Housework

People doing umuganda in Rwanda

Friday was fun. Did the whole Disability meeting thing and lunch at La Planet. It was a little sad, I used to get there a bit early and meet up with Karen for a good chin-wag, but I'm the oldest volunteer left now.

Suggested a drink at the end, but everyone was heading off elsewhere. The post-Disability meeting drink used to be compulsory *sigh*

But, as it happened, one of the new vols, Steve, was in to talk to someone and he was up for a Friday unwind so we went to Chez Lando and shared fish brochettes and had a couple of beers. Cindy (my Chinese friend who I met through Jo, here working on the casino) was also there with a group. Steve's a funny guy, with some interesting life experiences, so it was nice to get to know him a bit better. He's suffering the same extreme boredom I have been of late.

Then I popped home, but it was still early and, despite being a bit knackered, it was a Friday. So, I hopped a moto down to Nyarutarama Tennis Club for a last drink with Hirut, who was getting up at 5am Saturday to take some people from the World Bank to do umuganda lol Poor thing.

Yesterday, I did absolutely sweet FA. Just bumbled about the house. Got annoyed at my landlady at one point. They've been doing renovations: painted my gate a nice blue, laid a driveway, and made pretty patterns on my walls, but seemed to think it was fine for a bunch of strange blokes just to let themselves in and wander around my garden on Saturday morning. They didn't appear to be doing much, so I threw them out and have requested, through VSO, that they let me know how much longer the work is likely to take and, if they need access to my garden, to ask. Hate strange men wandering around - especially on a day when I just want to slob about the house.

Anyway.

I got a mystery present! It was forwarded from the UK and it's wrapped up in Christmas paper: red with cuddly monsters on. I couldn't make out who it was from, and there's no label on it. I'm going to take it to Sierra Leone with me so that I have something to open on Christmas Day. So THANK YOU! Whoever sent me a mystery present :)

I really am feeling so much better recently. No idea what that whole depressive stage was about, but it was horrible. Took a while to get over, but all is like it ever was again. I do occasionally find myself having flashbacks to home and what I'd be doing at this time of year there. Nostalgia. But I think I'll last another year. It will be totally fantastic when I finally do go back for a proper Crimble. The food - I'm dreaming of the food...*drool*

I've also put in for my In-Service Grant the other day - just over £400, which really takes the sting out of my plane ticket! :) Sadly, though, turns out I didn't actually need to buy additional travel insurance. I'm covered by VSO for as long as I work for them, and I have seven days to get my own cover or go home after I finish. Oh well, at least I'm doubly covered I suppose.

Also, VSO don't pay for Malaron, which is recommended for this trip. Hirut has a spare stash, so she's giving me enough, which is extremely generous as it costs a fortune!

I'm off to hers tonight for food and hookah. Then off to a movie night, which is run by an ex-pat she knows each Sunday. I've not been before and looking forward to it.

Tomorrow, I'm meeting a friend, Lucky, for breakfast, and taking him to the office. He's originally Congolese but works and studies in South Africa. I met him when he was working for the Burundian Association of the Deaf and they visited. He'd worked here for five years, too. He's off to study at Gallaudet soon. Nice guy, so it'll be good to catch up.

On Tuesday I'm hoping to meet up with volunteer Amanda, who is a teacher, and just bumming around before going home at the moment. I'm trying to rope some vols into helping me with the English translation for the AKR dictionary because, at this rate, I'm never going to finish it.

So, nice, sociable start to the week. I'm always better when I'm busy and have things to do.

Oh, and housework lol Since getting rid of Karzai, I've just remembered exactly what's involved in keeping a house! A lot! I've just done almost two weeks' worth of washing! My arms ache, but it's great exercise. Cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen. Still need to do the floors, though :o/ But it's good for me! It's exercise, and distracts me from sitting on my arse on the internet all day lol

Date-ails

La Planet Style Melange

Well I had a pretty groovy time Wednesday night.

After work, I hopped across town to Rose's and dropped off some presents as it was her son's first birthday. Also made a contribution to her transport up to Uganda. She's going to see her grandmother for Christmas - first time she'll have met her great grandson.

Then I came home and chilled out for a bit. Sonya, the volunteer house-sitting for me over Christmas, popped in as she was passing. I gave her the tour and introduced her to the cats. Turned out she also had a date, so we made a pact that if either of them didn't go well we'd text each other for a bail-out.

So, got all dolled up and headed to Republika for eight. I got distracted, as they've just opened a craft shop underneath. I popped in and bought a beautiful shawl. He called to find out where I was, as he was already at the bar (as they say here 'he respects time') - so I told him I was just below, shopping.

We had a drink at the bar, then food. Republika certainly isn't the cheapest, but he wouldn't let me pay for anything! Drinks and food. Stunning. Good conversation. It was really nice.

Then I checked on Sonya, and they were at Chez Lando. It was going well, we decided to join them for a last drink. Quite a long last drink. He walked me home a little after 1am. I was in bed at 1:30, which was hardly strategic with a looong day ahead, but I had a good time. No real spark, though, I don't think. Shame, he's incredibly sweet, really nice guy, but I just didn't fall.

Yesterday was indeed a tough day. Interpreted for almost eight hours for Goret at our PAC and small grants review meeting. Was a good day. I got fed well, and I like all the people who come to it, but combined with the late night I was dead on my feet by the end. Took Ivana home afterwards to give her a jerrycan and some kerosene, then met Cathryn for a very swift drink at Stella - then crashed.

I got about ten hours sleep last night. Today is a wonderfully relaxed day as it's the monthly VSO Disability meeting, so start at 12pm with lunch at La Planet.

I'm really starting to feel like my old self again, actually. Back to positivity and enjoying being here. Think it was just the compulsory one-year nosedive, but all good.

I'm going to ask B if he can find someone to do mehndi patterns with henna, as Hirut suggested we get it done before flying out. Sounds like fun :)

Also got a dress made the other day. Needs a slight adjustment around the neck, but it's absolutely gorgeous. Will be getting more made very soon as the tailor and the cloth market are right outside my office.

Annual Review

Went to a meeting at MINALOC yesterday to interpret for Gerard and Goret on the Social Inclusion Policy. Lot of long words, all very high-brow. It was a lot like back in the UK, and really good to get seen out and about so that people think about booking interpreters in the future.

Programme Manager Amanda was also there. She dropped me off back home after, where I had something to eat. Then I headed back to the office in time for a meeting with her at 2pm. My annual review, which was used to clarify my role next year in the organisation. Mostly, they want me to find funding and deliver English tuition. Neither of which I really want to be doing personally, but I can act as a facilitator to train them on fundraising, like the arts organisation I've been working with, and find English tutors... or something. I'm not feeling terribly enthusiastic still, but it'll pass. I think I just really need to get out of town for a while.

On the up-side, I have a date tonight with the guy from Alicia's leaving do. I texted my number and he said 'I'll call you after six.' He called at six-thirty. To anyone outside of Africa, this may sound like no big deal. It is a HUGE deal. Anytime the same day would have been acceptable lol Shows he has time-keeping, which is a major bonus :)

He's also got a job - another major bonus - and he's not pushy. He asked 'can we meet?' rather than the regular emphatic presumptive 'when *will* we meet?' So, see how it goes. We're meeting at Republika around 7:30/8:00, but I can't make it a late one. I have a full day interpreting on Friday for the PAC small grants committee. Should be a nice lunch, though.

Right, headed into the office to continue the dictionary translation, then dropping some Christmas gifts off at Rose's. She's off to Uganda on December 1st. I'm helping her out with the bus fare as she's taking her kids to see her grandma, who hasn't met the son yet (he turns one today!). When she gets back, she'll have a re-entry stamp on her papers so she can get Rwandan nationality (E was/is Rwandan) and hopefully this will help in finding work.

Then I'm coming home, getting dolled up, and dancing around the room for a couple of hours before heading out. That's if 1) I don't get stood up 2) no one has an overriding personal crisis and 3) the population doesn't decide to riot.

Groove on ;)

Just Another Manic Monday

Typical Tailor in Rwandan Town

If only... sooo sloooow *yawn*

Another day writing up English directions for the dictionary, interspersed with checking financial sheets and discussing Excel and budgets. Drip...drip....drip...

I made a break for the outside world after lunch. Went to the market, bought some cloth, and took it to one of the local tailors. About six people there, none of them spoke any English, but we had a really good chat and I think I got what I wanted across. Hoping for a dress. Should be ready in a couple of days. If it works, I think I'll get some more stuff made as I'm totally running out of clothes. But, if not, it wasn't that expensive. FRW 5,000 for the material and 8,000 for the dress. Rain has broken, and it's getting rather warm, so I need some summer clothes.

I ummed and aaahed a long time about the fella from Stella, too. He's only 23, same age difference as me (18) and my first true love (23) yonks back. It's a bit disconcerting, given my past track record with younger blokes here. But, thought 'what the hay' and texted him my number. He says he'll call this arvo, so see what he has to say for himself. It is pretty flattering.

Got my one-year review tomorrow, which I'm desperately not looking forward to. There's nothing particularly wrong, wrong - I'm just sooooooo bored. I need to get out of the office more. The thought of translating 950 signs, all on my own, is mind numbing. It's about as exhilarating as a summer job photocopying.

Still, last stages I suppose.

And holidays soon :)

One last pre-Yule push and then I can forget about it all for three weeks.

And hopefully have a nice dress to go with it :)

There's been a lot of chanting and noise going on at Amahoro yesterday and the night before. It's hard to tell if it's a rally or a football match :op

Also,  rather a good article on: The pitfalls of Africa's aid addiction.

Farewell Kigali, Hello Freetown

Outdoor Café at Simba

Yippeee!

Yesterday I met Hirut in town and we went and got our tickets. Can't pay for anything on card here, so I had to get the price, run to Bancor, withdraw the money, run back up the hill, hang around 20 minutes for the electricity to come back on, and pay for the flight lol Was a scorching hot day.

But I have them! We leave Kigali at 4:00am on 18th December, change at Nairobi (*cringe* - the worst airport in the world!) for three hours, then take another plane at 9:30am all the way to West Africa and Sierra Leone, where we take a helicopter to the mainland and the capital, Freetown.

Apparently it's going to be very hot, extremely poor, and full of mosquitoes. But... it's not Rwanda! :)

Due to the time of year it's a little tricky getting a flight back, so we're leaving on 6th January at 7:30pm. That's longer than I expected to stay, but really looking forward to it. I've just bought my travel insurance through a site Hirut recommended: International Health Insurance. It's absolutely excellent. Doesn't matter where you live or where you're going to, it's just a one-stop easy click-click-click process, with reasonable prices.

After buying the tickets, we went to Karibu for lunch and to meet up with another CouchSurfer in town. He's here for four months doing research for his post-grad. Nice guy, and he and Hirut went to uni near each other.

We talked the whole afternoon away from arund 1:30 to about 6pm, then moved to Simba for milkshakes and juice. I made a mad dash home, changed, and went to Paula's 35th birthday party at Torero.

This week has been okay. Eric left Friday, and I've been getting to grips with housework once more. I've given Karzai time off after a bag went missing, and I think someone's been drinking some of my supplies. When I first asked him, he didn't recall seeing the bag, then he suggested that I ask D. I haven't seen D in months, so find it hard to see why he would turn up unannounced and take a bag with nothing worth taking in it... I don't think Karzai is dishonest as such, he's had plenty of opportunity to take money and never has. I just think he threw it away and now doesn't want to tell me. There's also the matter of him only doing what he feels like doing. My house is infinitely cleaner now that I've started taking care of it again. Gets me some exercise, too. I'll give him a couple of days work over Christmas, as my house-sitter wants a hand with laundry, and I'll call him when the garden needs doing.

Friday night was a really good night, if a little sad. It was Alicia's leaving do. She's been here two years, and is a teacher out of town. She's the one who got me into working with the arts organisation. We had a great meal at SoleLuna, loads of people there: Cathryn, Ivana, Giudi, Han, Mans, Ken, Amanda and a few others. Then most of us headed to Stella to meet up with the Kivu Writers for more drinks and goodbyes.

I left around 11pm and had a big, slightly emotional, hug with Alicia. Going to miss her. So many people leaving at the moment.

Then, last night, we went to Torero for Paula's 35th birthday. That was nice, but I wasn't in a huge party mood. I stuck around for food, but headed home after. Lots of the new volunteers were there, and I briefly met the lady who is house-sitting for me over Christmas. Apparently, one of J's friends, B, who is from an Indian family, but was born and grew up in Africa (just got back from Goma), took a shine to me at Alicia's leaving do and Cathryn was in charge of giving me his number. Deary me, East Africa, the place to be for speed dating! J's words were 'tell her he loved her' - lol Ah, the intricacies of African romance. Translates into English as 'he rather liked her.'

But, as we know, things are always one extreme or the other here.

Anyway, I think the rainy season has broken. It's getting really hot here and everyone's getting the Kigali cough from the rising dust. Good preparation for Siera Leone. You forget how hot most of Africa is living at this altitude. Uganda was pretty warm, too.

Anyway, back to washing my clothes in the gloriously sunny garden with a tub of Omo and a green plastic bucket. I've missed it, actually.

Jog On

Kigali International Peace Marathon 2013

I did something very strange last night. Something I've never done in my life.

I went jogging!

Yuuurs.

I was quite decidedly pants at it, but then it was with a guy who'd run the Kigali half marathon last year and lived to tell the tale. I'll try most things once.

As well as getting me running about Kigali at night like a loon, Eric also cooked a really yummy pasta meal: fresh veg and everything. But perhaps not strategic to eat that before running, or running after recovering from the mother of all hangovers, beer dehydration, and other such delights.

Aaaanyway. Yesterday was pretty uneventful protest-wise. Haven't heard much about it, but more of a link here. A few lorry loads of shouting people drove by, and a couple more blaring loud music, and a helicopter or two overhead. But that's about it, really. All the shops were closed. Kisimenti was empty. Passed without incident.

In the office now, translating the AKR dictionary. 900 signs all need instructions in English. I could cry lol But it's kind of awesome to think that the first ever AKR dictionary will have my instructions in it, too. And, when I think of how many hours Goreth has spent drawing the pictures, I should put in my few days' worth. Hopefully, after next week, when I get my one year review, I'll have a better idea of what I'm doing. Almost there on the dictionary though, and it's looking really good.

Visas, Kivus and Knees-Up

Well, the blue mood continues to set in. Still finding it really hard to feel enthusiastic about much, but had a couple of good days.

Was a bit of a wobble over the visa for Sierra Leone. Found out I had to get one before going, and the nearest embassy is in Ethiopia :o/ It was that or DHL my passport to London.

Today, we've all been advised to stay in our homes due to protests going on nationally over the extradition or Rose Kabuye to France. Causing quite a bit of tension. So, I wasn't too thrilled about the idea of posting my passport out of the country.

But, thankfully, the person I'm going with is an SL national. She managed to contact family there, who have arranged for a landing visa, which I can pick up when I get there! Really kind, and solves the problem so I can still go :) Going to buy my ticket as soon as possible. Really can't wait. Something to look forward to. One of the new volunteers is going to be house-sitting for me and minding the cats whilst I'm away, which is fantastic. She's in a rural placement and wants to be in Kigali over Christmas as her sister might be visiting.

So, all good on the holiday front.

Things are still a bit slow with the placement, but hopefully the finances have now been sorted out and money is being transferred this week, so activities can resume.

Meanwhile, I held a big workshop for the arts organisation committee yesterday, which was utterly fantastic. About ten members of the committee turned up and we did an introduction to capacity building and funding. It was excellent, and people really seemed to enjoy it. I do love working with this organisation as they put so much into what they're doing.

So, got some real job satisfaction there. It was a long day, about four hours of training with lunch in between.

I've also had Eric, an Irish volunteer, staying. He's in Kigali for a bit and arrived Sunday night. It's been really nice having him around. Lifted my spirits, just hanging out and having a laugh.

After the training yesterday, Ruairí, one of the new volunteers, came over (Hi Ruairí! I know you're reading ;) x). Eric, Ruairi and I went to High Noon behind Chez Lando for a few bevvies. Then we headed to the Ethiopian for food... and some more bevvies. Then we ended up in La Planet to watch the rugby... and have some more bevvies. Then we walked Ruairí down the hill towards Sonatubes, as he's staying at Amani. Eric and I turned back up the hill towards home, where we passed a local bar still open... so we popped in for some last bevvies.

It was one of the most surreal nights of my life. Some very, err, unique characters there. I had to pretend Eric was my husband to deflect male (and female!) attention. A whirlwind romance but, by the time we got home, we decided to get a divorce ;) It was a most excellent night, but, oh my... drank rather too much lol. We've spent the day locked in the house recovering from ungodly hangovers most of the day lol

Feeling good for it. Back to the office tomorrow, dictionary isn't far off publication now.

Roll on Christmas.

[NB 2013: Heh. I remember this night very well. I was getting some attention, so Eric put his hand on my knee and the blokes backed off. At which point, a women - I think the landlady's daughter - came up behind, cupped my breasts in her hands, and asked Eric for a light whilst massaging them!]

A Bit Better

SoleLuna Pizza

 

Oh, for good friends.

I went over to Cathryn's this afternoon in a terrible state and she gave me cups of proper coffee with whisky in, and a bag of Starburst. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

Then Hirut arrived and gave me some reading material to occupy my mind. We're going to book our flights next week.

Then I went to Karen's leaving do at SoleLuna where Bruce, a new volunteer Hailey, Karen, Lies and Amanda were. Had wonderful pizza, and an excellent laugh. Really lifted my spirits. I'm so lucky to have such a lovely Programme Manager - she really is tops.

I'm totally shattered, bags you could carry shopping in. But I'm doing okay. Calmed down a lot, just extremely tired. Hopefully meeting Karen for lunch before she flies out tomorrow, then going to relax and look after myself.

Doing okay. Surviving. Others have all been through it, there's often a twelve-month-in slump. So many leaving. My cats have been looking after me and lavishing me with cuddles. Just need about a week's sleep. Love my hot water bottle (thanks Dad!).

Need to get out of Rwanda. Mzungus are really not loved right now. Bye bye France, bye bye Germany - who's left? lol

Continuation of Crappy Week...

Rwandan Drain

Well, continuing on from 'Ugh Wharraday...' I think the stars are misaligned or something.

Not as bad a week as the German Ambassador's having, though:

In Growing Row, Rwanda Asks German Ambassador to Leave

I went to meet Giudi and Cathryn at the MTN Centre last night for cake. A huge lorry passed my gate with lots of men with megaphones and banners shouting about Germany not having arrested genocidaires on their own land. Was a little intimidating - obviously feelings are running high.

As already posted, there was a huge protest in town.

So, comparatively, my week can't be as bad as theirs.

But it doesn't feel good.

My twelve-month dip seems to be escalating into a 'what on earth am I doing here' kind of feeling.

Since the people from Electrogaz, I have continued to feel tearful, including a spat with the Programme Office (PO). My tone in arguing the Electrogaz bill, and my concerns over the PO safety policy, were considered unprofessional. Given the amount of stress I'm feeling at the moment, they were admittedly on the heavy side.

Apparently, the PO have no responsibility at all in helping me deal with my bill. That's the job of my placement, apparently.

I find this extremely hard to understand, as my placement have absolutely nothing to do with my accommodation. VSO pays it all, as my placement has no money. So, if VSO don't deal with it, and my placement don't deal with it... nobody deals with it.

The gripe about the security policy was having to find out about the protests from a friend, not from VSO. Not good for the new volunteers, popping into town to do their shopping to suddenly be confronted by a mob of angry protesters, possibly throwing stones at a Belgium lady's car.

First, the PO said they didn't know about the rallies and that it was up to us to be their eyes and ears - despite most volunteers having no access to television, radio, or internet. The PO have a much better news feed than we do. Plus, the government sent out text messages nationally in Kinyarwanda saying the rallies were being organised.

After forwarding the information in the e-mail I posted previously, they sent out text messages to all volunteers in Kigali. Which is a good step but, considering it's school holidays and many volunteers who don't live in Kigali are here anyway, it's surely better to tell everyone? Just: 'We're aware of protests in mumuji, we expect them to be calm. Avoid crowds.'

The PO did say that was a fair point, so all good I suppose. But it's worrying. When you hear nothing, you assume that the PO doesn't know these things are happening. You don't want to find out by getting caught in a rally on your way to Nakumatt.

Anyhooo.

I suppose I'm just sinking into a rut. I am completely and utterly, mind-numbingly bored with my role. My organisation do not need me. In the past twelve months, the only thing of significant value that I have personally achieved is IT training, and the strategic planning workshop and write-up. I was present, but surplus to requirements during the research. There are lots of ideas, but very little action in our office. The things I have tried to do have largely been ignored, although my colleagues are extremely nice to me, and the things that have been done haven't required my intervention.

I came out as a 'Researcher', the research has finished. I'm due a one-year review next week, hopefully to re-define my role but, really, it can't be anything I'm not already doing. What I'm already doing seems rather... flat.

I'm doing more training for the arts organisation, which is great, and doing stuff for the single parents network. But if the achievements I'm making are for other organisations, why am I with this one?

My skills fit the organisation. I can sign. But... so what? At the end of the day, what am I actually doing there other than counting bricks? I wonder if they were quite ready for a volunteer.

Essentially, my review is going to be an opportunity to ask some questions, provided I don't have to interpret the entire thing like last time. The whole team have been invited, so it's unlikely I'll get to say masses between interpreting for them. Our only Interpreter doesn't speak much English, and I speak no French.

My main questions are what they feel I've done for them in the past year, or helped them to achieve? What lasting effect my being here is having? What they feel I should be doing with them next year? I doubt that I'm going to get a very clearly defined or satisfactory answer. It's really gnawing at me, the thought of spending another twelve months staring at the walls. That's a lot of life to go by.

Combined with the frustrations of the PO, and the fact prices have soared since I arrived (many things have doubled in the past year, yet our allowance went up by £18) - you're just left with a really crappy feeling about volunteering.

This time last week I was feeling really loyal towards VSO, and committed to sticking it out. Now, I'm feeling distinctly uncertain about it all. My enthusiasm is drained. My friends say I've had a lot happen over the past few months and it's just taking its toll - they're going to look after me - but it isn't normal to be feeling this low about it all. Other volunteers have had family die over the past few months, and they're still at it and feeling motivated. Then, their jobs actually involve doing stuff. I've really got the blues.

To top it all, I took a very undignified dive down a drain last night. It was pitch dark, couldn’t see where I was going, and mistook the roadside trench for the path lol I managed to skin my palms and my knee, which really stings. I dowsed them in iodine when I got home and almost clawed the ceiling. But, far from laughing at me, Giudi and Cathryn started recounting the times they'd fallen down drains. Cathryn said at least I'd done it in the dark, she did it in the middle of a market in broad daylight! You have to be so careful around here. I just pray I never fall down the 7ft manhole in town, with the metal bars sticking out. You'd not be coming back up again if you did.

So, yeah. Fed up with work, fed up with finances, fed up with VSO, and fed up with the crappy weather we're having, Electrogaz, political unrest, and all that jazz. I really, really, really need to get out of Rwanda for a while. Can't wait until Christmas.

I've booked myself off work with stress until the end of the week. Going to Karen's leaving meal tonight. Yet another person I'm going to miss extremely mutchly. Hey ho.

Stirring the Pot

Rose Kabuye

Oh dear. In light of Rose Kabuye's arrest in Germany this week, there's been some disturbance in Kigali.

I only discovered this when inviting a friend out later for a drink. She was working anyway, but suggested caution in public areas. Apparently:

Seems that there's demonstration at German embassy (Kiyovu). We heard people shouting etc, but it seems under control. Yesterday, a Belgian woman who picked up her children at school got stuck in demonstration and people started throwing stones at her car...

[Belgian] Embassy said you can move around, but you have to be careful and avoid places where they demonstrate. And if you feel tension just leave the place and go home...

The British Embassy has not issued any warnings about the situation, saying the protests are calm, but VSO are reiterating the safety policy for Kigali volunteers to avoid large crowds and protests.

I think it may escalate early next week as I think they are planning to extradite her to France on the Monday, or thereabouts.

We should get emergency information from VSO if it comes to that, but it would be nice if people would e-mail me any general news updates as I don't have TV or a radio so, unless I directly witness something or someone else texts me, I don't tend to know.

Anyway. Been another pretty horrid day today. Despite paying the bill yesterday, Electrogaz still turned up this morning to discuss disconnecting me. When I showed them my receipt for the payment it took about 15 minutes to convince them, at which point they asked me to photocopy the receipt and take a copy to their office (the same office which printed it in the first place!) tomorrow. Like I have nothing better to do.

I lost it. No cool left. I may have pointed out, in raised voice, exactly how shite their service was, and six months of aggravation may just have boiled over.

They were last seen running for cover ;o/

I was *very* miffed.

Then I came back into the house and burst into tears.

It is definitely time to get out of Rwanda for a while. I can't wait until the holidays.

Support Wiki

I rarely donate on a whim, but I did to Wiki when I thought about just how many times I've referred to it over the past couple of years, and also what I've contributed to it.

And I love the concept:

"Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge."

— Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia

[NB 2013: I've revised my opinion on this since Wiki continue to ask again and again for annual hand-outs without offering any signs of working towards sustainability. They've also reclassified all female authors as 'women writers' in a remarkably sexist move.]

Ugh Wharraday...

Electric meter, like the one
on the side of my house

Holey mackerel Bat Boy. What a looooong day. Mondays suck anyway.

Had a really nice night last night. Had an impromptu phone call from volunteer Amanda saying she was supposed to be staying with someone but she's still in Goma, so can she crash? I wasn't feeling right up for it when she called, but bribery with deep-fried goods and crisps did the trick. We had a right good natter.

All went downhill after that, though.

Terrible night's sleep, and the PO had e-mailed to say that my long-running battle with Electrogaz would result in my water and electricity being cut off today if I didn't pay the bill.

As livid as I was about the whole issue, I didn't fancy a night without both of those little luxuries.

But, first, I had to go to MINALOC, the "Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Social Affairs" who are responsible for registering NGOs. Rose and the Pastor are still having to wade through red tape and disinterest in order to get the final registration number for their single parents network. MINALOC keep telling them to turn up, then happen to be in a meeting at that time. I've written a formal complaint and tried my luck with the laughably named 'Head of Public Relations.' It's a mess in there. Each time we go, it costs us more money and wastes more time. Why I thought today would be any different, I have no idea. Predictably, they were in a meeting.

I got another moto back to the office, somewhat disgruntled but not at all surprised. What do you expect from an organisation who say on their website "Write to this address:" and then forget to put the address? *rolls eyes*

So, I'm sitting in the office, trying to carry on writing the English translation for the dictionary, when it becomes apparent that all of the signs are in the wrong order and I'm not typing-up the instructions for the right one.

I go to pull the printer cable out of my laptop, and as, in mid-air, I'm transferring it back to the main computer, I get an almighty electric shock up my right index finger. I scream and throw the power cable across the room, half expecting to see only three fingers left. Thankfully, it was still there, but it went bright red and it took a while to get it moving properly again. I was in total shock. It still hurts now :(

But, anyway, back to the Electrogaz story.

So, this has been going on for months and months and months. Been through four VSO staff, and three members of Electrogaz, and eventually VSO's profoundly deep and well considered opinion was: 'pay the money.'

Well, no! It's the principle. I have evidence to show that the bill dates back six months before I even arrived in Rwanda. Even that doesn't account for the high cost, which may have been caused by VSO not checking the plumbing and, as such, me being lumbered with a sub-standard water tank that didn't retain any water. Instead, it just clocked it up as it passed through.

Anyhoooooo. I'd just about got to the end of my tether. I was sick of repeating the story. So, I went to the bank (thanks Mum for the Western Union!! xxxx) and withdrew FRW 60,000, which took me almost an hour. Then I marched to Electrogaz and stood in another queue for a further 45 minutes to get to the front desk, to be told that the photocopy of the bill I had with me wasn't enough to pay the bill with! Then she scuttled away and came back with the piece of paper I did need. Meanwhile, I was sneered at by some male toss-pot over the other side of the room who basically said something like 'muzungu holding up the queue' in Kinya, and the whole room burst out laughing. I was right angsty by this point and, very uncoolly, glared at him and humphed 'ho ho' before turning back to face the booth.

I shell out over 59,000 for a water bill of around 18 months, knowing that it dates back so far it still can't be right, and knowing that the average bill on the record is between 1,500-2,500 per month. Numpties.

Then I go back to the office just in time for a meeting with a VSO Trustee who was visiting. Really nice guy called Cameron, who gave our President a dream catcher from his native Canada. That was sweet. We gave him a couple of sign language T-shirts for his kids. Didn't get home until about six though, and no room in the VSO van, so I had to walk in the dark and get a moto.

Got home to find an e-mail from PO saying they'd been through the landlady's bills and, low and behold, around 26,000 of the bill appears to be hers! Result :)

Bloomin' knew something wasn't right. And it's happened to another volunteer, who had been in her house one month when she received a water bill of 23,000!

So, finally, after six months, it's almost sorted.

However, I owe the money back to VSO, as they kept paying a guard salary into my account even though I had no guard. Would have thought that my guard, now working for the Country Director, would have been a bit of a giveaway - but apparently not.

It's just been a really long Monday.

I've been convinced by Amanda to get my hair braided with extensions, in the African style. You can go two months without having to wash it. That would be nice, as I'm getting sick of cold showers. I'm a bit nervous, but I think I'll give it a go and treat myself this weekend. Might even get the Deaf women to do it. They've been wanting to for a while.

Also, I was blown away by Amanda's Swahili last night. She's fluent, and it sounds SO much nicer than Kinyarwanda and also so much easier to pronounce. Got a contact for a language teacher, so going to try and arrange something. I like Kinyarwanda, but perhaps Swahili would be more useful just because it covers a huge expanse, including Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and parts of the Congo. Just don't want to muddle myself up too much, though.

Right. Hot chocolate.

To top it all off, I feel like I'm coming down with something.

Here We Go...

Does Rwanda Deserve Development Assistance?

I think we've all been waiting for this to become the next news issue, considering most of the aid is supposedly dependent on Rwanda not invading the DRC again.

The question has always been: will the conditions be carried through, or will it be conveniently forgotten? After you've invested €230 million over 15 years, are you really about to cut and run? Unlikely, huh ;)

Although, I find this reasoning extremely worrying:

"...Who knows, maybe Rwanda might be looting even more of the DRC's resources if it wasn't getting developmental assistance?"

Is that what aid money is paying for? By the same reasoning, couldn't you suggest that by giving masses of aid money to rebel groups in the DRC they might kill less civilians?

The problem is obviously on two levels: political and grassroots. If you cut aid money, it sends a very powerful message to a government, but it also drastically affects the quality of life of civilians. It has long been suggested that people who are well-off, or at least see a definite improvement in their lives, are less likely to throw it all away by starting wars. But is it the responsibility of aid giving countries to blackmail governments into not going to war?

Also, a fundamental tenet of development work is that, if people build something for themselves (be it a house or a political policy), they are more likely to respect it and take care of it than if it's handed on a plate with the knowledge there's another one if this one falls apart. So, paying someone to take part in peace talks will only ever last as long as the money does.

I shouldn't be talking about politics at all, but I think morally there's a need to consider the situation.

Anyway, had a lovely night out last night with Joe, Astrid, and her partner Celestine. Went to SoleLuna and had a pizza fest. Joe's off back to America on Friday, but Astrid's staying long-term, which is groovy. These are the researchers who got stranded in Rwanda when their trip to Chad fell through.

[NB 2013: The image at the top of this post is taken from a Channel 4 documentary aired in November 2012 called Where Has Your Aid Money Gone? which tried to account for DFID spending in Rwanda. Check Vimeo.]

Back in Action

Example of Pit Latrine

Well, I have become a social bunny once again.

Had a great night on Thursday. Went out to SoleLuna with Cathryn & Giudi, who were both very tired, what with having proper jobs and all. So, I went it alone to the bar opposite Amani to meet up with some of the new vols. I wanted to go to welcome them because I hadn't been to the VSO Family Dinner (ironically because my Family were here), so I didn't know them so well.

It was just Ruairí when I first arrived, who I'd been in touch with before he came. Really lovely guy (who is probably reading this lol). Then some more joined later, with Han and Mans who were also training.

Really nice crowd. It ended around midnight with Ruairí, myself and Steve, sat around a bar stool in stitches over Steve's skinning-a-rabbit story (don’t ask!). Really good night.

Sadly, the bar there is still using pit latrines. It was a memorable experience, topped only by the one my boss took me to my first week at work, which was a mud room stinking of ammonia with a plank of wood you had to lift across the entrance to stop people staring in, which also blocked off the only air supply - it brought tears to your eyes, and the floor was sloppy with pee.

This time, I had to borrow another vol's torch. Thankfully, I was wearing my roll-up trousers, so I took them up above my knees. It was pitch black in there. When you shone the torch, you could see hundreds of huge cockroaches crawling up the wall of the pit - the wall was alive. Someone had also been sick, so you were squelching about in flip-flops wondering if a cockroach was going to fly up your butt whilst trying desperately not to pee on yourself. It was an experience... I am proud to be able to say 'I did that!' - there's a real sense of achievement.

Anyway, I washed my feet down afterwards and used the luxurious Amani toilets before I left.

Then, last night, was an Obama celebration party at Giudi's boss' house, where Anjah also lives. Really nice night, but terribly upper-crust in comparison to volunteer gigs. Tons of free booze, and food to die for. Ate myself silly. Met loads of interesting people. Had a good natter to Hirut, who I hadn't seen in ages - she’s just got back from America. Sierra Leone is on for Christmas, and she mentioned some interesting work her company is doing that I might take a look at on a voluntary basis. It's extremely difficult. I do feel a deep sense of loyalty to VSO, and will stick out my second year, but it's hard with the financial squeeze of inflation, and some of the other frustrations that go with being a volunteer. I've put a ban on myself looking at job sites and newsletters for the next six months, then I can start thinking about lining something up for my end of placement. Ideally, I'd like to head home for a really traditional Christmas in '09, have a couple of months bumming around on my end-of-service grant before flying off to wherever. I don't want to return to the UK without something lined up.

But it becomes increasingly hard not to fall into temptation's way here. The more people you meet, and the more you network, the more jobs suddenly appear on the platter. Loads of ex-VSOs: Jo, Giudi, Cathryn, Lies etc. have all stayed on in cushy jobs, most for consultancy companies working on policy and ministry documents. Very nice for the CV, and certainly not bad for the bank account.

But, with that comes a lot of hard work and stress. The nice thing about being a volunteer is that you do have a lot of free time and a lot less stress. It's a nice pace of life, and you have huge autonomy a lot of the time in how you approach problems and the methods you employ to achieve results. That's really nice. The more money you accept, the more stress you take on, I suppose.

But at the moment I'm a little underwhelmed at work. I'm waiting for my one-year review, where I can hopefully clarify my role and work something out. I'm officially a Researcher, but the research finished six months ago. I feel like inventing a really nice job title for myself, like Capacity Building Executive Project Manager lol But, seriously, I'll be looking to change to Capacity Building. I thought about Funding but, until their capacity is built, it would be irresponsible to try and bring in new funds. The problem is that the capacity building I've tried to implement thus far has been met with complete despondency. I do wonder whether doing more of it will just become more apathy.

Anyway. Sure it'll all work itself out, and it was really flattering to be asked to take a look at this stuff on the side. It'll be funding strategy stuff, so interesting, especially after training the arts organisation's Funding Officers :)

The Electrogaz situation has become ridiculous. The Programme Office's complete lack of support in this matter has been quite a drain on my emotional reserves of late, and I'm apparently having my water cut off on Monday. So, I'm asking for an audience with the Country Director to go through the entire issue yet again. I think he'll be more supportive, or at least listen to what I'm trying to say is wrong with the bill. But, anyway. It's been going on now for almost a year, so what's a few more months? I'm used to washing from a jerrycan.

Off to the paralympic international sit-ball competition soon with Florence. Last game, so should be a good crowd.

[NB 2013: This is an interesting e-mail for me because it mentions a few turning points for the future. I didn't know at the time, but you'll find out later, that the feud with Electrogaz indirectly led to losing my home. It's one of the first times I met up with Ruairí, who went on to marry by best friend Martine in April 2013 - I was one of the witnesses! And it was one of the things I went to do with Florence, who sadly passed away in March 2010. I still have e-mails from her to the Disability Working Group on my Google account. Very sad. As for not returning to the UK without 'something lined up' - well, that's exactly what I did. Oh, and the Rwandan sit-ball team made the London 2012 Paralympics! :) ]