Knowingly scammed by clever Rwandan kids
Trip Start
Apr 21, 2008
1
29
225
Trip End
Apr 20, 2009
Kinigi,
Rwanda
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Today, I am leaving Kigali for Le Parc National des Volcans. People come here to see the mountain gorillas. Rwanda, and its neighboring countris (Uganda and DRC) are apparentlythe only countries in the world where you could see gorillas. It's quite pricey to see them - $500 US for a 1 hour encounter. I am not going to see them though. I am one of the few around here that doesnt seem so interested in seeing them. If it was cheaper, I would probably go. Because I am already planning on spending a lot of money on climbing Kilimanjaro and doing a safari in the Serengeti, I couldn't swallow the extra cost of seeing the gorillas - even if this is one of the few places in the world to see them. Instead, I am going to Le Parc National des Volcans to hike a volcano.
The scenery during my bus ride from Kigali to Kinigi (which is the town near the National Park) was spectacular. The best of my trip so far. I am so glad I came here towards the end of the rainy season as everything is so green.
To get to Kinigi, you have to get yourself to a town called Ruhengeri. When I arrived there, I had about 30 minutes to spare before my next bus took off. A young kid actually escorted me to my bus to make sure I found out. Of course he was doing this with the hope of getting a tip. I never hand out money because everyone will ask you as soon as they see you give. This time , though, I gave money. The kid had no shoes and was wearing ripped clothes. I felt bad for him. The kid was happy. Of course, 2 minutes later, a kid in a broken wheelchair shows up asking for money. A crowd was right behind me waiting to see what I would. These people were also waiting for the bus to Kinigi. I gave money again. When it was time to go, 2 kids started fighting for my bag so they could put it on the bus. I just took it and put it on the bus myself. That didn't stiop them from asking me for money. All of a sudden, everyone thought I was Mr. Rich. This time, I refused. So as you can see, there is a reason why I dont give money out. Most travellers I meet react the same way.
Before getting on the bus, the driver took me to the front passenger door and asked an old man already in his seat to get out so I can sit there. I didn't like this at all! The old man just slammed the door shut in defiance. Good for him. Why should he give up his seat for me. I just looked at him and said I didnt want his seat. I didnt want him to think it was my idea to sit there. I turned to the driver and said I wanted to sit in the middle as I saw an open seat. He seemed surprised. This was the firsttime something like this happened to me.
I finally get to my hostel. The hostel I am staying at is beautiful. It's totally surrounded by seven volcanoes in the distance. All of the money generated by the hostel is given to vulnerable Rwandan women impacted by the genocide. It was one of the reasons why I wanted to stay there.
As soon as I checked in, I went for a walk through the village. As always, people greet me with a smile and wave of the hand. Rwandans are so friendly. The kids here seem to get a lot more excited about seeing a foreigner than the ones in Uganda. I thought thuis was strange as many foreigners come here to see teh gorillas. But then I realized that the foreigners arriver at the park headqurters at 7 am and are gone by noon. Most dont stay in Kinigi.
While touring the town, I spotted the park head quarters. I wanted to see if anyone was there so I could find information about hiking the volcano tomorrow. Everyone was gone except the one young teenager. He gave me some basic info and just said I should arrive in the morning at about 630 am. When Iasked what he did, he said he was the chef. I was caught off guard as this kid was no more than 14 yrs old. I asked what he cooked and he answered "Coffee and Tea.". I laughed. I told him I was looking forward to trying his tea the next day.
When I left the park headquarters, a young group of kids started following me as I was taking pictures. School just ended for them. They approached me and started talking to me. They spoke English really well. The tallest one in the group explained that he was the captain of the schools soccer team and asked if it was possible that I take pictures of him and the rest of the boys (who were dressed in their soccer uniforms) on the team. I was happy to do so. They asked if I could email them the photos as they didnt have any pictures of the team. I promised them I would send them the photos as soon as I could. It was the least I could do for these guys.
After about 10 minutes of taking group and solo pictures, one of the kids started telling me how their soccer ball brioke the previous week and they were waiting for the school to get enough money to buy another one. I asked how much a soccer ball costs here and they said 10000 RFR. That's 20 dollars. There's no way a soccer ball costs 10000 RFR here. No one would be able to afford it. So I started wondering if these guys were trying to swindle me into giving them 10000 RFR. I started wondering if they gave this same story to every foreigner they walked by. But I liked these guys so I just went along with it. I asked if there was a shop in the village where I could find soccer balls. If so, I would buy them one. The captian, Daniel, said there was. Perfect! I'll buy the ball once I see it rather than give them the money. I get to the shop (which was really a very dark bar with supplies and 2 soccer balls in the back) and a kid who was no more than 12 looks at me and says "I am the shop keeper. You want to buy a football?" This was definitely a scam. The "shopkeeper" was probably a friend of one of the kids. I ask to see the soccer ball. He pulls it out from behind the bar and it isnt even new. It's used. I knew what was going on. This was already their ball. They wanted me to buy a ball they already owned. What a clever scam. So the starting priice was 15000 RFR. I said it was too much. He actually pointed to his tiny chest and said "I am the shopkeeper. I cannot sell for less than 15000 RFR." At this point, adults are gathering outside the shop looking to see what was going on. They probably saw this routine a hundred times. Man, they had this routine down to a science. I was quite impressed with these guys. I then told the kids I would go to the nearby town and buy them a better ball. As soon as I said that, the price went down to 10000 RFR. Still a lot of money for thispartof the world. But then I thought to myself, these kids need the money. Even though I know it's not for their soccer ball, I should just "buy" the ball. The money would still go to these kids. And maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a scam. So I bought the ball for 10000 RFR. I looked at the kids, and not once did I see a look that said "We fooled him.". Instead, they were all so happy and grateful. At this point, I didn't know what to think.
When it was time for me to get back to my hostel, it started pouring rain. The hostel was about a 10 minute walk from where I was. As I walked back, all of the kids followed me. I asled them what they wanted. They said they just wanted to walk me back to my hostel. I said it was unnecessary as they were already in their village and that it was pouring rain. They demanded that they walk back with me. Scam or not, they were good kids. At that point, I was happy about my decision to givethem the money.
When I got back to the hostel, I told the captain that I wanted to play soccer with them tomorrow. He said that he wasnt sure if it would be possible as sometimes the teached gives them homework. Homework is actually done at the school after classes are over. He asked when I would come back from my volcano trek and I replied 2 pm. He said he would try to let me know somehow during the day whether they would be playing or not.
At supper time, I saw one of the managers of the hostel and told her my soccer ball story. She said I probably got scammed. I was a bit disappointed but still not too bothered given who was getting the money. She told me not to expect the kids to show up the next day. Oh well. I still love the fact that their scam was put together so well.
Dino
