Hazel in Rwanda

'Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.'

Wednesday 25 July 2012

About Rwanda

Rwanda is landlocked but is noted for its lakes, particularly Lake Kivu, which occupies the floor of the Rift Valley along most of the country's western border. Although close to the equator, the country has a temperate climate due to its high elevation, with the highest point being Mount Karisimbi. The terrain consists of mountains and gently rolling hills, with plains and swamps in the east.

My placement is in the Eastern Province, in the district of Rwamagama, based in Nzige (Bicumbi Teacher training College). I'll be living between Kigali and Rwamagama, below Lake Muhazi.


Abundant wildlife, including rare mountain gorillas, have led to a fast-growing tourism sector. The largest cities in Rwanda are Kigali, Gitarama, and Butare. Unlike many African countries, Rwanda is home to only one significant ethnic and linguistic group, the Banyarwanda.
The country is well known for its native styles of dance, particularly the Intore dance, and for its drummers. Kinyarwanda, English and French are the official languages.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia)

 

Monday 23 July 2012

Preparations

In 6 weeks I will be starting a 12 month placement as a Literacy and Numeracy Advisor in a Teacher Training College in Rwanda - The Land of a Thousand Hills.


There are lots of preparations to make before then, including:
  • Completing my online training and preparing for my residential course in August
  • Finalising flight details
  • Improving my French
  • Learning the basics of Kinyarwanda
  • Planning what to take
  • Downloading all my favourite music and books
  • Spending time with my friends and family
  • Work out how to blog properly!!
Today I started my online language course and feel that I have a long way to go!

Feeling inspired by this link