I was not a rider while in Rwanda, but I could not take my eyes of the bikes and their riders. The riders are proud, strong and they can carry anything they want and need when on their bicycles.
Sometimes with a little bit of struggle, but they can do it!
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
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.”
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!
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.
Tomato – urunyanya
Onion – igitunguru
Papaia – paw paw
Banana – igitoki ( plantation) and umuneke (ripe banana)
Orange – icunga
Dodo
Take a look at the posters below! They are not colourful and neither present elaborate designs, but it strikes me that they do catch my eyes and my thoughts. I am wondering if the same happens to you my reader. There is always a message to be delivered as there is an impact in the learning environment.
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.
This is Groupe Scolaire Rango, a secondary school.
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.
It 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).
05th July 2015 – 8:44
I usually think that a picture can speak for itself.
What 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.
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!
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