Violation of Moto Code

Today I was walking and saw a mzungu (white person) clearly violating the unwritten moto code.

She was violating code number 6 which (no so) clearly states "hold on to the bar behind you (not the driver)". Yep that is right...she was holding on to the driver!!

I might not know all the unwritten codes of Rwanda yet but I am learning. I am very glad I know the moto code!

Big School

Green Hills is down a little hill and on top of it (on the road) is a store/restaurant. I went in and could see part of the school.
All of the buildings with blue roofs are part Green Hills:
The far right, three story building is the main office and some secondary classrooms.
Moving left, the building that looks like stairs, is the 5-6 grade classes, art and computer lab
In front, the canopy is where the kids line up to go home
Then there is a play ground
The long strip of classrooms are the 1-2 grade classes
Then some grass and sand
Just past the trees are the 3-4 grade classes and my office

What you cannot see in the pictures is my classroom (which is to the left), a playground, dinning hall (behind secondary building, down the hill) the nursery, gym and football (soccer) field.

Tea and Bread

I love bread and here in Rwanda it comes in all forms. Tonight we had chapatti. It is like pizza dough but better! And of course we drank it with tea. It is more like chi and is delicious.

(a picture soon to come; when the internet is a little faster)

Dry or Rainy

Currently we are in Dry Season but it rained today. It was nice to have rain but it was so cold! I wore a long sleeve shirt and a jacket to work today and pants. I took the jacket off after a while but still...It's supposed to be hot.

I'm not complaining though...it is great sleeping weather :)

First Day

Today was the first day of school for students.

Half way through 2nd period it all sunk in... I had the realization that there really is not much for children with special needs.

Sure, I have been talking about it for a while now but it was not a reality until a student got over stimulated while in class and it all could have been prevented with basic knowledge of autism and could have been stopped with a schedule, a weighted vest, a squishy ball, or even a picture.

That is when it hit me: I am not just teaching children with special needs but I am teaching the aids how work with children with disabilities, giving basic knowledge to classroom teachers on how to teach and writing lesson plans without any type of curriculum (then teaching the aids how to administer the lesson so I can assess other children).

The visionary in me can see a great program for special education but the practical part of me is focused on the details. For now I need to remember to be patient and enjoy the challenges as they come because I know it will all work out in the end.

Green Hills Academy

I have always had a passion for children with special needs and God has called me here to Rwanda to share my passion with others. There are so many things that can be, or rather need to be, done for children with special needs; like an integrated school with educated teachers for children with disabilities. But before this can be done, I need to learn about the education system, the culture, find resources and the language of Rwanda.

The amazing part is, God knew I had to learn some things before He can use me to help others. He has given me the opportunity to work at Green Hills Academy. This school has created a new program called Special Needs and they have asked me to be the Special Needs Coordinator. What a perfect opportunity to learn and grow!

As much as I want to be in the village helping the children there, I have to remember that to better help the village, I need to learn some things first. God has put me here and I trust He knows what he is doing.

Tuesday is the first day the students come! I have many students on my case load and more to come. It will be a crazy day but I am excited to dive into things. Here is my classroom:It is a cirlce room with a little extention in the back and the decorations are in proccess :)

Traditional Wedding

Here in Rwanda weddings are a very big celebration. There are three parts: civil, traditional, ceremony (in that order).

Dorah's (my house-mate) best friend, Alice, had her traditional wedding today. I got a chance to go. This is when the groom's family asks the bride's family for her hand in marriage. They often offer cows, wine or money for the bride. They wear a traditional dress as well.

Me, Kaitlyn (an intern), Alice (the bride), Dorah (my house-mate)

Met some Kids!

I went to Kayonza that is the village where the school is going to go. I was able to talk to two families that have children with special needs. One child is deaf and the other is mentally handicap but high functioning. I got a great idea of who the child is and how they function at home.

The other kids in neighborhood are not nice to the children with special needs but in my short time there I was able to push back the stigma that having a disability is not bad. We are all created with a purpose and in God's image so be nice to everyone.


This is where the school is going to go!!

Tips for Moto Rides

There is public transportation here; bus, taxi, moto (motorcycle), bicycle.

The best way to travel to and from my house is by moto.

Tips:

1) hsss like a snake and wave hello like you would to a baby

2) try your best to pronounce the neighborhood you are going to

3) say 'you know ____' insert big land mark they might know

4) confirm cost (you can haggle a little)

5) take helmet and get on

6) hold on to the bar behind you (not the driver)

Because I am a female and I am white the moto drivers tend to drive a little safer with me on the bak but I do not mind that at all.

My Room

Here is a video of my room.

Click here: My Room in Rwanda

Enjoy!

Meet Dorah

This is Dorah. She is my house mate. Dorah is a few years older than me and works for the company in Rwanda that imports and exports goods. Along with her full time job she is going to school to get a degree in business. She attends the church I go to and really loves the Lord. I am excited (and lucky) to be her house mate.

Maddy Made it Safe!!!!

Maddy just called - she is safely in Rwanda - Picked up by Jen (thanks) and they took her many, many bags to her new home - Now they are at Church for end of Day camp!!!

Maddy will get a phone and internet soon - and will be posting then - but I wanted everyone to know she is there safe!!!! She slept a lot on flights and is not exhausted from travels so can enjoy the day!

Thanks everyone for all the prayers - it is hard to watch your daughter follow God so far from home but so proud of all she has done and is doing - Please post comments to her when you can so she knows how much she is loved and supported!!!!

Have a Happy Day! Sandy

Lots of Bags

~ 8 bags at 50lb each are being checked

~ 2 bags are coming with me

~ And pictures of my family and friends

I think I might be ready to move to Rwanda! Crazy!! I cannot believe it is already time.

I have been talking about moving to Africa since I was in 6th grade and in 10hrs I will be on my way. Africa...here I come.

One More Day!?

Thank you for all of the encouragement that you all have shown.

After two days of errands, one tank of gas, and five suitcases I am finally finished with my 'to do' list. Hurray!

Even though my stomach is in knots I am very excited to make the move to Africa!

Send Off

Today is a big day!

My church family prayed for what God is having me do in Rwanda.

Family and friends are coming over to say good bye.

It will be great to see everyone but will be hard to say good bye. With God's strength we can do it together.

Jr. Highers

The Jr. Highers at Bloomingdale Church are Awesome! They are very supportive of what God has called me to do in Rwanda.
Hannah and Kaitlyn even made pants saying they are praying for me!

Going to miss you guys!

Packing Already??

Yep, that's right!

I have stated packing for Africa.

It is a big task moving to another country and I am not sure if 2 weeks is enough time to pack but I will take what I can and leave or get ride of the rest.

Well, I have not actually put things into bags yet but I have started to stage my belongs to decide what stays and what goes......in other words I am making a big mess of all my stuff :)

Home Again

I am back home from Alaska and hit the ground running.

For those of you that do not know, my sister had brain surgery this past week. The doctors took out the part of her brain that was causing her to have seizures. She woke up after the surgery and is doing very well. After a week in the hospital she came home today!

There will be a recovery period; learning a few things over again but, she is doing great.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for her. Please continue to keep Mallory in your prayers.

Mallory and Me

Maddy Face

You may or may not know but there is a silly face named after me. Yep, that's right, it is called The Maddy Face.And after just a few days with Lexi she learned the Maddy Face! She is so cute :D

Up in the Mountains

This is the plane I got to fly in: My uncle flew it and I was the co-pilot. I even got to fly for a few minutes!
We flew through the mountains. It was beautiful!

Snow...

Grass...
Glacier...

It was so cool!! Thanks Uncle Steve!!