Day 38 (Monday)

A public holiday, because of district level elections (but I did do some work).  As nothing much happened today, I went out to take a few photographs of Kabarore town. The old town is laid out to the west of the main road because to the east was originally part of the Akagera National Park.  The town is probably no more than about 500m by 400m, but I haven’t yet explored to the crest of the hill, which is the western perimeter, so there are no photos of that part.  The new town centre trading centre is pictured as are one or two of the side streets and the main bus / moto park for local transportation. 

Day 39 (Tuesday)

Yesterday we found somewhere to buy fresh milk.  It tasted of wood smoke which was a little odd.  We used it in tea and coffee, but the bulk we used to make pancakes.  Unfortunately we haven’t got the right sort of pan, so they were cooked on a pan lid.  Nice to eat something new.  This is our second dessert.  First was rice pudding made from left over main course rice, brown sugar and five day old milk.   I hoped to return to my first school today, but unfortunately the headteacher said she had another meeting to go to.  Hence I had to do more work from the house, but useful nevertheless. A review of the teaching I have seen and suggestions for improvement; the construction of an exemplar and generic school action plan to improve teaching and learning and some work on the school budget.

Day 40 (Wednesday)

I have arranged to meet my first headteacher today, but had to cancel as I was told the Divisional Office had scheduled a meeting of headteachers for the same day, but with only 16 hours notice – only they hadn’t!  So eating humble pie, I had to rearrange the meeting for tomorrow.   It is a good job I have plenty that I can do without a meeting.  Our twice weekly foray to the market uncovered another find.  One of the regular stall holders was selling peanuts, which we have dry roasted and salted.  Our first snack food!  Photos of the market will be posted with this entry.  I have started a vegetable garden.  It is not very much, just 3 tomatoes and one bean plant.  It will be interesting to see how quickly they grow.  No chance of any produce before we leave though.

Day 41 (Thursday)

Our kettle which is only three weeks old no longer works.  We take it back to the shop and try to negotiate a swap, or refund.  No consumer rights here in Rwanda, especially if you are clearly not Rwandan and do not speak much above a smattering of Kinyarwandan!  Apart from the body of the kettle and the wiring there are only four parts to a kettle to go wrong and stop it heating the water.  The heating element, the switch, a safety cut out and a thermostat.  One by one I re-wire the innards of the kettle to bypass the switch, the safety cut out and the thermostat, but no luck.  The only thing we really needed working was the heating element, but that of course was the bit that was bust.