Friends Of Rwanda Aid News No. 13. November 2009

Dear Friends, We hopped over to Nkombo yesterday, as we heard that the PM was visiting the island, and that he had expressed interest in our housing project. We soon realised that this was a big event, when we bumped into a small contingent of the Rwandan Army as we parked up for the "ferry". And this was no ordinary Nkombo ferry; it had a motor! As we landed on the island, we were greeted by ladies and children singing and dancing - was it for the Mzungu, or the Prince, I wondered? As we were ahead of the appointed time for PM visit (noon), we inspected the latest phase of Progressive Housing. Damascene is doing a fine job, taking on board comments made at previous visit and implementing them without fuss; he hopes to complete all by mid December… will keep you posted. At around 12.30pm (some would say fashionably late: we said TIA .. This Is Africa) we made our way to the meeting ground - in the Primary School (aka construction site). Nkombo seems to only have 2 weather options - bright sun and blisteringly hot or lashing with rain. We were grateful to have the former weather option, for the first hour, as we chatted with some of the locals. Moving onto the second hour of waiting, even Prince was getting a little hot and bothered - so you can imagine my colour! By way of distraction, another Muzungu appeared, and sheltered around the marquee. I loitered my way over, introduced myself (and Rwanda Aid, of course) and enquired of his interest. He was from the civil service, seconded to the Rwandan Government for a year, working in the PM's office. When I remarked that Nkombo was quite a day trip, he advised that they were down here for a few days - tomorrow to Bugarama, then Friday to Ntendezi. I started to inform him about the Childrens' Village, the Daily Telegraph article etc, when his colleague, enquired if we knew about Ngwino Nawe, as they were scheduled to visit! The assembled crowd were still hanging around patiently, totally un-bothered; however, we felt that 2 hours waiting was enough for (especially a Prince & a Muzungu) and with 2.30pm upon us, and no lunch, we decided to pack it in. Wandering back down the "main street" to the boat, we noticed a rather large group approaching us - many suits, golfing umbrellas and cameras a-clicking. The Prime Minister had just stopped in front of a building site, where one of our Progressive Houses was going up!!! He wandered over spoke briefly with Damascene, and then chatted with the lady volunteer worker, who was the recipient. Collete, was somewhat horrified by all the attention, in the middle of this suited group some thirty strong, but she put on a brave face - and then managed a few smiles for the cameras! Collette with the PM, Berrnard Makuza - her t-shirt reads "Party like an animal!" Armed with the Building Plans, I made my way to into the throng. Rather than being sidelined, Peter the Executive Secretary thrust me forward, to explain to the PM the concept behind the Progressive Houses. The PM was very receptive, as I briefed him on the innovative ideas and sustainable features that were incorporated in these houses. We continued walking and talking, such that I even had time to inform him of my Design Competition for Sustainable Housing on Nkombo, and the website, which was now receiving attention from all corners of the world! Not only did he manage to stay awake, but he also seemed interested, and agreed that it was a very worthwhile project. We are now preparing for his visit to Ntendezi - Therese has gone to Kigali to get her hair done (maybe I should follow?), and Prince has dusted off his (neo-leather) jacket Friday 20th November and another auspicious day beckoned. After the excitement of reading the Daily Telegraph article on the Disabled Children's Village (see link below) earlier in the week (Monday), followed by bumping into the Prime Minister on Nkombo Island on Wednesday, we hear that the PM is continuing his tour of the Western Province, with a visit to Ntendezi on Friday! And to top it all, whilst on Nkombo I "casually informed" one of the PM's staff that Rwanda Aid had recently completed a facility for disabled children at Ntendezi, he replied that "Is that Ngwino Nawe, as we're visiting on Friday?" Quelle chance! Learning from our previous (waiting) experience, we (Prince, Muzungu & Nicky) arrive an hour later than the appointed time - much to the chagrin of Madame Therese, the CV Manageress. The place was looking fantastic - the outside concrete block walls had been painted pink (actually, let's call it terracotta), banners were hanging around the walls (including the brilliant arts workshop posters), and we were greeted by Alphonsine (one of the "Aunts") rehearsing with the assembled children. A short-ish while later, we realised the PM must be close by, as the military presence increased dramatically, followed by a number of suits wearing "Protocol" badges - I never did work out what their role was. Then the man arrived - the Rt. Hon. Bernard Makuza - with a full entourage. The children positively leapt into action, singing and dancing. Therese wasted no time, talking the assembled mass through the displays, and then talking some more. The PM toured the CV, showing genuine interest and concern and making encouraging remarks (I don't think he noticed the leaking guttering, phew!). He was then introduced to all the Carers ("Aunts"), resplendent in their finest clothes, and also the token couple of muzungus (ie Nicky & I), dressed as smartly as their Rwanda 'wardrobe' would allow. It was pleasing that he recognised me from Nkombo a couple of days ago (but then again, mine was probably the only white face he saw on the island that day), and enquired further of the work that Rwanda Aid did in the Districts of Rusizi and Nyamsheke. His entry in the Visitors Book was most encouraging, saying how "he (the Govt.) wants to help in future" (see transcript below). "I thank you very much those who take the initiative to implement this Education Centre specially for taking care of handicapped children and helping them to have a good life, through the art in order to support themselves. This good example should be supported." Whilst I had considered taking advantage of the captive visitor and reiterating our request for tax exemption on all our building projects, I decided upon a more prudent approach, and passed him a copy of the recent Daily Telegraph article instead. It appeared to be well received - and hopefully by now he will have arranged for someone to have read it for him! After further singing and dancing, loads more photos, he was gone. The visit lasted close to an hour, and was such a fantastic occasion (and boost) for all the CV staff and the kids - truly wonderful. And there I was, thinking that the excitement was all over, when a rather large and loudly spoken (& loudly dressed too) chap started talking to me about TVA exemption - I presumed he had just been reading my mind. It transpired that the chap was the Honorable Minister of Local Government (Hon. Christophe Bazivamo), who actually remembered receiving our letter for TVA exemption the previous week! Whilst the MoU with MinALoc was not signed on the spot, he did give us his personal mobile phone number. Enough excitement for one week, the mosquito net beckons - what will next week bring? President Paul Kagame inspecting the renovations at Murangi House?? Tony Blair (on one his numerous promotional visits to developing countries) checking on Cyriack's bio-briquette handiwork??? Or, at even lesser odds, a container of books, perhaps??…?? Your Munezero correspondents Prince & Muzungu at Children's Village (aka Martyn & Prince, starring Therese - & Nicky too)