November 22, 2017

Anita Nowak (Canada, 2008)

I was a volunteer for Tubahumurize in the summer of 2008 – an experience that changed my life. Prior to my two weeks in Kigali, I had visited over 50 countries (mostly backpacking), so my ‘a-ha’s were less about the travel experience per se and much more about the profoundly spiritual work involved.

I was called to Rwanda after having attended a large conference at McGill University about the prevention of genocide. But I could not have anticipated how “conducting a needs assessment for a women’s collective trying to get a micro-credit loans program off the ground” would stir in me the deepest, personal reflection about the direction of my life and the contributions I wanted to make with my time, talents and (relative) privilege.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with Tubahumurize. It was a turning point in my life.