Kelda Yuen

My journey inside the so-called 'Hermit Kingdom' was surreal and fascinating; surreal because I was stepping inside the most reclusive country in the world, and fascinating because despite the artificiality of only being able to tour certain parts - with some things certainly staged - it still gave me a glimpse inside what is perhaps the strangest place on earth (the assumption some things were staged simply added to the strangeness).

I know some have ethical concerns over North Korean tourism, but I believe it is an opportunity for engagement, however small. Without visitors, the country would be completely isolated. This debate over ethics is necessary, but I think leaving the door shut would mean a further loss of hope for those living inside the country.

After a breathtaking drive from Kigali to the northern part of Rwanda, my friend and I were up before dawn for our trek to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park located at the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We were greeted with beautiful song and dance, before being briefed by our amazing guide, Francois Bigirimana.

We trekked through mud and hills, finally reaching one of the gorilla families - with numerous babies! They are such incredible creatures. There are only about 800 mountain gorillas left in the wild, all living in Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC.​​

It was one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. In 1994, an estimated 800,000 people were killed in Rwanda in the span of 100 days, as the world stood by.

​The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Rwanda takes visitors on a journey through those dark days and the strive for healing and reconciliation in the genocide's aftermath. It serves as a sobering reminder of the effects of colonization and the horrors capable by mankind. Most importantly, it is a memorial to the many lives lost. 250,000 of those killed are interred here.

Rwanda is known as the Land of A Thousand Hills for good reason. Traveling around the capital of Kigali, we were constantly surrounded by lush, rolling hills - simply stunning. This beauty, of course, hides a tragic past. One of the highlights of our trip was when three women - who lived through the 1994 genocide - asked to sing for us, their voices joyous, despite the horrors they lived through.

It had been ten years since I last visited Shelter Children's Home in Ngong, Kenya, but the smiles and laughter remain the same. For most of the children though, it hasn’t been easy. H.I.V./AIDS is still a leading cause of death in the country, leaving many orphaned. Strides have been made, such as the construction of an elementary school, but it is still a constant struggle for Mary Muiriri, who oversees the home, to ensure all the children have what they need.