Safe arrival in Rwanda and journey to Kamembe

After a rather late arrival in Kigali last night, we were keen to get a good night's sleep at our guest house before a long bus journey today from the capital down to Kamembe, in the south west corner of Rwanda.  The bus journey passed through lots of beautiful countryside - Rwanda isn't called the Land of 1000 Hills for nothing - before coming through Nyungwe Forest with some monkey sightings and reaching Kamembe and Munezero House, our home for the next two weeks.  The first activity on our agenda was to stretch our legs with a walk down the hill to Baho Neza Mwana, the street children's project, to look at the stunning view of Lake Kivu and be welcomed by the boys with their wonderful drumming.  They let us have a go (it's so much trickier than they made it look to stay in time and keep the rhythm!) and we joined them in their dancing.  This evening has been spent planning lessons for tomorrow's teaching at Munyove (LEH teachers) and Isha (Devonshire House teachers) and there is much excitement in the house for what the first day in schools will hold.

Before setting off on the journey

Just 24 hours into the trip, the excitement was proving too much for some of the teachers

Beautiful Rwandan countryside

Arrival at Munezero House and unloading of the bags

View from the aeroplane taken by a couple of teachers

The boys showing us how it's done

Noelia looks confident with the drums

LEH teachers trying their hand at the drums

Dave getting fully involved in the dancing

Beth found a new dance partner

Sunset over Lake Kivu as the boys wave goodbye

First dinner of pork and plantain

Second Day of the Teacher Training Course

The second day of the teacher training course began with the teachers being split into three groups: P1-3 and two groups of P4-6 teachers, enabling us to focus our lessons on age-group appropriate topics.  Francine and Natasha covered Rewards and Sanctions, Phonics, Displays and ICT.  The teachers used the number square and number line in inventive ways and were enthused by the thought of being able to bring them into their classrooms.  Hangman was also a firm favourite when solidifying phonetic sounds, although there was a little bit of cheating!  It was revealing during the Rewards and Sanctions session was that one of the major problems which concerned the teachers was punctuality - and so it was necessary to mention that they needed to mirror the behaviour they expect from their pupils.

Francine's group read some English books

Natasha giving a star for good participation in the Rewards and Sanctions session

A teacher uses the number line to teach addition and subtraction

Teachers planning using a display to teach a lesson

Bridget, Stephan, Jo and Maddie covered Assessment, Differentiation, Levels of Questioning and ICT.  In Assessment the teachers learnt about the less traditional methods of assessment and focused on the importance of formative assessment.  Bridget used a graphing activity to assess prior knowledge of countries (Rwanda, the UK, South Africa and New Zealand) and was pleased that at least one teacher had some knowledge of New Zealand!

Jo helps with some group work

In Differentiation Maddie looked at different ways that teachers could help support different levels of ability in their classes, by modeling a few methods with different activities.  She was pleased to be able to bring in her knowledge of animals in Kinyarawanda (again!) in a differentiation-by-task activity where the teachers were given four activities, all with the same outcome of learning the English words for animals, but some were more scaffolded than others.  The teachers in this session particularly enjoyed the differentiation-by-outcome activity where they had to find as many words as possible in the word 'elephant' - especially as the reward for winning was some sweets!

Maddie is helped by Deborah, one of the teachers from last year's course who is a mentor (and translator) this year, with group work in the Differentiation session

Maddie discovered quite quickly that Levels of Questioning was going to be a challenging topic to teach and Bloom's Taxonomy went out the window when the first class of students struggled with the concept of the '20 Questions' game and having to ask questions which demanded yes/no answers.  However, the second class impressed with their discussion of open and closed questions.

A pile of confiscated phones (which we attempted to auction at the end of the lesson!)

To finish the day we participated in a debate, for which the motion was 'All lessons in Rwanda should be taught in English' to show the teachers how they would be debating tomorrow and on Thursday.  We knew that the topic would be a slightly controversial one - and before the debate just 5 of the teachers in the audience were in favour of the motion!  Stephan, Bridget and Natasha spoke for the motion, putting points across such as English being an international language; the language of business and most popular culture; and beneficial for tourism and travel.  Francine, Jo and Maddie opposed the motion with points such as English being a difficult language to learn (let alone teach in); loss of culture; and the fact that 70% of Rwandans are unlikely to use English in their daily life.  After our heated debate, some of the teachers stood up to argue their points of view and made excellent points we had not thought about - such as English being the language of tomorrow and they should think about the future rather than today; that English is essential for the growing trade exports from Rwanda; and conversely that many students are failing in Maths and Science because they are taught in English - when actually if they were taught in Kinyarawanda they would be achieving much higher marks and have greater understanding.  We took another vote after the debate and the proposers only managed to persuade another two to their point of view (which Stephan's team took as a victory!)

Francine passionately opposes the motion

Stephan mid-debate

One of just a few teachers who was in support of the motion tries to convince his peers

An evening walk into Kamembe town

Our walk took us to see the clearest sunset we've seen yet over Lake Kivu and the DRC

First Day of the Teacher Training Course

Today saw the start of our Teacher Training week at T.T.C. Mururu in Kamembe.  Our morning began with a slightly anxious phone call from Peter, the Manager of the Rwanda Aid team here, explaining that today had been declared a national holiday in Rwanda (for Eid al-Fitr, the last day of Ramadan) and showing concern about how many teachers would realistically want to attend the training on what should be a day of rest for them.  Neverthless, thinking optimistically, we crammed ourselves into the weary Scorpio, determined to make the best of whatever awaited us.

Teachers assembling in the hall first thing for an address from the Headmaster of T.T.C. Mururu

Although slightly fewer participants than we had anticipated were there at 8am, by the time we were ready to begin the first teaching session, most of the 60-odd teachers had arrived and, when given the choice to have the day off or continue as planned, most opted for the latter.

The morning sessions involved lessons on Pair and Group Work, ICT (many of the teachers have never seen a computer before), Lesson Starters and Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic Learning.  It is the second time that Stephan and Francine have visited Rwanda on such a trip and both were impressed with the level of English most of the group can use and understand.  We have three Rwandan teachers acting as mentors to the group; they are teachers who have attended previous training weeks and are more proficient in English.  They proved invaluable assistants to us throughout the day, translating when needed but also happily involving themselves in the sessions.

Showing a teacher how to use Microsoft Word

A teacher, having mastered the art of copy and paste, helps another teacher

At lunch some of us sampled plantain for the first time and Stephan's Leatherman became a valued friend to those of us not used to eating large lumps of meat without knives.

Dishing up lunch: rice, beans, plantain and meat

Lunch in the dining hall

The final session of the day followed lunch and, as a compromise for sacrificing their day off, we agreed that we would end the day slightly earlier than planned.  One of the lessons we have learnt from being out here is that things do not always work out the way we expect them to so we have to be flexible!

Group work in the Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic session

Trying out one of Stephan's lesson starters

More lesson starters

Getting into pairs using wool in the Group and Pair Work session

Using string to ensure all members of the class participate in a group work task

Even this little lizard turned up for training!

Nkombo Nursery and Baho Neza Mwana Street Children

After a short boat ride across the dewy morning Lake Kivu, Team Rwanda 2014 arrived at Nkombo Nursery. The children were ready for us, with even the littlest in their uniforms waiting to see what we had in store for them. Inside Jo, Francine and Maddie had a range of pens and paper set out for the future Picassos, although by the end of the session it was doubtful  as to whether the faces or paper saw more of the action… Sparkly hearts were also adorned in unusual places that they definitely weren’t designed for, but just showed the creativity and eagerness of the children. Stephan, Bridget and Natasha led the others with games outside. After a tentative start with a rework of ‘Duck Duck Goose’, tunnel ball became a firm favourite with the children showing their competitive side with a few well placed elbows. We were then escorted back to our boat with multiple helping hands and a very friendly inkoko (chicken) who had accompanied us both ways across the lake.

Stephan organising 'Duck Duck Goose' 

Hard at work

Lake Kivu

A highlight of our trip so far was this afternoon’s visit to Baho Neza Mwana, a refuge for the region’s orphaned children who would otherwise be living on the streets.  Here we were given a tour of the village and shown where the children sleep, learn skills like sewing, eat and play.  With today being Friday, washing day, sunny spots on grassy banks were covered with clean clothes and linen left to dry.  Two bags we brought over from the UK were the source of inexplicable delight; one contained loom bands and the other a collection of nail polishes, nail art pens and nail art tools kindly donated by Models Own.  

Girls will be girls 

The most demanding customer!

Stephan gave Natasha and Bridget a quick tutorial on how to use the loom bands after which they demonstrated the technique to the children who quickly picked it up and effortlessly made bracelets, necklaces and other colourful accessories.  Meanwhile, Maddie and Jo had great fun painting nails and adorning them with glitter and patterns.  Some of the girls then took to painting their own toenails and even gave a few of us some interesting manicures.  

Bridget's new business...

When we had exhausted our supply of loom bands and everyone was happy with their painted nails, the children performed dance routines for their guests before heading down to a football pitch the size of, well, a football pitch, set on the banks of Lake Kivu.  The Rwanda Aid staff members led some warm-up exercises after which a competitive game of football commenced.  Bridget and Maddie were brave enough to participate in the game and we’re still not sure whether the constant calls of ‘mzungo’ (white person) were the children’s way of telling each other to pass to or kick well away from them.  Francine joined some of the others for a game of volleyball and once both these matches were finished, the children all carried firewood (mostly on their heads) back up to the village.  

Jonas dominating the football field

Shortly thereafter, Stephan arrived with crates of cold drinks and a big bag of sweets which everyone enjoyed after this busy but brilliant afternoon.  The wonderful children (and staff) of this village sent us off in such high spirits; they have left an impression that will not easily be removed from our memories or our hearts.

Drawstring Bags at Isha and More Mural Painting at Ngwino Nawe

A year ago when visiting Isha School a member of our group was struck by how many children walked, ran and played still holding on to their book and pen. It is one of their most prized possessions and they desperately don’t want to lose it for most of their parents can’t afford to buy a new one.

 Francine and Alex show the pupils how they can wear their bags

The pupils receiving their bags with excitement

All the children were wearing their bags proudly

Enough money was raised to provide each child (there are nearly 800 children in the school) with a drawstring bag, a book and pen.  The head teacher arranged for all the children of both morning and afternoon sessions to be at school today for us to give each of them a bag. All the children came out to the playground and patiently waited their turn to eagerly accept a bag. The children’s excitement and delight were contagious and their truthful appreciation truly humbling. We all enjoyed watching them putting their bags on and adjusting the strings to fit them, as well as putting their used books and pen in a safe place: their own new book bag.  This heartwarming experience made us all again realise how much we all have to be grateful for and humbled to see how happy these children are even if they don’t have a world filled with earthly possessions.  It will stay with us for a long time to come. 

Isha School Photo

 Love for the bags!

 Rwanda Aid teachers and Isha School teachers (with their bags!)

Thank you for all the children and parents of Normanhurst School, Chingford, North London who raised funds with a sponsored walk and many friends and family who donated funds to make this great gift possible. 

 Putting the finishing touches to the outside wall

This afternoon we went back to Ngwino Nawe to continue painting the murals we started on Monday.  As term had finished on Wednesday, only a few students were still around – those who live at the children’s village permanently because they do not have families to go home to.  There were some familiar faces from earlier in the week – and it was great to see some characters from last year too.  The outside wall has been painted completely and now brightly welcomes visitors to Ngwino Nawe with an outline of both Rwanda and Africa, on which the children enjoyed pointing out both Nyamasheke and Rwanda respectively.

David and Fidele painting the wall

Fidele and Maddie drawing shells

 A younger pupil helps an older pupil with the turtle

On the inside wall there is a beautiful seascape taking shape, which the children really enjoyed helping to paint.  There will be learning aids as part of the mural – such as numbers and the alphabet so that the teachers can use the wall in lessons.  In the process we discovered some great artistic talent in the students, as well as great initiative in creating straight lines with masking tape!  It was also brilliant to see the older children helping younger ones throughout the afternoon.

  

Rameck paints the angel fish

Mechack adds to the Rwandan patterns on the outside wall