Friday 31 July 2015

'Every time I see my friend, my hand says, "Hello"'

Nkombo Island was our destination today.  It started with a trip across the lake in a traditional Rwandan dugout. We were met at the island by many local children of all ages who escorted us to the nursery.
 

On the trip to Nkombo some of the group went to the Vocational training centre, which had been built with Rwanda Aid money and it was an interesting fact finding mission. The centre is working really well with the building and sowing apprenticeships full, the electrical and welding courses are beginning to flourish. Time was spent with Thomas and Vincent and the other instructors. They are very keen to develop the centre further with extra classrooms and a workshop.
 

At the nursery we were greeted by the singing of the welcome song and then the fun began.
 


There was painting and glitter on a grand scale. We had a fantastic game with the parachute and how the children loved the bubbles!
 


However let’s not forget there were many children who could not be part of the nursery and simply watched from the sidelines because there are not enough spaces for all the children on the island. We taught colours and numbers alongside the teacher and then, sadly, it was time to leave.
 

On the long walk back to the boat we were, once again, escorted by the children.
 

We were amazed by the inventiveness of some of the older children who were sledding down a steep hill on an improvised 'sledge' made from a water canister.
 

Our afternoon was spent with the street children at Baho Neza Mwana, Laurie trained the staff in basic St John Ambulance first aid, with a little trouble finding the translation into Kinyarwandan for the Heimlich Manoeuvre!
 

There were final touches made to the wall paintings and the opportunity to share our last evening with these very special children playing board games, football and flying kites.
 






This will be our last blog as tomorrow we begin our journey home. It has been an incredible and personal experience for each of us.
 



Thursday 30 July 2015

Morning of celebrations at Munyove and a visit to Nkombo Nursery

The third day at Munyove was a real highlight of the trip. It was a morning of celebration. After teaching a short lesson teachers and children were ushered outside to the courtyard which became a hub of excitement.




We visitors were given seats as guests of honour while the festivities took place. After the welcome song and speeches from some of the Rwandan teachers, there was a memorable skit showing the positive influence of Rwanda Aid where the boy who was helped then helped other people. 
 

We were then treated to a traditional Rwandan dance followed by a 'western' dance. We were all invited to join in and duly gyrated so as not to disappoint.





The children celebrated with a very impressive hand-walking race.



Gifts were given on both sides, with Beth being given a lamp to show what it is like for the Rwandan children doing their homework, and Laurie and Sue being given Rwandan toys.





The gifts from the team were greeted with enthusiasm, though the giving of the footballs was greeted with the largest cheer. The whole feel of the day was so positive, and left us feeling that there was a definite beginning of a friendship.




Meanwhile at Nkombo...

Before four members of the team left for the airport, they paid a quick visit to Nkombo Nursery. After paddling over Lake Kivu across to the island they were greeted by a number of small children who accompanied them on the long walk to the nursery. On arriving at the nursery, Jane, Harriet, Ben and Maddie discovered 400 children waiting to be taught. Ben and Maddie took the 300 nursery children, who were all waiting patiently in their makeshift classroom, into the playground for a PE lesson. With just 7 balloons we played a game of 'over and under' which was particularly challenging for the little girls in their floor-length skirts!






Whilst Ben and Maddie were teaching outside, Jane and Harriet were teaching a P1 class with 120 children. Each child attached a ribbon to a lolly stick and we then taught colours, positional language and a couple of songs - 'up down wiggle wiggle' was a favourite. The children then sang a song to us and waved their ribbons as they sang.


After the lessons, it was time to dish out porridge to all 400 children who devoured their cups quickly. It was a very quick visit but as always we got a very warm welcome and smiles from 400 children, a lovely way to end another trip to Rwanda.







When leaving Munyove Stephan, Sarah, Moreen, Sue and Francine went to Isha School to finish the learning walls. Innocent a local student (who is in S5) showed up again like the previous day to offer his drawing and painting skills.


Our teachers were impressed with his talent and subsequently left all the pencils and some paper and paints for him with the promise from Innocent that he will keep on developing his talent.

As the previous days a crowd of local villagers and pupils gathered in the classroom, but this time we were prepared with some crayons, pencils and paper to keep them entertained. They drew lovely drawings, copying the maps and diagrams we were painting on the classroom walls.  Although we were very pleased with the learning walls we have created we all wished we had another week in Kamembe to finish more learning walls in other classrooms.