V is for VACCINATION

Every Friday is vaccination day at my health center. Anywhere between ten and one hundred children who are anywhere from a day to a year old come in with their mothers for vaccinations against polio, rotavirus, tuberculosis, and measles just to name a few. For a great blog post about vaccinations in Rwanda, check out the Peace Corps Rwanda Gender and Development Group blog for a post written by my good friend, Rita.

U is for UMUGANGA

Umuganga is the word in Kinyarwanda for doctor or nurse. Over the last two years, I have met some really incredible and inspiring abaganga who ensure the health and future of all Rwandans.

T is for TEACHER

Anne Marie is a local secondary school teacher, co-adviser/teacher to our youth club, my Kinyarwanda teacher, and a great friend for the last two years.

S is for SHORTWAVE RADIO

my trusty radio

This post could also be titled ‘Alma loves BBC World Service’.

I spend what sometimes seems like hours searching the shortwaves to pick up something I understand. Every once in a while, I come across Radio National Espanola, which is always a treat. But more often than not, I listen to BBC.

I feel a very special connection to the World Briefing and Focus on Africa broadcasters who I listen to religiously. Living by myself, I’ve almost come to think of Marion Marshall and Harriet Gilbert as friends. After a long day of work, I come home, turn on the radio and ask, “how was the day today?”... and they tell me!

Saturday mornings in village are particularly lovely because I sleep in (7:30AM), heat some water for coffee, maybe make biscuits, and listen to the BBC. Later, I’ll spend some time cleaning the house, all while listening to lovely British voices telling me about the world. Besides the news, shows like The Strand and Witness are particularly interesting. 

My absolute favorite is From Our Own Correspondent. This show features small stories from the BBC correspondents around the world. Subjects range from summer camps in the US to beggars in the DRC. 

R is for RWANDA

Land of a thousand hills... 

Q is for QUESTION

I ask a lot of questions. I believe very strongly in the power of asking questions. What will you learn if you don’t ask questions? How can progress take place if people don’t question the status quo?

Students from the secondary school youth club

So, you can imagine my dilemma when I realized that in Kinyarwanda, the word for question, icibazo, is also the word for problem. In Rwanda, a question is often considered a problem. One of my greatest victories comes when I hear students in the youth club I helped organize exclaim, "Teacher! Question!". 

P is for PEACE CORPS

For those interested in the Peace Corps, I've added a new page to my blog... check out the link above.