Saturday, October 21, 2006
Mail update!! I think that the country of Rwanda makes quite a nice income from incoming packages. They hold the package hostage until the recepient pays a "storage fee" and 30% of the shipping plus worth of package contents. As much as I would love to receive mail, I am putting out a request for any interested party to send a package saying "present" and putting a worth of about $1. But really, I can buy most things here, while contributing to the economy. In summary, letters and cards are much appreciated!!!!!!!! However, thanks so much for the first package; I think I am stocked for chocolate and Trader Joe's Indian fare for the year : )
Mwaramutseho. My week continued to consist of my trying to learn (kwiga) what each player at my project does. Spent one morning helping to saw and sand a table tray for a seat to help support children with cerebral palsy in a good position. Spent another afternoon starting to learn to sew on a sewing machine and mastering a wonderful hand stitch to make the project's first official bean bag set (with numbers and child-friendly designs) stitched on each side.
By the way, Jess has set up our website and first newsletter (www.dbdtoys.com). If you have any interest in the toy company, please visit and pass along! Thanks Jess! I am so proud of you!
On a seperate note, I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to attend the Rwandan National Association for the Deaf conference!!!! They have voted a national committee and, with the support of a Ugandan team, have been partially-trained to form a language committee to research and eventually publish the first RSL (Rwandan Sign Language) manual. Being with the deaf, having the ability to communicate with the Ugandan Deaf, as there is definately some overlap with ASL and with some of the Rwandese, was heaven. I felt more at home in the last two days then I have since I have moved here. I hope to keep connected with the Deaf community here!
Lastly, on a personal note, I finally received my first, genuine invitation for a visit. Last Sunday, I joined some neighbors, their friends, and two children (Dada and Dadi) in their home for some afternoon chat. What a pleasure!
Hope to hear more news. Love the updates, esspecially the day-to-day stuff : )
Mwaramutseho. My week continued to consist of my trying to learn (kwiga) what each player at my project does. Spent one morning helping to saw and sand a table tray for a seat to help support children with cerebral palsy in a good position. Spent another afternoon starting to learn to sew on a sewing machine and mastering a wonderful hand stitch to make the project's first official bean bag set (with numbers and child-friendly designs) stitched on each side.
By the way, Jess has set up our website and first newsletter (www.dbdtoys.com). If you have any interest in the toy company, please visit and pass along! Thanks Jess! I am so proud of you!
On a seperate note, I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to attend the Rwandan National Association for the Deaf conference!!!! They have voted a national committee and, with the support of a Ugandan team, have been partially-trained to form a language committee to research and eventually publish the first RSL (Rwandan Sign Language) manual. Being with the deaf, having the ability to communicate with the Ugandan Deaf, as there is definately some overlap with ASL and with some of the Rwandese, was heaven. I felt more at home in the last two days then I have since I have moved here. I hope to keep connected with the Deaf community here!
Lastly, on a personal note, I finally received my first, genuine invitation for a visit. Last Sunday, I joined some neighbors, their friends, and two children (Dada and Dadi) in their home for some afternoon chat. What a pleasure!
Hope to hear more news. Love the updates, esspecially the day-to-day stuff : )
# posted by Julie @ 2:42 AM 
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hiya juls,
happenings today include chatting with grandpa who said he got to talk with you yesterday (he was obviously elated) and trying to organize my roadtrip for next weekend with carol and gaia. we're thinking southern california (big sur and then joshua tree) versus eastern california (death valley and the eastern sierras). any thoughts? wish you were here to join us! oh, and jason and i'll camp at glen camp in point reyes the weekend after for a night, which looks quite nice. i'm excited to be able to get outside during my vacation!
miss you lots!
love,
allie
happenings today include chatting with grandpa who said he got to talk with you yesterday (he was obviously elated) and trying to organize my roadtrip for next weekend with carol and gaia. we're thinking southern california (big sur and then joshua tree) versus eastern california (death valley and the eastern sierras). any thoughts? wish you were here to join us! oh, and jason and i'll camp at glen camp in point reyes the weekend after for a night, which looks quite nice. i'm excited to be able to get outside during my vacation!
miss you lots!
love,
allie
# posted by 
: 10:57 AM
: 10:57 AM
Hi Jules!!
The conference for the deaf sounds fantastic! you will have to teach me some rwandan sign when you get home. I have not done any sign since you left, but I am going down to Stanford this week to meet with my old ASL prof and attend a design for sustainability conference. I guess I will have to remember really fast...she doesnt slow down ever! I called James's parents to let them know that his picture is up and we have a great entry for next month. (a REALLY cute 2 yr old girl with CP) I have a new illustrator for the SS deck and I have been reviewing eng drawings from HK. The reponse from the announcement has been fantastic...its nice to have contact with the outside world! I MISS YOU!! I will call you again soon.
jess
The conference for the deaf sounds fantastic! you will have to teach me some rwandan sign when you get home. I have not done any sign since you left, but I am going down to Stanford this week to meet with my old ASL prof and attend a design for sustainability conference. I guess I will have to remember really fast...she doesnt slow down ever! I called James's parents to let them know that his picture is up and we have a great entry for next month. (a REALLY cute 2 yr old girl with CP) I have a new illustrator for the SS deck and I have been reviewing eng drawings from HK. The reponse from the announcement has been fantastic...its nice to have contact with the outside world! I MISS YOU!! I will call you again soon.
jess
hi jul
i wonder if you use french daily or a mixture of Kinyarwanda and french. i remember how you were trying to practice french with me before i left.
it's just a rainy day here in nelson but it's labor weekend so i have 3 days off, maybe the same as labor day? not so sure. nothing new to report, i check the blog every week because i think your mom said you update every friday.
can you tell us more about where you are living and what it is like? do you have housemates?
i looked on the dbd website and it is awesome! im so proud and in awe of you and jess. i didn't realize you were still so involved with it.
ok, byiza! (not sure what that means but it sounds upbeat and fun)
love you
gay
i wonder if you use french daily or a mixture of Kinyarwanda and french. i remember how you were trying to practice french with me before i left.
it's just a rainy day here in nelson but it's labor weekend so i have 3 days off, maybe the same as labor day? not so sure. nothing new to report, i check the blog every week because i think your mom said you update every friday.
can you tell us more about where you are living and what it is like? do you have housemates?
i looked on the dbd website and it is awesome! im so proud and in awe of you and jess. i didn't realize you were still so involved with it.
ok, byiza! (not sure what that means but it sounds upbeat and fun)
love you
gay
Wow, and I thought the mail charges here in Cameroon were bad! I got charged $16 for a box -- and that was after the VSO person who picked up the package negotiated the price down from $20. I think it could have been much worse!
Argh! I tried to call you today and it is not working. I'll have to contact our calling card company to find out the problem. I called Jennie to make sure I had the right number too. Oh well. Congrats on the developments with dbdtoys. It is so awesome with the website, newsletter, etc. You are amazing. Hope all is well. I am really missing hearing your voice.
Love,
Rach
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Love,
Rach
# posted by : 9:30 PM
: 9:30 PM << Home
