke further it was discovered that one of the reasons for their new found confidence had to do with a newly formed relationship with a specific government agency. In their mind, the government has more power that our NGO (which it does) and so we no longer serve a purpose. They also stated that unless we can offer new business they want nothing to do with us. I told them that as members of an association the various groups are suppose to work together and that there is give and take. While I complimented them on their ability to hone their “take” skills they may want to consider the less fortunate member associations and support this research.
In the end I was told by my counterpart that now would be a good time to leave. While my Kinyarwandan skills are rudimentary it does not take a linguist to work out when a threat is being made.
Overall, it was a real eye opening experience. Regardless of the nature of a project (development or otherwise) when there is money to be made, power to be gained regardless at whose expense, and space for ego there stands a recipe for conflict.
On a happier note, while lying on a lawn chair today at a hotel pool a boy walked past me. I felt a small brush on my arm, almost like a mosquito. Then I saw the colour red shooting out of his mouth. Following the colour burst I heard a splashing sound. To my surprise this kid just hurled his lunch. The force was tremendous. I have to hand it to him as the kid did not break stride while vomitting. Needless to say I was a bit ticked off but upon a spot check I saw that he completely missed me (well almost - I did not see anything but I felt something and so that could not have been good).