Tag Archives: Rwanda

Rwanda

I TRACKED MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN RWANDA

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I tracked Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda ISABUKURU GROUP and Cultural Village.

I had an amazing adventure in July 2015, with the mountain gorillas in volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. I was on a 30-day trip in Rwanda and I had a gorilla trekking tour organised by Eco Tours. A deposit of 50% (£420) was wired transferred to secure a place and pay the permit two months before the trip. The tour company booked the hotel and got the permit, thankfully strictly controlled and limited to about 80 people a day. The remain balance  (£450 including transfer cost and exchange rate) was due one month before the trip. On the way back from the Gorillas, the company added value option of seeing the twin lakes, Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo.

It is a top life experience ever!

Rwanda

NATIONAL AKAGERA PARK RWANDA – Film

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Certainly the pictures will speak for themselves. So much to tell and see! The animals are amazing! They hang out in the background, they cross the road, they pause to model and they merge their surroundings.

I advise you to look really closely at the grass, the bushes and the animals. You can be surprised by a bird and of course you can miss the shot. Prepare your camera and do not get out of the car, because elephants, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes and other animals. Look very, very closely at the landscape. You usually can see distinctive shapes! Giraffes are magnificent and charming!

Learning, Rwanda, Teaching

TEACHING AND LEARNING

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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.

Rwanda

WELCOMING A NEW BORN BABY

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imageimageimageimageWhat 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!

 

 

 

Learning, Reflection, Rwanda

The Iceberg Concept of Culture

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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.

 

Learning, Rwanda

SUGAR CANE

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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.  However coming from Brazil sugar cane was not strange for me. I like it and I ‘gnaw’  it like Rwandans do, from the town to most remote areas. I am fanatical for natural food.  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.  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.

DSC06221My sugar cane spear ….

DSC06230My Rwandan colleagues were always making me happy…

 

Rwanda

WALKING IN RUHUHA

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I was always followed by the children after the school on my way home. I enjoyed it and I was always looking forward to that moment. They had that special  way to engage with me. It was a simple thing like – “Good morning!” Although it was “Good evening!” Or “How are you?” And suddenly I could feel a little hand holding mine. We walked hand in hand until they had to leave to take their way home. How sweet their company was! I loved it! Some children could develop a conversation with me and also be the interpreter for other children.

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Bon voyage, Business, Rwanda

LIVING COST IN RWANDA

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I am not sure how much money you need per day to live in Rwanda. But while in the country I wanted to have my own experience of how it is to be a Rwandan. So, I would like to share the cost of a few things. Currently £1 is about RWF 1104.00.

image -Moto taxi price in Kigali can be very challenging for a Muzungu (a white person). Prices can vary between RWF 300 and RWF 1000. Don’t forget to negotiate and agree the price of the ride in advance. RWF 300 each way is a fair price.

-A two-litre-bottle of water is between RWF 400 and RWF 1000. It is a good deal to know your area and local people.

-A samosa. It is delicious! It tastes like “Brazilian pastel” – RWF 150.

-Yogurt – RWF 400

-A toilet paper – RWF 200

-Bread (sliced) – RWF 100

-I love nibbles like peanuts (roasted and salted) – RWF 600 for a small container.

-Fruit – 4 bananas – RWF 100 and  2 avocados – RWF 100

DSC06526 -Dinner out – RWF 3.500

-Self service lunch – RWF 1000

-A pack of popcorn in the bus station – RWF 100. The smell of popcorn usually drives me crazy. I love it! It is free! 🙂

-Bus ticket from Kigali (Kimirongo) to Ruhuha – RWF 1.300

DSC06012 -Bus ticket in Kigali from Remera to Kimirongo – RWF 200

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-Bus ticket from Kigali (Remera) to Rwamagana RWF 1.050

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The prices are displayed on the bus. I hope the information is helpful!

 

Learning, Rwanda

MY KINYARWANDA

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It is a challenge and commitment to learn a new language, but with some strategies and resources in place it is possible to  learn how to speak in Kinyarwanda.

I recommend a phrase book. It is similar to a dictionary, but for phrases. It is helpful to memorise sentences and phrases that you need daily. I call it a “survival language.” I also have an app on my phone that helps me to work on my pronunciation and get familiar with Kinyarwanda vocabulary.

However, if you want to learn how to speak in Kinyarwanda, you have to practice the language out of a book. And if you want to learn it quickly, well, you have just to start it. Practice the language everyday. With fulltime dediction the whole process will take longer than 30 days.