The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.
When we reject the single story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise.
– Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Before I start telling you of my experiences as a volunteer in Rwanda, I wann state that I am only telling what I see and experience here. I am telling my single story and I want you to be aware that I will never be able to see and experience the whole country/all of the culture/every person, so what I tell you is only a small part of what Rwanda or even Nyanza actually is.
Also, I grew up in a completely different cultural context than the people here in Rwanda, so I might see something and judge it based on my european/privileged/white upbringing. Of course I will try to stay as neutral and non-judgemental as possible, but my unconsciousnes is still primarly influenced by the norms and values of a society from the northern part of the globe.
Thank you all so much for supporting me on my journey and I hope you will enjoy my Blog.
All the love, Paula
Here is a link to the Ted Talk “The danger of a single story” by Chimamanda Adichie http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html
She explains very well how a single story can influence society’s view and opinion of a whole country/culture/people to the level that so much what is also real is lost because it wasn’t told.
Paulus o Globus 