Murakaza neza mzungu

(means: welcome white person)

Thursday 22-11-2007

We got up early (6 am) again and had breakfast together. Eric and Christine were going to the primary school to teach English lessons again. Gordon and Graham joined them and were supposed to do the guttering there, but could not do their work, because the materials did not show up! The joy of Africa….. ;)

Tineke, Floor and Elske went with their personal driver, Alex, to Gatagara. It was a 2 hour drive up in the mountains, but it was really nice to see the beautiful country. Gatagara is a very large centre for disabled children. When we arrived, Peter (coordinator of the disability training), Sixbert (physiotherapist) and Caspar (social worker) were waiting for us. They showed us around the place, which was actually a small village, including a primary school, church, places to sleep, physiotherapy room and a working place were they make prosthetics themselves! It is really impressive to see how they get all the work done and they are all very, very proud of the centre.

They served us a Dutch lunch: fries, salad and meatball!! After lunch we met a brother of love from Belgium, who lived in Rwanda since 1960. He told us a lot about the history of Rwanda.

After lunch Peter, Sixbert and Casper joined us to Ruhango, a community based rehabilitation centre. Here we met Jeanine and Claudine. They visit the disabled children at their homes. They do not have money for a car or a motorcycle, so they do all the visits by foot!! The people we met are all so kind and enthusiastic! They immediately asked for our email addresses and asked if we would visit Rwanda again. We will see them again next week, at the disability training.

Friday 23-11-2007

Today we have a work-morning. We have to prepare the disability training and pack our suitcases, because after lunch we are going to Akagera National Park!! See all the wild animals, enjoy the sun and relax at the lodge, with a warm (!) shower and a swimming pool!