The GLP teachers from Scotland shared their outstanding skills, knowledge and experience as professionals with the IEE Mentors in Rwanda – Kigali.
The learning and teaching development gave to all of us a range of tools relating to building up capacity and competency from basic know-how to more complex and advanced understanding of managing group work, feedback, assessment, reading, speaking, writing and parents involvement.
It is a lonely elephant that has a real bad temper.
At the war time, the genocide, most animals were very scared, so they ran away to the neighbouring countries for safety. The elephants went to Tanzania, the nearest country to the side of Akagera Park in Rwanda, but one elephant refused to go. UMUTUAREÂ did not leave the country. Consequently, it survived the war, but became a very isolated elephant. At the military area in the park, a family started to feed him with beer, kasava and banana. After the war, the herd of elephants returned from Tanzania and UMUTUARE found very difficult to join them. He is now an old, unfriendly, very grumpy and angry elephant. It is so angry that it can overturn a car with ease. It is lonely and does not know how to act. (This story was told by Anaclet, our safari guide).
So, suddenly we heard a furiously loud elephant noise coming toward us. I was on the top of the Jeep. I could see it. How exciting! A Rwandan shouted in Kinyarwanda, ‘drive away’, ‘no’, ‘stop’, ‘ahead’, ‘back’… poor  chouffer! That was desperation, fear and anxiety. He stopped the Jeep in front of the bushes. I had half of my body hanging out of the Jeep and my camera ready for a shot. No words could explain that moment full of excitement, happiness, surprise and fear. It is not because you live in Africa that you can see the wild life easily. For most Rwandan I met, they never had a chance to see an elephant.
UMUTUARE is known all over the world and many visitors want to see it. I was very lucky! I saw UMUTUARE (HERO in Kinyarwanda).
10/07/2015
Friday – I went to school in the morning and in the afternoon I left Ruhuha to Kigali. The journey took me about 2 hours and at the bus station I met my  colleagues to go to Rwamagana. We were all very excited to be together, to share our experiences and difficulties faced in our placements. We talked about our accommodation , water, food, health, schools, teachers, students and life in Rwanda. The house in Rwamagana was lovely, with big rooms, bathroom, kitchen and a backyard. In fact, a luxury!
It was not very late when 2 big safari Jeeps drove us to a ‘pousada’ nearby Akagera. How excited it was to have my own room with a hot shower. My own bathroom was translated to ‘happiness.’ I got emotional!
It was 5:30am when we got up for breakfast. As usual, it took ages to be prepared. We were supposed to leave at 6am, but that never happened. Anyway, we had a very strong African tea which they mix with milk and ginger. I little spicy for me! We also had ham, cheese, boiled eggs, bread and butter.
Then, an early morning of our so expected weekend. When we left the hotel the road was quiet and the air fresh. The bicycle riders were on their way to work.
I was extremely thankful for that moment. I was feeling the peace and looking forward to seeing the animals in their wild habitat. Akagera National Park presents the most scenic African’s Savannah reserve.
 Here my adventure starts at ‘Akagera National Park’ in Rwanda and Anaclet is our oficial safari guide. (9am -11/07/2015).
Look at the size of that elephant head! It’s amazing! Well, you never know what wildlife encounter might present next minute! Giraffes, elephants, zebras, baboos, antelopes, buffalos, crocodiles, hippos, thousands of hippos…
The first animals I saw: a family of baboons, 4 giraffes in a distance, which made them look so small and something that looked like zebras. It took hours to see the animals closer. The giraffes were so magnificent! So elegant! So magestic! But the time I heard the elephants I got so so excited. And I loved all the stories about the animals.
Take a break and the oportunity to travel to Africa. Living and working in Rwanda was an exhilarating experience I had. I lived the culture, the place and got to know the people. A piece of my heart was left with everyone I met. Open your heart, be ready to learn and get prepared to be transformed. If you think that you can make a difference and impact other people’s life, wait and see.  Above all, it will change you and your own world forever.
What happens when a child is born  in Rwanda?
It is a special moment for celebration. Relatives and friends bring with them all kinds of gifts as a sign of love  and friendship. The presents can be milk, baby’s clothes, banana, beens, soap and also some money. Everybody cares and giving money is always received as a blessing of riches to the new baby born.  The baby is also seen as a gift and a blessing from God.
I had the privilege to visit a lovely family, hold the baby and pray with the famiky and friends to thank Lord for such a special moment.
A speech is a must for the proud dad! We all had a drink and took lots of pictures. Remember we love photos!
Imagine that the culture of a society is like an iceberg with some aspects that are visible above the water and  that there is a larger portion of the internal aspect that is hidden below the surface.
What does it mean?
It means that some external aspects of the culture you can easily see such as, music, cooking, dancing, dress, art and literature. Underneath the surface is the internal culture where you are going to find a variety of notions and concepts that are implicit, unconscious and subjective of knowledge.
What does Hall suggest?
That if we want to understand the internal culture of a society we have to actively participate and  live in it.
What did I find out?
When I first entered in the Rwandan culture I started to discover the underlying behaviour, beliefs, values and thought of patterns of who they are. I wanted to interact and spend time with them.
This is a game called “I spy with my little eye” that can keep you occupied anywhere. Number of participantes: 2 or over.
Step 1 – who  is the spy?
Step 2 – select an object but do not reveal it yet.
Step 3 – give a clue – “my little eye spy something that moves.”
Step 4 – participantes will guess the object.
Step 5 – the person who gets the right object becomes the new spy.
Step 6 – the clues can be funny  (it starts with the letter b)
– it is passing by;
– Suzel loves it;
– it is everywhere in Ruhuha;
I have always been proud of my origins and everything that I have learned in my life. I am not afraid to try different things and there is in me intrinsically a nostalgic rural person. I like nature, animals, local crops and I have a keen interest in all these issues. Â However coming from Brazil sugar cane was not strange for me. I like it and I ‘gnaw’ Â it like Rwandans do, from the town to most remote areas. I am fanatical for natural food. Â So, when I saw a local man carrying sugar cane on his bike to sell it in the market I never hesitated – I bought one spear (about 2 metres long) as I knew exactly what to do with it. Â I walked all the way from the school to my home carrying it, and I was looking forward to sharing it with my colleagues from Scotland. I ate a piece, gave a small piece to a colleague and most of it I gave to the children who were always nearby my house. That was exciting! The children loved and fought for it. My colleagues were not so keen.
My sugar cane spear ….
My Rwandan colleagues were always making me happy…
I can say that I love pictures, as I like taking them. However I am not a particularly good photographer, but I really like being in the photographs as do my Rwandan friends.
A picture captures  moments that words cannot explain. And behind each picture lies a story.
Friendship!
Caring!
Direction!
Reunion!
We love pictures!
At the start I was not sure what expect from my trip to Rwanda, having heard a little about the country and their history. But being at GS Rango, Groupe Scolaire Rango, was inspirational and emotional. Staff and students taught me a very important lesson. How it is to live in Rango community. It is a combination of respect, friendship and happiness.
It is easy for them to share a plate of food. It does not matter what it is on the table for eating. It can be only beans or with maize, banana, rice, goat and chips. There was always someone with a big heart thinking of me. When I was late for lunch, surprisely my plate was made and reserved. That was very thoughtful!
My mum used to say “where eats six, eats seven.” She was always right!
