Rwanda: Signs of Turnaround in Africa

Jul 5th, 2007 5:00 PM EST
By Virginia Simmons

Months ago, we highlighted the first of NYT columnist Nicholas Kristof’s “win-a-trip journey in Africa” articles. Since then, Mr. Kristof has traveled though Africa with student Leana Wen and teacher, Will Okun, and the three have reported back on what they’ve seen.

Today, Nicholas Kristof talks about Rwanda, a country that has exhibited an incredible turn around over the last 15 years.

“In the early 1990s, Rwanda reinforced all the worst stereotypes of Africa: wretchedly poor, torn apart by war and seemingly destined to be an international basket case forever.

Yet now it has become the little nation that could. It is clean, safe and enjoying economic growth more than twice as fast as the U.S. or Europe. And Rwanda underscores something that is easy to forget: There are signs of a turnaround in Africa, and plenty of reason for optimism….

Dr. Paul Farmer, the Harvard public health specialist best known for his work in Haiti, is among a growing number of Americans who have begun working in Rwanda in part because it is so well-managed.

‘The first time I got stopped by a policeman here, I thought, ‘Oh, no! Am I going to get kidnapped, or worse?’ said Dr. Farmer. ‘I rolled down the window, and the policeman said, ‘Put on your seat belt.’ “

Read the full piece here.

TAGS: The ONE Blog

3 Comments

sammisays: Jul 5th, 2007 5:54 PM EST

July 5, 2007 at 5:54 pm

hi virginia,

the rest of the article is paid subscription only =(, but thanx for sharing this much.

i finished a great book recently, The Bishop of Rwanda: Finding Forgiveness Amidst A Pile of Bones. and then checked out Hotel Rwanda. and a lot of grace and goodness was observed as well as the genocide tragedy. and their recovery has been amazing . . . this blessing, good karma, whatever one may call it, on this nation is a joy to behold, and i’m proud to be part of a campaign, as well as the great reports we read of the work of product (red), that is helping make this economic growth possible.

the west may be rich in prosperity, but i envy these people who are rich in intangible ways. we could learn a lot from them . . .

stay close,

sammi =)

stay close,

sammi =)

Debbie Ksays: Jul 5th, 2007 7:57 PM EST

July 5, 2007 at 7:57 pm

Thanks, Virginia, for posting the link to this article.

Although I couldn’t read the article either, I do want to alert people that on the NY Times website, there are several videos of Mr. Kristof’s travels in Africa that are really good and that can help to give a better idea of what he is saying in his article.

Rwanda is an EXCELLENT example of the resiliency, ingenuity and great compassion that lies within the African spirit. For this country to have come so far in so short of time from war and social division is nothing short of a miracle.~

Rwanda DOES demonstrate for the world that Africans ARE READY FOR AND CAPABLE of good governance, democracy and transparency as well as emerging human and economic rights for all.

Nothing in this world is perfect, but Rwanda is making GREAT STRIDES with the assistance of the U.N., other bilateral programs and, of course, the Global Fund (whose efforts in Rwanda are bolstered by the presence there of Product RED funds).

I eagerly look forward to what Rwanda will become in the next decade or so.

Take very good care, my friends. Blessings abound – just look around.

ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE – debbie