helen weld public health: Home sweet home a la Rwanda. . .

Home sweet home a la Rwanda. . .

It’s great to be back amongst the Gardens for Health community. My airport welcome was very exciting and heartfelt, with Solange and the mamas lunging out of the behind-the-line crowds to give me hugs. On the way home Claire and I sat in the back of the truck and caught up. Warm sultry air with wafts of quintessential African smells was lovely after the long haul from Boston in airplanes. The reunion continued back at the house with Julie and meeting Oliver (new GHC fellow from NYC) and Conner (new agricultural fellow from Vancouver, B.C.). Sharing a delicious candlelit dinner at a new table was very cosy.

This week I have been immersed in getting back into the old routine, reuniting with old staff members and getting to know new staff members. On Thursday I went to the health post at Ngiryi where the mental health training was officially launched for the first time into the training curriculum. It was rewarding to see that the seeds Alli and I had sown a year ago with our psychosocial support groups finessed into a very effective and clear training by Isa with terrific materials.

Perhaps the biggest news of the week was witnessing Cedric walk for his first time. These steps are huge, as the whole Gardens for Health family has been emotionally invested in his growth. Cedric realized that running was also a possibility! He did not stop all day.

I am excited to be back and get some exciting projects fine tuned. Planning and helping organize the Third Annual Thanksgiving feast is one of my tasks which is both exciting and daunting since there is a great possibility we will have 1500 people gathering for this celebration! Since my departure at the end of April there have been new transitions and changes (both large and small) which all seem very positive. It’s great to see and be part of the unfolding visions.
Helen