More About Kigali..

For the next two months while we are working here in Rwanda we will be based in the capital Kigali. In many ways it is a surprisingly sophisticated and advanced city by African standards but one of many contrasts. Motorbikes, old pushbikes, local buses crammed full, latest model range rovers, the occasional rickshaw and many motos (motorbike taxis) all share the mainly red dirt roads. Horns toot regularly as traffic winds in and out, avoiding pot holes and often other roads users which may or may not be going down the wrong side of the road. The streets are incredibly clean and litter free. Road works and constructions are underway throughout the city as it continues its regeneration projects to transform the city back to its former glory and attempt to keep up with modern times. It’s hard to tell at times if buildings are in the process of being pulled down or in fact being constructed. Shanty slums with corrugated iron roofs dot the hills and a handful of modern skyscraper buildings can be seen in city skyline. Using brooms made of sticks and with babies strapped to their backs women can be seen dusting the sidewalks and gutters, children in school uniform walk hand in hand down the road, and men and women alike balance anything and everything on their heads as they go about their daily lives. It’s hard to comprehend that 15 years ago piles of bodies lined these same streets.

            We moved into the volunteer guesthouse yesterday which is about a 15 minute moto ride away from the city. By western standards the house is basic but well above what we were expecting and had prepared ourselves for. There are 7 bedrooms in the house each housing 2 volunteers, 3 very basic bathrooms with cold showers and toilets (minus toilet seats), a lounge with a few couches, a dinning room and kitchen (although all the cooking is done over coals in a cooking hut out the back). The house is inside a fenced compound and has a courtyard and vege garden out the back. There are 2 house staff which do the cooking, cleaning, maintenance and security. Cait and I are sharing a bedroom which has 2 beds, mosquito nets, bedside tables and a standing wardrobe. We unpacked last night and are both feeling settled in our new home. It was great to meet the other volunteers who come from all around the world - France, USA, Australia, Norway, New Zealand, UK and Cambodia. We have our orientation and training on Monday and start work on Tuesday. Today we have splashed out and are sunbathing poolside at Hotel Des Mille Collines ("Hotel Rwanda"). Again it’s hard to believe the atrocities that took place right by this pool not so long ago.

Axx