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Robs Blog whilst away teaching in Rwanda
- By Rob Halfon
- Published 08/14/2009
On a more sombre note, I have been struck by just how hungry so many of the teacher-students are.
Many of them - coming to these courses in their holiday season - are travelling long distances by foot to the school which is holding the programme. They are given no food or drink by the school, because they can't afford the costs. It seems that their only meal of the day is at dinner and many are eating just some rice and beans.
The Project Umubano volunteer teachers are now taking it in turns to buy biscuits and other items from Kigali supermarkets, so we can give the student teachers some sustenance as they sit through our lessons. As I gave the biscuits out today, some students said "God bless you". Far from making me feel good, I felt uncomfortable that the simple act of buying and giving out some biscuits - had elicited such a reaction. I felt it was undeserved. The act of giving for me was too easy - the receivers so grateful for something that had required little effort on my part, other than buying the biscuits.
I should add that none of these Students were malnourished or 'starving' in the true sense of the word. They just were so hungry from having travelled to the school in the early hours and not eating until the evening.
One last thought: one thing which really struck me was how the students were willing to share their biscuits. Some were broken in half or even quarters, which they shared with others. Imagine a Rich Tea biscuit being broken up and you can understand how small these halves and quarters were.
Another reminder of the harsh realities of a developing country.
To read more about Rob's trip to Rwanda please visit Rob's Blog
Many of them - coming to these courses in their holiday season - are travelling long distances by foot to the school which is holding the programme. They are given no food or drink by the school, because they can't afford the costs. It seems that their only meal of the day is at dinner and many are eating just some rice and beans.
The Project Umubano volunteer teachers are now taking it in turns to buy biscuits and other items from Kigali supermarkets, so we can give the student teachers some sustenance as they sit through our lessons. As I gave the biscuits out today, some students said "God bless you". Far from making me feel good, I felt uncomfortable that the simple act of buying and giving out some biscuits - had elicited such a reaction. I felt it was undeserved. The act of giving for me was too easy - the receivers so grateful for something that had required little effort on my part, other than buying the biscuits.
I should add that none of these Students were malnourished or 'starving' in the true sense of the word. They just were so hungry from having travelled to the school in the early hours and not eating until the evening.
One last thought: one thing which really struck me was how the students were willing to share their biscuits. Some were broken in half or even quarters, which they shared with others. Imagine a Rich Tea biscuit being broken up and you can understand how small these halves and quarters were.
Another reminder of the harsh realities of a developing country.
To read more about Rob's trip to Rwanda please visit Rob's Blog









