Stop Thief! (…too late)
20 October 2009
There’s nothing like having your laptop, computer bag, digital camera ,that little flip video thing that Kiva provides, as well as my zip drive and wireless modem from Rwandatel (that took a good ½ day to get configured at no small cost I might add) and even a brand new electric water heater for desperately needed morning coffees to put a bump in one’s day. I have traveled for many years and I took all the normal precautions, which made this experience all the more frustrating. Details aside, I’m pleased to say that I didn’t curse, cry or condemn. Here’s how I (came to) see it…
First of all, my computer was a PC and it was painfully slow and prone to viruses here in Rwanda– my new machine is a snazzy looking Mac which is much faster with nary a concern about viruses of any kind. My computer bag was a bit flashy and didn’t really fit in with the scene here in Kigali so I opted for a canvas courier-type bag, which is much more understated and hip. As for the digital camera, my delightful 3-year-old daughter, Savilla, recently dropped it and so the flash function didn’t work which always annoyed me whenever I went to use it. So, really that’s kind of a blessing. I do find that Flip video thing very cool (as does my son Christian) but with Internet connection itself a rarity and ‘high speed’ a misnomer in this land, uploading video in/from Rwanda was never a primary concern, (though my son will miss this gadget dearly). Sorry Kiva, I owe you a Flip… The zip drive info is already on another computer at my MFI so I could get it easily from that one – not to mention the ever-useful Fellows Wiki, chalk full of all the information a KF in the field could ever want. And the software Mozy, backs up everything on my machine anyway (my techie person at work tells me) so actually, i haven’t even lost any data! Also, it turns out that my dear wife also bought me a hot water heater last night (coincidence!) so I actually would have had the burden of two hot water heaters had this theft not occurred.
Finally, this morning, the hours I spent at Rwandatel for a new wireless modem gave me pause to think about how I might be more careful with other important items I have not yet lost/had stolen (like my passport, cash, wallet, children etc) and by 1PM today I was back at the office with no one the wiser. How this relates to microfinance, I do not know…a cautionary tale perhaps, an inspirational one maybe or possibly just a chance to show some photos of my two adorable Rwandan children. (Taken last year outside a curio shop in Juneau, Alaska admittedly…more recent photos will be forthcoming with a new camera soon to be purchased and the promise of Mozy backup data to follow). As my son said to me after I explained how my day went, “it sounds like it’s all ok, Dad…and Mom’s IPhone can do video.”
Gavin Sword KF9
Entry Filed under: Africa, All, KF9 (Kiva Fellows 9th Class), Rwanda, Vision Finance Company s.a. (VFC), a partner of World Vision International. Tags: Africa, Gavin Sword, Kigali, Kiva Fellows, kiva.org, Vision Finance Company.
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1. guy kennaway | 21 October 2009 at 00:19
What conversations are you having down there? Give me dialogue. Why is it you Americans/Canadians are SO obsessed with your technolgy? Leave all that – talk about people. That is what you do best, Gavin.
2. Gavin | 21 October 2009 at 01:07
Yes, I’d like to report on dialogue and i will. It’s just that in this case, i never had a chance to converse with the thief (though i’m sure he was an engaging type).
3. slmeyer86 | 21 October 2009 at 01:09
gavin, way to roll with the punches in a HUGE way! keep on truckin’!
4. Rebecca Corey | 21 October 2009 at 05:40
Gavin, pole sana! But BIG UP on your great attitude, optimism, and perspective. Good luck, going forward though, and keep that lovely macbook safe!
5. Jan & John, KivaFriends | 21 October 2009 at 07:56
I just want to hug those children!!! Thanks for sharing… jan
6. John Briggs | 21 October 2009 at 08:15
Sorry to hear everything got jacked, and good to see you’re making lemonade — what I expect of you, sir. Hang on tight to that new Mac.
So maybe a few details about the incident, cautions for fellow travelers?
7. Cindy and Lindsay | 21 October 2009 at 08:22
Sorry to hear about your bad luck but you’ve been a trouper. Thanks for sending inspiration back to Canada!
8. Stephanie | 21 October 2009 at 10:17
You poor thing!!! I had no idea! Thanks for trucking on – you are really such a trooper.
9. FM, Aide de Camp | 21 October 2009 at 11:05
You Sir, have in no small measure captured the hearts and minds of many of your devoted followers. And may I also say, that I have encountered no other individual who more closely emobides – or unfailing displays…. the very “essence” of Ms. Gloria Estefan’s famed 1994 anthem; “Turn the Beat Around” !
Flute player play your flute cause
I know that you want to get your thing off
But you see Ive made up my mind about it
Its got to be the rhythm, no doubt about it, woah woah
cause when the guitar player start playing
With the syncopated rhythm, with the scratch, scratch, scratch
Makes me wanna move my body yeah, yeah, yeah
And when the drummer starts beating that beat
He nails that beat with the syncopated rhythm
With the rat, tat, tat, tat, tat, tat on the drums, hey
Turn the beat around
Love to hear the percussion
Turn it upside down
Love to hear the percussion
Love to hear it
Love to hear it
Love to hear it
Love to hear it
10. FM, Aide de Camp | 21 October 2009 at 11:09
Right.
Sooo…. the lyrics don’t realy apply in this case.
I should have just left it with the “title” then.
Check.
Disregard.
Go about yout business then…..
What time is it?
Whew!.!!..would you looky there…I have to go.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK ! LOVE TO LESLIE, SAVILLA & CHRISTIAN !
11. Bryan | 21 October 2009 at 14:32
Gavin – So sorry about the theft, way to keep it positive! Also, I have this amazingly vivid image of you dancing on top of a bar to the song in the comment above! I cant seem to figure out where i would have gotten such an image…
12. Laura Buhler | 21 October 2009 at 14:58
Machi Bazo!
13. Nicki, KF9 | 21 October 2009 at 22:14
Love the optimism, Gavin. I’d expect nothing less
Try not to lose the kids though…
14. Gavin | 22 October 2009 at 00:24
and yes, it is chalk full. literally all done in chalk
15. Prem Thomas | 22 October 2009 at 02:13
Bummer man, looks like the thief might be struggling with your old gear.
16. Leslie | 22 October 2009 at 11:00
I loved dancing to “Turn the Beat Around” with you and the kids this morning!
A wonderful post: chalk up one more to GRS
17. Jennifer Lichi | 23 October 2009 at 01:41
Just a few challenges, hugh? Well, I don’t know what is the best part – your attitude or the kid’s one liners! Thanks for putting me in the loop. I think about your family often. BTW, KIVA seems like such a wonderful organization.
18. Gemma | 23 October 2009 at 20:29
hey Gavin, well, I guess you got that out of the way. It’s good to hear your, and your kids’, attitude about it! Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures.