Sunday 19 July 2015

Rwanda blog - Sunday, by Genie and Sarah T

Today was draining, partly due to the fact that no-one arrived at the apartments until 2 am this morning and everyone was expected to be up and ready by 9 am. As it was a Sunday and the Catch-Up-Centre is only open on Weekdays (so was not running lessons today), it was decided that were going to be visiting the Rwanda Genocide Museum in the morning. Although we were only there for a few hours, the experience was unforgettable and harrowing. Not many of our group knew the full extent of the horrors that took place during the genocide. The museum itself was full of videos detailing first person accounts of atrocities- many of which were beyond comprehension.  The long and short of it was that in 1994 after years of tension and prejudice the Rwandans classified as “Hutus” massacred the Rwandans classified as “Tutsis” in an brutal fashion- in total around one million Tutsis were murdered. The personal and touching stories were heart breaking to ready, however many of our group found that the most heart breaking part of the museum was its children exhibition displaying only a few of many children who got murdered during the genocide. It was difficult learning about the suffering of the people who lost their families to the genocide and our hearts went out to the families.
 It is, however, difficult to imagine that Rwanda could have ever been plagued by such monstrosity. We have found Kigali to be a beautiful city and its people personable and charming. Despite Rwanda’s brutal history the country has definitely used the experience to better itself and ensure that such horrors do not repeat themselves. The trip to the museum was intended to give us a greater understanding of the past of Rwanda (so that it would prepare us for stories the children may wish to express). Although it was an emotional experience, it was certainly an eye opener and was very useful.
 Following our trip to the museum we returned to the apartments. On the whole our rooms are incredibly comfortable (mosquitos notwithstanding) and the Rwandan ladies who are cooking for us are incredibly talented. After lunch we went to visit the Catch-Up-Centre, (with a detour to collect Daisy from the airport!) to see where we will be teaching. The classrooms are very bare but we’re confident that we will have a lot of fun working with the children, some of whom we met during our visit today. We are looking forward to a busy day of teaching tomorrow.
Missing everyone from home

Sarah and Genie  













13 comments:

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Today sounds like it has been inspirational and difficult in equal measure. You are all doing a wonderful thing and we at home are very proud of you. Enjoy your first day with the children, lots of love Sally H (Emma's Mum) xxx

Peter Timblick said...

Hi Sarah, really happy to hear from you and hope you have a brilliant time. Missing you loads already and really proud of you. Give our love to Sophie and best wishes to the whole team for a fab week. Love and hugs Mum and Dad

Unknown said...

Good to hear that you are safe out there and that your looking forwad to teaching this week. Hope you fun out there sarah and enjoy yourself. Really proud of the work your going to ve doing for all the children and proud of all the time. Missing you too. Lots of love xx

Unknown said...

Hiya Natalie. Glad to hear that you have arrived safely and probably very tired!! So proud of you and lovely to see your photo. Enjoy this week and your first experience of teaching. Love you xxxx
Debbie Rees

Unknown said...

Glad to hear all have arrived safe and sound. We are looking forward to reading about your adventure. Make the most of this wonderful opportunity.

Unknown said...
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Linda Bohin said...

So pleased to see you have all arrived safely, Lauren we are all so very proud of you. Have a fantastic time. Looking forward to seeing the next blog. Mum, Dad and Charlotte xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jo said...

Fantastic to see some photos, and glad to hear you have all arrived safe and well.
I'm sure you will all make a difference to the children at the catch up centre this week.
So proud of you Lucy, and Team Rwanda!
Can't wait for next blog and pics!
Lots of Love,
Jo (Lucy's mum) Xx

Ian Higgins said...

Hi Emma the pictures look amazing but as you requested the cricket !!!! Australia set us 508 in our 2nd innings to win after lunch on the 4th day but we collapsed to 103 all out to lose by 405 our third biggest defeat to them. I'm looking forward to more photos have fun Em love Dad xx

Unknown said...

Hey sars, (Sarah Timblick) seems like Uganda version 2; except mums holding herself a Lil bit better this time, lesser the water works! Haha! Initial assumptions is that it's a bit of a culture shock out there?! Anyways, hoping your lesson plan exceeds expectations tommorrow, and of higher importants; wishing you the best of luck and ensure you have a great time! Missing ya already so hurry up and fly back!;) house is dead quiet without ya!;) haha! But nonetheless have a sound time, see you soon and missing ya! Haha! Danxxxx<3xxxx<3xxxx<3 clubbing soon as you get back!! #singlepringle if you catch my drift! Haha!

Duncan Weir said...

Aislinn - sounds like you have hit the ground running. As you are two hours ahead, you should now be teaching on Monday morning at the school. Hope it goes well. Go Girl! Lots of love, Mum, Dad, Holly and James xxxx

Ian Higgins said...

Hi Emma its Nanny and Grandad your making us so proud looking at your photos we hope you have a lovely time and look forward to seeing you when you get home and you can tell us all about your experiences xx