October :)

Does not seem like October already… Normally in America once you get to October everyone just starts talking about January!! People start going on vacation and leaving early from work for many various reasons and the Christmas music starts :) I love it but I know many of you don’t enjoy it to the same extent I do!!

To help me feel like it’s getting to the end of the year I have been listening to lots of Christmas music and attempting to bake :) No one here cares about the music because most everyone can’t understand it so it’s just the strange American listening to more strange music!! The baking however… This is pretty tricky being in Rwanda but I am finding ways!!! The first thing I did was visit the bakery in my village!!! It’s not a normal bakery that you might think of in America… but it’s a bakery none the less!!! They make 2 kinds of dough and 4ish designs of rolls from the dough!! They showed me how to use the big mixer and how they roll out the different kinds of breads and where they bake them!!  It was so fun and they want me to go back… so I probably will :)

Then I went home and made some banana bread!! O my lanta… it was so good!!! I loved lighting the oven and watching bunches of cockroaches come crawling out :/ hahaha but the bread was still delicious!!! I didn’t have all the normal ingredients so I made some up or left some out… but I’d say it was the best banana bread I’ve ever had!!!!!

Another morning this month I went and visited these girls that live with Catholic sisters. They learn to cook and make clothes and garden!!! They were playing basketball outside my office one day and started talking to me :) They invited me to visit them and we had so much fun!!! They have cows and chickens and turkeys and rabbits and the most amazing garden!!!! They don’t know much English at all so I offered to teach them and they got super excited!!!! They said they want me to come back next week and teach them… I will go and I hope they still want to learn :) Teaching English has become my new favorite hobby!!!! While I was there they showed me all around their garden and invited me to help them sometime!!! Then they showed me all the animals and wanted me to take pictures of them :) Then they showed me all their sewing machines!!!! They have like 20 of them and they all make clothes and other things!!!! The girls are right behind the bakery so I got to see those guys again which was awesome as well!!! It was a pretty good morning :)

My project is coming along and I am excited to finally be making progress on it!!! At the moment I am waiting to hear from my boss what she thinks and how she would like me to continue… but So far she has said only good things and I am excited to hear more!!!! Maybe I should explain a little about my project so it makes more sense!!!! I am designing, testing and training people in TIP’s Education Style!!! I have been researching teaching and learning styles and what works best. Then I have been observing many of the Health Centers to see what they currently do and try to learn why they do it that way and how they might be able to implement something new!!! It’s fun and I like all the traveling around and visiting with moms from this area of Rwanda!!! The best part is that they all bring their awesome, cute, little, sweet, adorable babies with them and I have been a little photo happy :) hahaha but I think the moms love seeing the white American want pictures of their baby!!

Ruli!!

Alright, I am living in Ruli for the next two years!! I thought I would tell you all a little about it :) It’s a beautiful little place that is basically only one road!! Hahaha and not a long section of it either :/ its one little top of a mountain in Gakenke District!!

The other night I learned when I am getting on a bus from Kigali to home… I have to say “Dashaka Kurja I Ruli Gakenke” or I end up in the wrong part of Gakenke which actually takes longer to get to… and then I still have to take a moto for about another hour to Ruli :/ I won’t make that mistake again :)

Well, anyways, my house is beautiful and pretty big by Rwandan standards!! I share my half of the house with another American (My supervisor Stephanie) but the other half is left for the landlords (That only visit occasionally on the weekends) and a girl named Brigit, who is Rwandan and pretty nice!! There is a guard that lives outside and he is super nice and does a good jab at guarding!!! He is not totally sure he likes me yet so I always try to talk with him and let him know I appreciate his work!! There is also the umucozi or house maid Betty that lives with her family but is at my house from 8ish AM to 8ish PM. She is great and I love practicing my Kinyarwanda with her as well as learn how to cook all the wonderful Rwandan dishes she is so good at making!!!!

The house is situated behind a Catholic church so basically every morning at 6am I get to hear all the villagers praying (Which actually means singing loudly!!). But it makes for nice, good people around the area of my house… so I don’t mind so much!!

To walk to my office for work every day I pass a nursery school :) The kids there are super cute and I just love them!! If they are not in lines to go into class then they all run out to the fence and stick their fists through so I can “Chance” or pound each one!! I love it and now I have started walking by when I know they will be out and not in class!!! Hahahaha the teachers have even started waving if they are outside when I walk by!!!

My office is in one of the buildings as part of the hospital but not actually in the hospital. It’s just one room with a couple couches and chairs… both made of wood with some foam cushions on them… not all that comfy for sitting in all day… but it works!! To use internet I go behind this building and sit on some back steps right by some giant water storage containers!! It’s nice because while I am sitting in this space there is only one small distant view for people to see the “umuzungu” or white person using her computer :) The rest of the Hospital staff has been super friendly and I am enjoying getting to know them!! Many of them speak a little English and I am working on starting up at least one English class to help them become more comfortable with using English!! It should be pretty great!!!!

I’m not sure how to say this… But Ruli has many orphans!! I think most of this is because of the war AKA Genocide… But it’s weird because there are basically lots of kids from 0-30 years old that are not sure how to treat an American girl… The little ones are running around the streets asking for shoes, balloons or money while the teenagers are asking for my phone number and the boys if I will sleep with them and the older ones try to impress me by taking me on walks and using as much English as they can muster!!!! It’s entertaining for sure :) but at the end of the day I am very grateful for a bedroom that locks and time to gather my thoughts and prepare for the next day!!!

Because of so many orphans there are many opportunities to have awesome conversations too like encouraging them to stay in school and helping girls gain nerve to say “no” and keep guys away till they are ready… and then using protective measures so they stay healthy and HIV free!!!!! After only being here for a short time and already experiencing these things I am really looking forward to the rest of my two years!!!!

To continue with Ruli as a village they have a nice little shop next to the hospital if I am in need of a snack and down in the center they have lots of boutiques with all kinds of things like fabric, soap, notebooks and toilet paper!! I like to visit them mostly to practice my Kinyarwanda and get my face out in the village as much as possible!!!! Last week I wanted to get a notebook but the closest shop only had graph paper, which is not great for writing if you are not used to it… so I started asking around and soon had a guide taking me to a bunch of shops. After some time I learned that there are no notebooks with only horizontal lines in them and went home without a notebook :/ but I had a great time talking with people :)

Well, that’s enough rambling for now!!! I can’t believe how the time is flying by :/ It seems like just yesterday I got here!!! But I also feel as though I have been here my entire life and this is my home :) hahaha Maybe I am just tired and need to sleep more… Then I will remember I am American and America is my home!!!

Talk to you all again soon!!!

Just Thinking... Dangerous I Know...

It’s so interesting to me how some things across the board are the same no matter where you are!! People are people and we are all humans… But then sometimes there are things that we don’t think the same on and I have to laugh because to me they seem silly or foreign … But then I try to put myself in their shoes and sometimes I start to understand… other times I still laugh!!! Here are a few experiences… enjoy :)

Example 1-One of my coworkers is in charge of farming cooperatives at 7 Health Centers and has started them from scratch. Since about a year ago he has done amazing things and I am just in awe!!! He found and purchased land for the farms and is working on teaching/training the members to be farmers. There are many barriers to making this part happen like no commitment, embarrassed to be seen in the coop, thinks someone should always tell them when to plant and harvest, has no time… but spends all day at the bar, and so many more issues!!! He has decided that it would be helpful to have a structure built near each Health Center where members of his farming coops and members of another project in the NGO could meet to have trainings, food preparation demonstrations and storage of important items. This way they are out of bad weather and actually have someplace to sit and try to learn. Such great ideas!! He gets right on finding a technician and budgeting out how much each structure will cost and makes a detailed line itemized list to show to our founder for approval!! Before showing her he asks a doctor at the hospital to take a look at the blue prints and just go over everything he has planned!! Still thinking this is going super well!!! He comes back from meeting the doctor and is very distressed… I ask him why and what happened!! He was so excited earlier this morning!! He says the doctor suggested he include ELECTRICITY and WATER to his plan and budget… at this moment in the conversation I am shocked and in awe… my brain just hit a wall!!! Who would think to build a building without electricity or water?? Hahaha I couldn't believe he never thought of that before!! I guess when there is not electricity to be used you don’t think of putting it in a building…

Example 2-Rwandans take such pride in their dress and really care that they look nice when going out in public!! This is great!! I love being clean and looking nice!! Some kind of bathing on a daily basis is a great practice!! Till you learn what parts of the body are being bathed and what parts are not :/ For Rwandans feet are probably one of the most important if not the most important things to clean!! I think that’s great because I have had 12 chiggers and would love not to get more :) But when feet are more important than cleaning your hands after using the bathroom… I start having a think session. The next most important thing to clean is probably their actual clothing (including shoes)!! Also a great idea to wash clothes on a regular basis!! Why not?? I am a dirty person and spill all the time!!! But when I can’t leave the house with a pair of pants on I have only worn one day but happen to get a little dirt on the knee I start to think again… It takes so long to wash clothes here and then even longer to dry them especially if it’s raining :/ Why are feet and clothes so important?? Well, after much thinking I have come to the conclusion that YOU DON”T ACTUALLY NEED TO BE CLEAN :) You just need to LOOK clean!! No one cares what you smell like or the last time you washed your pits or your crotch as long as you look nice!!! Brushing your teeth or washing your hair is just wasting time if you don’t have hair or teeth!! Hahaha no one can see the dirt… they just see your nicely washed feet and clothes…

Example 3-Durring the dry season its very dry!! Hahaha… and there is dirt everywhere!! Rwanda’s are always cleaning the house and making sure to keep everything as dirt free as possible!!! Makes sense right?? We do the same thing in America!!! The weird part, which I don’t know if it’s smart or not yet, is sweeping the dirt outside… yes sweeping the dirt outside!!! They do it every morning and evening :/ It’s crazy!!!! I guess they think it helps or they wouldn't do it :) Now I figured once it started raining they would stop doing it and wait for the dry season again to continue… ummmm… NOPE!!!! They sweep the wet dirt too!!! Bahahahaha seems like a waste of time… and they have to bend in half to do it because they use a broom that is only like 1.5 feet tall… It’s crazy uncomfortable to do longer than 10 minutes and they do it for about an hour every morning and evening all year no matter if its dry or raining :/ hahaha to each their own!!!

Example 4-Driving :/ Ok so since I go to Kigali every weekend to teach English and go to church so I am in the mini buses often!!! The roads are mostly dirt that I take and they are not good by any sense of the imagination!! There are pot holes and rocks and random huge ditches that we drive over as well as super creepy scary bridges over big bodies of water!!!! Sometimes the driver is very safe and tries to take the less bumpy path and tries to stay out of the way of people walking on the side of the road!!! Sounds good right?? Well sometimes they don’t think at all :/ It’s so scary!!!! They will take the worst part of the road and there will be people over there too!!!! They don’t try to stay on the right or left they just use the whole road and have fun swerving all over the place!!!! People are not important and should run for their lives when they hear the bus coming!!!! The driver will get as close to them as possible and will expect them to move out of the way!!! Sometimes he doesn’t even slow down to give them time… I know because I have also been the person walking and almost had my arm ripped off by a bus passing at a speed so fast and so close to me I thought I was going to die!!! Hahaha but I didn't and so far the buses I have been in have not hit anything :) I guess their theory of driving works enough!!!

Ok that’s all for now!!! I hope you liked my random thinking :) 

I LOVE Photos!!!

Here are some photos I wanted to share with everyone and if there is a story to go along I added it J

In Kamoni, during training, these two little girls would run to me saying "Bre! Bre! Bre!... Chanc! Chanc! Chanc!" basically every time I walked by their house :) They were so cute and over time as they they got used to me they would run up and give my leg a great big hug!!! Super cute... I miss them a little!!

This is Alfonsine!!! After our language midterm they assigned me one on one lessons and  I switched  every week with her and another teacher Liliose!!! We took this picture the last day of language class :) That was a good but super scary day... It meant that the following day we were taking our big LPI test and I was sacred to death!!!!! But I did ok and owe it all to these two awesome ladies who were so patient with me as I learned this strange African language :)

Here is Liliose and Darcy!!! We spent everyday together till midterms because then I got sepirated into my own class. But we had many good times and laughs!!! Darcy was so encouraging since she was catching on to the language much faster then I was and would spend time helping me after class multiple times a week!!!!

Sometimes Liliose would want to have class outside so we would walk to this lovely little patch of forest and study there!!! While studying random kids would gather to watch the abazungu or white people try to speak kinyarwanda :) haha after studying our teacher would say something to allow them to come closer... all of a sudden they would be running to touch and pet and feel :/ hahaha it was pretty exciting!!!!

This was the first time I saw a monkey here... It was basically awesome!! Since I have seen more of them... if I just look out the windows from the buses sometimes I catch glimpses of them swinging through the trees :) Its kind of magical!!!

This was the guacamole Darcy, Ariel and I made one night when we needed a taste of America!!!! It was so delicious and my family loved it!!!! I know Darcy, Ariel and I really needed it :)

These are my host siblings all eating the guacamole and loving it :) I dont know how they did it... but they managed to get it all over the place after eating a few!! hahaha love it!!!

Ok so yes that is a coca cola in my hand and yes I drank it... Its actually the first coke I have ever had!!! I didnt like it and probably will never have another :) The reason I drank it is because it was a really hot day and the lady with a fridge in her shop only had coke cold... I decided to try it and the coldness was AWESOME!!!!! But the flavor is like windex!!!! hahaha 

This was almost to midterms and the day we had found out where we would be serving the remainder of our two years!!! I am pointing to Gakenke district around the area of my village Ruli :) Such a blessing to get this site over who knows how many others I could have gotten placed at!!! I know the Lord is watching over me :)

This is doing dishes :) Scary eh... The first time I saw them doing dishes I was basically thinking "how have I nor died yet??..." They have multiple pots of cold water and a little soap in one and scrub most of the food off and then rinse it a couple times in the other pots and then put it in a big one to dry!!! Super UNsanitary but I am not dead yet so I dont mind!!!!!

Ok this is my toes!!! That little redish spot above my nail is where I had one of my 12 chiggers!!!! hahaha it was a full time job keeping those holes clean after the doctor dug the parasite out of my foot :) The good news is since getting to site I have not got any more!!!!!

Darcy and I might have gotten matching igitenge and had skirts made :) This was taken right before the Host Family Farewell Party!!! It was a good day :)

I would also like to show off the newst members of my family!!! The baby in blue on the left is Sterling and the baby in pink on the right is Pheby!!!! Both have been born since I came to Africa!!! I guess this is all part of the experience... Not being around for important family events :/ I love them dearly though and cant wait to give them each a hug and convince them that I am their favorite auntie :)

September!!!

September went so fast I can’t believe it’s already October!!! And October is almost over :0 Its crazy!!!! But I have been having a great time in Ruli and am looking forward to the rest of my time here!!

The first few weeks were nice and slow!! I had time to adjust to the new house and get some furniture made so all my belongings were not on the floor :) And I got to meet all the important “Top Dogs” in the area!!! They all want to learn better English so I hope we start some kind of English classes soon!! During this time I also read lots about my NGO and the different projects related and how my project will incorporate all of them!!!

My favorite part of this time was going to Church!!! I found it pretty easily the first week and am now familiar with how to get there and the surrounding area!! It is so great to have a branch family again!! It’s only been a month but they know me and I know them and I love them so much!!!

I had no idea I would miss seeing people in white shirts and ties and shaking hands and singing hymns and praying in a group!!!! The first Sunday I was in such shock and awe at being around Mormons I balled my eyes out basically the entire time :/ At least they all know now that I cry randomly and can’t control it :)

The missionaries are crazy here… they have at least 1 person get baptized every Sunday!!! And a couple Sundays ago there were 5!!!!! Who does that?? MY branch :) They are great!!! My callings are branch pianist and intermediate English class teacher!!! Every Saturday we have an English class and its super fun!!!! There are many awkward moments involved but I love it!!! I am also learning lots about teaching in general as well as a new culture!!! Games or activities that Americans would love… are strange and hard to explain and they just look at me like I’m crazy :/ But I am trying to learn!!!

I am assigned to help with an American run NGO called The Ihangane Project. The team is awesome and I love it!! Randomly my NGO had the founder visit within the first month of me being here and she is awesome!! Her name is Wendy and super fun!!! She has the biggest heart and wants to help everyone!! The cool part is that she finds ways to help. She thinks outside the box and is not afraid to do new things!! I want to be like her someday!! She was only here for 10 days but it was amazing and we accomplished so much as a whole team while she was here!! It’s exciting to hear about where my NGO has been and where it is going and how I will get to help it!!! I can’t believe I am so blessed to be part of it!!

My project for the NGO is to create, test and help implement a teaching style that works for the various different projects within The Ihangane Project!! It means the patience project :) hahaha and it’s something we are all working on every day!!! So far I have started my baseline data collection so we can see once we start changing things that education improves and my project actually accomplishes something!!

Well, I will post more soon!!! But this is all for now :) Thanks for all the prayers and support!!!