It is still early on a Tuesday morning here in Kigali, but Chemchem Restaurant is already alive. At a nearby table, a couple of businessmen are holding a meeting. Outside, children enjoying their summer holidays splash in the swimming pool, while baristas move through the garden, delivering orders to guests seated in the gazebos.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, eight of us settle around a table for the 146th Turning Pages book club session. Cups of Gorilla’s Coffee soon arrive, and the conversation begins with introductions and a brief preview of Muhazi Belt.
The students bring refreshing energy to the discussion. One praises the book’s simple writing and manageable length. Another, who recently moved to Rwanda from Tanzania, admits that she did not know Lake Muhazi existed. Someone else is already dreaming of trying jet skiing.
The youngest participant has fond memories of a weekend spent with her family at a private residence along the lake. Her story leads us into a wider conversation about the transformation of the Muhazi Belt, where resorts, recreational facilities, and vacation homes are steadily reshaping the landscape.
As we sip our coffee, the discussion naturally turns to what is in our cups. The Gorilla’s Coffee representatives explain that the Eastern Province mainly produces robusta, while their arabica coffee comes largely from the highlands of northern and western Rwanda. Talking about coffee over coffee feels natural, but we eventually return to Muhazi.
We explore the area as a growing tourist strip, discussing its proximity to Kigali, its expanding hospitality sector, and its appeal as an easy escape from the city. The conversation moves freely through tourism, education, promotion, investment, business, and the future of Afrika Nzuri and Turning Pages.
Today’s host, Chemchem Restaurant, becomes the 82nd venue to partner with Turning Pages since the program began. After 146 sessions and close to 900 participants, the initiative has already made significant strides. Yet this marks the beginning of a more deliberate drive to take the campaign to the next level.
As the conversation draws to a close, I take a moment to recognize the partners who made the journey around Lake Muhazi and the publication of the book possible. I thank Gorilla’s Coffee for providing its premium coffee, then express my sincere appreciation to Chemchem Restaurant for bringing the entire experience together through warm hospitality, attentive service, and a beautifully prepared setting that allows the conversation to flow with ease.