Tag Archives: Rwanda

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION

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5th July 2015

We, the GLP teachers, stay in the hotel Le Printemps in Kigali. The Rwandans read “La Printa.”  It is very important to know how to pronounce the name of the hotel, just in case you get lost in the town and need some directions from the locals.

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The hotel is clean, the staff is friendly and the location is excellent.  I enjoyed the surrounding area where I  could have access to everything I needed.

There are restaurants, food shops and many banks. But I advise you may need a lot of patience. It takes about one hour to get your meal prepared and  the Banks electronic system can be very slow.  Can you wait?

I also treated myself a couple of times in a lovely saloon for a manicure and a pedicure.  It is just across the street. It has talented and kind staff. I think you have to remind them to start the pedicure first, so that it can dry while your manicure is done. Well, I did not notice it until the lady asked if I had my flip-flop with me. Of course not!

Well, as I said the location brings all the facilities,  such as  a very busy bus station. It is Kimirongo (some people say Chimirongo) and at the back of the station you will find the famous and alive market with the same name. Kimirongo market is a gem!

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Bon voyage, Packing, Reflection, Rwanda

LANDING IN KIGALI

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05th July 2015 – 8:44

I usually think that a picture can speak for itself.

image imageWhat 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.

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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!

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

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.

 

About Me

ABOUT ME

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I am a motivated and passionate English as an Additional Language teacher supporting schools, children and young people whose language is not English in Angus, Scotland.

I have graciously been offered a place to contribute to a project in Rwanda July 2015. This is a personal leadership development opportunity with other teachers to support local teacher mentors to develop pedagogical skills through the Global Learning Partnerships (The Wood Foundation).

I am certain that my passion about my job and working with people from a diverse background will be of a great value for a country that is keen to work collaboratively. While leaning and teaching English it is possible to have fun, make friendship, learn about different cultures, languages, values, tradition and religion. My main aspiration in life is to make the most of the opportunities that are presented to me. I want to be useful, supportive, contribute in a way that my personal and professional life can inspire others. Besides, living in another culture will fulfill my dream to exchange and extend learning and teaching practices.

Suzel O’Donnell