April 25, 2008

I would like to take a moment and thank a few of the many people who made this amazing journey possible.

Without The Chicago School's vision to radically expand its reach and to bring its unique educational offerings to the international stage, considering engagement opportunities in a country like Rwanda would be far fetched. Instead, the school's innovation, growth, and ambitious social mission has put us in a position where we can collectively leverage our intellectual capital and service capacity to make a big difference in a world that desperately needs what we have to offer. I deeply appreciate the school's willingness to support me in this on-ground exploration of such opportunities in Rwanda.

In addition to the administration, I thank those at the school who helped by setting up this blog and gathering preparatory reading materials, including Saraheva Krancic (Director, Online Marketing & Web Communication), Matt Nehmer (Director, Communications & Public Relations), Amanda Kim (Director, Center for Multicultural & Diversity Studies), and Nancy Dubrow (Director, Center for International Studies).

I would also like to thank GRDP for organizing the trip and compiling an amazing group of social entrepreneurs with whom it was an honor to travel. SEP members included Chris Hills (President, GRDP), Dave Ormesher (Board Chair, GRDP; CEO, closerlook, inc.), Mike Poulos (Senior Partner, DLA Piper), Randy Rollinson (President, LBL Strategies), and Phil Utigard (Executive Vice President, Transwestern). Much credit for the group's success also belongs to GRDP's in-country representative, Achille Karuletwa, who did an amazing job of orienting us to the country, arranging meetings and transportation, and bridging language and cultural gaps.

I offer special thanks to all of the leaders in Rwanda with whom I had the privilege to meet during my short visit. I have highlighted a few in my posts, but there were many more who helped educate me about the country's past, present, and future. These included Joy Racyahana (Attorney/Advocate), Dennis Weller (Mission Director, USAID-Rwanda), Ryan Washburn (General Development Officer-Economic Growth, Democracy & Governance, USAID-Rwanda), Justus Kayonga (Managing Director, Property Solutions), Pierre Munyura (Deputy Country Director, Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Program), Jane Gatete Abatoni (Rwandan Association of Trauma Counselors-ARCT), Francis Mugisha (Managing Director, Management Consult & Associates), Fabien Munyankiko (President, Kivu Manufacturing), Christian Niyonkuru (Director, Strategic Actions Network), Manzi Kayihura (Director, Thousand Hills Expeditions), Julius Kayonga (Senior Partner, K-Advocates & Partners), and Emme Rubagumya (Ministry of Education).

Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, and colleagues who offered much needed encouragement and support while I was very, very far away. Your steady stream of phone calls, e-mails, text messages, blog comments, and well-wishes reminded me of the many blessings waiting for me upon my return.