There won't be snow in Rwanda this Christmas...

...but there will be sun, rain, hail and frost on the plants in the morning!
It's been another busy month, schools are on long holidays so I've been putting my efforts into other things, mainly painting classrooms (even though I'm not too good at it!) and doing some more primary teacher training in the schools where I know the student teachers will visit on internship in January. Lots of resources made, Fanta drunk, melange's eaten and laughs and smiles all round when I treat adults like primary children, to try to encourage them to run and touch the board as fast as they can or roar like lions!

I've been patiently awaiting a parcel from my mum containing things to make Rwanda feel a bit more Christmassy and had a phonecall to say it had arrived - only to be told, that was a different post office, somewhere else in Rwanda and a week later as I expectantly go to see the man who speaks no English in the "iposita" he shakes his head to tell me it's still not here. Nevermind, the expectation is sometimes better than the parcel (as I have found in other parts of the world) - unless it contains chocolate - then it rocks!

Sadly, it has also been a month of goodbyes :-(  Megan, Suzanne and Lisa all went back home to enjoy Christmas with their families, as have many volunteers for a short period. Unfortunately though, these lovely ladies will not be returning (unless on holiday). It's great to have met them and made memories together! Also, any excuse to got he the capital city and blow my volunteers allowance on amazing food and drink and have a hot shower (or not!) is greatly appreciated.

 Catherine loves the elephant I painted, soooo much!
Helping out with Save the Children ECE training at the Anglican guesthouse!

 Possibly the most expensive weekend I've had in Kigali for eating and drinking! I was even told I've got "fatter" on Monday - must have been the prawns, burgers, mashed potatoes, chips, wine, martinis, dessert and good company I had.

 Discussing with a moto driver 'Danny" about Christmas food, I explained that a bird is traditional but here I wouldn't know where to begin. He proceeded to tell me about where to get a live bird in the market, bring it home, chop the neck, put it in hot water and pluck the feathers before removing the insides. I said, if he was willing to do all that, I'd cook dinner and he could eat with us - he agreed - so this festive lunch could be interesting!

December 5th was International Volunteers Day, so the few of us who could make it from around Rwanda planted some trees, listened to speeches, testimonies, watched great gymnastic and Intore dancing performances and were thanked by a nice gentleman for volunteering in Rwanda - on behalf of the President and the whole country!

GOOD TIMES - Bring on Christmas with the crazy crew!