When in Rwanda I did have quite a few opportunities to go to restaurants. However I realised that I did not have the patience to face the long waiting time to get the meal on the table. It was always easier to grab a couple of samosas in the closest shop. For this reason, many times I avoided being out for a meal. But I tried a self-service restaurant in Ruhuha. It was a quiet place to meet my colleagues and have a refreshing Fanta Citron.
The rustic methods of construction with free, local materials is engineered to create simple architecture that is indigenous to the area, and which is deeply engrained in olden times.
When I saw the local people preparing the muddy for this construction, I thought about my dad who was a builder in Brazil. Many times I saw him making the same type of muddy cake to set the bricks. And I am thinking where my dad’s knowledge came from.
This is my dad
Waking along the street of Ruhuha I was introduced to the African traditional sorghum that is drying under the warm sun.
Usually Sorghum is used in a popular beer made from bananas in Rwanda called Urwagwa.
Women work hard to support their family. This lady is spreading “amamera” on the ground. She could not understand me when I asked her that I wanted to take a picture. But a man close to her said “iego” – “yes”. It is a lovely picture and she was delighted to see it.
10 July 2015 – 9:15
It is time for a nice picture. The students have done their best during the experiment:
POP SOUND
Hydrogen gas is recognised by the ‘pop’ when it burns. The ‘pop’ is the sound of a small explosion.
I was impressed by the teacher and students interaction, participation and motivation.
The beauty of life is to be thankful for what you have at any time. You can be surprised by a smile, be excited for an invitation and amazed when things are bleak. I find life is a lot easier the lower I keep my expectations as it helps me to understand the reality. With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life. So, strive for the best you can have in your life.
My happiness is to enjoy what I do, wherever I am and with whatever I have.
My experience at GS Rango Secondary school brought peace to my heart and love to my soul. While I was listening to someone, I was learning. When I was looking at something, I was delighted at the thought of reaching that land. In the classroom I saw enthusiasm, bright minds and hard working people. They are all eager to learn and ambitious for a better future.
How exciting it is to take a bus in Rwanda! Is it a big bus or a small bus? Well it is a van. It can be big for 20 people or small that fits 15 people, but they are never on the road with less than 24 people squeezed in like sardines in a can.
It is a privilege to get a seat by the window. Please leave the windows open, so that the dust that is in can circulate and eventually go out. Believe me, that works!
Take the minimun necessary for your jorney or be prepared to pay for an extra seat for your luggage.
13 July 2015 – 9:07 am
I think that life is like a game of chess. You have to take decisions, move toward different directions, face rules and obstacles in order to succeed. But above all you have to learn how to think and think critically of the consequences of the decision made and taken, because they will affect you and other people.
After meeting teachers and students, I realised that not all of them knew about the game of chess. Some had never heard about it and a few had seen it in films. Despite the fact that I never mastered chess, I met teachers and students in the library for a session. It was amazing! Look at us!
10th July 2015 – 7:46am
It was during a chemistry lesson that I was invited to speak to a group of students. I was not only surprised with this opportunity that was given to me, but I was also impressed by the students’ confidence and the type of questions that they asked. And one question in particular that struck me was: “How can you inspire us?”
Wow! I took a deep breath and I said: “Well, I have been a teacher for 20 years, but more than that I have been a student for my entire life. It means that I learn something new every day. Yes, some people have inspired me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. So like you, I still have dreams and it is impossible to predict about our tomorrow. What I know is that, you have to live your present life to the full and you need to give the best of yourself in everything you do. Be honest, try hard, be wise and critical. But above all, be yourself! Find out about your talents and explore them. Whatever you do, do it with love.”
Again I took my breath, caught a glimpse of the whole class, but they were staring at me:
“In fact, I only can be myself! I hope I can share with you who I am and my life experience. Life is wonderful and usually full of surprises. And as an example here I am, my first time in Africa, Ruhuha, at GS Rango.”
If you happen to be an early bird like me, your eyes and ears can catch the beauty of the first hours every morning. While the birds are singing in the trees that surround GS Rango, Ruhuha, this lady is sweeping the sparkingly clean walkway with a traditional short broom. It seems that the short-stocked broom has been part of the nation and the culture for a long time.
Well, I thought I had also to try it myself. Why not?
One day after school, walking on my way home with a few children and having a nice conversation, I asked them: “What do you do after school when you get home? ” They all gave me the same answer: ” I wash my uniform.”
That day when I arrived home I could see that my neighbour who had just arrived from school was also washing his uniform!
