Episode #241: Surviving the Rwandan Genocide and Traveling to 80 Countries and All 7 Continents as a Photographer and Storyteller with Jupiter Kayonga

Episode Summary

Jupiter Kayonga takes us on his journey growing up in Rwanda, meeting foreigners who came from other countries to take his father’s tours, and falling in love with photography as a kid.  He then talks about losing his father in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, fleeing the country at 9 years old, and living as a refugee in multiple countries.  Jupiter then shares his experience moving to Dubai and traveling the world as a flight attendant, re-conecting with photography and story-telling, and eventually moving to India.  He reflects on the power of India and his experience attending some of the world’s largest religious and cultural festivals there. Jupiter then shares his experience in Cuba, and how enamored he was with the culture, the hospitality and the kindness of the people.  He then shares stories from his journey to Argentina, Chile and his epic voyage to Antarctica.  Next, Jupiter opens up about his emotional decision to return to Rwanda more than 20 years after he left, and shares what he found when he went back, and how it impacted him.  Finally, Jupiter reflects on what the concept of “home” means to him today, the impact of travel and tourism on the places we go, and how travel has shaped him as a person.  FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com

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Jupiter Kayonga headshot

Jupiter Kayonga

Jupiter Kayonga is a storyteller and travel photographer, currently chasing stories in the beautiful chaos of Paris and around the world. Born in Rwanda, he grew up meeting clients who would come on safari tours run by his father, which sparked his interest in storytelling, which began his love of photography where he has been using each click of the camera to capture and tell a unique story.  He believes every person, every place, and every little moment is a story waiting to be told and that those stories can be crafted to help us connect with the world around us. He has now traveled to over 80 countries on all 7 continents, chasing those stories.

What You'll Learn
  • Jupiter’s experience surviving the Rwandan genocide, living as a refugee, and returning to Rwanda more than 20 years later.
  • Tips for de-centering yourself when shooting photos and telling stories about the places we travel
  • What it’s like to travel to Antarctica
Links From the Episode

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Time Stamped Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

[3:31] Growing up in Rwanda, Meeting Foreigners and Learning Photography

[6:33] Fleeing the Rwandan Genocide

[10:28] Jupiter’s Refugee Journey After Leaving Rwanda

[11:28] Jupiter’s Career Path

[14:15] How His Photography and Story Telling Evolved

[17:25] Reflections on Living in India

[24:17] De-Centering The Traveler When Telling Stories About Places

[26:01] Making Friends in Cuba

[29:18] Watch Matt’s Free Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing

[30:47] Traveling to Antarctica

[37:51] Returning to Rwanda 20 Years After the Genocide

[40:53] How Jupiter Thinks About the Concept of “Home”

[43:04] The impact of travel and tourism on the places we go

[48:15] What travel means to Jupiter

[49:43] The Lightning Round

[51:13] Follow and Connect with Jupiter