Bald as a coot

OK, so this is the last moto story for a while, I promise, otherwise you’ll think nothing else happens in Rwanda!

This week has had its ups and downs – and many of them – mainly hills and valleys, twists and turns, highs and lows – whatever description you wish to use – life is never straight forward here! Following my abortive moto trip last week I decided to do a shorter distance this week – a 1 ½ hour journey instead of 4 (NEVER believe Rwandans when they give you an estimated time!) I was going to visit schools in another sector of my district which is fairly remote but not as remote as last week’s –( It wasn’t necessary to stay overnight) The driver had been booked by the headteacher who had invited me so I didn’t know him.

Fairly soon we were off the tarmac and onto the dirt track. We’d been progressing nicely when the driver began looking down at the wheels; he pulled over – flat tyre! Ok, so we get off, he makes noises, says something to me and walks off back the way we came. I’m standing there (seemingly in the middle of nowhere, although people are never far away in Rwanda) watching this young fella receding into the distance – I look down at the tyre – bald as a coot!!! I decided not to think about it.

After attempting conversation with one or two locals who came along exchanging many smiles and looks of sympathy the mobile repair man’s ‘van’ turned up with my driver on the back. (See photo) I must say, it was very efficient service and just as good as the RAC. The puncture was repaired and we were off again. The rest of the journey was spent checking the tyre every now and then and negotiating road works. I wish I could take photos so that you could see the amazing building of roads (not tarmac, but basic road construction) that is going on in the rural areas. As I have said some of the areas are very difficult to get to but there must be government scheme to improve access. In order to widen the roads the men and women are literally digging out whole hillsides by hand. The earth is moved from one side of the road (the hill side) to the other side of the road (the precipice side) by people using agricultural tools. They also dig drainage channels and line them with broken rock and cement. Very rarely, you might see a big bulldozer moving rocks and I also saw one ‘rock crushing machine’ (sorry chaps, don’t know what it’s called but it has like a big arm which crashes down onto the rock and splits it) The rest of the time everything is done by human beings using rudimentary hand tools. So many people working together to improve their situation.

The Repair Man's van

As you can guess by this time the journey time had doubled in length, but hey ho! I arrived safely.

I had a great day – probably the most satisfying day I’ve had so far in my work. I had been invited by the headteachers in the sector and they were very keen to improve their schools and work together to help each other. One of the challenges is actually knowing where the schools are and the first thing I did when I started work was to draw an outline map of my district on a rice sack (see a previous blog photo), but now I want to know where the schools are in relation to each other so that I can plan my visits – no such map exists so I’m making my own! I take the rice map off my office wall and take it with me whenever I go out. When I showed the headteachers and asked them to help they were very excited and set to work discussing the position of their schools in relation to each other and very soon began plotting them on the map. The main outcome of the day is a plan of action for this sector which will happen over the next two terms – so something concrete at last!

Now, because I had spent far more time at the school than expected we were later setting off back home and I think my young driver must’ve had a hot date that evening because we took a lot of short cuts across country!!! Up and down little goat tracks, through building sites, along back streets and alleys, we came out into a market square and he stopped to chat to some other moto drivers and took on board a jerry can which, at first, I thought was full of petrol, but thankfully, later, I realized it was empty. When we got back to the tarmac he dropped the jerry can off at the petrol station and presumably picked it up full of petrol on his way back to the village. That is how they transport petrol to the remote places.

So, that’s the last of my moto stories – for now! Because I have some really exciting news!

In April I am being joined by a new volunteer called Judy who will be a ‘Basic Methodology Trainer’ (BMT, or BLT as I keep thinking of those lovely sandwiches whenever I use the acronym BMT – I don’t know why – it’s just the way my brain works!! – creatively! – oh must be careful not to put Judy off before she even gets on the plane! Ha ha!)

It’s going to be great having someone to work with and we can be far more effective together. So, Judy, I just need to make sure you have what you need for excursions to school – not work stuff just stuff to survive! Most importantly – have you got your VSO helmet for motorbike rides – absolutely vital – VSO pay for it – if they haven’t got you one yet, get onto them as soon as possible. And practice wearing it at home or when you’re out clubbing – it’s your choice! (See previous blog posts) I say practice wearing because it is heavy. (I may end up with enormous neck muscles by the time I go home!) I managed to get mine from a friendly bike shop who gave it me for half price when I explained what I was doing – it was last year’s stock and the designs had changed. Also for riding the bikes – lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket – there is a spare set in the office but it is quite large – I don’t know what size you are. My jacket is just a cheap fold away from Rochdale market – it does the job but I may need to ask my friend to bring me another!! I have considered asking my friend to bring me some cheap leather gloves (just little ordinary ones) because my hands did get badly grazed on that 5 hour journey – but don’t go spending loads a cash. A waterproof liner for a lightweight back pack is essential - a back pack with a waist belt is also useful. My daughter gave me one of those horrible waist pouch/ bum belt thingies before I came away and at home I wouldn’t be seen dead in it, but here it is GREAT – your phone/ coin purse is secure but easily accessible (Thanks Sara, you’re an angel, so are you Nay, oh and you John!!) Another essential to take on journeys is an ‘emergency toilet kit’ – comprising a small plastic bag (difficult to get here) with hand gel, toilet paper and anything else you may need – (no I don’t mean toothbrush) Before I came I paid a visit to TJ Hughes and bought small bottles of hand gel – 3 for £1 – I bought about £5 worth and have still got plenty left. Seal the bottles with sellotape before you put them in your suitcase though.

I think that’s all for now – this blog has been rather long – please, please comment so that I know someone is reading . Enjoy the lovely springtime – my favourite season. T xxxxx