12/13/2018 0 Comments Last days in NyamashekeAfter a full week in Kigali we made our way back to Nyamasheke for our final four days to pack and prepare to leave. I had a full day at the office transferring the remainder of the resources to the office and to create what I hope will be a really useful space for the Nyamasheke team. Glyn gave me a lift down carrying four rice sacks and a box on the moto (sadly no picture) and then Gilbert helped me transfer the resources and the bookcase that we had had made for the house I donated to the resource room. ![]() On Monday morning I still had quite a lot left to do. ![]() I was determined to throw away as little as possible as we don't really have a good place for rubbish at the house (there is no collection and so everything gets buried in the garden). So I was really happy when I managed to turn old toothpaste tubes into a useful (and very pleasant smelling!) maths resource... But by Tuesday everything had gone. The junk room at the house was empty and the resource room was full! Lionel surprised me with a visit to say goodbye The job is finished so - time for the pub. Sandy the dog came and joined us. Then the following day was our very last day so it was cleaning and final packing. Both Gilbert and Theo stayed with us Theo was very pleased with his hi vis jacket - perfect for a guard! ![]() We invited the neighbours around and gave away the household goods that we no longer needed. Glyn had to say goodbye to his bike and drive it back to the RwandaAid office in Kamembe. Gilbert had to have one last 'sit' on the bike before it left. ![]() On our last night we shared a beer with Theo and Simba the dog! The 'lowering of the flag' was the final ceremony!! ![]() This morning we travelled to Kigali to fly home. On the way I was messaged by Chantal who asked me to call in and see her as she wanted to say goodbye! what a lovely lady! Now we are sat at the airport waiting to board our flight. Another amazing adventure, another amazing year in the Land of a Thousand Hills. We will be back next year as our next exciting chapter will be to run the charity Friends of Rwandan Rugby. But in the meantime Rwanda - thanks and goodbye for now. We will miss all those wonderful friends we have made. But we won't miss the hand/foot washing of clothes! ![]()
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At the end of year programme review meeting all 300 volunteers and staff had an opportunity to come together to celebrate the work of VSO and to reflect on the year's work. I was honoured to be asked to represent the international volunteers to cut the huge birthday cake! The review meeting took place over two days. On the first day I was leading a series of workshops with another international volunteer, Jessica, about how to gather and write stories to spread the word about the work of VSO. JMV and I were also asked to present at another workshop about how international and national volunteers can work together and how each of us benefit from working with each other. ![]() Lots of time to spend with my team The meeting was at the Nobleza hotel in Kigali. The grounds are beautiful and the weather was perfect. ![]() Then when the meetings were finished it was time to party!
Happy Birthday VSO Rwanda! 12/13/2018 0 Comments VSO Rwanda celebrates 20 yearsVSO has been working in Rwanda for 20 years. Over the past few weeks the volunteers and staff have been celebrating. The first big event was an umuganda (community work). In each of the 30 districts across the country the volunteers planted 200 trees in local schools. These were a mixture of trees that would provide shade and stabilise the soil and fruit trees that would provide food. I planted a passion fruit tree. In Nyamasheke we were also celebrating the success of the Strengthening School Readiness project that works with nursery schools. The nursery teachers were all rewarded for their hard work with a gift of beautiful fabric and the top teachers were given a bike. In true Rwandan style there were lots of speeches and I was a bit surprised when Claude - one of the VSO staff called me up to make a speech about what it is like to be a volunteer in Rwanda! Cheers Claude! Speeches, singing and dancing - a great way to celebrate
The schools all closed mid November for the long school holidays so I thought the last few weeks would be less hectic! Wrong! A school in Cyato sector approached Lionel asking if we could go into the school to teach the teachers how to make some teaching aids. It was their holiday and they wouldn't be getting any help with transport money. I was delighted they were so keen. Cyato is one of the furthest sectors so it also meant another long journey through the stunning countryside. The weather had been quite dry (but not very dry) so we didn't have the challenges we had had earlier in the year with deep, slippery mud or thick dust. Thomas came to my house at 06:30. Seven teachers from three different schools came to join us and from 8 until 1pm we worked away making a whole load of teaching aids which Lionel then demonstrated how they could use them with children. This is so important as often teachers have teaching aids and resources but then have no idea how to actually use them effectively. I was very proud of Lionel - the youngest member of the team who has developed into a fine trainer. His enthusiasm and eagerness to learn and try anything out has always been so rewarding for me. We stopped in Rangiro centre to greet Thomas' wife and for me to give little Michael their 2 year old son a small gift although he was far more interested in his dad's moto! ![]() Then back on the bikes heading for home and a last chance to admire the scenery. ![]() Past the busy market and then home. Another lovely and rewarding day.
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December 2018
Preparing to go back to our second home
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