It is almost impossible to not fall in love with the serene and scenic views in Kigali so when the opportunity for a Saturday morning hike up Mount Kigali presented itself, my FOMO instantly kicked in and it was a simple and straightforward YES!!. I don’t think I anticipated the steepness ahead but getting up those windy red roads were dotted with tender moments. From my hiking partners pausing to catch a breath just because they knew I needed it,  to watching little girls fetching fire wood and care free boys rolling tyres and making sand moulds. This work can often feel lonely and the comfort and safety of having other women walking a trail with you and checking in on you is so necessary especially when your call for a break can get swallowed between so much heavy breathing. I never expected hiking to be such a meta experience but in the end, that view though… priceless.

– Wana Udobang