Drake University students visit Gishwati

From the 19th-21st of January, the Shinehouse Gishwati Research Station was host to a group of study abroad students from Drake University led by professor Michael Renner. The students were taking part in a field course offered by Drake University called “Ecotourism, Conservation, and Development in Post-Genocide Rwanda.” The study abroad group visited Gishwati to learn about Gishwati’s history, its current management structure, and the flora and fauna of this new national park.

Dancing with INDASHYIKIRWA

During their stay, the Drake students enjoyed the stunning view of Gishwati forest from the research station. Their daily activities were coordinated by Forest of Hope Association (FHA), and included site visits to the local cooperatives that FHA works with and the forest restoration projects occurring inside the forest.

Students visited different community groups around Gishwati forest including: KOVAKARU (a women’s handcraft cooperative), COAGIRU (a cooperative of traditional healers) to learn about the practice of traditional medicine and culture; and INDASHYIKIRWA (an indigenous historically marginalized group) to enjoy an exhibition of traditional dances. The Drake team also participated in a community project to remove exotic species (Eucalyptus sp.) inside the forest.

Kazeneza Falls

After their first night at the research station, the students went on a forest hike to Kazeneza falls located on the Pfunda River inside Gishwati forest. During this hike they had the opportunity to observe a group of L’hoesti monkeys, one of Gishwati’s four known primate species along with golden monkeys, chimpanzees and galagos.

Each night at the Shinehouse Gishwati Research Station was a new and exciting experience for the students.

“The first night we saw stars that were so clear in the sky after switching off all the lights. The second night we sat around the campfire for a story telling time. I couldn’t stop laughing and smiling with everyone. The third day was all about the dancing. We have also been so impressed by the Kinihira students dance performance” said one of Drake’s students. Students from both Drake University and the local Kinihira Secondary School staged a dance exhibition with each group presenting a series of songs and dances.

The Drake University students thoroughly enjoyed their stay at the Shinehouse Gishwati Research Station and Dr. Renner is looking forward to leading another group of students to the research station next year.