Sunday, 31 October 2010
Monday 25th
Well, Isabelle was half an hour late today but she is ill at the moment and looked really miserable, so I decided not to hassle her. She hadn't done her homework either, which is unusual for her. So we spent the next three hours trying to learn the 9 times table, which she was supposed to do at home. I told her she couldn't leave until she knew it off by heart, so we just sat and learned it together. And yes, by together, I mean that I learnt it too. Maths was never my strong point. Or it was until one day in year 5 when a game of fizz buzz went disastrously wrong and Miss Roberts managed to destroy my mathematical confidence and ability in all of five minutes flat. Thank you very much.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
Saturday 23rd
It is such a privilege to be teaching Mama Judith. She is such a blessing to me and I feel honoured to be doing something to help her out. And the lesson with Isabelle was good too. We studied adjectives, comparatives and superlatives. I’m not convinced she's got it yet, but it is hard learning a foreign language in that foreign language, so I have to be patient.
At two o' clock I went into town with Yvette for lunch. We went to this little restaurant perched over a shop right in the centre of town. We got the last table, in the streaming sun, no shade. So I whipped out my factor 50 suncream and slathered it all over my face, to avoid any further occasion to be confused with a certain red nosed reindeer. We ordered our food, goat kebabs, at half two and started waiting. At ten to four, Yvette went to the kitchen to find out where our lunch was. They had turned off the ovens and decided not to tell us. So we went to a different cafe across town instead. I like goat. It was chewy yes, but flavoursome. I think the cuter the animal, the better the taste. Working on this basis, I think we should all start eating puppies. Any thoughts?
At two o' clock I went into town with Yvette for lunch. We went to this little restaurant perched over a shop right in the centre of town. We got the last table, in the streaming sun, no shade. So I whipped out my factor 50 suncream and slathered it all over my face, to avoid any further occasion to be confused with a certain red nosed reindeer. We ordered our food, goat kebabs, at half two and started waiting. At ten to four, Yvette went to the kitchen to find out where our lunch was. They had turned off the ovens and decided not to tell us. So we went to a different cafe across town instead. I like goat. It was chewy yes, but flavoursome. I think the cuter the animal, the better the taste. Working on this basis, I think we should all start eating puppies. Any thoughts?
After lunch while shopping, the weather changed and the heavens opened. I have never been so wet in my whole life. Baptism was dry compared to this. So I try and get a moto taxi home, but they are all speeding past me to try and find shelter. I finally convinced this one guy to take me, but after about thirty seconds, he pulled off the road and drove under a shop balcony to hide from the rain. I protested, explaining that he had made a commitment to take me home and he really ought to honour it, but he just looked at me and said, 'but it's raining', as if this were an adequate explanation for abandoning his post mid journey. 'I’m British', I said stoically, as I walked out into the rain, head held high, umbrella held higher. A few minutes later, waist deep in water, I couldn't help but ponder the attractiveness of being morally compromised (like say, oh I don't know, the French,) and dry, rather than being morally upright and wet.
Friday 22nd
I was late for cooking today for three reasons: 1) I went back to bed for a nap because I was tired, 2) the bread was full of ants and I had to shake them all out and check with Dora that their eggs wouldn't hatch inside me, and 3) I couldn't get a taxi bike. They kept just driving straight past me. When one finally stopped, he couldn't speak Kinyarwanda, only Swahili! After that, I decided to just keep walking as I was already a quarter way there.
Yvette gave me a pedicure after lunch, pink nails to match my pink T-shirt. Then I went to visit Alice, one of the Ubuzima widows, at her home. She lives in a village, situated on top of a mountain. Now I’m no topography expert, but I'd say this mountain was approximately twice the size of Everest. Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
For those doubting Thomases among you, I drew a picture to help you understand where I was.
Yvette gave me a pedicure after lunch, pink nails to match my pink T-shirt. Then I went to visit Alice, one of the Ubuzima widows, at her home. She lives in a village, situated on top of a mountain. Now I’m no topography expert, but I'd say this mountain was approximately twice the size of Everest. Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
For those doubting Thomases among you, I drew a picture to help you understand where I was.
I couldn't appreciate it on the way up, but the views were stunning. She lives in a little mud house with her three kids (adopted), in this rural, rural village. Her house is surrounded by crops and trees – mangos, avocados, coffee, bananas, beans, pineapples and cassava, with goats and chickens running about all over the place. It's beautiful. We sat in her house in the pouring rain for hours, singing Kinyarwanda and Swahili worship songs. I was a little nervous about going, because Alice literally only knows seven words in English, 'how are you?', 'fine thanks' and 'no fear', but she had invited an English speaking friend to interpret for us, so it went really well.
Thursday 21st
I was at the office all day today, and I decided to take a packed lunch with me. For the first time since I’ve been here, I made sandwiches! It doesn't sound like a big deal, but they're my favourite food except for mum's roast dinner, and I was missing them. I found some butter, mayonnaise and affordable tuna from the Arab Emirates (it might have been dolphin), and made them up before I went. They were very yummy.
I hadn't noticed before how beautiful the surrounding area is. Some of the houses here are massive, and there's a stunning lake right in the middle. Ninziza cyane. I spent the first few hours writing my reports for university, then worked on the store cupboard for awhile. It's so funny to see some of the things people have brought here, like they've not realised they're coming to Africa. Then I had a Kinyarwanda lesson, and went home.
Wednesday 20th
So yesterday evening it rained. I got a bike to the language centre for my induction, but the guy took me to the wrong place. Then when I finally got there, I slipped over, made worse by the fact that I was wearing a dress. So I showed up at this prestigious school late, soaking wet and covered in mud. A good first impression I’m sure.
This morning I stayed at home and chilled out for a bit. Then in the afternoon I went and helped out at Ubuzuima. We're still making beads for jewellery. Then I went into town for a Kinyarwanda lesson at Bourbon Cafe. Coffee shops in the UK are rubbish compared to the ones here. Costa, Starbucks, Nero's – they're all the same and really BORING. I think its good to have my Kinyarwanda lessons in public in order to minimise the chances of my getting violent and throwing my books at someone. Progress has been really slow. Then I did some food shopping before getting a lift home with Dora. It was chucking down with rain again, so when we got home I lent my umbrella to the the night guard so he wouldn't be cold and wet all night. Naturally, I legged it from the gate to the back door because I didn't want to get wet. But I slipped halfway down the hill and landed in the storm drain, with the base of my spine taking the impact. (Nice butt joke by the way Molly). So for the next half hour I laid on the floor in the lounge writing in agony. It's pretty sore and very bruised.
This morning I stayed at home and chilled out for a bit. Then in the afternoon I went and helped out at Ubuzuima. We're still making beads for jewellery. Then I went into town for a Kinyarwanda lesson at Bourbon Cafe. Coffee shops in the UK are rubbish compared to the ones here. Costa, Starbucks, Nero's – they're all the same and really BORING. I think its good to have my Kinyarwanda lessons in public in order to minimise the chances of my getting violent and throwing my books at someone. Progress has been really slow. Then I did some food shopping before getting a lift home with Dora. It was chucking down with rain again, so when we got home I lent my umbrella to the the night guard so he wouldn't be cold and wet all night. Naturally, I legged it from the gate to the back door because I didn't want to get wet. But I slipped halfway down the hill and landed in the storm drain, with the base of my spine taking the impact. (Nice butt joke by the way Molly). So for the next half hour I laid on the floor in the lounge writing in agony. It's pretty sore and very bruised.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Attention all blollowers!
It has been brought to my attention (by 'I’ve got a first class English degree' Suzanna), that someone has been deleting my apostrophes. Grammar abuse is a serious crime that will not be tolerated or taken lightly. If you don't see an apostrophe where there should be one, please rest assured that the text was accurate at the time of typing and has since been meddled with. Probably by pixies. Or South Africans.
Thank you for your understanding.
Thank you for your understanding.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Monday 19th
Morning off! I'm just catching up on my blog, then have Ubuzima in the afternoon, and a job induction tonight. I'm going to meet a couple of the teachers and observe their lessons.
The other day I opened up my pot of chocolate spread (it's Africa, not Mars), to find loads of ants crawling around. Fortunately I’ve done Year of Training, so I'm used to eating chocolate covered insects. Extra protein.
The other day I opened up my pot of chocolate spread (it's Africa, not Mars), to find loads of ants crawling around. Fortunately I’ve done Year of Training, so I'm used to eating chocolate covered insects. Extra protein.
Monday 18th
Isabelle and I were chasing after this family of turkeys that has just moved into the church grounds, when I stepped into what can only be described as a deep chasm of oozing mud. It was literally about a metre deep, and by literally I mean hyperbolically (I'm hoping that most of yours knowledge of the English language is so poor that you don't know what hyperbole is and that I’m getting away with my exaggeration) (I'm also hoping that 'yours' is is the right word for the sentence, because I thought it should be 'you's' but the spell check won't accept it and it would be really embarrassing to use bad grammar to insult your English). The situation was so dire at one point I actually thought I was going to drown. Yes, drown.
Then, in a moment of madness, I took off my flip flops!!! Ok, it doesn't sound that noteworthy, but when you consider the field of very well camouflaged thorns I was about to run through...
And you're probably thinking, 'Nicola, run? No, surely not!' Well, you may not know this but turkeys with young are very territorial. So I show up at church looking like the creature from the swamp, to be met not with surprise or horror but knowing looks. Shum bu sho tilts his head, apologies and goes yet again to find me some soap. Lets just say its not the first time something like this has happened to me.
I had Swahili in the afternoon. I feel like I’m able to understand the Lion King on a whole new level now!
And I heard on the news that the French are on strike again. Enjoy operation stack.
Then, in a moment of madness, I took off my flip flops!!! Ok, it doesn't sound that noteworthy, but when you consider the field of very well camouflaged thorns I was about to run through...
And you're probably thinking, 'Nicola, run? No, surely not!' Well, you may not know this but turkeys with young are very territorial. So I show up at church looking like the creature from the swamp, to be met not with surprise or horror but knowing looks. Shum bu sho tilts his head, apologies and goes yet again to find me some soap. Lets just say its not the first time something like this has happened to me.
I had Swahili in the afternoon. I feel like I’m able to understand the Lion King on a whole new level now!
And I heard on the news that the French are on strike again. Enjoy operation stack.
Sunday 17th
Dora preached today and only used me as an embarrassing example once, and kept me anonymous, for which I am extremely grateful. Very good sermon.
We came home and watched a film together, Old Dogs, which was actually really funny.
Then in the afternoon I went with Jean Claude to Mama Judith's house for lunch. She lives alone, but had invited her younger brother Bosco and oldest son Hervé to join us which was really nice. Mama Judith cooked a traditional mean of bananas and beans for us, and asked me to say grace in French. By the by, outbursts of frustration during times of prayer really don't go down well here, no matter how legitimate they may be. People here really get in the zone, and don't appreciate it when you start venting about how difficult it is to pray in a foreign language, or anything else for that matter.
Mama Judith, being the dear lady she is, had handmade Claude and I each a bag to thank us for visiting her in her home.
In the evening I went to Jen and Serge's for dinner. Jen leaves for Canada tomorrow and won't be back until January, and Serge will go and join her in 2 weeks. It will be weird not having them around, and I’m sure they will be sorely missed, not least by Dora, who is already pining in expectancy of their absence. Jen has gathered up all the goodies she will be selling in Canada, some of which I am beautifully modelling in this photo. In fact, these are some of the necklaces made by Ubuzima. Aren't they stunning? Considering it was our first attempt, I think we did a pretty spectacular job!
We came home and watched a film together, Old Dogs, which was actually really funny.
Then in the afternoon I went with Jean Claude to Mama Judith's house for lunch. She lives alone, but had invited her younger brother Bosco and oldest son Hervé to join us which was really nice. Mama Judith cooked a traditional mean of bananas and beans for us, and asked me to say grace in French. By the by, outbursts of frustration during times of prayer really don't go down well here, no matter how legitimate they may be. People here really get in the zone, and don't appreciate it when you start venting about how difficult it is to pray in a foreign language, or anything else for that matter.
Mama Judith, being the dear lady she is, had handmade Claude and I each a bag to thank us for visiting her in her home.
In the evening I went to Jen and Serge's for dinner. Jen leaves for Canada tomorrow and won't be back until January, and Serge will go and join her in 2 weeks. It will be weird not having them around, and I’m sure they will be sorely missed, not least by Dora, who is already pining in expectancy of their absence. Jen has gathered up all the goodies she will be selling in Canada, some of which I am beautifully modelling in this photo. In fact, these are some of the necklaces made by Ubuzima. Aren't they stunning? Considering it was our first attempt, I think we did a pretty spectacular job!
Saturday 16th
I taught Mama Judith and Isabelle in the morning. I think Mama Judith must be really clever because she had remembered a lot of what we had covered in the first lesson despite having no time to study in the week. The only thing she is struggling with is pronunciation, which honestly is normal. In Rwanda there is no differentiation between 'l' and 'r', and sounds like 'th' and 'sty' are completely alien.
Here is a picture of my classroom.
After teaching, I went into town to meet up with Nathalie, the Congolese refugee I told you about a few weeks ago. We went out to lunch together and were later joined by her brother and friend. It was really nice to see her again, and I can't wait to go and visit her in the camp next year. She also wants to learn English, so I promised to teach her whenever she's in Kigali.
Friday 15th
Oh dear! So I went to church to prepare food for the street kids today, but I was TIRED. So I'm sitting there sorting through the rice, separating the good grains from the bad (I'm not even joking) and Patrick asks me, 'Nicole, why aren't you talking to us today?' This is not good.
Then in the afternoon, I had to go through all the beads we had painted had decide which ones were good enough to be made into jewellery and which ones had to be chucked. I could have cried. We have spent weeks making these beads, often working in the pitch black, no electricity, rain pouring through the old tin roof. We have given of our very hearts and souls! I have lost cream trousers to purple paint, sacrificed sleep and turkey dinners, and my hands and arms are stained a murky green colour, perhaps forever.
It was actually really difficult to find the right balance of paint, thinner and varnish to give the beads a perfect colour, and even harder to mix the paint without filling it with air bubbles. I had no idea so much work went into this jewellery! But I have to keep reminding myself that it's our first time, and a learning process. Just think where we will be in a years time.
Later that day I had Swahili with Enoch. I found it hard to muster any enthusiasm, which I think he noticed, maybe because I started the lesson by telling him he had about half an hour before I lost interest and left. I need a holiday!
Then in the afternoon, I had to go through all the beads we had painted had decide which ones were good enough to be made into jewellery and which ones had to be chucked. I could have cried. We have spent weeks making these beads, often working in the pitch black, no electricity, rain pouring through the old tin roof. We have given of our very hearts and souls! I have lost cream trousers to purple paint, sacrificed sleep and turkey dinners, and my hands and arms are stained a murky green colour, perhaps forever.
It was actually really difficult to find the right balance of paint, thinner and varnish to give the beads a perfect colour, and even harder to mix the paint without filling it with air bubbles. I had no idea so much work went into this jewellery! But I have to keep reminding myself that it's our first time, and a learning process. Just think where we will be in a years time.
Later that day I had Swahili with Enoch. I found it hard to muster any enthusiasm, which I think he noticed, maybe because I started the lesson by telling him he had about half an hour before I lost interest and left. I need a holiday!
More trumpets
Its the 15th today, which means that I have been here for exactly one month! This is the longest I have been away from the UK. Things I miss: hot showers, or indeed showers of any temperature, the high street in Exeter, and ham, mayo and Mrs Ball's chutney sandwiches. Sorry if you didn't make the list! Things I don't miss: the cold, the general animosity of the British public, and northerners! (I'm not sure I can get away with that last one – let me know if I went too far!)
And please do not forget my birthday. I am concerned by the lack of demand for my postal address. (Well done Sarah Hunt for promising me chocolate, Keith and Pam for giving me chocolate in advance, Cat for sending me strudel from Vienna – Liane, where is my croissant? and Aunty Julia for sending me a letter - I got it this week). To the rest of you, quite frankly I’m disappointed. Poor show. (Unless of course you're thinking of giving your gifts to Suzanna to bring in November. Just remember that she is only allowed to bring two suitcases, so any larger gifts – Ferraris, jet planes, giant Toblerones etc, should be shipped separately).
And please do not forget my birthday. I am concerned by the lack of demand for my postal address. (Well done Sarah Hunt for promising me chocolate, Keith and Pam for giving me chocolate in advance, Cat for sending me strudel from Vienna – Liane, where is my croissant? and Aunty Julia for sending me a letter - I got it this week). To the rest of you, quite frankly I’m disappointed. Poor show. (Unless of course you're thinking of giving your gifts to Suzanna to bring in November. Just remember that she is only allowed to bring two suitcases, so any larger gifts – Ferraris, jet planes, giant Toblerones etc, should be shipped separately).
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Thursday 14th
I had an interview this morning at Inganzo Language Centre, and I got the job! I'll be teaching English four nights a week and getting paid a very reasonable wage. They wanted me to start next month, but I can't as I'm going travelling with Dora. Normally if I have an offer of work, I'll take it even if it means cancelling other plans. But I’ve worked hard over the past few years to be here and I think its now time to enjoy myself a bit. I was so tempted to call Dora and tell her the trip is off, as that is what I'm used to doing. But I’ve missed out on a lot of fun things recently because of work, so I stood my ground and said no. Fortunately, they still wanted to hire me, and I'll start work early next year. God is good!
I had Kinyarwanda this afternoon and I really didn't enjoy it. Please pray that God would help me preserve, study hard and excel at this endeavour.
Also, I'm feeling quite tired as I’ve been really busy this past week and we've moved praying to 5am. Please pray that God would give me energy and enthusiasm.
I had Kinyarwanda this afternoon and I really didn't enjoy it. Please pray that God would help me preserve, study hard and excel at this endeavour.
Also, I'm feeling quite tired as I’ve been really busy this past week and we've moved praying to 5am. Please pray that God would give me energy and enthusiasm.
Wednesday 13th
Rwanda is such a beautiful country, with rolling hills, azure lakes and blasting sunshine.
Dora has taken to calling me Rudolph, probably on account of my fondness for mince pies and flying. I was so unprepared for all the sunshine in Kayonza, as the weather has changed in Kigali this past week. The wet season has begun; its about 8 degrees colder, overcast all the time and very stormy. I have even had to put on a cardigan on two separate occasions because I’ve felt a bit chilly. But Kayonza is still very hot and dry, so I'm looking a bit pink at the moment.
Then we drove for a further two hours 15 minutes to visit a pure breeds goat farm on the far side of Akagera National Park. To give you an idea of distance, we were on the Tanzanian border. Serge wants to buy pure breed goats because they are bigger and stronger than the local ones, and they produce better milk and meat. But it was a long drive in a small car on a very hot day just to see some goats for half an hour. Although I have to admit, they were exceptionally nice goats. We left Kigali at half eight in the morning and got back at eight at night. It was a long day, but on the plus side, I got to see a lot of the Rwandan countryside.
Today we went to Kayonza which is about an hour and a half drive from Kigali. IT owns I think 10 or 20 acres of land there which they want to develop into a technical school, guest house, conference centre and farm. Its a big project that requires a lot of cash to get it up and running, so most of the land is still undeveloped. They have already started planting crops and building houses for the animals.
Dora has taken to calling me Rudolph, probably on account of my fondness for mince pies and flying. I was so unprepared for all the sunshine in Kayonza, as the weather has changed in Kigali this past week. The wet season has begun; its about 8 degrees colder, overcast all the time and very stormy. I have even had to put on a cardigan on two separate occasions because I’ve felt a bit chilly. But Kayonza is still very hot and dry, so I'm looking a bit pink at the moment.
Then we drove for a further two hours 15 minutes to visit a pure breeds goat farm on the far side of Akagera National Park. To give you an idea of distance, we were on the Tanzanian border. Serge wants to buy pure breed goats because they are bigger and stronger than the local ones, and they produce better milk and meat. But it was a long drive in a small car on a very hot day just to see some goats for half an hour. Although I have to admit, they were exceptionally nice goats. We left Kigali at half eight in the morning and got back at eight at night. It was a long day, but on the plus side, I got to see a lot of the Rwandan countryside.
Tuesday 12th
I took Liz into town today to show her around. It made me realise that there's really not much to see! Kigali is great in that its developed, clean and has everything you need. But its the things you don't need that you start to miss! Here everything is a bit scattered and haphazard; you really have to look around before you find what you want. I want to be able to go to a bag shop or a shoe shop or better yet, a chocolate shop. You come into town to pick up what you need; its not a day trip or a leisure activity.
In the afternoon back to Ubuzima to paint more beads. Check out our hands!
Monday 11th
I had Isabelle all morning then stayed on at Ubuzima to help with the beads. We did long multiplication today, which honestly was really challenging. I would right out a sum for her, then quickly use the calculator on my phone to see if she was right or not! At one stage, I miscalculated 9x6, which set the answer off by a couple of hundred. Embarrassing.
Again, it stormed in the afternoon, so I had to cancel my plans and stay at church. Its not like in England where you just carry on regardless of how wet it is. Here people just don't venture out in the rain.
So here are some photos of the painting/varnishing process:
So here are some photos of the painting/varnishing process:
In the evening I had Bible study at church.
Saturday 10th
Church in the morning. 8 am on a Sunday is starting to feel criminally early.
At two I went to Ubuzima to paint the beads. We actually had to spend a couple of hours stringing them first before we could paint or varnish them, which was a little bit frustrating. Jen had invited me to go and celebrate thanksgiving with her and a group of Canadian friends, which I was really looking forward too, not least because of the turkey. But having been at every stage of the bead making process so far, I really didn't feel that I could miss out on the painting. So my plan was to stay till 4.30 then join them for thanksgiving. But obviously at that time we were still stringing the beads, and by the time we were ready to start painting, a massive storm had amassed on the horizon.
And when it rains in Rwanda, it chucks it down. And when its wet, everything shuts down. So even if you're feeling mad enough to brave the rain, you can't get anywhere because all the taxi guys are hiding indoors. So I had little choice but to stay at church and wait it out. At about six o clock there was a power cut, I think across the whole of Kigali, as everyone I spoke to had been affected. Everyone that is, except us, as the Ubuzima workrooms don't have any electricity anyway! Because of the storm and the night time, it was pitch black and we had no choice but to work by the light of our mobile phones! This is the same photo, with and without flash. It gives you an idea of our working conditions.
With some of the Ubuzima ladies
This is how dark it was where we were working!
The rain stopped at 7, so by the time we had cleaned up it was about half past. By this time thanksgiving was well and truly over, so I resigned myself to another night in. I hailed a bike and was on my way.
Ok, so picture the scene. I live on a very long, bumpy dirt road, it has been raining heavily for over three hours and there are no street lights. Credit to the driver, we made it more than half way without incident. But the mud was just too thick, the puddles too deep and the potholes too bumpy for the bike to pass. So we skidded on the mud and crashed into a ditch. To make matters worse, we had to drag the bike back onto the road, and of course I slipped over, landed on my butt and got covered in mud. One foot in front of the other people! No serious injuries to report, just a bruised leg where the bike landed and a dent in the road where my butt landed.
At two I went to Ubuzima to paint the beads. We actually had to spend a couple of hours stringing them first before we could paint or varnish them, which was a little bit frustrating. Jen had invited me to go and celebrate thanksgiving with her and a group of Canadian friends, which I was really looking forward too, not least because of the turkey. But having been at every stage of the bead making process so far, I really didn't feel that I could miss out on the painting. So my plan was to stay till 4.30 then join them for thanksgiving. But obviously at that time we were still stringing the beads, and by the time we were ready to start painting, a massive storm had amassed on the horizon.
And when it rains in Rwanda, it chucks it down. And when its wet, everything shuts down. So even if you're feeling mad enough to brave the rain, you can't get anywhere because all the taxi guys are hiding indoors. So I had little choice but to stay at church and wait it out. At about six o clock there was a power cut, I think across the whole of Kigali, as everyone I spoke to had been affected. Everyone that is, except us, as the Ubuzima workrooms don't have any electricity anyway! Because of the storm and the night time, it was pitch black and we had no choice but to work by the light of our mobile phones! This is the same photo, with and without flash. It gives you an idea of our working conditions.
With some of the Ubuzima ladies
This is how dark it was where we were working!
The rain stopped at 7, so by the time we had cleaned up it was about half past. By this time thanksgiving was well and truly over, so I resigned myself to another night in. I hailed a bike and was on my way.
Ok, so picture the scene. I live on a very long, bumpy dirt road, it has been raining heavily for over three hours and there are no street lights. Credit to the driver, we made it more than half way without incident. But the mud was just too thick, the puddles too deep and the potholes too bumpy for the bike to pass. So we skidded on the mud and crashed into a ditch. To make matters worse, we had to drag the bike back onto the road, and of course I slipped over, landed on my butt and got covered in mud. One foot in front of the other people! No serious injuries to report, just a bruised leg where the bike landed and a dent in the road where my butt landed.
Saturday 9th
Today I had my first lesson with a lady called Judith. She is a widow, has three sons, and is teaching the guys at Ubuzima to sew. Once a week I'm meeting up with her to teach her English.
Isabelle was an hour early today(!), so she had to sit in on Judith's lesson. Honestly, it was a little bit frustrating as she is a bit of a back seat teacher, but it proved to me that she has been listening and is making real progress. Praise Jesus! I don't actually have much more time with her before she starts school, as I am away from the 1st December to the 12th January. So we really need to make every lesson count.
Isabelle was an hour early today(!), so she had to sit in on Judith's lesson. Honestly, it was a little bit frustrating as she is a bit of a back seat teacher, but it proved to me that she has been listening and is making real progress. Praise Jesus! I don't actually have much more time with her before she starts school, as I am away from the 1st December to the 12th January. So we really need to make every lesson count.
Friday 8th
I was at church seven thirty till four thirty, cooking for the street kids and making beads. And I met Liz, a British lady who is here for a week on a vision trip to see if the Lord might be calling her to Rwanda. She has been working with Iteams for several years in Kenya but knows its time to move on. Please pray that God would give her wisdom and help her to be obedient and attentive to his voice.
After church I went into town with Mama Deborah and a lady called Olive to buy paint for the beads. Every shop seemed to sell the same brand, which offered really dull, drab colours, but eventually we found a shop that mixes colours for you. Everything appeared to be going well until the paint was ready, and I saw the guy had put a blob of paint on every lid so we could see which pot was which. I had to carry the six pots of paint to church on a bike, so my initial thought was that he needed to wipe the paint off straight away, as wet oil paint, speed and bumpy roads are a hazardous combination. But then I saw it. I had chosen that nice green colour, you know the one I like, that's in all the shops at the moment. But the blob of paint on the lid was yellow. Bright yellow. And we can't sell people bright yellow necklaces. It would be wrong. So I told the guy, that's not the colour I asked for, and you need to fix it. He looked at me, looked at the paint, and looked at me again. That's parrot green he said. I told him, that's not parrot green. That's bright yellow. So we got out the colour chart and looked. That's not parrot green he said. So he put the paint back in the machine for another try. Three minutes later we had a pot of fabulous lime green paint. After donning my sunglasses to protect my eyes from the glare, we talked strategy, Lwellen Bowen, not Sun Tzu. We poured some out and spent an hour mixing different paints with our fingers to try and match the colour. At half six, I realised that the store had actually been closed for some time, so I told him I'd go back tomorrow to pick it up. These are the colours I chose:
After church I went into town with Mama Deborah and a lady called Olive to buy paint for the beads. Every shop seemed to sell the same brand, which offered really dull, drab colours, but eventually we found a shop that mixes colours for you. Everything appeared to be going well until the paint was ready, and I saw the guy had put a blob of paint on every lid so we could see which pot was which. I had to carry the six pots of paint to church on a bike, so my initial thought was that he needed to wipe the paint off straight away, as wet oil paint, speed and bumpy roads are a hazardous combination. But then I saw it. I had chosen that nice green colour, you know the one I like, that's in all the shops at the moment. But the blob of paint on the lid was yellow. Bright yellow. And we can't sell people bright yellow necklaces. It would be wrong. So I told the guy, that's not the colour I asked for, and you need to fix it. He looked at me, looked at the paint, and looked at me again. That's parrot green he said. I told him, that's not parrot green. That's bright yellow. So we got out the colour chart and looked. That's not parrot green he said. So he put the paint back in the machine for another try. Three minutes later we had a pot of fabulous lime green paint. After donning my sunglasses to protect my eyes from the glare, we talked strategy, Lwellen Bowen, not Sun Tzu. We poured some out and spent an hour mixing different paints with our fingers to try and match the colour. At half six, I realised that the store had actually been closed for some time, so I told him I'd go back tomorrow to pick it up. These are the colours I chose:
In the evening I went out for a Chinese with Liz, Jen and Serge. It was really nice just to get to know them all better and have some meat! Between us we had chicken, pork, beef and duck, so it was a real treat. But it was very expensive.
Thursday 7th
I woke up this morning this seven, I repeat SEVEN, mosquito bites on my left arm/shoulder. They don't itch, Hallelujah, but they are really big and red. The night before I heard a mosquito buzzing round my room, and I squashed it thinking, 'Haha! You can't bite me if you're dead little bug!' It was a messy affair, but it didn't occur to me that the blood splattered across the wall could be mine. People have been coming up to me all day asking, 'What's that on your arm?', so I’m going to have to wear a T-shirt for a few days.
I went into town at ten with Jean Claude to do some orientation. I’ve only ever been to most places by car/bike, so I had no idea how to find them by foot. Sadly, neither did Jean Claude, despite living in Kigali for most his life! So we wandered around town for hours trying to find the different shops and restaurants I like. Every now and then, I'd get out my map to try and figure out which way to go. But as soon as you whip out a map, everyone gathers around you to try and help you find where you're going. Even the motorbike taxis pull up to give their two cents worth. Before you know it, there are ten, fifteen people crowding around, all of whom are telling you something different. In the end we met a Christian lady who offered to walk us to the shop we wanted. And of course, we went the scenic route, walking for thirty minutes what I later realised should have only been five. But it was really kind of her to take us, something I don't think would ever happen in the UK. Later that day, we went to visit her where she works, to look at the different handicrafts she sells. I bought a really nice bag for two quid, two pairs of earrings and a woven mat, and she threw in a basket and a coaster for free. Nice.
After that I came home and studied Kinyarwanda all afternoon.
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Wednesday 6th
You'll never guess what I found at the office today. Loopy links! It took me a while to remember what to do with them, but luckily, a massive storm had me trapped in the office, so I had plenty of time to figure it out. Admire my craftsmanship!
Ok, so I don't have a career in it, but its harder than it looks. And my fingers are really chubby which adds to the challenge.
And if Jen is reading this, I did do some real work today as well, I promise! I have a photo to prove it. One of my jobs at the office is to organise and catalogue all the unused donations Impact Rwanda has received over the years. I think we have enough crayons and pipe cleaners to survive a nuclear war.
And if Jen is reading this, I did do some real work today as well, I promise! I have a photo to prove it. One of my jobs at the office is to organise and catalogue all the unused donations Impact Rwanda has received over the years. I think we have enough crayons and pipe cleaners to survive a nuclear war.
And this afternoon I’ve just been studying Kinyarwanda, or should I say 'kinyargwanda'? My tutor is away this week so I'm just working my way through the text book at home. I'm learning useful phrases like 'abana bacu barahinga' – our children are hoeing. Next week we move on to, 'your large cows are very nice'. Its very exciting stuff.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
(Trumpets Sound)
I have an important announcement to make.
Its my birthday in 5 weeks. You might think that that's a lot of time, but you'd be wrong. Allowing four weeks for the package to arrive, that gives you two days to deliberate over what to get me, two days to go and buy it and four days to queue up at the post office.
(Airmail takes 4 weeks because instead of using planes, they strap the packages to malnourished sparrows, who, being exhausted under the weight of your generosity, will need a week long break in Sharm el Sheik at a swanky hotel to rest before dragging their sweaty little bodies the rest of the way to Kigali. Upon arrival, I get my birthday presents and the sparrows get dipped in batter and deep fried. Its the circle of life people).
And I also feel the need to correct some erroneous teaching you had in Jubilee a few weeks ago. A certain Mr Neil Pattison warned you against sending me chocolate for fear it would melt, but I would urge you brothers and sisters, not to be led astray from the truth; the truth that chocolate is the right choice of gift, regardless of climate, or politics or even hair colour.
I know you'll make the right choice.
Thank you.
Its my birthday in 5 weeks. You might think that that's a lot of time, but you'd be wrong. Allowing four weeks for the package to arrive, that gives you two days to deliberate over what to get me, two days to go and buy it and four days to queue up at the post office.
(Airmail takes 4 weeks because instead of using planes, they strap the packages to malnourished sparrows, who, being exhausted under the weight of your generosity, will need a week long break in Sharm el Sheik at a swanky hotel to rest before dragging their sweaty little bodies the rest of the way to Kigali. Upon arrival, I get my birthday presents and the sparrows get dipped in batter and deep fried. Its the circle of life people).
And I also feel the need to correct some erroneous teaching you had in Jubilee a few weeks ago. A certain Mr Neil Pattison warned you against sending me chocolate for fear it would melt, but I would urge you brothers and sisters, not to be led astray from the truth; the truth that chocolate is the right choice of gift, regardless of climate, or politics or even hair colour.
I know you'll make the right choice.
Thank you.
Tuesday 5th
This morning I stayed at home to do some uni work. It's quite hard to find time to study, as there's always so much going on. Even this morning I didn't get that much done, as I skyped with Sonja for the first time since I’ve arrived. Whenever I talk to her I remember how blessed I am to have her as a friend. Its so cool that we're living on the same continent now – it makes us seem much closer together. In fact, it takes about the same amount of time for me to travel from Kigali to Pretoria as it does from Maidstone to Exeter, and honestly, with the cost of train travel in the UK, the price isn't so different either.
(With Enoch and Yvette at church)
At eleven, I got a bike to church to do some work with Ubuzima. The first guy I stopped tried to charge me 1000 Francs! The cheek! Fortunately, most of the time there are more bikes than customers, so I stopped someone else and went for 300 F (about 27p). That's more like it. Its only a five minute journey so it really shouldn't cost a lot.
In this photo I'm with Alice and Marta. Alice doesn't speal any English, so she just talks to me in Kinyarwanda. It doesn't seem to faze her that I don't understand what she's saying. Anyway, she's very cool.
I stayed at Ubuzima till five at for their general meeting. This week Mama Deborah spoke about the goodness of God, which ultimately led to a lot of singing and dancing. I'm not sure what was made clearer, God's goodness or the fact that muzungu can't dance!
Monday, 4 October 2010
Monday 4th
ARRRRRRRGGHHHH!!!! I'M SO ITCHY!
I tutored Isabelle this morning, 9-12. She turned up on time, had done all her homework and worked really hard, I was very impressed.
And this afternoon I had my first Swahili lesson. I'm telling you, it's so much easier than Kinyarwanda. You say words how they're spelt, and everything is nice and simple.
It was so funny, just as my teacher left, the rain came, and I a got a phone call saying, 'please can I come back to your house? Its raining!' These Rwandans really don't like the rain!
I tried some sugar cane this afternoon in my garden. Its interesting. I wouldn't put it on my cornflakes, but would choose it over say, chicken brains.
I tutored Isabelle this morning, 9-12. She turned up on time, had done all her homework and worked really hard, I was very impressed.
And this afternoon I had my first Swahili lesson. I'm telling you, it's so much easier than Kinyarwanda. You say words how they're spelt, and everything is nice and simple.
It was so funny, just as my teacher left, the rain came, and I a got a phone call saying, 'please can I come back to your house? Its raining!' These Rwandans really don't like the rain!
I tried some sugar cane this afternoon in my garden. Its interesting. I wouldn't put it on my cornflakes, but would choose it over say, chicken brains.
And i'm off to my bible study now. We meet every Monday evening for a couple of hours to discuss Sunday's sermon. Fanta and fellowship – what more could you ask for?
I'll tell you what more, NO INSECT BITES! This is driving me crazy. Two more bites since my last blog. Its so itchy.
Sunday 3rd
I only went to the English service today as I was feeling quite tired. I came home for lunch, then went back to church to meet up with Yvette and Jean Claude. Yvette gave me some beautiful green earrings and a necklace, which is a very big deal as she really doesn't have much money. Then as we were walking back to her house, someone yelled out 'muzungu' as I waked past. And she went up to them and said ' she's not a muzungu, she's Rwandaise!' I think this must be my highlight so far. I feel like I’ve finally made some proper friends here.
We went back to her two room, mud house where she stays with her two brothers, Yves and Joseph. They welcomed me, and said I was the first muzungu to visit their home. It was a real privilege to be there. To get there, you climb down rocky paths, through narrow alleyways, in between peoples houses, all the time greeting the the neighbours and being careful not to trip over any stray chickens. Yvette went to the shop and got me and Jean Claude a fanta, but she and her brothers had nothing to drink. People here are so generous, and will give even if it means not eating tomorrow. I feel so blessed by her kindness. As we were leaving her house, my flip flop broke, so she lent me a pair of shoes. I have the feeling that I’ll get through a lot of flip flops this year as the terrain is so rough. We then went into town to meet her 10 yr old son, who stays with his grandmother. It was a real blessing to be introduced to Yvette's family and to get to know her better too.
In the evening I went out with Jen to a restaurant called shokolat. I think it must be the nicest restaurant in Kigali. The atmosphere there is great; funky hispanic music and great food under canvass. With big slouchy sofas. Nice.
I sat outside when I got home to talk to Borinne. It cost me £4 for 11 minutes, and I got 5 new bites. So if anyone is counting, that brings the bites total up to a whopping eight million, four hundred and twenty five. But it was worth it. Awww.
We went back to her two room, mud house where she stays with her two brothers, Yves and Joseph. They welcomed me, and said I was the first muzungu to visit their home. It was a real privilege to be there. To get there, you climb down rocky paths, through narrow alleyways, in between peoples houses, all the time greeting the the neighbours and being careful not to trip over any stray chickens. Yvette went to the shop and got me and Jean Claude a fanta, but she and her brothers had nothing to drink. People here are so generous, and will give even if it means not eating tomorrow. I feel so blessed by her kindness. As we were leaving her house, my flip flop broke, so she lent me a pair of shoes. I have the feeling that I’ll get through a lot of flip flops this year as the terrain is so rough. We then went into town to meet her 10 yr old son, who stays with his grandmother. It was a real blessing to be introduced to Yvette's family and to get to know her better too.
In the evening I went out with Jen to a restaurant called shokolat. I think it must be the nicest restaurant in Kigali. The atmosphere there is great; funky hispanic music and great food under canvass. With big slouchy sofas. Nice.
I sat outside when I got home to talk to Borinne. It cost me £4 for 11 minutes, and I got 5 new bites. So if anyone is counting, that brings the bites total up to a whopping eight million, four hundred and twenty five. But it was worth it. Awww.
Saturday 2nd
I tutor Isabelle from 11-1pm. I got up early to prepare her lesson, then went to church to set up. Then I waited. And waited. And waited some more. Just as I got up to leave, Isabelle showed up, an hour and fifteen minutes late! It takes her two hours to walk from her home to the church, and its hot, so I understand that it costs her to meet up with me. Part of me thought, 'just give her a break, she's got it tough', but I know that an employer wouldn't see it that way, so I talked to her about the importance of punctuality. I'm also giving her bus money now so hopefully she won't be late again.
In the afternoon I had some friends round, Enoch, Yvette and Jean Claude and it was so lovely. Yvette gave me a manicure and pedicure, and she taught me some praise and worship songs in Kinyarwanda. Fungura Amaso yuemutima wange = open the eyes of my heart Lord. If you want some laughs, try fitting 13 syllables into an 8 syllable line in a foreign language.
Friday 1st
We bought some maize today to share at church, as everyone was getting hungry. This lady sits outside the church everyday with her kid cooking and selling the maize, which costs about 9p each.
I had a great time preparing food for the street kids this morning. I feel like I’m getting to know people better now, which is good. The weather, as you can see from my photos, is fantastic. It reached 32 degrees this weekend. Harashyushye cyane! (Its very hot in Kinyarwanda).
In the afternoon I went home to study, but I fell asleep for 2 hours. The lessons here is don't try and study while lying on your bed with your eyes closed and the curtains drawn.
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