Textually frustrated

My phone is now lying to me. Having bought a sim card from Rwandatel, MTN’s competition, I was relieved to see that the messages were apparently being delivered- the reports confirmed this. But despite now both companies taking my money, there are still problems and I remain frustrated!

Still, despite some little niggles with communication, having been here for a month now, I feel quite at home. I’m learning too that every day life can be made easier by just a little forward planning. For example, I now know that every Friday, you’d better hope that you have bought everything you need on Thursday as the whole town closes for the community courts (Gacaca). I think everyone from the town can attend but there is a group of elected locals from the community who actually pass the sentences. The idea is that the whole community feels involved in the legal process. I guess I can see how this can help but I wonder how the suspects are identified in the first place. In the chaos of the genocide where neighbour killed neighbour, even so-called/self-appointed religious people suddenly revealed the gruesome side of humanity, how are these judgements made and who makes them? In a time where social norms were tipped on their head and shaken to the core how can justice prevail?


Umuganda

A really positive aspect of community in action is umuganda, meaning ‘contribution’. On the last Saturday of every month, everyone is expected to join in a local project, anything from gardening to rubbish clearing, to improve their neighbourhood. It’s perhaps why Rwanda is perhaps the cleanest country I have ever seen. There is a sense of shared pride and therefore shared responsibility which other places would do well to follow. For my part, I’m ashamed to say, I will not be joining in this month. I haven’t been asked to do anything so my contribution will be to stay out of the way and observe… for the moment. I must stay well hidden however, rumour has it that if you are at home you might be called upon to join in. I must let my guard know I will be having a lie-in….Now where’s that kinyarwanda dictionary?

Kinyarwanda

What can I say, I’m trying but it’s hard. I thought I’d done really well on Tuesday. Then I tried to impress Moosa with my casual ‘see you tomorrow’ and he looked at me blankly. I’d confirmed I’d be seeing him …..yesterday! Can you believe ‘ejo’ means both tomorrow and yesterday except for a subtle (very) raising of the eyebrows and an (indistinguishable) change of tone…

Bad weather

When I’m feeling particularly determined, I tend to agree with the phrase there’s no such thing as bad weather just wrong clothing (what film is that?)…Something I heard myself saying to Anne-Marie when she decided I couldn’t possibly go to work one day this week…
‘Why?’ I enquired.
‘Have you seen?... It’s raining!’
'It's fine, look I'm prepared!'

Anne-Marie just laughed at me and I wasn’t sure if it was at my misguided determination to get to work or the (very sensible!) clothing. Togged in waterproof trousers, matching sowester and walking boots I battled through the downpour. Arriving at the office, I know Anne-Marie was right, it was like a ghost town. I now know people just don’t go out in the rain. Something about it being bad form to arrive wet and also some myth about you catching malaria...(?) Still I took the opportunity to catch up on emails and waited for Amy to arrive…All the while I was being held hostage by the monsoon rains, unable to reach the toilets without a soaking and despite the layers of plastic!

Another weekend in Gitarama

I will not not not be getting the last bus back from Gitarama again!

Yes, it's another weekend out to Gitarama but I'm much more prepared this time...I've decided to give myself at least 5 hours for the journey home (it's onlyabout 1.5hrs away) and should make it home before dark this time!