Photos of me from the wedding!

Me and a little boy who was part of the ceremony. We are both wearing traditional dress for the dowry ceremony



Me in my bridesmaid dress for the church ceremony



Traditional dress, the sash is made from banana leaves!

Hi all,

I hope you are all keeping well.  At the moment the long rainy seasons seems to have started so it’s quite wet in the afternoons and evenings and it is quite cold.  Not as cold as Ireland gets obviously but cold for Rwanda.

Last weekend, I was bridesmaid at a Rwandan friend’s wedding.  It was an amazing experience.  Friday, I had to go to Kigali to the salon to have my hair done.  I was anxious about what I was letting myself in for but in the end all they did was straighten my hair.  I also had my nails polished so all in all it was just like wedding preparations at home.  After the salon we went to the wedding shop where all the clothes for the wedding are rented from.  Everything is rented!  One girl was in charge of making lists of the ties, jewellery, dresses et cetera that would be used for the wedding and returned afterwards.

It was quite late when we left Kigali to head back to Ngororero.  Everyone was in good spirits as we set off and there was drinking and singing as we travelled back.  We were stopped twice by the police for long periods of time.  This was because we were carrying bags and bags of stuff for the wedding on the seats and apparently this isn’t allowed.  We eventually made it “home” after midnight.  It was straight to bed for me as I had an early start the next morning as I was to be at the bride’s house at eight.

The next morning I woke up to no electricity.  This meant my hair had to do as it was since I could re-straighten it.  I headed down the road after a quick breakfast.  I had never been to the bride’s house before but it was instantly recognisable as there was a flurry of activity in the garden and a huge marquee.  I was greeted in the house by 3 generations of the family.  Everyone was preparing for the celebrations ahead. 

More on the wedding to follow soon! I thought I better get some pictures up quickly as I've had lots of requests.

Back to Ngororero

Hi all,

I’m sorry it’s been so long.  Since last writing I’ve been home to Ireland and I spent a fortnight in Kigali.  I just arrived back in Ngororero last Sunday night.  I was met with a great welcome.  Here when you haven’t seen someone in a long time you greet them by pressing your temples against theirs.  I was a bit thrown the first time but now I’ve got it figured out.  Also, because of all the rain recently there are lots of flowers in bloom in my garden.  I will try to post a photo!  I was given a present of solar powered fairy light so once I get them up I will have the prettiest garden in Ngororero. 

Since I left there have been a lot of changes here.  There is a hotel being built, it is going up very quickly!  I reckon soon Ngororero will be added to the guidebooks as one of the most beautiful places in Rwanda!   Also there is an extension being added to the district office.  Things change very quickly here.

It was lovely being at home for Christmas.  I was especially happy to be able to visit all the pupils in Aston Village!  It was great to meet the teachers, parents, old pupils, new pupils, future pupils and of course Santa!  I got a great welcome!  I look forward to being back there in September! 

Because of the bad weather, I didn’t make it to see the girls in Room 26, St. Mary’s NS but I hope they liked the gift I sent them.   

It was also really nice to see my family and friends.  It was really lovely to be at home in Mayo for Christmas.  It was lovely to experience some winter weather after what feels like months and months of summer.  I was sad to leave Ireland behind but I am happy to be back in Rwanda to continue my work here.

I have spent the past 2 weeks in Kigali helping out with a research project.  The research will examine early grade reading and maths skills in Rwanda.  3000 pupils will be tested in 50 schools.  It was very exciting to be involved in this project.  Before Christmas, I was involved in adapting the assessments for Rwanda and the past two weeks I was training people to carry out the assessments.  It was a very exciting time.  The highlight for me was visiting schools in Kigali and supervising the assessors carrying out the assessments.  The results of the research will be used to help decide on future spending in education.    

Yesterday was a bank holiday.  It was the Heroes’ day.  There were celebrations held in the village.  I spent the day collecting my suitcase from Gitarama.  It took 2 motorbikes (one for me and one for the suitcase) to get them up the hill to my house.

This morning on the way to work I was asked to be a bridesmaid! I’m thrilled.  I’m not sure yet what will be involved but I’m sure I’ll have to lots to write about it in my next blog.  In Rwanda before the religious ceremony there is a dowry ceremony.    I’m not sure exactly what happens but I do know that there is a cow involved!  I’ll be sure to gather all the information I can so I can describe what happens to you all!

That’s all for now!

All the best,

Pauline

PS Rory is keeping well but I’ve been advised he needs another rabbit to keep him company!