The week that was 20190518

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

First and foremost, I am incredibly grateful to be in Kigali, Rwanda and for the opportunity to explore another African continent. I had heard many good things about the country, especially how clean it is, but experiencing it firsthand is quite something. 

I am also incredibly grateful and proud to be part of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) Rwanda 2019 conference. We presented the research on ethics and reputation that we conducted earlier in the year. Even though the data sample was still quite small, it was considerably more than the 2018 study, and I know it will pick up momentum. It's really great to be playing a part in changing the narrative of Africa. I have made the most amazing connections and new friends.

I am also so proud and grateful for my awesome team, I am thrilled to be bringing home two SABRE Africa awards for measurement and evaluation. This is for the work that we do with the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA). 

MY BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK

Things that Rwanda has done to change the narrative of the country, include: there are so many lessons but these three have stuck with me:

1. They have something called Umuganda: on the last day of the month, EVERYONE participates in cleaning, whether you are minister or a cab driver, everyone cleans. Afterwards, everyone gets together as a community and discussions the vision of the country.

2. All the ministers' key performance areas are made public. If they don't perform and meet them at the end of the year, they get fired. They understand their responsibility and are accountable to the people.

3. The media played an incredibly negative role leading up to the 1994 genocide. Today, media isn't suppressed but it is, understandably so, controlled.

As an aside, two things I noticed from my meanders in and around the city:

1. Security is next level, at the entrance of every building, there is a scanner that you walk through, you need to have your bag checked, and you are scanned. When driving in anywhere, not only is your boot checked, but the bonnet is opened as well as the interior. A mirror is used to check the bottom of the car. I was wondering whether we would be patient enough for this exercise every single time we went anywhere. With that said I have felt incredibly safe.

2. There are no post boxes around, you can only post a letter at the post office.

MY FAVOURITE QUOTE THIS WEEK

From Adam Grant ~ "When you reflect on your successes and failures don't just ask whether you are proud of what you've achieved. Ask whether you're proud of how you've achieved it.

"The ends don't justify the means. The means are the measure of your character. You reveal your values in the way you pursue your goals."

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE 

Initially this made me quite sad (it actually still does), to see chopsticks as part of my cutlery selection at breakfast. It really shows the influence from the East on Africa. It did turn into one of the biggest belly laughs that I had during my stay when I had a conversation about it with someone. Is rather bizarre to have rice porridge and noodles for breakfast in the heart of Africa.