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.