So it's 6 weeks since I left Stirling - feels like longer in some ways, but the weeks are passing quickly too. I'm over a third of the way through now! Some of the team have received letter parcels, so if you would like to write to me (I've yet to receive anything, sob sob) my address is:
Katie Smith
Transform Team
RDIS
BP 142
Gitarama
Rwanda
Since I last blogged we have:
- planted more trees (avocados and papaya)
- labeled more pineapple juice and some passion fruit juice (yet to taste this, but I'm sure it's also great)
- helped carry more chairs
- celebrated Alice's 19th birthday with party games, jelly and a cake made from biscuits and nutella
- helped builf (well, moved mud and carried water) a kitchen for a family in Kagarama. Their sense of community is incredible - where people work together to help someone in need, despite them all having a lot of needs themselves. That afternoon the people who'd been working at that house were going off to help a man who'd lost his wife and children during the genocide and needed work done on his house. What sense of community do I have back home? What do I do to help others where I live? Or do I just think about my own needs and wants...
- written a sermon together,which Alice gave at Zion church (our local) on Sunday. I think it went down well.
- taught at Compassion on Saturday, which was both awful and great. The teaching part was so hard. We'd been asked to teach on 'preventing the mistreatment of those with HIV and AIDS', so decided to teach about stigma and acceptance etc. It's just so difficult trying to come up with good, challenging lessons that will translate into another language and culture. So much of my lesson fell completely flat and I just wanted the ground to open up. Afterwards we went back down the hill and helped cook and serve lunch to the kids. There are about 200 of them, so it takes a bit of time to plate up everything, but it was great fun. All the kids who go to Compassion are sponsored and some had received letters from their sponsors - people from all over eg Inverness, Colorado etc. It was great to see the kids proudly show us the letters and photos that they'd been sent, but also strange to see child sponsorship from the other side. As we left to go back for our own lunch, we saw a family of kids who we know sitting watching. They are not sponsored so don't attend any of the Compassion activities. As fantastic as it is to see so many kids being helped, there are always more out there who still need it.
- attended some of the genocide memorial week meetings last week. Over 100 people from the local community were there each day and different topics were discussed, such as the definition of genocide,how to help people affected by the genocide, the effects it had on poverty and the economy, and how to deal with those who still deny that a genocide took place. Hard to believe that some people still won't accept/ admit it. There was also talk of the government's '2020 vision' to see evryone with accessto clean water, electricity, education etc by 2020. Tomorrow we are going to a genocide memorial in Kigali, which I expect will be a very sobering experience.
- saw the president's car and large entourage drive past, at very high speed!!
On the whole, I feel I'm getting on better than when I last wrote. I have happier days and some down days. I sometimes find it hard not having my own space, but I also know I spent too much time on my own back home so it's good for me to be in the company of others a lot of the time. We do get on well as a team, which is great. We've had a couple of dvd nights where we pushed the beds together and made a 'den' from our African fabric and treated ourselves to biscuits and chocolate. We've also been round to the house of one of our friends from RDIS for snacks and a quiz, which was fun. I'm getting more used to 'African time' and the fat that sometimes things happen, sometimes they don't. We're all keeping well too, which is an added bonus.
This Friday I have an interview for a place on the internship program with CAP. Feeling nervous about it and really hope the phone line works ok, as it doesn't always when I'm speaking with my parents. It's not an ideal situation for an interview, but I'm encouraged that they're going to effort to talk to me rather than wait till I get home. Working for CAP would be a great experience and it would be great to know that I have something planned for when I come home other than a dentist appointment! Hopefully I have something to offer CAP too!
In many ways I feel very comfortable here in Rwanda, so it would be good to continue to remember to challenge myself while I'm here rather than coast through the experience. Hope all is well at home. Thanks for the comments, emails, facebook messages. I love to hear from people!! x
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Sunday 8 April 2012
Happy Easter! This morning we got up at 5am to go up to the top of the hill and watch the sunrise - it was pretty special, complete with some chocolate eggs that mum had given to me before I left.
Since I last blogged I have:
- met and held a brand new baby (less than 24hours old but back home) - very cute
- bought some lovely african fabric from the local market
- Have been learning more about 'Africa-time' and how things take longer than expected/ don't happen at all/ happen several days later. It's frustrating but a good lesson to learn probably.
- Had my birthday - the trip to Kigali didn't exactly go to plan, but the girls went to a lot of effort to make it a nice day and gave me a special breakfast and a cake!
- Church this morning was 4 hourslong, which was erm hard going...
- I've been inspired this week by John Kirkby's book 'Nevertheless' and the story of CAP (Christians Against Poverty). Despite many challenges and difficult circumstances he has maintained such a huge level of faith throughout. That's not to say it's been easy, but he's managed to step out and onwards in faith despite the apparent bleakness of situations. I would like to be more like this.
- I've been missing home comforts like a proper shower, hot water,my bed, being able to understand what people are saying, milk and cereal, sofas etc. I feel a bit frustrated with myself for this, but I think it's probably fairly normal too. The people here are so good to us, for example by giving us chips and ketchup (because they're 'western') and treats like samosas. It is difficult though, as you don't want special treatment - like being taken to the front of a long queue in the bank just because you're white. On the one hand I want to fit in and don't like being treated like a westerner/ muzungu. But I also miss the easiness of being at home.
We're in rainyseason at the moment and have heavy downpours every day (although today has been lovely so far) sometimes with lots of thunder and lightening. The rain is much needed for farmland, but can also be very destructive - altering the landscape and flooding houses (as we saw in Kigali this week).
Not trying to be overly poetic/ cheesy but I feel like I'm going through my own rainy season at the moment. I found this past week very hard and am facing the same old self-doubts, fears and worries. I wish I had more confidence and was more easy going. Why do I find it so difficult to talk to people? The more I worry and retreat into my own space, the worse it gets - it's a hard cycle to get out of. I know I need to make more effort, push myself to do things that I find hard and keep focusing on all the positive things that are happening here and now. I would hate to look back on my time here and have regrets. As much as I want to change, I think I also need to learn how to accept myself too.
Read this verse this morning and felt it was really appropriate for today and for how I've been feeling this week. Ephesians 2:10 'For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.' The God who created the masterpieces of sunrises and sunsets, also created me as his masterpiece too. The slate has been wiped clean through Jesus' death and resurrection. (Definitely feel this links to Jeremiah 29:11)
As mum mentioned previously, this week is a time or mourning and remembrance for Rwanda. We're not sure what we'll be doing over the coming week or what to expect from it. It will be a very difficult time for many.
If you pray, please keep praying for me and the team. It's been so good to read emails, comments and things on facebook when I got the chance. Love to all. xx
Since I last blogged I have:
- met and held a brand new baby (less than 24hours old but back home) - very cute
- bought some lovely african fabric from the local market
- Have been learning more about 'Africa-time' and how things take longer than expected/ don't happen at all/ happen several days later. It's frustrating but a good lesson to learn probably.
- Had my birthday - the trip to Kigali didn't exactly go to plan, but the girls went to a lot of effort to make it a nice day and gave me a special breakfast and a cake!
- Church this morning was 4 hourslong, which was erm hard going...
- I've been inspired this week by John Kirkby's book 'Nevertheless' and the story of CAP (Christians Against Poverty). Despite many challenges and difficult circumstances he has maintained such a huge level of faith throughout. That's not to say it's been easy, but he's managed to step out and onwards in faith despite the apparent bleakness of situations. I would like to be more like this.
- I've been missing home comforts like a proper shower, hot water,my bed, being able to understand what people are saying, milk and cereal, sofas etc. I feel a bit frustrated with myself for this, but I think it's probably fairly normal too. The people here are so good to us, for example by giving us chips and ketchup (because they're 'western') and treats like samosas. It is difficult though, as you don't want special treatment - like being taken to the front of a long queue in the bank just because you're white. On the one hand I want to fit in and don't like being treated like a westerner/ muzungu. But I also miss the easiness of being at home.
We're in rainyseason at the moment and have heavy downpours every day (although today has been lovely so far) sometimes with lots of thunder and lightening. The rain is much needed for farmland, but can also be very destructive - altering the landscape and flooding houses (as we saw in Kigali this week).
Not trying to be overly poetic/ cheesy but I feel like I'm going through my own rainy season at the moment. I found this past week very hard and am facing the same old self-doubts, fears and worries. I wish I had more confidence and was more easy going. Why do I find it so difficult to talk to people? The more I worry and retreat into my own space, the worse it gets - it's a hard cycle to get out of. I know I need to make more effort, push myself to do things that I find hard and keep focusing on all the positive things that are happening here and now. I would hate to look back on my time here and have regrets. As much as I want to change, I think I also need to learn how to accept myself too.
Read this verse this morning and felt it was really appropriate for today and for how I've been feeling this week. Ephesians 2:10 'For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.' The God who created the masterpieces of sunrises and sunsets, also created me as his masterpiece too. The slate has been wiped clean through Jesus' death and resurrection. (Definitely feel this links to Jeremiah 29:11)
As mum mentioned previously, this week is a time or mourning and remembrance for Rwanda. We're not sure what we'll be doing over the coming week or what to expect from it. It will be a very difficult time for many.
If you pray, please keep praying for me and the team. It's been so good to read emails, comments and things on facebook when I got the chance. Love to all. xx
Friday 6 April 2012
Remembering
Listening to the news about a hosepipe ban which started in the south of England this week, I'm reminded that Katie and her Tearfund friends experience daily powercuts in addition to times when there is no water. This is a challenge for girls used to showering whenever they want but is daily life and normal for residents of Giterama!
Katie's birthday meal on April 2nd was celebrated with the other Tearfund girls and RDIS staff and included speeches. Earlier in the day the girls were taken to a western style supermarket in Kigali!
Tomorrow (April 7th) is the start of Rwanda's annual period of mourning and remembrance. This is a time of remembering the Rwandan genocide of 1994 when over 800, 000 men, women and children were killed by fellow countrymen. Each year people gather to remember and reflect on what took place. They visit memorial and burial sites and try to support those still deeply hurt and traumatised by the events of 1994.
During this time of mourning, people usually work only in the mornings and daily life is focussed on recalling the past while trying to come to terms with the effects of the past on the present. Katie and her friends will probably spend most of their time in the RDIS compound but may be invited to attend a memorial gathering. Church tomorrow will be a solemn time of reflection. It's important that the Team (some of whom were born in the year of the genocide) are sensitive about the deep feelings of Rwandan people. The genocide is an event which none of the girls remember and which is completely beyond their experience.
Communication continues to be tricky. Although the Team have occasional use of a laptop in the evenings, obviously they share their computer time and it's not easy to both check your messages and have time to email or blog. That's if there's power! Katie receives emails and facebook etc but the laptop's webrowser seems to be incompatible with hotmail, so she can't send emails. Last week Katie was to have an interview with the organisation she hopes to work with in the autumn (CAP) on her mobile but for some reason it didn't happen. It was frustrating as she was unable to contact the organisation the UK.
The other communication problem is the lack of common language. It's hard to get close to people when you can't speak to them. Sometimes, even with the help of a translator, there is still a barrier to understanding.
Could you think about or pray about the following? Katie would appreciate this.
Listening to the news about a hosepipe ban which started in the south of England this week, I'm reminded that Katie and her Tearfund friends experience daily powercuts in addition to times when there is no water. This is a challenge for girls used to showering whenever they want but is daily life and normal for residents of Giterama!
Katie's birthday meal on April 2nd was celebrated with the other Tearfund girls and RDIS staff and included speeches. Earlier in the day the girls were taken to a western style supermarket in Kigali!
Tomorrow (April 7th) is the start of Rwanda's annual period of mourning and remembrance. This is a time of remembering the Rwandan genocide of 1994 when over 800, 000 men, women and children were killed by fellow countrymen. Each year people gather to remember and reflect on what took place. They visit memorial and burial sites and try to support those still deeply hurt and traumatised by the events of 1994.
During this time of mourning, people usually work only in the mornings and daily life is focussed on recalling the past while trying to come to terms with the effects of the past on the present. Katie and her friends will probably spend most of their time in the RDIS compound but may be invited to attend a memorial gathering. Church tomorrow will be a solemn time of reflection. It's important that the Team (some of whom were born in the year of the genocide) are sensitive about the deep feelings of Rwandan people. The genocide is an event which none of the girls remember and which is completely beyond their experience.
Communication continues to be tricky. Although the Team have occasional use of a laptop in the evenings, obviously they share their computer time and it's not easy to both check your messages and have time to email or blog. That's if there's power! Katie receives emails and facebook etc but the laptop's webrowser seems to be incompatible with hotmail, so she can't send emails. Last week Katie was to have an interview with the organisation she hopes to work with in the autumn (CAP) on her mobile but for some reason it didn't happen. It was frustrating as she was unable to contact the organisation the UK.
The other communication problem is the lack of common language. It's hard to get close to people when you can't speak to them. Sometimes, even with the help of a translator, there is still a barrier to understanding.
Could you think about or pray about the following? Katie would appreciate this.
- that the people of Rwanda would be comforted during the time of mourning and be able to begin to move forward. This is still a raw, extremely painful time for many Rwandan citizens.
- that the Kinrwandan lessons would go well. Katie is finding the lessons very difficult and is frustrated knowing that the way to get to know people is to speak their language.
- that somehow the phone interview with CAP would go ahead smoothly and without hitches this week.
- that there would be meaningful, useful work or activities for the Tearfund Team to do. The girls would love to make a positive difference to the lives of their Rwandan hosts.
Wednesday 4 April 2012
Techie Stuff!
Hi from Katie's Mum again.
Several people have told me they are having difficulty in leaving a comment on katie's blog but don't know how to. Possibly I'm the least qualified person on the planet to help with this but...needs must!
Hi from Katie's Mum again.
Several people have told me they are having difficulty in leaving a comment on katie's blog but don't know how to. Possibly I'm the least qualified person on the planet to help with this but...needs must!
As you're reading this, I'm assuming that you can read Katie's blog (although there are people having problems with that also.) Click on the word comments, which appears beside 'Posted by Katie Smith' after the main body of post. Type your comment or message in the box which should have appeared after any other comments. Then click on Select Profile. This brings up several choices. Choose anonymous as the simplest option but remember to include your name in the comment. When you've finished, you can click on preview to see what it looks like and to edit what you've said, if you want to. Click publish. Hey presto!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)