Lake Kivu

When I first saw Lake Kivu my first thought was “WOW!!” The lake is amazingly beautiful. In the morning, its dead calm and in the distance you can see fisherman paddling in their dug out canoes. In the early afternoon it sparkles as the high sun reflects off of its surface. As the afternoon changes into evening the large clouds roll off the Rwandan mountains showering Lake Kivu in heavy rain. The clouds move further south where lightening cracks over the rolling hills followed by and echoing boom of thunder.
On the weekend wake boards and jet skis fly across the surface accompanied by woops of laughter coming from the expats that ride them. Lake Kivu also acts as a highway for trade and transportation. However that is not the whole story of the magnificent lake.
As well as fostering fun the lake also fosters life. Thousands of people use the lake as their primary water source everyday. Although life may seem is easy for those living within walking distance from the lake, it comes at a price. As well as fish, the lake is also home to Cholera. Cholera is bacteria found in fresh water that can cause serious gastrointestinal problems. So... every jerry can of water pulled out of the lake needs to be treated with chlorine in order to insure that the water is truly clean. Chlorine costs money, money that not everyone has. This is where complications happen. The lake goes from being a life source to a source of disease and hardship.
After a long, hot day I am able to come home to Maji, flip of my shoes and plunge into the lake to cool off. For me Lake Kivu is a luxury, for others it is a hard earned necessity.