Tuesday 21 October 2014

Tuesday, by Portia and Abi


 The sun greeted us this morning in the usual heat of Rwanda as we made our way to the catch up school. It was clear that the message had spread that we were here as more children greeted us with their beaming smiles. As always, we took several lessons that included English and Maths, we were shocked at how amazing some of the students were and even knew some of the answers we didn't!

Although the lessons are always a joy to be in, breaktime is always a highlight as the kids rush to teach us new dances songs and rhythms  on their drums. Lots of the team got involved and the kids loved the fact that Joey was wearing a large 18 badge, was so nice to see him smile of his 18th.

After a long day at the school, we were informed that we were visiting some of the street kids. We were told by Helen that they had been informed of our visit and that they were looking forward to meet us. As we wanted to ensure the safety of the kids we went to a small area behind a building site. Around ten kids met us and we were told that we could ask them questions about their lives. Through our translator we were informed that they range between the age of 10-14 and they all stick together, they survive from bins and leftovers that have been thrown away from local restaurants. We asked them what they wanted in life, their reply was simple, shelter, education and food. A few of the kids showed us their wounds and bites, they were everywhere. This was the hardest moment for the group, this was the first time we really saw where our kids had come from. The journey home was tearful and silent.


Although today was a hard emotional day we are so pleased to be working with th school and now can't to get back tomorrow.



















39 comments:

Unknown said...

happy birthday joey hope you had a good day love and miss you babes;)xxx

Unknown said...

Hi joey happy 18th hope you have a food evening looks like you had a good day today and must have been an experience meeting the street kids and is all things you can be proud of doing

Love you loads (dad) xxx

Unknown said...

Happy 18th birthday Joey.Hope you've had an amazing day xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Cerys and everyone. Wow, what an incredibly emotional day this must of been to hear the stories of these children. I am in tears let alone how you must be feeling. What I find amazing, is despite everything, the children look so happy. All the activities you are doing look so good. Have just spoken to Fi Fi and she sends her love. Happy Birthday Joey.
Has been very windy here and wet. The weather looks better with you. Just getting my running shoes on. Read your blogs to the grandparents every evening and they can't wait to see the photos.
Love and miss you loads. Mum dad, Rhi and rocky xxxx

Unknown said...

I've looked through the echo today nothing in there. Looks incredible out there such an experience. The kids look so happy. Bet it's really emotional. Miss you. Love you loads xxx

Unknown said...

Portia you look like you are loving every minute xxx can't talk for long as of to watch the football take care baby girl love u mummy xxx

Sharon Maidment said...

Hiya Poppet! I can't even begin to comprehend the emotional rollercoaster you guys are all on...........I've been in tears every day just reading the blog (congrats on yesterdays blog by the way :D ) ! We're all missing you lots here, I'm trying to keep Boy going by feeding him treats - stilton sauce tonight! Odes goes all "sideways head" when we ask him where Katie is & I even got 4 place mats out for dinner last night, we're struggling.........come back soon!!!! :) xxx

Sharon Maidment said...

P.S. I promise we haven't watched any Under The Dome!

Unknown said...

Hiya Charlie, I hope your having an amazing time. I'm so so proud of you and can't wait till your home so I can give you the biggest hug ever. Keep up the hard work and I'll see you when you get back, but hurry cause it's not the same without you. I love you

heidi nye said...

Hello mollie, by the look of your pic today it looks like the little boy liked your hair,
Starting to feel lost without, my phone is quiet and I am saving loads of petrol lol
Keep up the good work
Love you babe
Mum, dad and Rebecca xxxxx

heidi nye said...

Hi Joey
Happy birthday and hope your enjoying spending it doing such an amazing thing xx
Hi izzy, hope your ok xx

Unknown said...

Hi Amy wow I'm just so emotional reading today's blog I am in total awe of what u are doing over there with the children u are such a kind and loving young lady u are exactly in the place u shud be with those gorgeous children I'm just bursting with pride well done to alk the team u are amazing love you so much babygirl hugs and kisses mum and martin xxxxxxxxxxxxx

David Ross said...

What a wonderful experience for you all and well done to Portia and Abi, whose account brings it all home to us all these miles away. Mummy had a tear. Everybody is asking about you here, Stephanie, and all send their love. We are so proud of you. Lots of love as always, Mummy and Daddy xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Amy (Ralph) me again lol, I know your a long way from home so sending little messages so 'home' comes to you. Another fab blog loving reading them and seeing all the photo's, you are all doing an amazing thing for these children...well done to you all
Love Lois xx

Amanda Carey said...

hi megan
I hate to think how emotional it has been for you, just reading the blog brought me to tears. your doing a fantastic job hunnie, so
rewarding. You all look like ur having fun,
keep it up, but stay safe. Big happy birthday
joey what a lovely way to spend it. Hope ur
all taking plenty of photo's. love mum, dad, Danielle, asia, ryan and nan .xxxxxx

ps so proud of you all, ur doing a great job xxxxcx

Unknown said...

Hi Katie. You look like you're all making a big impact on these childrens lives so proud of you all. What an amazing experience. Jake said he's going to message you so I'll keep on at him until he does. Boys are missing you. Everytime the door beeps they run up to it calling your name. They're not used to you being away for this long. Loving all the photos. Grandad says hi. He's off to lanzarote tomorrow. He's useless at commenting lol. Man & Roy send their love. Andy can't wait til Monday. Enjoy rest of your week. Speak tomorrow love you xxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Ps. Happy birthday joey

Unknown said...

Lamara

Hi Hun . I hope your havering a great time and the foods better than you thought . We all miss you and are proud of you . Bobby wants to no if you have seen any lions and tommy just keeps blowing you raspberries .
Love you loads dad Kelly bobby and tommy xx

Unknown said...

Hello bubba, wow what a day you've had. The blog made me cry just thinking about what those kids live with every day of their lives!
I love you loads, so proud that you are spreading a bit of it out there.
Take good care of yourself, and everyone else
(((((((((((sonson))))))))))xxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Amber N (if you see this) I hope your having a great time and your enjoying the experiance I miss you soooo much Eleanor xxx

Sean cummings said...

Hi Rebekah, hope your having a good time, pics look good, need you back, cooked chicken tonite and forgot to take plastic off, didn't taste too good, give my look to Abi, lots of love c u soon xx

Sean cummings said...

I mean love to abi xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Amber
Hope your coping with the experience, it all looks very emotional especially today meeting the street kids. You can imagine what I'm like reading the blogs and looking at the photos, thinking about how our lives differ from theirs.
I want to show the world the photos of you as we're so proud of where u are and what your doing, at the age of only 14 (and a 1/2 - best not forget the 1/2 lol) it's incredible.
I don't think Dan is too pleased about your absence as he's fallen off the wall!!
Missing you. As always take care, stay safe and enjoy your amazing experience.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses Mum & Dad xxxxxxxxxx
Ps don't forget the "don't forget" list especially the bit about the moon! :) xx

Unknown said...

Hey Charlie it's Alex Mantaj, I asked clay to post this for me as it wouldn't let me do it. I hope you're having an amazing time out there helping all these children. It's so quiet without you here, just feels weird not seeing you everyday. Do your best out there and have an incredibly unforgettable time. I literally cannot wait till you're back, I miss you so much! Hurry up and get back home, only been a few days since you've left but we have so much to catch up on! Stay safe, love you xxx Clays really missing You xxx

Unknown said...

Hiya maddi,

The blog is amazing way of kind of being there with you. I hope you are coping with it all. It must be like being on a roller coaster. The children look so happy though and I hope you are having lots of fun with them too. daddy says we need more photos of you!!!!! We have been to camel beach today and aunty nita loved it. A great big hug to you my darling, we are all so proud of y o u.......happy 18th Joey!!!!! Lots of love from us all xxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Issy! Hope you are having fun! Hope the whiplash isn't too bad! Love Jonny x

Unknown said...

Hey my gawjus girl lamara, its such a comfort to see these picture, we miss you so much and cant wait to hear about your experience, you all have made such a difference to these children, you all should be proud of your selves. This experience will be in your hearts forever.
When you come home there will be a little treat waiting on your bed :) loves you always mum&dad xxx

keep calm and tap dance said...

Hi Sophie, I can't wait to get home each day and read these blogs - it feels like we are closer to you all. The photos are so interesting & I can't believe all the experiences you are all having, it must be really emotional :) Thanks to everyone who's writing these blogs & taking the photos + Happy 18th Birthday to Joey!! Love Mumma Wathen xxx

Unknown said...

Hi lamara its jody and maria here, we just want to say how proud we are of you. We admire what you and your friends are doing, we really hooe you are enjoying this experience.
Look forward to seeing you when you get home.
Miss u lots stsy safe. Love jody , maria and kids
Xxx

Unknown said...

hi amy looks like u are having a happy but also a sad time over there but chin up think of all the happiness all of u are bringing to the children sorry our messages are allways late but as u know im out on the chippy van and rachel works now till late luv and miss u lots dad and rachel xxxx

Unknown said...

Happy birthday to my joey me and jake love you millions xxx

Danielle Carey said...

I want you home now Megan, I'm missing you so much it's unreal! Looks like your having an amazing time out there, can't wait to hear about it when your home! Need to see your face and hear your voice. I love you lots baby. From Danielle xxxxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi David
Hope you're all having another great day. Feels like you've been away ages. Kat sends her love, well she would do if she knew I was sending this. Take care
Dad

Charlotte baker said...

Hi charlie :) me again wow what lovely but hard day today must have been , hope you are loving everyday and am so proud of you ! Also hope you are enjoying the weather and not to hot ? Its getting colder now so be prepared when you get back you will be freezing hahah ! Enjoy tomorrow lovely you are doing something amazing for all them children lots of love xxx

A J Jee said...

Wow. This is all fantastic. Loving the photos, even the one with Dave looking like a ponce!

I know we are all proud of everything you are doing. You have all come such along way over the three and a half years I have known you. This is the foundational work of some exceptional leaders. Keep strong, believe and learn. Never forget you have what it takes to make a difference. Blessings, Tony

Unknown said...

Hi mara its layton I love you x

Unknown said...

Morning Amy it's so good seeing photos of you I can't wait for today's blog hope it goes on before I go to work tonight lol love and miss you lots hugs and kisses mum and martin xxxx

Unknown said...

Shared your blog with my class at school today (yr 3). They were very interested in what you are doing over there. Keep up the good work and keep the blogs coming. Love to you all. Rob C

Courtney said...

Wow Amber! You are so so amazing:')! I'm so proud of you and cannot wait for a massive hug from you! Love you millions��
Courts xxxxxx