All posts by S. O'Donnell

SCHOOL GARDEN

The school grows a garden with different vegetables and fruits for its own sustainance. It is a type of labour that often young people can look down on as a punishment. But by teaching agriculture the younger generation will support and improve farming and living in Rwanda.

I was able to identify most of the leaves except the “dodo.” Dodo is an African indigenous vegetable that is grown and harvested in the wild.  I had it everyday for my luch in the school. It was picked from the school garden, rinsed, chopped and cooked with beens, banana and meat. Delicious and healthy! I love it.

DSC06252

Tomato – urunyanya
DSC06254
Onion – igitunguru

DSC06253
Papaia – paw paw

DSC06250
Banana – igitoki ( plantation) and umuneke (ripe banana)

DSC06249
Orange – icunga

DSC06248
Dodo

MY SCHOOL PLACEMENT

8th July 2015

5:30am – It is time to get up! The loud sound of my neighbour’s radio announces this.  I have plenty time to get ready and walk that long large street of Ruhuha to get to my placement school. It takes me approximately 30min to get there.

I am taking a world map and a small globe that travelled with me all the way from Scotland to Ruhuha in Rwanda. I might use them as I visit all the classes in the school.

imageThis is Groupe Scolaire Rango, a secondary school.

MOBILE PHONE

07th July 2015 – 17:24

Surprisingly, almost every adult has a mobile phone in Rwanda. In fact some people have more than one. It seems that this tecnology has taken over this part of the world. The variety of services available through mobile phones is impressive. Among so many things you can do with your mobile,  here you can buy credits for your electricity. However, in case of a power cut you have easy access to a place where you can charge your mobile.

image

A DAY FULL OF FIRST TIME

07th July 2015 – pm

It was a day full of first time experiences in a foreign land.

*Delivering my luggage,

*Finding out about the new neighbourhood,

*Meeting the headmaster of my school placement,

*Visiting the local Education Secretary,

*Going to a local restaurant,

*Buying drinking water,

*Decision making and decision taking,

This is my first day in Ruhuha and the blue building is my reference point. I live just up that street.

image

HOME WAY FROM HOME

07th July 2015 – 14:00

My new home for a month in Ruhuha is what people in Rwanda call a compound house. There are ten of these two room flats in the same lot shut behind a tall gate.

DSC06246

I chose the front room and my colleague the back room. As I usually get up very early every morning, I felt more comfortable if I could go out and in of my room without disturbing my colleague who was staying in the back room. The mattress is comfy and the bed clothing looks new and clean. A lovely net falls over the bed which protects against mosquitos. That was it, no shelves or any other furniture.

thumb_DSC06484_1024

The two rooms next door were occupied by two other colleagues and four of us shared another two rooms that were our living room and kitchen. Toilet? Oh dear! It is outside and my colleagues call it “long drop.” I am sure you will not have difficulties to identify its meaning and any sort of explanation will not be necessary. And yes, there is a shower room (2metres square) without a shower or any tap. It is just a small room outside where you can wash youself. Good lucky with your bucket of water!

Water? Yes, there is water and there is no need to walk miles to get it. The tap with running water is in the back yard. Oh bless! I just need to fill up the jerry can with water.

The picture below shows a long line of jerry cans waiting for running water in Ruhuha.

image

THE LONG STREET OF RUHUHA

7th July 2015 – 12:30pm

I know that there are many firsts when you arrive in a new place and in Ruhuha it was not different. Yes, it was my first feeling and impression of life passing by and a spirit of contentment fulfilled my soul. My eyes zoom everything in all directions and the long large street of Ruhuha amazes me. The soil is dry and the orange dust covers everything. Life in Ruhuha seems to be unique.

imageIt is the movement of people and bikes everywhere that makes Ruhuha so special. The riders are more than happy to approach and offer a ride for 200 RWF (it is only 20 pence).

TIME TO LEAVE FOR RUHUHA

7th July 2015 – 8:30

It is time to leave Kigali for the place I will stay for four weeks. It is Ruhuha, Mareba Sector in the District of Bugesera in Rwanda.

The region is predominantly arid and the vegetation is characterised by short grass, savannas, shrubs and short trees.

The climate is dry and the temperature average ranges between 26 and 29C.

image image imageI am looking forward to seeing my house and to  know everything about Ruhuha.  It is about 60 km from Kigali.

INSPIRE EDUCATE AND EMPOWER RWANDA

6th July 2015 – 17:30

I had an amazing opportunity to meet the most inspiring educators of IEE – Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda (formerly International Education Exchange)

The teacher training initiative focuses on personalised professional development that takes place in the schools.  It is the key factor for effective school based mentoring and capacity building. It also promotes the use of English as a medium of instruction in teaching and learning different subjects.

The pictures below show the first meeting between GLP teachers and IEE mentors at Aroma Restaurant.image image