These are some of the questions I was asked:
1- Would you move to Rwanda?
2- Would you come back?
3- How do I know my talents?
4- How to not disappoint my family if I choose a profession that is not the one that they want me to follow?
5- How long does it take to get married in Scotland?
6- What do I have to do to go abroad?
7- What are you going to leave for us that will inspire us, that will remind us that you were here?
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
10 July 2015 – 9:15
It is time for a nice picture. The students have done their best during the experiment:
POP SOUND
Hydrogen gas is recognised by the ‘pop’ when it burns. The ‘pop’ is the sound of a small explosion.
I was impressed by the teacher and students interaction, participation and motivation.
How exciting it is to take a bus in Rwanda! Is it a big bus or a small bus? Well it is a van. It can be big for 20 people or small that fits 15 people, but they are never on the road with less than 24 people squeezed in like sardines in a can.
It is a privilege to get a seat by the window. Please leave the windows open, so that the dust that is in can circulate and eventually go out. Believe me, that works!
Take the minimun necessary for your jorney or be prepared to pay for an extra seat for your luggage.
07th July 2015 – 14:00
My new home for a month in Ruhuha is what people in Rwanda call a compound house. There are ten of these two room flats in the same lot shut behind a tall gate.
I chose the front room and my colleague the back room. As I usually get up very early every morning, I felt more comfortable if I could go out and in of my room without disturbing my colleague who was staying in the back room. The mattress is comfy and the bed clothing looks new and clean. A lovely net falls over the bed which protects against mosquitos. That was it, no shelves or any other furniture.
The two rooms next door were occupied by two other colleagues and four of us shared another two rooms that were our living room and kitchen. Toilet? Oh dear! It is outside and my colleagues call it “long drop.” I am sure you will not have difficulties to identify its meaning and any sort of explanation will not be necessary. And yes, there is a shower room (2metres square) without a shower or any tap. It is just a small room outside where you can wash youself. Good lucky with your bucket of water!
Water? Yes, there is water and there is no need to walk miles to get it. The tap with running water is in the back yard. Oh bless! I just need to fill up the jerry can with water.
The picture below shows a long line of jerry cans waiting for running water in Ruhuha.
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).
7th July 2015 – 8:30
It is time to leave Kigali for the place I will stay for four weeks. It is Ruhuha, Mareba Sector in the District of Bugesera in Rwanda.
The region is predominantly arid and the vegetation is characterised by short grass, savannas, shrubs and short trees.
The climate is dry and the temperature average ranges between 26 and 29C.
I am looking forward to seeing my house and to know everything about Ruhuha. It is about 60 km from Kigali.
6th July 2015 – 17:30
I had an amazing opportunity to meet the most inspiring educators of IEE – Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda (formerly International Education Exchange).
The teacher training initiative focuses on personalised professional development that takes place in the schools. It is the key factor for effective school based mentoring and capacity building. It also promotes the use of English as a medium of instruction in teaching and learning different subjects.
The pictures below show the first meeting between GLP teachers and IEE mentors at Aroma Restaurant.
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!
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.
You can also visit Gesozi Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali.
