Komera

The ‘Wedding Roundabout’ in Kigali where
everyone goes to have their wedding photos taken.

I had a lovely day today at Komera (‘be strong’), a little centre out in the hills near Kibuye to the West. It’s run by Father Murenzi and caters for Deaf, mentally disabled, and traumatised children.

It’s about a three-and-a-half hour drive from Kigali and Amanda, Goreth, Gerard and I set off at 8:30 in the morning with a driver and a VSO truck. It was absolutely lovely just to sit and watch the countryside go past: Rwanda at its very best, an extremely beautiful country.

The last twenty minutes of the journey was along an extremely bumpy dirt track up through the local village to the centre, where the car was suddenly surrounded by a mass of kids trying to climb on the back and looking through the windows. They were there to sit a test to see whether they were ready to take communion and join the congregation. Otherwise, the centre was deserted as it’s the middle of the holidays.

We were there to chat about a potential short-term volunteer placement next year and how RNUD and Komera could work more closely together. I was along as interpreter. Gerard made an extremely good suggestion regarding approval of Teachers for the Deaf. There was a bit of a mess-up recently in one of the prominent schools for the Deaf, where they hired a Teacher for the Deaf and then, months later, realised the guy couldn’t sign and knew nothing about how to teach Deaf children. He always had his back to them and was talking at the board. The kids couldn’t understand a thing.

Sadly, jobs here often come via who you know rather than what you know. A nod and a handshake overlooked the fact this guy had no qualifications or training. So, Gerard’s suggestion was that RNUD should run interviews for all people applying to be Teachers of the Deaf and will test their communication tactics, sign language, and general Deaf awareness. This helps put the schools at ease that they’re employing competent staff and helps to avoid the situation mentioned above.

it's a really good idea. So, that was productive. Father Murenzi is also hoping to turn the centre into a resource centre on inclusive education, so it would be good if we could stay involved and offer our expertise where Deaf children are concerned.

The meeting was later interrupted by an impromptu visit from a local Colonel of the army. He was dressed to the nines in traditional clothes and accompanied by a couple of extremely tall army men with very big guns. It was an honour to meet him but, like we said on the way home, where else in the world would you be having an informal meeting with the head of a disability centre and the local Colonel drops by to say ‘hello’.

We also got treated to a wonderful meal of ibitoke (banana), soma (cassava spinach), beans, rice, meat and sauce. Fed very well. I was so pleased to finally see where Antonia was working. It is in a stunningly beautiful setting, a shining example for the country of what can be achieved.

Random fact number 49, did you know that if McDonalds opens an outlet in your country, they pay labour, materials, and everything to set up a sensory centre for mentally disabled children? You know, one of those lights and bubbles places? We don’t have a McDonalds in the country. Either they’re not allowed, or they don’t think it’s profitable, but either way it’s exactly what’s needed – not McDonalds, the sensory centre. Lies told me this. Worth knowing.

Anyway, got back after dark and went for a drink at High Noon with Amanda, Cathryn and Sarah. It was nice to unwind and have a beer and a giggle. Good end to a really good day.