{"id":40180,"date":"2019-10-14T22:33:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-14T22:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/arsenal-star-david-luiz-experiences-remarkable-to\/"},"modified":"2019-10-15T16:34:07","modified_gmt":"2019-10-15T16:34:07","slug":"arsenal-star-david-luiz-experiences-remarkable-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/arsenal-star-david-luiz-experiences-remarkable-to\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal Star David Luiz experiences remarkable to Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>David, accompanied by his mother and fianc\u00e9e, began his trip by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He learned about the causes of the Genocide and how Rwandans have built a new nation on a foundation of dignity and togetherness. David and his family honoured the victims by laying a wreath and observing a moment of silence.<\/p>\n<p>He also met President Paul Kagame, before heading to Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Northern Province where he planted an indigenous tree as part of efforts to reforest areas surrounding the stunning Volcanoes National Park \u2013 home to the endangered mountain gorillas.<\/p>\n<p>David and his family also enjoyed \u2018Rwanda Night\u2019 at the Lodge, which included traditional Rwandan dancing and drumming, as well as sampling the local cuisine.<\/p>\n<p>Kicking off day two, David and his family trekked through the volcanoes to see Rwanda\u2019s mountain gorillas. During the incredible wildlife experience, they learnt about the country\u2019s successful efforts to conserve and protect the gorillas and their habitat. David then traveled back to Kigali to attend a national league football match at Kigali Regional Stadium where he met players, young Rwandans from the Irebero Goalkeeper Training Centre and enthusiastic fans.<\/p>\n<p>David concluded his trip by meeting hundreds of Arsenal fans at the Kigali Convention Centre where he answered questions on his experience in Rwanda and his life and football career.<\/p>\n<p>Helping to build awareness of Rwanda as a welcoming and culturally rich tourist hotspot, David was the first Arsenal first-team player to visit Rwanda since the partnership\u2019s launch last season. He follows in the footsteps of Arsenal legends Alex Scott, Tony Adams and Lauren who have previously participated in the country\u2019s Kwita Izina Gorilla naming ceremony \u2013 a prestigious celebration of Rwandan conservation and culture.<\/p>\n<p>David\u2019s trip was part of Visit Rwanda\u2019s ground-breaking partnership with Arsenal Football Club, which also includes a focus on football development through a unique partnership between Arsenal, the Rwandan Football Federation and the national Ministry of Sports and Culture to develop and nurture local football talent at the grassroots level for girls and boys.<\/p>\n<p>{{Following the visit David Luiz}}, said it has been incredible to learn about the wonderful country and experience the welcoming spirit of the Rwandan people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI came with the curiosity to learn about the country, considering what it went through 25 years ago. I have to say I was inspired by how fast it has moved forward and how it has become a progressive, fast-growing nation with so many amazing things to see and do,\u201d he said.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy family and I are so thankful for the opportunity to come here and see the passion of football fans, experience Rwanda\u2019s culture and witness breath-taking scenery. From trekking to see mountain gorillas to watching local football and mixing with fans of all ages, it has been a humbling and wonderful experience. We can\u2019t wait to come back and see even more of this beautiful country. I\u2019m going to recommend all my friends to spend their holidays in Rwanda,\u201d added David Luiz. <\/p>\n<p>{{Clare Akamanzi}}, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, revealed it was fantastic hosting David and his family in Rwanda and where he enjoyed every moment of his stay. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cDavid created a real bond with the local community. Rwanda is a must-see travel destination and we are happy David and his family experienced the best the country has to offer, from world-class hospitality options to once in a lifetime experiences like trekking the endangered mountain gorilla. We look forward to seeing David in Rwanda again, and welcoming more Arsenal players, fans and tourists from around the world to our beautiful country,\u201d she noted.  <\/p>\n<p>{{Detailed Visit Summary<\/p>\n<p>Kigali Genocide Memorial}}<\/p>\n<p>David\u2019s time in Rwanda begun with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. <\/p>\n<p>He learned about the causes, reality, and consequences of the Genocide as well as how Rwandans have built a new nation on a foundation of dignity and togetherness. He and his family also laid a wreath at the memorial burial place where 250,000 of the more than one million victims of the Genocide have been laid to rest. <\/p>\n<p>After visiting, David wrote a touching message in the memorial guestbook:<br \/>\n\u201c{Hello friends, I just want to remind you that we are all born one for the other, we all need each other. It doesn\u2019t matter where; we need to live with love, peace, and happiness. God bless you all. From your brother, David.}\u201d<\/p>\n<p>{{Audience with Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda}}<\/p>\n<p>After visiting the memorial, David visited the offices of the Rwanda Development Board where he interacted with staff and met with the Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi. <\/p>\n<p>Shortly after, President Kagame received David at his office, Urugwiro Village. <\/p>\n<p>In his meeting with the President, David was accompanied by his fianc\u00e9 Ms. Bruna Da Conceicao Loureiro, mother Regina Celia Moreira Marinho, and Peter Silverstone, Arsenal Football Club Commercial Director. They were also joined by the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi. View photos here. <\/p>\n<p>{{Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Musanze Distric}}t<\/p>\n<p>David then traveled to Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Musanze District (Rwanda\u2019s Northern Province) where he planted an indigenous tree as part of efforts to reforest areas surrounding Volcanoes National Park and the lodge. He also took the time to train at the foothills of the volcanoes. <\/p>\n<p>While at Singita, David also met with the Governor of the Northern Province, JMV Gatabazi, the Chief Park Warden of Volcanoes National Park, Prosper Uwingeli, and Eugene Mutangana from the Rwanda Development Board Tourism and Conservation Department. They discussed Rwanda\u2019s successful gorilla conservation efforts and plans to expand their habitat.<\/p>\n<p>David and his family also enjoyed \u2018Rwanda Night\u2019 at Singita Kwitonda Lodge, which included traditional Rwandan dancing and drumming, as well as sampling the local cuisine.<\/p>\n<p>{{Trekking Kwitonda Gorilla Family in Volcanoes National Park}}<\/p>\n<p>In Volcanoes National Park, David and his family trekked to visit the Kwitonda family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and were amazed by this unique and incredible wildlife encounter. <\/p>\n<p>{{Attending APR v. Etincelles Match at Kigali Regional Stadium}}<\/p>\n<p> After the trek, David traveled to Kigali to attend a national league match between APR v. Etincelles at the Kigali Regional Stadium where he met with players from both teams as well as<\/p>\n<p>the referees. During half time, he joined a football juggling competition with young Rwandans from the Irebero Goalkeeper Training Centre. David presented the winner of the competition, Prince Alonso Ishimwe, with a signed #23 Arsenal home kit jersey. <\/p>\n<p>{{Meeting Supporters and Press Conference}}<\/p>\n<p>After the match, David met with Arsenal fans in Rwanda at the Kigali Convention Center. He interacted with the fans by taking selfies and answering questions about his career<\/p>\n<p>The visit comes after a highly successful first year of Visit Rwanda\u2019s partnership with Arsenal as the club\u2019s inaugural Sleeve Sponsor and Official Tourism Partner.<\/p>\n<p>In just twelve months, the partnership has made Rwanda a must-see holiday destination for football fans and tourists around the world.<\/p>\n<p>An independent survey conducted by Hall and Partners of 20,000 Arsenal fans across 30 markets found that as a result of the partnership, 51% of respondents are more likely to consider Rwanda as a tourist destination, demonstrating a shift in perception and understanding of the country.<\/p>\n<p>In 2018, 1.7 million people visited Rwanda \u2013 an 8% increase from 2017.<br \/>\nThis success has led the partnership to be nominated for a Leaders Sports Award in the sponsorship category, which recognizes the best work and most talented individuals in sports business.<\/p>\n<p>Visit Rwanda and the partnership with Arsenal also won the top award for destination excellence in luxury and experiential travel at the 2019 Luxperience Awards and an Honorary Award for Partnership for \u2018a unique and transformational partnership by an African brand\u2019 at the 2019 Best of Africa Awards.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32725 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_18-001-094bb.jpg\" alt=\"David\u2019s trip was part of Visit Rwanda\u2019s ground-breaking partnership with Arsenal Football Club,\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32726 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_13-001-d630c.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32727 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_13_2-ee3d0.jpg\" alt=\"David visited to the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32728 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_59-001-660c8.jpg\" alt=\"He learned about the causes, reality and consequences of the Genocide \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32729 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_55-ab44d.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32730 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_25-001-6b18d.jpg\" alt=\"He and his family also laid a wreath at the memorial burial place where 250,000 of the more than one million victims of the Genocide have been laid to rest.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32731 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_77-2-3fa64.jpg\" alt=\"David visited the offices of the Rwanda Development Board where met with the Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32732 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_8-001-6db24.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32733 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_3-001-2bb6c.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32734 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_7-001-db804.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32735 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_17-001-991e0.jpg\" alt=\"David  planted an indigenous tree as part of efforts to reforest areas surrounding Volcanoes National Park\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32736 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_33-2-390f9.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32737 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_36-001-310f4.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32738 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_38-4-59faf.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32739 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_43-001-a0c7f.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32740 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_45-4-56ce7.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32741 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_46_2-7bec5.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32742 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_50-3-70dca.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32743 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0646-40a8d.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32744 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0658-d5202.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32745 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0706-2d9e5.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32746 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0724-ce759.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32747 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0743-001-eb2ec.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32748 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0846-39027.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32749 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0849-fa45b.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32750 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0887-88d8e.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32751 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_9-3-ede6a.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32752 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0875-59b3d.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32753 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_8-3-788ba.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32754 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_13-2-a9d23.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32755 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_17-3-0d881.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32756 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_36-3-eec40.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32757 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_39-3-44bf3.jpg\" alt=\"In Volcanoes National Park, David and his family trekked to visit the Kwitonda family of mountain gorillas\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32758 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_43-2-4d2da.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32759 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_32-3-58991.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32760 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_66-04369.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32761 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_20-2-ec195_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32762 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_22-3-1e3ac_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32763 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_34-3-aab65_1_.jpg\" alt=\"David attend a national league match between APR v. Etincelles at the Kigali Regional Stadium\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32764 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_40-2-8cd1a_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32765 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_41-3-19a83_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32766 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_60-2-02983_1_.jpg\" alt=\"David met with Arsenal fans in Rwanda at the Kigali Convention Center.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32767 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/noahy_64-2-c2f4a_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32768 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0464-a062e_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32769 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0476-2-001fd_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32770 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0536-2-651e8_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32771 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_gih0581-2-55dca_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32772 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/luiz-fa918_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-32773 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/luiz2-00b12_1_.jpg\" alt=\"President Kagame received David at his office, Urugwiro Village.\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal star David Luiz has enjoyed his two-day trip to Rwanda which saw the Brazilian defender experience Rwanda\u2019s famous hospitality, learn about the country\u2019s rich culture and natural wonders and understand how Rwandans have united to drive the country forward as a leading reformer in Africa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-40180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"featured_image":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40180"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40180\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40180"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=40180"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=40180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}