Monday and Tuesday: This past Monday and Tuesday were our ‘almost’ last day of classes where everything was still ‘normal’. As always we had Kinyarwanda from 8:30-12 and lecture/lab from 1:30-5ish but on these days it was particularly easy! The final days of Kinyarwanda consisted of us conducting our own lessons and teaching the class what we had learned, and really long breaks! What a blessing. Monday after class consisted of a pre-organized EWH soccer match, that surprisingly got really competitive and didn’t start well but then ended in a fun game! Tuesday after class, Maya and I went to Question Coffee and again it did not disappoint.

Wednesday: Wednesday morning did not start off well as I took my malaria medicine before breakfast and then my stomach decided that it did not like that. So instead of going to the first hour of Kinyarwanda, I decided to stay in bed. When I decided to get up to go to class, it had already been dismissed and the squad decided to play a competitive game of soccer on the soccer field. I had already put some more food and another dose of malaria medication in my body so I was feeling good and ready to play!! So much fun as some IPRC students refed our match. After the game a few of us went to lunch at La Mane, a coffee shop/bakery nearby. For lecture and lab today, we went on a ‘spare part scavenger’ hunt which consisted of our teams going into town to find different spare parts that we may need in our second month in our hospitals. This scavenger hunt was so stressful as there were not many shops and 30 students trying to ask for the same items, however it was helpful to know what to look for in the shops and affirmed that it was easy to find what we may need.

Thursday: As always, Thursdays consist of hospital visits and this one was no different. Our group went to CHUK hospital, toured and got to repair different medical equipment. This week Amanda and I worked on a patient monitor. The BMET (Biomedical Engineering Technician) originally said the button needed to be fixed but in reality, we replaced pretty much the whole system. After reseeding the button, we found that the blood pressure measurements were not working but the pO2 levels were. As Amanda and I tried to trouble shoot the problem, we replaced the whole circuit related to the BP as well as the paneling. This issue took such a long time to troubleshoot but we finally succeeded in finishing the machine and the BMET got us to fill out the forms to send it out to the floor. It was an incredible experience that really affirmed my knowledge in what I am about to do next month, and I am so thankful that this week at CHUK happened. This is what I wrote for my scholarship ‘end of month’ reflection and I think it is applicable “Ending my fourth week in Kigali, the growth I have encountered in my classes and in the local hospitals has been astonishing. The first week of class we visited Kibagabaga hospital to take a tour of the hospital and work on trouble shooting damaged medical equipment. Going into the hospital on our first Thursday I was scared as though I felt like I had no training or knowledge on how to fix anything. During the time in Kibagabaga that first Thursday affirmed me that I can be successful in repairing medical equipment and that my trouble shooting opinions are valued. The next three Thursday of hospital visits were more personal and I was able to fix more and more medical equipment. This past Thursday at CHUK hospital, our group fixed 2 different patient monitors and put them back on the floor to be used that day by doctors. The scared and afraid McKenzie of week one is now confident in her abilities and excited to immerse herself into Ruhengeri hospital for the next 5 weeks.” Thursday night we went back to Kigali Heights and Riders lounge to get buy one get one free pizzas! Again so yum, also got a scoop of gelato as you know that I cannot resist a good scoop of ice cream.

Friday: Our last day of class was so sad and so surreal! John only made us take his teacher evaluation in class and then we went outside to play games. We played games, took pictures, and made a 4 level human pyramid for about an hour and then we decided to end Kinyarwanda for the day. A few of us went to the market and Justine and I bargained our way into copping some Rwandan soccer jerseys, SCORE in so many good ways. Justine and I went to lunch at the on campus canteen and had our last 500 RWF meal and a good citron Fanta before lecture. Lecture just consisted of Rachel (our coordinator) and Dr. Moreno giving us tips for our second month and letting us reorganize our toolkits. After class, we went to the Ubumwe Hotel for dinner as a group and had an INCREDIBLE time! I got a good gnocchi dish, a good view of the city, a lots of laughs with my friends. Afterward we went to a place called Coccobean to finish off the night! Friday was one of my most favorite nights in Kigali and I am so thankful for all of the memories we made that night and the past 4 weeks together.

Saturday: Our last full day and very sensi! I got up early to wash my undergarments and then went to brunch with my dad and his students. They were leaving that day to go back to America so it was good to see him one last time. I had brought him his 2 gifts of ties and coasters and OF COURSE, I brought him my roommate Laura’s coasters. When I got back home I realized this and had to go to Kigali Heights to meet one of his students to exchange coasters. There was a silver lining in this mess as I got a chance to have a final gelato and sit and relax on my own at the gelato shop. When I got back home I played the rest of the day with our house kids, Marina and Machetta, the time we had Saturday was so intentional and I cherished it a lot. Our last dinner consisted of our classic Rwandan meal of beef, rice, chips, and green banana; a good final end to our time at IPRC. That night Laura and I went back to La Mane, drank some coffee, journaled, read and talked. I had an incredible time with her that night and will miss our intentional talks over books, coffee and tea.

Sunday: Cue the tears because they were very real. Woke up this morning to Zumba happening at the soccer fields as it was ‘car free day’ where they encourage movement and sports in the morning. We finished up packing and went to breakfast with the family. We exchanged gifts with our host parents and took lots of cute pictures. Classic, Machetta asked for more games from my phone and made the day even more real. Thomas and his wife took our luggage to the front gate and dropped us off as we waited for our cars to arrive to take us to our respected cities for month 2. As a group we waited for our cars and all of us started to get really emotional as each car started to head out. Eventually, Amanda, Alodie and I got in the RAV4 and set out for Musanze. Around 1pm we arrived at our house and got settled in. We met our house guard Jean Paul and it was so easy to fall in love with our house. We each get our own room with nice full beds, and lots of room to spread out. We have a dining room, kitchen, small tv, and a WARM shower/bathroom for us to share. Then we went out to town to explore and found a super cute coffee shop on the way to the hospital from our house. It is going to be crazy dangerous as they have good coffee, smoothies, pasties, breakfast, lunch and good wifi. A terrible combination for my aesthetic addiction. We then tried to find the super market but got lost so just decided to go home. I unpacked and was so relived to have a ton of room. Amanda and I went to dinner at a place called Volcana Lounge and Alodie stayed in and had a friend over from childhood. Amanda and I got a nice pizza and were very satisfied. As we got home Alodie made chips and soup and let us have some, so good and our first official family dinner!! Got a warm shower, and am going to head in for the night.

Looking ahead: Tomorrow Amanda, Alodie and I start our internships at the Ruhengeri Hospital in Musanze, Rwanda for the next five weeks. We will have 8am-5pm days and work with the BMET Jean Claude. The first few days will consist of meeting the staff at hospital, getting acquainted with the area, and taking inventory on equipment. Once we are comfortable in the hospital we will start working on repairing the medical equipment, a secondary project of our choosing, and tackling their equipment graveyard. I am so excited for all that I will learn this next month and in the hospital, will keep you all updated. For now, n’aho mukanya.