Caught up with volunteer buds Penny (Malaria and Maternal Health) and Diane (Teacher Trainer) this weekend for a belated Thanksgiving at a nice hotel in Kigali. We had craft beer and more meat than I’ve eaten in the past month. It was nice to splurge and do something fun. The US-Netherlands game was on a couple of big screens in the bar as we ate dinner, too.
Another thing in common…All around the world, students prepare for quizzes, tests and exams. Today the students at TTC Kabarore took their Integrated Computer Technology and Physical Education exams at the end of the first trimester. I invigilated (the Rwandans use the British term) these tests for the Year 2 students. They put in lots and lots of effort today and I wished them “amahirwe masa” (good luck).
My colleague, Tutor Nadine, had her students create pieces of art and handicrafts using locally available materials. These students are making a mat with reeds, other students made art from clay that they collected about 1 km away from the school, and others used cardboard to create things such as purses and hats. This is very cleverly designed teaching and it showcases how talented our students are.
Prior to coming to Rwanda, I had passion fruit as part of smoothies or other drinks, but I had never actually seen a passion fruit. Voila! They are one of the main fruits here. They are a little bigger than a golf ball. They are quite tasty – just bite or cut one open and eat the pulp and seeds. Delicious!
Well, what to my wondrous eyes should appear while walking through the Kabarore outdoor market today but a jackfruit. This is the only one I’ve seen in Rwanda, so I bought it for $2. I’ll bring it to work tomorrow and we’ll have it during our tea break.
OK, this might sound like I’m complaining, but it’s cold in Rwanda! The day was rainy and overcast and the temps tonight will dip to 14C or 57F. I was chilly as I rode home from school on my bike. It’s not uncommon now to see people in US-style winter jackets.
(NR 24 is the national road that runs through Kabarore. Sometimes my iPhone will display ‘Kabarore’ and sometimes ‘NR 24.’)