Interview with an RPCV: Anne Smith RPCV Rwanda ’91-‘93
By Allison Radke, Ed2
First of all, I would like to thank Anne Smith for meeting with me and for sharing some of her fascinating stories.
Where are you from in the US? I‘m from Philadelphia. How did you decide to join the Peace Corps? I think one thing that sparked my interest was my semester of study abroad in Kenya. Were you an Education Volunteer? Yes, I taught English. I also helped launch and served as an Advisor to the English Club and started a basketball team for girls, which I coached during my time as a PCV. |
Where was your site?
My site was in Butare and I taught at Groupe Scolaire Officiel of Butare.
What years were you a volunteer in Rwanda? Could you describe some of your experiences after being evacuated?
I served in Rwanda 1991-1993. In March of 1993 PC evacuated due to renewed fighting and a break in the cease fire which was being negotiated as part of the Arusha Accords . We were first evacuated to Kigali for a week while PC was deciding what to do and then we went to Nairobi to COS. I returned to Rwanda on my own to continue working at G.S.O. Butare and was here until April 9th, 1994. I left Rwanda in one of the last convoys to go to Bu-rundi. (while we were PCVs, Bujumbura
was a place we often went on the weekends as Kigali was unsafe). I stayed with an RPCV friend in Burundi for a few weeks and tried to stay informed as to what was happening across the border. I went back to the US at the end of April and was searching for ways to return and help, as well as trying to get involved in advocacy efforts in Washington to raise awareness
about what was happening in Rwanda. It was upsetting to be far away from the news. In May of 1994 Rwanda RPCVs gathered in Chicago. It was interesting to see how different our perspectives, reactions, feelings were about what was happening in Rwanda. Some people were also looking to return to help, as I was, and others wanted to distance themselves as much as possible. I returned to the region in June 1994 and was working for CRS Rwanda out of the Bujumbura office. The proximity allowed me to receive more frequent news about Butare - particularly through hearing stories from survivors who had made it to Bujumbura. In late June 1994, I went with a team of journalists, NGO workers, and donors on a mission to Rwanda to conduct an assessment in "Zone Turquoise" in the southwest, which was a horrifying experience. Later, I was sent to work out of Southern Uganda (Kabale) in the RPF zone. I made it back to Kigali in late July and then moved
here in early August 1994. At that time, my primary re-sponsibilities were to re-etablish the office (including lo-cating staff, equipment, etc), recruitment for new staff, and supporting programs for unaccompanied children.
My site was in Butare and I taught at Groupe Scolaire Officiel of Butare.
What years were you a volunteer in Rwanda? Could you describe some of your experiences after being evacuated?
I served in Rwanda 1991-1993. In March of 1993 PC evacuated due to renewed fighting and a break in the cease fire which was being negotiated as part of the Arusha Accords . We were first evacuated to Kigali for a week while PC was deciding what to do and then we went to Nairobi to COS. I returned to Rwanda on my own to continue working at G.S.O. Butare and was here until April 9th, 1994. I left Rwanda in one of the last convoys to go to Bu-rundi. (while we were PCVs, Bujumbura
was a place we often went on the weekends as Kigali was unsafe). I stayed with an RPCV friend in Burundi for a few weeks and tried to stay informed as to what was happening across the border. I went back to the US at the end of April and was searching for ways to return and help, as well as trying to get involved in advocacy efforts in Washington to raise awareness
about what was happening in Rwanda. It was upsetting to be far away from the news. In May of 1994 Rwanda RPCVs gathered in Chicago. It was interesting to see how different our perspectives, reactions, feelings were about what was happening in Rwanda. Some people were also looking to return to help, as I was, and others wanted to distance themselves as much as possible. I returned to the region in June 1994 and was working for CRS Rwanda out of the Bujumbura office. The proximity allowed me to receive more frequent news about Butare - particularly through hearing stories from survivors who had made it to Bujumbura. In late June 1994, I went with a team of journalists, NGO workers, and donors on a mission to Rwanda to conduct an assessment in "Zone Turquoise" in the southwest, which was a horrifying experience. Later, I was sent to work out of Southern Uganda (Kabale) in the RPF zone. I made it back to Kigali in late July and then moved
here in early August 1994. At that time, my primary re-sponsibilities were to re-etablish the office (including lo-cating staff, equipment, etc), recruitment for new staff, and supporting programs for unaccompanied children.
How did you meet your husband?
I met Jacques Niyibizi, PC Rwanda‘s IT Specialist, in Gisenyi in November 1995. I was there for a conference and we met playing basketball. We got married in February 1997.
How many years total have you lived in Rwanda and in Africa?
I lived in Rwanda from 1991-1997 and again 2006-present, so that makes almost 12 years in Rwanda. In other African countries – Burkina Faso and Uganda – 4 more years, so that makes 16 years living in Africa. I have been working in international development for 20 years.
How has Peace Corps influenced your life and future?
Since finishing my service with PC, it‘s had a continued impact on my life consistently, in big and small ways. My PC experience had a major impact on my decision to go into international development work, so professionally it‘s had a
big influence. Personally, I think it contributed to my being more self-reliant, and more adaptable cross-culturally and otherwise.
What is your current profession in Rwanda? I‘ve just transitioned out of my position as Country Director for CHF
International here, and now I‘m working as a consultant - mainly doing short-term assignments/consultancies, and supporting other development organizations, as well as enjoying some time with my kids!
How old are your children?
My daughter Beatrice is 13 years old and my son Ben is 11 years old.
Has Peace Corps changed some of your perspectives? How?
I think Peace Corps has changed my perspectives and has helped me better understand how other people live. It‘s made me more open, but more cautious at the same time - particularly about making assumptions ("things aren‘t always as
they seem"). When I move to or travel to a new place, I really try to take the time to understand my environment before making assumptions, and in order to determine how best to work with people and talk with peo-ple. It really makes a difference both in work and personal relationships to be willing to take a step back and reflect and question your own or your "normal" assumptions.
Could you tell me some of the ways in which Peace Corps Rwanda has changed?
Two primary differences – one is technology, in that most PCVs seem to have both cell phones and laptops/internet access, which was not at all the case when I was a volunteer (as those things didn‘t exist then, if you can imagine that!). Secondly, is a heightened sense of/care for security issues. Not that PC didn‘t have security protocols when I was a PCV, but since 9/11 and beyond, security is a higher priority within PC. Also, the program is much bigger now. I think in 1993, for example, the total number of PCVs in Rwanda was less than 30 total. We were a small group.
Are there things you're nostalgic for about your service?
I had a great experience as a PCV. Professionally, I loved teaching and continue to love any activities/work that bring me into a setting where there is an opportunity to teach or train others. Personally, I sometimes feel nostalgic just for the simplicity of my life then. I also feel nos-talgic and deeply miss so many friends and colleagues who were such a big part of my life at post, but who lost their lives in 1994. It‘s something I think about and reflect upon quite a bit at this time of year, every year.
What changes do you see in Rwanda from when you first came in 1991?
Rwanda has changed tremendously since then. Each year here brings more changes, given the pace at which Rwanda is developing. I find it astounding at times. Kigali, for example, has neighborhoods that never existed – and didn‘t even exist in the mid-late 90s. For example, all of Nya-rutarama, Kagugu, Gaculiro, Gisozi…these neighborhoods all kind of ―appeared‖ in the last 10 years or so! But more importantly, health, economic, and other development indicators demonstrate amazing progress. The roads, the infrastructure, it‘s all changed. Kigali itself, with the influx of so many Rwandans from the diaspora, has been transformed culturally, which has been interesting to watch and to experience.
During your training, were PCTs taught French? Have you learned some Kinyarwanda? Has French been useful for you?
Yes. Education PCTs all had to prioritize French, as we needed it to work in schools here – even English teachers like me, as all formal communications within schools were in French. Math and science teachers had to teach in French. Those that already came in with some French (very few) were able to start with Kinyarwanda right away. Non-education PCTs (health, tourism, fish) learned both – but the problem was many of them really didn‘t learn either because they only had a few weeks of each, and didn‘t feel comfortable conversing or working in either language, which was a challenge and a bit of a barrier, particularly in their first year at post. I never formally stud-ied Kinyarwanda, but I‘m fairly comfortable with compre-hension and can speak a bit, although it‘s not as much as I‘d like! French has been very useful to me. I‘ve been able to work, both short and long term, in a number of francophone countries thanks to my language abilities- including Burundi, Mali, and Burkina Faso, and it‘s also been extremely useful in Rwanda– even today. There are a number of friends and colleagues with whom I still very much use French, as they‘re more comfortable, and we‘re able to have deeper/richer conversations as there aren‘t language barriers.
Do you have any advice for currently serving PCVs?
See PC as an opportunity to learn all you can about the culture, people, and your environment at post and beyond.. Try to seize the opportunities, even when there are days you don‘t feel like it. After Peace Corps, give yourself time to take a step back from your experience. PC is both a unique and intense experience, so time is needed to proc-ess, and this is really best done with some distance from the environment, and time to reflect. I think it‘s important to take the time to do this before moving into any major life decisions.
I met Jacques Niyibizi, PC Rwanda‘s IT Specialist, in Gisenyi in November 1995. I was there for a conference and we met playing basketball. We got married in February 1997.
How many years total have you lived in Rwanda and in Africa?
I lived in Rwanda from 1991-1997 and again 2006-present, so that makes almost 12 years in Rwanda. In other African countries – Burkina Faso and Uganda – 4 more years, so that makes 16 years living in Africa. I have been working in international development for 20 years.
How has Peace Corps influenced your life and future?
Since finishing my service with PC, it‘s had a continued impact on my life consistently, in big and small ways. My PC experience had a major impact on my decision to go into international development work, so professionally it‘s had a
big influence. Personally, I think it contributed to my being more self-reliant, and more adaptable cross-culturally and otherwise.
What is your current profession in Rwanda? I‘ve just transitioned out of my position as Country Director for CHF
International here, and now I‘m working as a consultant - mainly doing short-term assignments/consultancies, and supporting other development organizations, as well as enjoying some time with my kids!
How old are your children?
My daughter Beatrice is 13 years old and my son Ben is 11 years old.
Has Peace Corps changed some of your perspectives? How?
I think Peace Corps has changed my perspectives and has helped me better understand how other people live. It‘s made me more open, but more cautious at the same time - particularly about making assumptions ("things aren‘t always as
they seem"). When I move to or travel to a new place, I really try to take the time to understand my environment before making assumptions, and in order to determine how best to work with people and talk with peo-ple. It really makes a difference both in work and personal relationships to be willing to take a step back and reflect and question your own or your "normal" assumptions.
Could you tell me some of the ways in which Peace Corps Rwanda has changed?
Two primary differences – one is technology, in that most PCVs seem to have both cell phones and laptops/internet access, which was not at all the case when I was a volunteer (as those things didn‘t exist then, if you can imagine that!). Secondly, is a heightened sense of/care for security issues. Not that PC didn‘t have security protocols when I was a PCV, but since 9/11 and beyond, security is a higher priority within PC. Also, the program is much bigger now. I think in 1993, for example, the total number of PCVs in Rwanda was less than 30 total. We were a small group.
Are there things you're nostalgic for about your service?
I had a great experience as a PCV. Professionally, I loved teaching and continue to love any activities/work that bring me into a setting where there is an opportunity to teach or train others. Personally, I sometimes feel nostalgic just for the simplicity of my life then. I also feel nos-talgic and deeply miss so many friends and colleagues who were such a big part of my life at post, but who lost their lives in 1994. It‘s something I think about and reflect upon quite a bit at this time of year, every year.
What changes do you see in Rwanda from when you first came in 1991?
Rwanda has changed tremendously since then. Each year here brings more changes, given the pace at which Rwanda is developing. I find it astounding at times. Kigali, for example, has neighborhoods that never existed – and didn‘t even exist in the mid-late 90s. For example, all of Nya-rutarama, Kagugu, Gaculiro, Gisozi…these neighborhoods all kind of ―appeared‖ in the last 10 years or so! But more importantly, health, economic, and other development indicators demonstrate amazing progress. The roads, the infrastructure, it‘s all changed. Kigali itself, with the influx of so many Rwandans from the diaspora, has been transformed culturally, which has been interesting to watch and to experience.
During your training, were PCTs taught French? Have you learned some Kinyarwanda? Has French been useful for you?
Yes. Education PCTs all had to prioritize French, as we needed it to work in schools here – even English teachers like me, as all formal communications within schools were in French. Math and science teachers had to teach in French. Those that already came in with some French (very few) were able to start with Kinyarwanda right away. Non-education PCTs (health, tourism, fish) learned both – but the problem was many of them really didn‘t learn either because they only had a few weeks of each, and didn‘t feel comfortable conversing or working in either language, which was a challenge and a bit of a barrier, particularly in their first year at post. I never formally stud-ied Kinyarwanda, but I‘m fairly comfortable with compre-hension and can speak a bit, although it‘s not as much as I‘d like! French has been very useful to me. I‘ve been able to work, both short and long term, in a number of francophone countries thanks to my language abilities- including Burundi, Mali, and Burkina Faso, and it‘s also been extremely useful in Rwanda– even today. There are a number of friends and colleagues with whom I still very much use French, as they‘re more comfortable, and we‘re able to have deeper/richer conversations as there aren‘t language barriers.
Do you have any advice for currently serving PCVs?
See PC as an opportunity to learn all you can about the culture, people, and your environment at post and beyond.. Try to seize the opportunities, even when there are days you don‘t feel like it. After Peace Corps, give yourself time to take a step back from your experience. PC is both a unique and intense experience, so time is needed to proc-ess, and this is really best done with some distance from the environment, and time to reflect. I think it‘s important to take the time to do this before moving into any major life decisions.