Title: Bruce's Rwanderings (Rwanda)

Status: Active

URL: http://bruceswanderings.blogspot.com/

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Rwanda - the final reckoning - 09/Mar/2010 13:55 - 5162 days ago
OK, its three months since I left Rwanda and I’ve had time to adjust to life back in the “real world”. Christmas and New ...
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Saying goodbye is so hard - 03/Dec/2009 07:00 - 5258 days ago
December 1stToday is my last full day in Gitarama. This will also be the last daily entry on the blog, although I’ll try to s...
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Out in the sticks - pictures fom Rutarabana village - 03/Dec/2009 06:53 - 5258 days ago
One of my absolute favourite shots of Rwanda. This is the kind of footpath you follow if you step off the earth roads to take sh...
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Fighting the same old battles - 02/Dec/2009 13:29 - 5259 days ago
It's World Aids Day. This is an extract from Wednesday's "New Times" and applies to my own district of Muhanga, showing that we'...
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Fresh strawberries in November - 01/Dec/2009 07:29 - 5260 days ago
November 30thClaude has asked Soraya and I to go into the office for a meeting, but when we arrive we find the meeting doesn’t...
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Mugged by a monkey at Kibuye - 01/Dec/2009 06:36 - 5260 days ago
November 27th-29thInto the office to tidy up a few odds and ends. It’s a glorious morning; bright and sunny. The mist is ris...
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Final postcards from Kibuye - 01/Dec/2009 06:31 - 5260 days ago
A few shots from last weekend's trip to KibuyeAll aboard for Peace IslandApril and Helen.Soaking up the sun on Peace IslandCathe...
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Some last views from Gitarama - 01/Dec/2009 06:20 - 5260 days ago
Pretentious gateways like these are all the rage in the houses of Gitarama's elite. This one controls the entrance to the Lando ...
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Keza at One - 01/Dec/2009 06:14 - 5260 days ago
Keza is Claude and Immaculee's little girl, just one year old and an absolute poppet. Soraya and I went to see them one evening ...
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Maxime and Giudi's wedding - 27/Nov/2009 07:45 - 5264 days ago
Maxime and GiudiDancers....Singers and drummersMaxime's worried that his model on the cake looks a bit too "muzungu"-like!All sm...
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Final postcards from Gisenyi - 27/Nov/2009 07:32 - 5264 days ago
Sunset over the Congo - 1sunset over the Congo - 2April, my Australian colleagueTropical lushness at RubonaAfternoon sun on Kivu...
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Staring into my suitcase - 27/Nov/2009 06:53 - 5264 days ago
November 26thA quiet day today. In the morning there are a lot of letters to write, and I decide to work from home. We’re al...
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A glimpse into our local hospital - 26/Nov/2009 14:17 - 5265 days ago
November 25thA very busy day today. This may well have turned out to be my last“working day” in any normal sense of the wor...
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Untitled - 26/Nov/2009 14:14 - 5265 days ago
November 24thTo anyone who has just discovered my blog it must seem that being a VSO is a sort of permanent paid holiday. Not so...
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Wedding in the time of umuganda - 26/Nov/2009 14:12 - 5265 days ago
November 21stToday is G’s wedding, and today’s blog gives you an insight into the fraught world of trying to plan anything i...
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Human shuttlecock - 26/Nov/2009 14:10 - 5265 days ago
November 18thThere’s still no word from Paulin as to whether the student teacher mentor training at Kavumu is taking place or ...
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Preventable hospital infections - 19/Nov/2009 18:54 - 5272 days ago
I've been asked to publicise this website giving information about how to prevent hospital based infections such as MRSA. I take...
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The "Tour de Rwanda" - 19/Nov/2009 18:44 - 5272 days ago
Soraya's pictures snatched through the windows of the bus en route to Kigali...
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Bikes and chapizzas - 19/Nov/2009 18:44 - 5272 days ago
November 18thThere’s still no word from Paulin as to whether the student teacher mentor training at Kavumu is taking place or ...
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Reliving Zanzibar through writing - 18/Nov/2009 12:33 - 5273 days ago
November 15thI’m up early and get stuck into writing up my Zanzibar blogs. Not going to church today; there’s too much to d...
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April and Helen's party - 18/Nov/2009 12:32 - 5273 days ago
November 14thA very lazy Saturday today. Tom gives me a bunch of DVDs from home including a whole series of Torchwood and a thr...
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Oh dear - back into the real world at last! - 18/Nov/2009 12:31 - 5273 days ago
November 13thInto the office fairly early, but I miss Claude and with him I miss the internet modem. I spend the morning writin...
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In which we spend our second day on a bus - 18/Nov/2009 12:31 - 5273 days ago
November 12thSo now we’re sitting in the coach through our second dawn. The road seems endless. Outside the scenery is getti...
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In which we start a thirty five hour bus journey - 18/Nov/2009 12:30 - 5273 days ago
Wednesday November 11thI’m woken up by the night watchman at half past four and I’m showered and ready before five o’clock...
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Pictures for November 10th - 18/Nov/2009 12:23 - 5273 days ago
Four dubious characters seen hanging around in Stone Town...Typical Zanzibari menu.The Kendwa beach guest houses seen from sea.L...
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In which we find ourselves catapulted back to the mainland faster than expected… - 18/Nov/2009 12:22 - 5273 days ago
November 10thYet another dawn swim; and our final indolent breakfast on the beach. The weather is different today; the sky is o...
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Pictures for November 9th - 18/Nov/2009 11:57 - 5273 days ago
Street scenes in Nungwi village.The village centre of Nungwi.Beach babes.The lighthouse at Ras Nungwi.The beach at Ras Nungwi.A ...
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In which we have a day of dhows - 18/Nov/2009 11:56 - 5273 days ago
November 9thBefore the girls are up I go for a dawn swim. The water is decidedly cool, but the visibility is amazingly clear an...
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Pictures for November 8th - 18/Nov/2009 11:48 - 5273 days ago
Our patch of beach at Kendwa.Bringing home the catch. Harpoon fisherman saunters up the beach with a large octopus.Pain.Epi disp...
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In which one of us encounters a sea urchin and comes off worst - 18/Nov/2009 11:45 - 5273 days ago
November 8thTo eat breakfast on the beach seems normal these days; it’s as if we’ve always done it. Fruit, fresh bread, ome...
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Pictures for November 7th - 17/Nov/2009 06:16 - 5274 days ago
Another day, another beach. This is Kendwa in the very touristy northern part of Zanzibar.Gateway to the sea at Kendwa Rocks res...
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In which we find acrobats, and possibly the most perfect beach ever. (Pity about all the other people) - 17/Nov/2009 06:15 - 5274 days ago
November 7thTime to leave Bwejuu. We want to go up to the north coast of Zanzibar where the beaches are supposed to be even bet...
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Pictures for November 6th - 17/Nov/2009 06:06 - 5274 days ago
Another sunrise. It's such a tough life on Zanzibar!One of Soraya's "moody" shots of sunrise.Beach babes ready for the off. Wher...
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In which we try beach cycling and find the perfect lagoon - 17/Nov/2009 06:05 - 5274 days ago
November 6thAnother perfect breakfast on the beach. I’ve been in for an early morning swim, but whereas the afternoon water i...
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Pictures for November 5th - 17/Nov/2009 05:56 - 5274 days ago
Dawn colours.Sunrise over the Indian Ocean.Ngalawa outrigger fishing canoe on the beach at Bwejuu.The beach and the beach bar.Ou...
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In which we have a lazy day by the beach, meet ghost crabs and plastic Masai - 17/Nov/2009 05:55 - 5274 days ago
November 5thMy phone alarm goes off at 5.30 but it takes me a good five minutes to find it, hidden under some of Rachael’s thi...
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Pictures for November 4th - 17/Nov/2009 05:44 - 5274 days ago
Waiting to board our boat to Changuu Island.Heading off to the island.Changuu Island. Not a bad spot to be marooned....This Alde...
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In which we discover the wonders of coral reefs, cuddle tortoises and try daladalas - 17/Nov/2009 05:43 - 5274 days ago
November 4thBreakfast on the roof as usual. The sky is beginning to cloud over but even at seven in the morning you need to be...
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Pictures for November 3rd - 16/Nov/2009 07:46 - 5275 days ago
The "House of Wonders" - the biggest and best house in Zanzibar.The Omani fort seen from the outside.An old palace by the waterf...
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The doors of Stone Town - 16/Nov/2009 07:24 - 5275 days ago
Zanzibar's Stone Town is rightly famous for its old wooden doors. They are intricately carved, and most of the decorations have ...
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In which we discover the murky past of Zanzibar - 16/Nov/2009 07:23 - 5275 days ago
November 3rdThis morning we have a lie in and while we’re lazing in bed decide that we’ll spend today exploring Stone Town. ...
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Pictures for November 2nd - 16/Nov/2009 07:13 - 5275 days ago
Typical Stone Town street as seen from our hotel room.Our room at the hotel Flamingo.Typical house in Stone Town.The view from o...
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In which we become bewitched by Zanzibar within hours of arriving - 16/Nov/2009 07:12 - 5275 days ago
November 2ndDespite the ceiling fan we endure a sticky night. It’s something of a relief to hear the call to prayer coming at...
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Untitled - 16/Nov/2009 07:04 - 5275 days ago
Beach babe! Soraya is the first to paddle in the Indian Ocean.The former colonial administration building in Dar es salaam.The G...
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In which we meet the Indian Ocean for the first time - 16/Nov/2009 07:04 - 5275 days ago
November 1stDawn breaks somewhere around Morogoro, about four hours after Dodoma and another four hours before Dar. We find our...
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Pictures for October 31st - 16/Nov/2009 07:00 - 5275 days ago
This inselberg seems to be giving two fingers to passers by!Huts by the roadside in central Tanzania.Baobab trees, and parched f...
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In which we escape to Tanzania and start our holiday! - 16/Nov/2009 06:53 - 5275 days ago
October 31stIn which we escape to Tanzania and start our holiday!Today sees me waking up at half past four, sharing a room at th...
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Some appetisers for the Zanzibar postings! - 16/Nov/2009 06:44 - 5275 days ago
A beach, a dhow, people swimming, and sunset over Africa. This is Zanzibari magic....A feast of seafoodSharing banana and chocol...
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Waiting for the plumber - 16/Nov/2009 06:42 - 5275 days ago
October 29thVery little to report today. I spend the entire day at the flat. In the morning I am waiting for Théoneste, the p...
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Cold Tuesday - 16/Nov/2009 06:40 - 5275 days ago
October 28thToday the weather is really cold. There’s a strong wind blowing; the sky is overcast and it looks as if it will r...
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Pay rises for head teachers - 13/Nov/2009 09:47 - 5278 days ago
This is an extract from the "New Times" at the end of October. These pay rises are overdue and might help motivate and retain mo...
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Students stranded after exams - 13/Nov/2009 09:43 - 5278 days ago
Here's yet another little snippet from today's "New Times" which shows you some of the difficulties schoolchildren face here in ...
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Mad Monday - 27/Oct/2009 05:01 - 5295 days ago
October 26thIn to work this morning not quite knowing what to expect. On the way to work I stop off at Ahazaza school; Raina ha...
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Urukundo discovers Diwali - 26/Oct/2009 07:33 - 5296 days ago
October 25thOff to Momma’s for what’s almost certainly my last time. Louise is doing the talk this morning and has decided ...
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A week in the doldrums - 26/Oct/2009 07:33 - 5296 days ago
October 17th– 24thA quiet week and not enough to justify writing a blog each day. Besides, there’s relatively little to des...
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Sociable Saturday; Zanzibar’s suddenly a lot closer! - 26/Oct/2009 07:31 - 5296 days ago
October 16thInto Kigali early; me on the 7.00 bus, Michael on the 7.30 and Soraya on the 8.00. I get some money changed (best e...
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Frustrating Friday - 26/Oct/2009 07:30 - 5296 days ago
October 14thFrustrating day today.Into the office early to try to nobble Claude about a whole series of things, but he isn’t t...
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Trouble among the bananas - 14/Oct/2009 06:32 - 5308 days ago
From today's "New Times" newspaper. There are many small patches of banana trees within the built up area of Gitarama and other ...
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Ill again - 14/Oct/2009 06:26 - 5308 days ago
October 12thA lousy night– I have full blown Giardia again and it makes sleeping very difficult. Not to worry; I have a day’...
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Beer Fest, and Jonah in Lake Kivu - 14/Oct/2009 06:19 - 5308 days ago
October 10th– 11thA lazy morning getting my stuff sorted out, then into Kigali at lunchtime. There’s some shopping to do fir...
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Heavy rains destroy school - 14/Oct/2009 06:16 - 5308 days ago
Here is an article from today's "New Times" newspaper. In England we can't imagine rains so heavy that they could cause a school...
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To the rice paddies of Budende - 10/Oct/2009 15:41 - 5312 days ago
October 8thToday I wake up feeling considerably better and decide to carry on with my time in Kiyumba secteur and not cut and ru...
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Posts coming randomly - 10/Oct/2009 12:41 - 5312 days ago
Just a note to say you may find some of these blogs posted in the wrong date-order - things are busy at the moment. Bear with m...
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Next assignment (in Gitarama) - 10/Oct/2009 12:40 - 5312 days ago
October 9thFather Marcellin is coming in to Kigali today on church business, and in a moment of reckless generosity offers me a ...
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Conked out up the mountain - 10/Oct/2009 12:37 - 5312 days ago
September 7thUp early, a cold shower, and ready for action by just after six. Just as at the other Presbyteries, the Catholics ...
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Today in Gitarama.... - 05/Oct/2009 13:39 - 5317 days ago
As Soraya and I went for some lunch today, we decided to take a series of photos along the way from the office to the town centr...
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Birthday boy! - 05/Oct/2009 09:27 - 5317 days ago
Today is Claude's birthday. he's only 32! We surprised him at just before seven o'clock in the mornign with a birthday cake an...
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Jeanne's wedding - 05/Oct/2009 08:48 - 5317 days ago
The only two usable pictures I managed to get at Jeanne's wedding. Top one is in the church; lower one is at the reception. So...
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Ups and downs - Sunday life in Gitarama - 05/Oct/2009 08:41 - 5317 days ago
October 4thTom arrived back late last night; Christi had gone to the airport to fetch him. He has an amazing amount of luggage, ...
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Jeanne’s wedding; Tom’s return - 05/Oct/2009 08:41 - 5317 days ago
October 3rdOff to Nyanza today for Jeanne Remezo’s wedding. Jeanne is one of my friends and is the new head teacher at Nyabis...
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Marking tests - 05/Oct/2009 08:40 - 5317 days ago
Sept 29th– October 2ndThese four days all blur into one. I’m in the office by seven o’clock each morning and spend all da...
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Jandari– the smallest of them all - 05/Oct/2009 08:39 - 5317 days ago
September 28thUp and off early this morning. The weather is bright and fresh again, but I already know that it won’t stay lik...
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A very unusual day today. - 02/Oct/2009 07:44 - 5320 days ago
September 25thOn this day every single teacher in the District is doing the“REAP” test, a test to determine their level of E...
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Kibyimba– broken bridge and biology practical - 02/Oct/2009 07:19 - 5320 days ago
September 24thInto the office early to sort out which schools to visit. There are four schools left to do in Kabacuzi secteur, ...
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Dehydrated– again - 02/Oct/2009 07:17 - 5320 days ago
September 23rdConked out today. I sleep terribly, waking up frequently with raging thirst and pounding head. By morning I’ve...
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When happiness is listening to the toilet cistern….. - 02/Oct/2009 07:16 - 5320 days ago
September 22ndAbsolutely brilliant day today. I wake up at half past four to the gurgling of water and blearily remember that t...
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Learning dominoes in a thunderstorm - 02/Oct/2009 07:07 - 5320 days ago
September 20thI’ve decided not to go to church today; there’s so much written work needs doing. I’m still unsettled by th...
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Pupil absenteeism from schools - 02/Oct/2009 07:00 - 5320 days ago
From time to time you've read my rantings about problems faced by schools due to irregular attendance from their pupils. The re...
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Let’s talk about the blog - 29/Sep/2009 19:11 - 5323 days ago
September 19thInto Kigali early and straight in to the many changers. Today the rate is 915 to the pound. Then in to the inter...
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Water for Muheta, and the rains come at last! - 29/Sep/2009 19:03 - 5323 days ago
September 18thToday is an early start; I’m going to Muheta and Gasovu primary schools. These are the two furthest out schools...
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When being a headteacher means negotiating with your neighbours to buy more land. - 29/Sep/2009 17:30 - 5323 days ago
September 17thOff to Nyarusange secteur today with Léonie. The main purpose for the day is to show her how I operate so that w...
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One of my favourite schools - 29/Sep/2009 17:19 - 5323 days ago
September 16thHooray, it’s still dry and I’ve got two new schools to visit. I’m woken at 5.30 by a phone call from Joseph...
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Meeting and greeting, plotting and scheming, a conversation with the Bishop - 29/Sep/2009 17:10 - 5323 days ago
September 15thToday is Gacaca. It’s also one of the big head teachers’ meetings in Gitarama, so there’s not much point in...
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Teaching about Ryangombe without resources - 29/Sep/2009 17:06 - 5323 days ago
September 14thInto the office early with a massive hit list of things to do. By five past seven I’ve printed off eight inspec...
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I'm getting preoccupied with water - 29/Sep/2009 16:59 - 5323 days ago
Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13thThis is going to be a quiet weekend. Most of the girls are off to the north to clim...
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Back from Nyabinoni to "civilisation" - 29/Sep/2009 16:58 - 5323 days ago
September 11thUp and off to early mass again. We’ve had a text from Claude to say that after all, he isn’t going to be able...
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E P Jandari - my smallest state school - 29/Sep/2009 16:21 - 5323 days ago
Jandari is my smallest state primary school, with just under a hundred pupils in two shifts, morning and afternoon. It has been...
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So you think you can handle a bike............ - 29/Sep/2009 16:12 - 5323 days ago
This is my driver, Joseph, easing his way over a temporary bridge on the (only) road to Kibyimba school. The old bridge had bee...
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Bringing water to Muheta School - 25/Sep/2009 12:10 - 5327 days ago
This is a photo essay of my visit to Muheta primary school last week. I discovered that Muheta needs money urgently for rehabil...
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More pictures from Kibingo - 15/Sep/2009 07:33 - 5337 days ago
The two secondary teachers at Kibingo.Cassava carriers on the metal bridge.Let's end with two lovely moody pictures of the Nyabo...
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How to build 3000 classrooms in a hurry. - 15/Sep/2009 07:18 - 5337 days ago
Rwanda is short of more than 3000 classrooms for the start of the next academic year in January 2010. This is how the country is...
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Postcards from last week in Nyabinoni - 15/Sep/2009 05:47 - 5337 days ago
Here is a long photo essay of our stay with the priests at Nyabinoni. Many of these pictures will need you to double click on th...
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Ultima Thule in Muhanga District - 15/Sep/2009 05:46 - 5337 days ago
September 10thI wake up to the blasted guard’s radio again. It’s a beautiful morning, ideal for photography, so I decide to...
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Murehe "B", the school that time forgot in Kibangu - 14/Sep/2009 07:14 - 5338 days ago
The playground and classrooms at Murehe "B" school. They remind me of an abandoned army camp or disused airfield somewhere in e...
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Pictures from Buramba school (September 7th) - 14/Sep/2009 07:04 - 5338 days ago
My friend Apollinaire, the new headteacher of Groupe Scolaire Buramba. The rooms behind him are waiting to be refurbished and w...
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Epihanie's classroom at Gitumba - 14/Sep/2009 07:02 - 5338 days ago
September 9thWell, well, well. It’s the 9th of the 9th of the 9th. And at 0909 this morning I was hanging on to a bucking mo...
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Up north to Nyabinoni - 14/Sep/2009 07:01 - 5338 days ago
September 8thAnother day, another big adventure. As usual, it’s a last minute thing to be able to make all the arrangements. ...
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"My stomach is paining" - on the road in Kabacuzi - 14/Sep/2009 06:59 - 5338 days ago
September 7thInto the office even earlier today; I’m in and ready to go for quarter to seven. Delphine arrives because she’...
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Rewriting history - 07/Sep/2009 05:33 - 5345 days ago
An article in today's paper. Ever since I have been in Rwandan there has not been a single History textbook in any of the school...
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Faffing around in Kigali - 07/Sep/2009 05:30 - 5345 days ago
September 5thA lie in until half past six and then I’m trying to make up lost time for the rest of the day. On the bus to Kig...
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Some pictures from my day out at Cyicaro and Nyarutovu schools (Aug 28th) - 05/Sep/2009 12:35 - 5347 days ago
This room is Cyicaro's school hall, canteen, overflow classroom - and is also used for church services and even for wedding rece...
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Postcards from Rongi and Murehe - 05/Sep/2009 11:58 - 5347 days ago
The brand new little primary school at Ntarabana - yet it has been built without electricity or water!Looking across towards Nya...
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Where are all the new science textbooks? - 05/Sep/2009 11:57 - 5347 days ago
September 4thInto work as usual; I’ve barely sat down when Raima calls, asking me to help clarify the situation as regards the...
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Excuses at Cyeza.... Grrrrrh! - 05/Sep/2009 11:56 - 5347 days ago
September 3rdDuring the night I keep waking up, see how light it is outside, and think I’ve overslept wildly. What’s happen...
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Meeting the new volunteers - 05/Sep/2009 11:55 - 5347 days ago
September 2ndThis morning I persuade Soraya come with me to the Mass. Three times I’ve been to church in four days! It’s a...
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"Addyverbs of place" at Murehe - 05/Sep/2009 11:54 - 5347 days ago
September 1stAll is total quiet in Rongi until five in the morning, when the priest gets up and rings the angelus bell. Eight t...
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Right up in Rongi - 05/Sep/2009 11:53 - 5347 days ago
August 31stUp in the pitch dark at four o’clock and ready waiting in the bus park at half past five. I keep getting taken by ...
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Dehydrated......again! - 03/Sep/2009 06:12 - 5349 days ago
August 30thI feel awful this morning. The night club down at“Orion” easily a kilometre away – was pumping out thudding mu...
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Inspecting in style at Cyicaro! - 03/Sep/2009 06:09 - 5349 days ago
August 28thThis is just about my longest blog entry ever, but no apologies– this essay absolutely sums up why I’m here…Ano...
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From the“craddle” to the grave – Zinjanthropus would turn in his! - 03/Sep/2009 06:07 - 5349 days ago
August 27thWhy is Védaste always hanging around when I’m deeply engrossed in something and want to concentrate undisturbed, y...
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Bunchy top and bacterial wilt..... - 28/Aug/2009 06:18 - 5355 days ago
If you've just read the blog posting below this one, you'd be forgiven for thinking I'm banging on again about unspeakable disea...
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Cross your legs, gentlemen....... - 28/Aug/2009 06:07 - 5355 days ago
An extract from today's "New Times". And when Rwandan authorities say things like this, they have a habit of meaning it.....Mass...
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Sit up and listen, you guys - the muzungu's talking to you! - 28/Aug/2009 06:03 - 5355 days ago
August 26th0600a.m. Another beautiful morning. As I draw the curtains the sun is just rising above the horizon, blood red as i...
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A day to forget - 28/Aug/2009 06:01 - 5355 days ago
August 25thNot a nice day today. But I think I might have solved the mystery of the containers in the plot of land next to the ...
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Cukiro and Nyanza - two schools for the price of one! - 28/Aug/2009 06:00 - 5355 days ago
August 24thInto the office expecting another slow day. Sure enough, Claude seems to have abandoned the weekly team meetings. T...
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Latest pictures from Shyogwe - 25/Aug/2009 06:05 - 5358 days ago
Inside the new admin building. Somewhere safe to store textbooks, and work stations for the teachers. This is unheard of luxur...
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Ruaiari's half ton - 25/Aug/2009 06:04 - 5358 days ago
August 22nd– 23rdRuarai’s half tonThis weekend is dominated by Ruarai’s 50th birthday bash at Kigali. Le tout VSO will be...
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Talking crap at Mata - 25/Aug/2009 06:03 - 5358 days ago
August 21stInto the office as usual, and I find good news and bad. The good news is that ETEKA (“École Technique de Kabgayi...
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Moving in high circles? - 21/Aug/2009 11:01 - 5362 days ago
August 19th and 20thAs I re-read this entry before posting, I realise the timings and tenses are all over the place because I’...
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Oh for my own transport.... - 21/Aug/2009 10:59 - 5362 days ago
August 18thAnother frustrating day. Into the office to find Claude about to set off for Nyakabanda, up-country in Kibangu secte...
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Political education - 19/Aug/2009 05:08 - 5364 days ago
August 18thAnother frustrating day. Into the office to find Claude about to set off for Nyakabanda, up-country in Kibangu secte...
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Water tank for Gatenzi primary school - 18/Aug/2009 12:52 - 5365 days ago
I realise that due to an oversight I have not got round to posting any pictures of the water tank we've installed at Gatenzi. He...
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Runny jelly, and the great text book bazaar - 18/Aug/2009 09:33 - 5365 days ago
August 17thInto the office as usual on a Monday determined to get more done than last week. Fat chance. Claude’s lost the re...
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Party animals - 18/Aug/2009 09:21 - 5365 days ago
Why do people always look manic at parties.... two pics from Irene's farewell bash last Saturday.Irene, Nidhi and me.With Nidhi...
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Exit Tom, and Irene's farewell party - 17/Aug/2009 06:40 - 5366 days ago
August 15thBoth Tom and I sleep in late after yesterday’s party and the storm. When we get up we find the air is clean and fr...
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Coq au vin and Spiderman buns - 17/Aug/2009 06:39 - 5366 days ago
August 14thAnother funny day. Into the office at seven. It’s the day after the local government reorganisation is announced,...
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Topsey turvey in the town - 14/Aug/2009 09:47 - 5369 days ago
August 13thA really odd day today, but quite successful in the end. Claude texts me at 5.30 in the morning to say he can’t ge...
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Electrogaz - the firm we love to hate.... - 13/Aug/2009 13:43 - 5370 days ago
August 12thMore navel gazing today. The room gets hotter and hotter and everyone is drooping by eleven o’clock. Yet we conti...
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More navel gazing - 13/Aug/2009 13:40 - 5370 days ago
August 11thI’ve only been back a couple of days and already I’m feeling tired….. Get a grip, man, and get on with things!T...
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Heat and Dust - 13/Aug/2009 13:38 - 5370 days ago
August 10thMy God, it’s a shock to the system having to get up at 5.30 again! Barely light outside, and a dusty grey African ...
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Water shortages in Kirehe - 10/Aug/2009 05:59 - 5373 days ago
This is a second extract from today's "New Times". You've often read my rantings about water shortages at Gitarama. In reality...
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Bus chaos in Kigali - 10/Aug/2009 05:52 - 5373 days ago
This is an extract from today's "New Times" paper about the chaos at Kigali as thousands of secondary school students allk try t...
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Night flight back to Rwanda - 10/Aug/2009 05:44 - 5373 days ago
August 9thBack to Rwanda for the last part of my service. I leave London at dusk; from the plane England is all built up with l...
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Back in business! - 10/Aug/2009 05:28 - 5373 days ago
Just a note to say that I'm back on line and blogging. I've been on home leave for three weeks, spending some time with my fami...
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Over the wall in Nyanza - 10/Aug/2009 05:27 - 5373 days ago
July 12thUp very early, before any of the others wake up, and out of the house by twenty past six. The water’s off, so there...
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Charades at Nyanza - 10/Aug/2009 05:27 - 5373 days ago
July 11thDown to the internet café to try to get some blogging done. I manage to get my virus checker updated and read my emai...
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Handover notes - 10/Aug/2009 05:25 - 5373 days ago
July 10thI’m not even going to try to go to the office today. It’s a nice day; sunny, breezy, but surprisingly chilly outsi...
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Million dollar morning at Gatenzi - 10/Aug/2009 05:23 - 5373 days ago
July 8thToday turns out just as active as yesterday was inactive. By half past seven I’ve been out to Gatenzi school and deli...
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Keza Nerissa - 20/Jul/2009 20:19 - 5394 days ago
This is one of Soraya's pictures from the night when she and I helped Claude and Immaculee name their baby Keza Nerissa...
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Education group meeting at Kigali - 20/Jul/2009 20:04 - 5394 days ago
Tea break. Soraya, Tina, Michael, Moira, Becky and SheilaJoe listening intently to the conversations going on around usOne of m...
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Canada Day - the pictures - 20/Jul/2009 19:56 - 5394 days ago
Well, we don't have any typical Canadian gear to wear, so Tom decides his stars and stripes shirt is close enough....Christi won...
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Wot no blogs? - 20/Jul/2009 13:29 - 5394 days ago
I'm back in the UK for three weeks for a family holiday, so there won't be any news from Rwanda until after I've returned to Git...
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Why it's important always to have a book to read in Rwanda - 08/Jul/2009 11:32 - 5406 days ago
July 7thAn almost completely wasted day today. It’s Gacaca; I go to the office but Claude isn’t there, there are no census ...
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Ups and Downs; Downs and Ups - 08/Jul/2009 11:25 - 5406 days ago
July 6thInto the office early. It’s one of those days when there are lots of little things to do and knowing how long everyth...
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Phisto's Eucharist Party at Rutarabana - 08/Jul/2009 11:18 - 5406 days ago
July 5thA lazy morning, opting out of church and sorting out my things at the flat. Becky’s preaching at Mommas, and I decide...
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Canada Day - 08/Jul/2009 11:07 - 5406 days ago
July 4thAn excellent day today. First of all a nice lie-in at AEE, followed by their pancakes and honey breakfast. Some more p...
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Finishing the "How To...." guides - 08/Jul/2009 11:02 - 5406 days ago
July 3rdToday I discover that the food at AEE is really good. Not just the breakfasts, with unlimited pancakes, honey and coffe...
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Education meeting in Kigali - 08/Jul/2009 10:53 - 5406 days ago
July 2ndToday is busy; I have a VSO Education Meeting all day, and various things to get done before I leave. Fortunately the V...
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Waterless! - 08/Jul/2009 10:48 - 5406 days ago
June 30thToday the water situation has got even worse. There’s no water at the standpipe at the bottom of the stairs. But we...
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Waterless! - 08/Jul/2009 10:48 - 5406 days ago
June 30thToday the water situation has got even worse. There’s no water at the standpipe at the bottom of the stairs. But we...
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Entertaining by candle light - 08/Jul/2009 10:42 - 5406 days ago
June 29thA lousy start to the morning. We’re completely out of water; normally even during shortages it comes on during the n...
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Baby naming - 28/Jun/2009 20:40 - 5416 days ago
June 28thI’m the first of the party goers to be up and off in the morning. By just after half past seven I’m waiting for th...
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Introducing Keza Nerissa - 28/Jun/2009 19:40 - 5416 days ago
This is Keza, Claude and Immaculee's beautiful little girl. Seven months old.Aunty Soraya!Daddy - who are these strange muzungu...
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Tiga's farewell bash at Butare - 28/Jun/2009 16:15 - 5416 days ago
June 27thA lie in this morning. Its umuganda day yet again, and the morning is blissfully quiet with the hairdresser opposite s...
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Bringing water to Gatenzi - 28/Jun/2009 16:14 - 5416 days ago
June 26thA complicated day today. Into the office early because I have promised Raima I’ll go and see her. She wants to disc...
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Tiga's farewell party at Butare - 28/Jun/2009 13:26 - 5416 days ago
Chris, Jane, Els, Tom, GeorgeAmalia shows a friend how to use her cameraCatherine (standing), Marion (kneeling) and TigaAndy, Ch...
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Water tank for Gatenzi primary school - 26/Jun/2009 12:04 - 5418 days ago
These pictures are especially for my friends at Holy Trinity Church, Bradpole.I have just returned from Gatenzi Primary School a...
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Technorati blog claim - 26/Jun/2009 08:32 - 5418 days ago
fb4njhxi7u(Blog readers - please ignore this post. I'm trying to protect my blog against any possible hacking or unauthorised po...
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Training teachers at Kibungo - 26/Jun/2009 06:17 - 5418 days ago
Three abreast up the hill to Rukira primary school near Kibungo. We're all carrying heavy packs with all our teaching materials...
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Easy riding in Ngoma - 26/Jun/2009 06:16 - 5418 days ago
June 24thThe second day at Rukira school. We’ve done a deal at the schoolyesterday, and we’ve all agreed to start early, an...
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Toasting marshmallows at Kibungo - 26/Jun/2009 06:16 - 5418 days ago
June 23rdOur training doesn’t start until 9.30, and we want to be there for nine, so we have a leisurely start to the day. Ti...
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Mad Monday in Gitarama - 26/Jun/2009 06:14 - 5418 days ago
June 22ndA mad day today, but in a nice way. Into the office for seven as usual. Claude is there, and all the others. I get s...
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Fine dining - 26/Jun/2009 06:13 - 5418 days ago
June 19thAnother very slack day today. I really must get my act together better for next week. I work at home for most of the ...
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Wierd people in Kigali - 26/Jun/2009 06:12 - 5418 days ago
June 18thA bit of a non-day today. At the St Jean centre there is an Asiatic man, either Japanese or Korean, I think, who beyon...
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The Muhanga Nursery Conundrum; Drinking to the Queen in Kigali - 26/Jun/2009 06:12 - 5418 days ago
June 17thSlow start today– I spend an hour trying to finish off my presentation about nursery schools in Muhanga District. I...
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Yet another major Gacaca here in Gitarama - 26/Jun/2009 06:10 - 5418 days ago
June 16thToday I’ve decided not to go to the office but to work at home. I’m going to get the primary school census present...
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Vegemite or Marmite? - the Great Debate - 26/Jun/2009 06:09 - 5418 days ago
June 15ththWell, I had good intentions. I had planned to go up country today to inspect Kirwa Adventist school up in Rugendabar...
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Income Tax Day in Gitarama; starting to think about leaving.... - 15/Jun/2009 06:00 - 5429 days ago
June 12thToday is a holiday in Muhanga District. What?, I hear you say, another one? Yes, another one. And why? Because we a...
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The country lane to Mushishiro - 12/Jun/2009 06:53 - 5432 days ago
June 11thInto the office at seven as usual. No sign of Claude; Valérian and Innocent both there and Solange rolls in late. By...
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Film night in Gitarama; Becky's palace! - 12/Jun/2009 06:52 - 5432 days ago
June 10thToday I had planned to go out and visit a school, somewhere not too far away like Nyabisindu B out in Nyarusange secteu...
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Zonked in Kigali - 12/Jun/2009 06:51 - 5432 days ago
June 9thWell, I end up getting about four hours’ fitful sleep. There’s a mozzie in the room, and my bed is a single bed in ...
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Hanging out with the Mwami at Nyanza - 12/Jun/2009 06:50 - 5432 days ago
June 8thBy soon after seven o’clock Catherine and I are waiting at the Kobil garage just up the road from the flat, waiting fo...
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The ride back from Gisenyi - 12/Jun/2009 06:49 - 5432 days ago
June 7thIn the cosseted comfort of the Gorillas hotel we sleep in a bit. Our room is comfortable and quiet; it comes as somethi...
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Rubona in the heat - 12/Jun/2009 06:48 - 5432 days ago
June 6thThe men’s dormitory at Gisenyi Presbyterian Guest House is not the ideal place for a restful night’s sleep. There a...
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Photos from Gisenyi and Nyanza - 09/Jun/2009 06:59 - 5435 days ago
We're sitting beside Lake Kivu at Gisenyi. It's a warm, balmy sunset. The lake is so close we can virtually paddle in it while...
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The Red glow in the sky at Gisenyi - 09/Jun/2009 06:58 - 5435 days ago
June 5thInto the office early and get another good hour’s work done. Collect the post, then back to the flat to pick up Cathe...
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