Everything's changing when I turn around
on Rose Hardman (Rwanda), 15/Sep/2010 20:14, 34 days ago
I barely slept last night so I’m guessing subconsciously I was nervous about today. I was delighted to see that almost everyone was awake and I had a goodbye committee waving me off as I left for my placement.The President of the YWCA and one of the social workers picked me up and we picked up a couple more of my colleagues, on the way. The drive from Kigali to Gitarama was beautiful and I could see what people meant when they said that Kigali was not really Rwanda. On arrival at the YWCA I was given the grand tour and had the opportunity to meet almost all of my colleagues which was really nice. I was then taken to my new house! It is amazing and not what I was expecting at all. We have five bedrooms, two bathrooms and an annex with extra bedrooms! As Ken said, we could start a hotel! We also have electricity but no running water as yet although apparently this is just a glitch. I didn’t pick my bedroom as Julia and Suzanne had yet to arrive but I did build one of the beds as for some reason it was in pieces on the floor. I then had the opportunity to meet our guard, Damascene, and our landlord, Aaron. Both are absolutely lovely. We had a chat in a mixture of French, English and Kinyarwanda and I’m pretty sure I understood what was going on!My new homeBy the time the three of us had done a tour of the house, had tried every key in every door, and been welcomed by the Chief of Police(!), Julia had text to say they were on their way. Our domestique, Madou, arrived just in time to welcome Suzanne and Julia to their new home. Ken helped us work out how one gets water and electricity. (It turns out you just explain what you need to Damascene and he sorts it out for you!) Ken then gave us a walking tour of Gitarama before he headed back to work. He is an absolute star.Suzanne, Julia and I headed to a bar for some chips and a drink and to discuss what we wanted from our domestique and guard. By the time we got home Madou had rumbled up the most delicious smelling dinner. The four of us ate together and discussed the hours and jobs Madou would be able to do and then we walked Madou to get a taxi.All in all it was a very exhausting day but it was great to see where I am going to be living and working for the next year.