Back in Rwanda

Yes, I am blogging again!

After a month’s break at home in England, I am back in Rwanda with a new challenge, working at a Primary School in Kigali which is supported by a small NGO. The project is in its second year and the school has been designed to be a model school for local Rwandan counterparts to visit and learn from. The infrastructure is innovative, staff get constant on-the-job support from an international education specialist and the children learn in English from Nursery 1 until Primary 6.



The beautiful school, equipped with elephant slide and nursery children singing on the grass

My role here is the interim Country Director for the NGO. As such, I am Head Teacher for the school and Lead Practitioner in charge of staff development. Over the next few months, it is my aim to find a local Head Teacher to come on board and lead the school. Our long term plan is for the school to reach ultimate sustainability without requiring additional support from an INGO.

So another wonderful opportunity for me and the chance to stay in Rwanda for a bit longer. If you look back at some of my other blogs, you will see the stark contrast between this school and the rural schools I was working in last year. The school has its own library, play time equipment and local and international learning resources. It also has nearby grazing cattle, the occasional visiting goat and a local community which is more reminiscent of my time in Kibungo than Kigali. Definitely another home from home. Every morning and evening the children shake my hand to greet me and sometimes throw themselves at me for an opportunistic hug! It’s really nice to be based in one school and have some consistency…..and I haven’t been called Muzungu once, the kids here have already learnt my name!

More to follow – I promise not to be silent for so long this time.



Children reading in the school library

P3 Learners saying "Hello"

The school swings with 'Customers' waiting for their turn