Friday Updates

Venture Rwanda 2024 – Trip Guide FINAL
 
SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

Happy Friday, everyone! 

This is the last update. I’m sharing some sage advice for engaging via Venture Travel from a past participant.

Since some of you are traveling and some are soon, I leave you with two great Rwanda overviews:

Podcast: Rwanda Reimagined: Kigali’s Renaissance and the Ruxin’s Multifaceted Impact by The Intrepid Traveler

Josh and Alissa Ruxin have quite the story. They first came to Rwanda in 2006. Alissa launched Heaven, the first restaurant to train Rwandans in hospitality, which we visit on our first night. This podcast gives you some history and insight into the Rwanda of today. I learned about the new Nyandungu Urban Wetland right in the city of Kigali (Bob & I plan to visit pre-trip!)

Renew Rwanda Blog: Renew Capital: Secrets of Rwanda’s Momentum

One of our hosts, investment specialist Andrew Larsen, just dropped this post. It provides a great overview of the themes we’ll dive into on Friday, September 27, including an overview of the tech beauty platform Zuri.

Final Venture Rwanda 2024 Guide (PDF) is conveniently found on to top of this Friday Updates page.

AUGUST 30, 2024

Happy Friday, everyone! 

As you know, I design Ventures to connect you to the fantastic people of Rwanda. You can check them out in the Venture Rwanda 2024 Travel Guide.

One person you’ll get to meet (and love) is Desiree “Des” Izere of Go Further. Norm and Linda, you will meet Des on your excursion pre-trip, and she will join us for a few days during our Venture Rwanda. Des is smart & funny & engaging. You might know that I have a preference for female guides. Guiding jobs are great jobs, so I often find they go to the men in a lot of the emerging economies where I travel. So I always ask for them–my little part in advancing gender equality (I encourage you to do the same 🙂

Go Further shared a newsletter this week. There are links to some diary posts–one is on Umuganda (photos from Venture Rwanda 2023) and the second is on Gorilla Trekking. Unfortunately, we will just miss a big upcoming celebration in Virunga National Park. Kwita Izina is the annual gorilla naming ceremony. This year is the 20th anniversary, which takes place on October 18, 2024. Expect it to be a big Rwandan celebration (and Virunga Mountain Spirits to be sharing some vodka…)

AUGUST 23, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

It’s back to school, and I spent last weekend moving my Guatemalan mentee into school at the University of Minnesota. You can’t help but think about what it would be like if you went back to school today, with the benefit of some life wisdom.

If I had to go to school, I would want to go to a place like African Leadership University (big drawback to my application is not being African 🙂

To create the African leaders solving the problems of tomorrow, they encourage “Missions, not Majors.” It feels like a lesson for all of us—defining ourselves by WHYs versus WHATs.

As part of the visit, we’ll meat with students part of the student venture program (E-LAB). I saw this post from their recent competition and wanted to share with you all.

Now’s a great time to review vaccines, consider getting an advance visa, and registering with the U.S. STEP program for your travels. See the Trip Guide (PDF) conveniently found on this page.
 
AUGUST 16, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

Rwanda is making itself known as a hub for entrepreneurship, technology, arts, sports–and fashion!

During my last visit, we visited several of the top Rwandan fashion houses listed in this article (Uzuri K&Y, Haute Baso and Moshions). All come with their unique stories and creations. We will visit Haute Baso on September 26, hopefully joined by co-founder Linda Ndungutse

I like this article which explains that fashion–like the growth of all of these sectors–has been supported in Rwanda in four main ways:

  • Educational Initiatives
  • Government Support & Policies
  • Global Exposure
  • Cultural Infusion

For your convenience, you’ll find the Venture Tanzania 2024 Guide (DRAFT) under on our private Friday Updates page. Review pre-travel and packing tips, and learn more about what we will do and who we will meet.

AUGUST 9, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

We have a really special guest joining us for our first-night dinner in Rwanda on September 24. Patricie Uwase is the former Minister of Infrastructure in Rwanda in the cabinet of President Kagame. She stepped aside from this role in June. Patricie is 35 years old, a married mother of three, and gave the commencement speech when she graduated with her Masters in Engineering from UC Berkeley in 2015.

I know Patricie through Bay Area-based girls’ education organization SHE-CAN. Not only is she incredibly accomplished, she is kind and down to earth and you will enjoy her.

REMINDER that we have our pre-Venture call on Tuesday, August 13 at 7pm Eastern/4pm Pacific. The calendar invite was sent a few weeks ago (Zoom link). This is our chance to meet virtually, talk through packing and planning, and answer questions.

I will send a draft Venture Tanzania 2024 Guide prior to our call. This includes bios/photos on each of you. Please click here for what I have so far. I’m missing for Norm & Linda, and Marti I pulled from your Tanzania 2022 submission. You can enter in your WeTravel profile or send to me.

AUGUST 2, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

I just participated in the quarterly investor call for Virunga Mountain Spirits (VMS).

It’s fun to be part of a start-up, particularly at this stage. The distillery/tasting room/BBQ restaurant (described to be one of the most beautiful structures in Rwanda) is more than 90% complete, marketing launches are underway, job descriptions are posted, and the flagship Kari Vodka is being finalized.

I invested in VMS because of its sustainability focus (using otherwise unused potatoes to create a high-end “Made in Rwanda” product), its gender focus (women-run company across all functions) and co-founders Karen Sherman and Bill Wasserman’s story (married couple from U.S. launching next stage career together in their early 60s).

I’m excited we will all be part of it!

On Sunday, September 29 we visit for a tour, tasting and lunch with Karen & Bill during the soft-open. I’ve already promised our questions and feedback.

JULY 26, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

Tomorrow is the last Saturday of the month. It’s the day each month that every Rwandan citizen comes together with a common purpose.

Umuganda is Rwanda’s nationwide mandatory community work day, created to promote peace, unity, and prosperity across the country. On The Last Saturday of every month from 8-11:00 am, businesses close and traffic halts as citizens across the country take to their neighborhoods. Listen to Desiree Izzere (whom you’ll meet) talk about the importance of Umuganda.

You will be the rare visitor to participate in this monthly Rwandan tradition.

We travel (about 1.5 hours) to the Kayonza District and will be hosted by my friend Doreen Kalimba. Doreen is the mother of my former SHE-CAN mentee from Rwanda (Maureen) who attended Tufts (B.A.) and Harvard (M.A.).

The community decides the plan for the day, so we learn more that week.

So enjoy your Saturday! I hope you spend a little time thinking about this idea applied to your own community.

JULY 19, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

Hoping I didn’t scare you off with that title. But stay with me…

First, a quick note. I saw some of my friends at the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe last Friday. Here’s a photo. Linda Mukangoga Ndungutse (on right) is the founder of fashion company Haute Baso, and also an investor with me in Virunga Mountain Spirits (VMS). You’ll meet Linda and we’ll visit both Haute Baso and VMS.

OK, elections! A big week in Rwanda as General Elections were held on July 15.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame won with 99% of the vote in the Presidential election. This would extend his 24-year rule by another five years. He is 66 years old. He faced no meaningful opposition. Over 98% of the more than 9.5 million eligible voters took part.

Kagame has been the de-facto leader of Rwanda since the 1994 genocide, and President since 2000. He has presided over an incredible Rwandan economic growth story and helped end ethnic divisions. But he doesn’t come without controversy…mostly from OUTSIDE of Rwanda. Here’s a recent New York Times article that overviews.

I share this with you to learn as much as you’d like BEFORE visiting Rwanda. Rwandans are very protective of President Kagame. Western media will provide more balanced views. Rwandans don’t want to hear or be asked anything negative about President Kagame. It will be your job to balance what you hear (and don’t hear) while in-country and think for yourself.

Finally, a reminder that final payments for Venture Rwanda 2024 are due July 24 (60 days before departure). Please also add the missing items to your WeTravel profiles.

JULY 12, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

I’m immersing in the International Folk Art Market here in Santa Fe. It’s a worldwide celebration of artisans. I highly recommend visiting Santa Fe for this event! It even connects to Rwanda (check out my 2023 story).

I’m assembling our Venture Rwanda 2024 Guide. It will highlight each of you, as well as the people we will meet. However, I need your ABOUT YOU submissions.

Please click here for what I have so far. For past participants Marti & Bob, I borrowed from your Tanzania 2022 summaries. You can either enter in your WeTravel profile or simply email me. Please share as soon as possible as I share with our partners in our planning.

Also, I am sending a Zoom call invite for all of us for Aug 13 at 4pm Pacific. This is our chance to meet each other virtually, talk through packing and planning and answer questions. Please confirm your attendance by accepting the separate calendar invite.

JULY 5, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

And Happy Fourth of July weekend. Our friends in Rwanda are celebrating Independence Day as well!

Rwanda officially became independent from Belgium on July 1, 1962. But the celebrations are merged into Liberation Day on July 4. This celebrates the end of the genocide against the Tutsi on July 4, 1994–so this year is the 30th anniversary.

You can read more about Rwanda (and neighboring Burundi) and other Independence Day celebrations around the world in this article.

Finally, you can find the link to all Friday Updates via this link: www.JodiMorris.co/Friday-Updates. I’ll share it in the WhatsApp chat as well.

JUNE 28, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

I’ve added Marti Rule to our group. I’m excited for Marti to return to East Africa with me since joining in Tanzania in 2022 (she & husband Steve star in this video).

If you are a pre-trip reader, this is a great time to get started. On our Venture Rwanda site, I list several books. My favorites are below. You’ll meet Karen and Innocent during our week.

  • Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza (2007). Personal tale of the Rwandan genocide (movie)
  • Brick by Brick by Virunga Mountain Spirits (VMS) CEO Karen Sherman (2020) Memoir and stories of remarkable Rwandan women
  • Rwanda: The Royal Tour (movie) (2018) One-hour overview led by journalist Peter Greenberg and Rwanda President Paul Kagame. It also features artist and VMS friend Innocent Nkurunziza.

Also, I have a new favorite Africa newsletter that might appeal to you (business-minded types) courtesy of my friend Laura Davis at Renew Capital. It’s called The Africa Brief. Consider subscribing (weekly). One thing I found interesting for Rwanda:

Qatar Airways is acquiring a 49% stake in RwandAir, a deal that has been in progress for five years. This partnership is set to enhance Rwanda’s aviation sector, enabling RwandAir to expand its fleet and operations. The agreement, expected to be finalized by July, will also help RwandAir improve regional connectivity through a code-share arrangement. Additionally, Qatar Airways is investing in Rwanda’s new Bugesera International Airport, aiming to make Kigali a major transit hub in Africa by 2027.

New stadiums, hotels, airports…as you’ll see, Rwanda is definitely beefing up its grand plans to be an Africa hub!

JUNE 14, 2024

Happy Friday everyone!

I hope you are excited about our upcoming Venture Rwanda 2024. I know I am!

I will hold off on introducing you. As you know, we lost some participants and I have a few in process–hoping it all works out as they are fabulous. If you know some, please invite. We are max 8 people + me (we have 4 right now).

Every Friday going forward (skipping some holiday weeks) I will share a brief Friday Update. The idea is to share some tidbits about who we will meet and things we will do. It’s one way to connect and prepare us for a Venture that will leave us all thinking differently about the world and our place in it.

Every time I visit Rwanda things are a little bit different. This visit will be no exception. Some special things on this trip will be new and never-to-be-repeated: play video.

Today’s Friday Update is logistical:

1. Venture Rwanda 2024. The WeTravel webpage is the central source of information pre, during and post-trip. I’ll be fine-tuning our agenda over upcoming weeks. Do check out the hyperlinks and resources. Closer to departure, there will be a Venture Guide PDF you can print/share.

2. Confirm Travel Details. This is a great time to finalize flights, make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date, and collect health & travel insurance info. Check out the link above for pre-travel recommendations and reading. You can login and update your WeTravel profile at any time, or just send to me.

For Linda and Norm, please share an ABOUT YOU answer (it will be included in our Venture Guide PDF).

I do not require but highly recommend travel insurance. I have someone every 2-3 trips who needs to last minute cancel for reasons outside their control–life happens.

3. Final Payment. Final payment is due 60 days before the start (so around July 20). You will receive notifications from WeTravel directly.

4. WhatsApp. WhatsApp (link) is the primary means of communication in Africa. The chat proves very helpful in idea/logistics sharing when in Rwanda, but also before and after the trip.

Questions on any of this? I’m here to help.

Finally, I have been working on a huge rebranding project! Connecting Growth Globally (CGG) all go away–everything is under my name JodiMorris.co, and travels are under Venture Travel. Thanks for checking it out (and sharing feedback 🙂