All posts by S. O'Donnell

Business

KIMIRONGO MARKET DAY

Leave a comment

6th July 2015 – 14:49

Doing business at Kimirongo market for me is ‘having fun.’ I just love it! Think of a market place that is colourful, vibrant, alive and a friendly environment. That is Kimirongo! It operates seven days a week and you can pop in for everything you need.

Wow! I can spend hours walking through those narrow aisles. It is a competition among the vendors selling their similar products. There are lots of sweet talking “Hello Madame!” The smiley vendors drag you to visit the stalls and check their stuff. No doubt the initial price is for a muzungu (white rich person). So I advise, get the price down if you want to pay what the locals do.

Imagine the market layout.  On one side, tailors, local craft , used clothing, shoes, fabrics…

Fabrics! Which pattern should I choose? The tailor is just there down the aisle and can make you a very fashionable Rwandan dress.

image

On the other side: food…

imageEverything looks very fresh; grains, vegetables and fruits.

DSC06526

Rwanda

A FABULOUS DAY TOUR IN KIGALI

5th July 2015 – 16:33

Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda with a vibrant commercial centre. It is clean, safe and is full of amazing historical sites. It became the capital of Rwanda in 1962 and coincidently, it is the year I was born. Something to remember!

image

In Kigali, mototaxi  is the main mode of transportation. It is the fastest and the most convenient way to move around. I would not say it is hazard free, but the moto drivers and passengers are required to wear a helmet. Well, it does not matter where you are, you will always find a mototaxi that is very keen to take you. Make sure you negotiate the price of the ride before you get on it. It can be incredibly more expensive  if you are a muzungu, a white person.

imageYou can also visit Gesozi Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali.

image

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION

Leave a comment

5th July 2015

We, the GLP teachers, stay in the hotel Le Printemps in Kigali. The Rwandans read “La Printa.”  It is very important to know how to pronounce the name of the hotel, just in case you get lost in the town and need some directions from the locals.

image

The hotel is clean, the staff is friendly and the location is excellent.  I enjoyed the surrounding area where I  could have access to everything I needed.

There are restaurants, food shops and many banks. But I advise you may need a lot of patience. It takes about one hour to get your meal prepared and  the Banks electronic system can be very slow.  Can you wait?

I also treated myself a couple of times in a lovely saloon for a manicure and a pedicure.  It is just across the street. It has talented and kind staff. I think you have to remind them to start the pedicure first, so that it can dry while your manicure is done. Well, I did not notice it until the lady asked if I had my flip-flop with me. Of course not!

Well, as I said the location brings all the facilities,  such as  a very busy bus station. It is Kimirongo (some people say Chimirongo) and at the back of the station you will find the famous and alive market with the same name. Kimirongo market is a gem!

image

Bon voyage, Packing, Reflection, Rwanda

LANDING IN KIGALI

Leave a comment

05th July 2015 – 8:44

I usually think that a picture can speak for itself.

image imageWhat a lovely sunny day and a beautiful clear blue sky!

Maybe a little bit tricky to accommodate all those suitcases in 2 trucks plus 16 teachers from Scotland in 4 cars at Kigali airport, Rwanda. Everybody was very excited, maybe a little anxious of what would happen next.

image

Yes, it is time for a pause and a pose while my first shot is taken in Kigali. I managed to carry a world map all the way from Aberdeen to Kigali without losing it. 

My husband has observed – “You have carried the world half way around it  haha…”

My friend Anne Goldie also said – “got your map ready…”

Yippee! I have made it!

Bon voyage, Reflection

SURVIVING AIRPORTS AND AIRPLANES

Leave a comment

5th July 2015 – 7:55

LONG FLIGHT

Sleeping well on a long flight is never easy for me. However, I always hope to meet interesting people while  flying abroad. A good chat is always welcome.  But this time my KLM flights were very quiet from Aberdeen to Amsterdam, then Nairobi and finally Kigali.

image

A GOOD SEAT

I am aware that not all airplane seats are the same, but the best place for me is an aisle seat. It means that I can stretch my legs, go for a walk or to the toilet any time I want without disturbing anyone.

TEMPTING MEAL

I have to confess that  I cannot ignore a meal on long flights and this one in particular carried a taste of African flavour, slightly spicy, but I really enjoyed it.

ENTERTAINMENT

The long flight was smooth and I could watch 3 films; Black and White, The Water Divine and Fifty Shades of Grey. In fact, the last one I could not finish watching it due to the time remaining. Anyway, it is always something I enjoy doing when flying long distances.

 

Bon voyage

AMSTERDAM AIRPORT SCHIPHOL

Leave a comment

4th July 2015 – 18:37

This is the GLP cohort July 2015 at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.

image

From top right to left:

John Steel, Rachel Hardin, Joyce Ng, Adam Douglas, Tim Whimster, Pamela Scott, Audrey Ross, Emma Gilmour and Christine Beard.

Down left to right:

Gill Moffat, me (Suzel O’Donnell), Suzzane Munro, Laura Ince, Jacklyn Smith, Hollie Shearer and botton Jenny Cawdron.

BON VOYAGE!

Packing

ABERDEEN AIRPORT

Leave a comment

4th July 2015   –   12:23

Having been away on holiday a few times every year, I think I have learnt how to pack. I always pack too much!

WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY?

It was an exercise of what I should or should not take with me to Rwanda. I was very concious of my suitcases’ weight and how they could be heavy and difficult to be carried from one place to another while travelling in the country. It is wise to be aware of some issues that you can face and how to avoid them whem it is possible. So, I tried to pack carefully and light, but taking enough pieces of clothes for 30 days. Consequently washing would not be needed. Of course I am also taking some teaching  resources, which hopefully will be useful in the school I am going to have my work experience.

WELL, I THINK I AM READY!

I am taking a medium and a hand suitcases which I will dispach to be collected in my destination, Kigali the capital of Rwanda. I am also taking two hand- free bags; a spotty black and white backpack to carry my personal belongings, and a long strap purse cross-body style. Certainly they will hold essential items and will allow hands-free freedom.

image

It is my lovely husband who is taking me to the airport in Aberdeen and who I will miss everyday.

image

 

Reflection, Rwanda

MY JOURNAL

Leave a comment

I am supposed to write a journal about my experience in Rwanda. However I am not so sure if I know how to do it. It seems to me that a journal is like a diary as the entries can be daily. So, I hope my written activities summarise my most intimate thoughts, which will help me to keep myself on track of all the events that have impressed me or in some way have had  an impact on me.

In fact, the main objective of this blog is to bind things together and bring alive a memorable trip to Rwanda, July 2015.image

 

Rwanda

GLOBAL LEARNING IN SCHOOLS

Leave a comment

image

The schools in Angus, Scotland, have opened an amazing space for me to share the topic on Global Learning. I have disseminated my involvement in the GLP programme in different schools through workshops and assemblies. However, it seems that school assemblies are golden opportunities to encourage all members to reflect on global issues and promote a positive attitude and contribution to a globalised world.

Certainly it has promoted a fantastic collaboration among staff, pupils and parents towards my journey to Rwanda. From primary to secondary schools everybody is talking about Rwanda.

 

Rwanda

NEWS HEADLINE

Leave a comment

GTCS magazine Teaching Scotland will be hosting some news about our summer in Rwanda ‘SCOTS TEACHERS TAKE LEARNING GLOBAL IN RWANDA.’

And in our magazine VIEW, Monday, 22 June 2015: Issue 22

‘SUZEL O’DONNELL GLOBAL LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS’

MOD_5152

‘Suzel O’Donnell, EAL teacher in Angus is voluntarily heading to Rwanda in July with the Global Learning Partnerships programme (The Wood Foundation). Suzel will spend four weeks in  Rwanda during the school summer holidays. Suzel hopes to gain a unique insight into another culture which will provide context and knowledge to further support global citizenship teaching in Angus.

In line with the core principles of Curriculum for Excellence and the educational priorities of host countries in Sub Saharan Africa, Global Learning is designed to enhance the delivery of global citizenship with Scottish schools whilst building the capacity of teachers in host communities.

Upon her  returning to Scotland Suzel will be sharing her fully immersive experience in Rwanda and the exciting opportunities for global learning with colleagues, pupils, local schools and communities.’