Packing

ABERDEEN AIRPORT

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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.

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

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Reflection, Rwanda

MY JOURNAL

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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

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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

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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’

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‘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.’

Rwanda

ASSEMBLIES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

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A school assembly offers a positive opportunity to develop interpersonal and intrapersonal skills . Pupils and teachers make a contribution through their active participation including  quiet reflection and an open space for questioning. This was a lovely time to introduce Rwanda to 9 schools in Angus.

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The primary 2 pupils show their appreciation of our time together and the topics they liked.

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They also wrote post cards to the children in Rwanda. They are looking forward to hearing from them.

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A primary 6 was studying rainforests and they prepared a lovely jig-saw for me to take over to them.

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The after school dance club performed ‘Africa-Shakira.’

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Furthermore, the whole school dressed up with Rwanda flag colours, African animals and with colourful clothes.

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Parents were involved and I got this beautiful map from one of them with interesting tags about Rwanda.

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I also had the opportunity to participate in the school summer fair.

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Teachers’ feedback is registered in the notes.

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Rwanda

BEFORE I GO

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I would say that I have tested my interpersonal skills contacting head teachers and class teachers to talk about the Global Learning Partnerships programme (The Wood Foundation) that I am taking part in. This is the way I have been spreading the news why ‘I am flying to Rwanda’ in July 2015.image

Aims

To gain a unique insight into another culture which will provide context and knowledge to further support global citizenship teaching in Angus, Scotland.

To involve everyone in order to instigate curiosity, interest, knowledge and participation.

Assembly

1- Introduce the trip to Rwanda through a quiz as a way of having fun, challenging the participants and building up knowledge .

2- Promote a discussion on possible needs.

3- Consider that the group will come up with a plan to support the programme.

Result

The first opportunity happened in the ASN (Additional Support Needs) department of a secondary school when I delivered my first power point presentation.

As a result the small group of pupils was challenged to develop a plan to support my fundraising of £1,000. A coffee morning was beautifully prepared and the entrance was charged £1 which included a strawberry tart and coffee or tea. The event was animated by a raffle and the participation of all staff. In addition a fair  that was organised by the group sold strawberry jam, bedding plants and birds’ food. Amazingly everybody was engaged and enjoyed the event helping and using their skills  to strengthen the commitment and bringing the whole school together.

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Follow-up activities

The impact of the assemblies in the school life will be discussed  later.  However my personal view is that this first stage, my pre-trip, definitely promoted engagement of pupils and staff working together. Moreover it was a personal development on individual skills as well as researching on their own interest about Rwanda.

 

Rwanda

MY TRIP TO RWANDA

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Certainly my trip to Rwanda will inspire critical thinking for positive changes, self-awareness, respect for others and how to explore diversity, sustainability with interdependence as our society is growing multi culturally.

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Sharing this experience will reinforce my beliefs that differences and similarities of those from a diverse background enrich the quality of an education that emphasises learning and teaching across curricular areas, exploring other cultures and engaging with them to maximise pupils’ experience and knowledge in a globalised world.

For the purposes of engaging others I have prepared a presentation ‘ Suzel travels to Rwanda ‘ that introduces my limited knowledge of this African country and my expectations for this amazing journey.

 

Fundraising

£1000

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imageTaking part in the project GLP (Global Learning Partnership) it is incumbent upon all volunteers to fund raise £1000 to contribute to the organisation. For this task I have proposed to bake Brazilian recipes in order to promote my own culture. I am also registered with gofundme. In fact, my excitement and determination to take the most of my experience in Rwanda is really something not lived before. I am so committed that I have baked every night after my work, and so far I have raised £200. It is slow, but steady and I positively trust I will get there.

Reflection

IT WAS A DREAM

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In February 2015 I read in our online magazine (View) about an opportunity to go to Rwanda. I have always dreamed to have an experience abroad. Yes, I am Brazilian in Scotland and it has been my long term challenge of living and working in a country culturally different from mine. What drives me? The new, the difficulties and the differences. I kill a lion everyday, but I have been tremendously blessed and grateful for having been accepted the way I am. Scotland now is my home.

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Rwanda? I think I know very little. I watched the  film ‘Hotel Rwanda’ and I remember I was very impressed. Genocide? Is it the only thing I know? It is better to learn about the country, people, culture and how they are represented in 2015 globally and the purpose of going to Rwanda.

I also thought about my family and how they would accept the idea of me living and working for a month so far from home. Besides, July is the month I usually  go to Brazil to see my family, relatives and friends. How they are going to respond to the news?

I thought very carefully and when I was determined to face the experience I spoke with my husband, the person that could stop me going. In fact he questioned about everything, but never said no. On the contrary, If that was my wish he would support me. That was it. His kindness, generosity and disposition to embrace the cause with me was enough to pursue my dream and that naive wish to make a difference in this world. How? I don’t know yet.

So, I filled in the application form to take part in the project Global Learning Partnership, a branch of The Wood Foundation. A month living in the rural area, teaching primary and secondary schools and delivering CPD to the teachers.  In the interview I was very nervous and repeatedly I was asked if I still wanted to go to Rwanda. I imagine that the challenge will be very high, but I was decided to go.

The place was granted and a week later I was in a residential weekend in Aberdeen, where I met all the other teachers who were taking part in the cohort July 2015. I packed the night before, woke up very early as I always do to take the train to Aberdeen. I was so excited that when I got at the train station, a little bit late I admit, that the train was leaving…What a disappointment!  Solution? I had to drive to Aberdeen, but the sat navigator took me straight to the venue and in time. Ufffa…

The weekend was intense for group engagement and preparation for what we can expect in Rwanda. There are do’s and dont’s.

Beautiful Rwanda! My heart is with you!  Now, I have to plan how to move ahead. How to engage my schools? How to start my fundraising? How to manage my time? How to be committed to everything I do? Meetings, teaching, blogging, reading, exams, family, leisure…a list of priorities is getting long.

This blog aims to share my personal and professional experience in Rwanda

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