As of this writing, all schools and daycares remain closed in Rwanda because of the coronavirus. A new directive is expected the first of October.
Masks are to be worn in public, social distancing must be respected at all times and washing hands is mandatory.
Weddings, burials and church services are limited to 30 people. Bars are closed. There is a 7 p.m. curfew on the streets for foot traffic. Private cars can be used for transportation anytime, but public transport has stopped.
Shocking news
September finished with a frightening event. The night guard knocked on my house window in the middle of the night and announced there was a problem. Oliver (dental gal), who lives in my house, came rushing into my bedroom/office exclaiming, “Mama, thieves!” This was a rough way to wake up.
I thought at first I was dreaming and, if so, it was a bad dream. You guessed it. It was not a dream. Robbers had entered my home by breaking a small hole in the front door window, just big enough to reach in to get the key from the inside lock of the door. Using the key, he --”I think it was a he because a woman could not scale the wall around the compound -- entered and invaded my privacy and my home.
I woke and followed Oliver into the front room to see broken glass on the floor, the door open and the guard standing inside. What had the thieves come for? Returning to my room, I soon found out. Well, to make a long story short, gone is my personal computer, a MacBook Air laptop, from a stand beside my bed. From the desk, gone are two office computers, my Amazon Fire (a gift from a dear friend) and my new phone. My old phone had finally given up the ghost, and I had to purchase a new one.
I was stunned. I know I was in shock. This could not happen. Unbelievable.The compound swarmed with people for the rest of the night. The night guards who were outwitted by the thieves.Their boss Benjamin was first on the scene. Then came my secretary Eric and his uncle; executive director Jean Marie; and HR person Juliette and her husband. Observing the pandemic rules, her husband wore a mask. I did not recognize him. Juliette did not say he’s my husband. She said he’s Edison’s father (tradition in Rwanda). Last but not least, the police arrived. The police deduced that someone inside the compound helped the thief or at least gave the thief information.
I don’t want to believe it was an inside job, but certainly the thief had to know my house well. Knowing the key was left in the inside door lock at night, which room was mine, where the computers were in the room and where the night guards were as they patrol at irregular times was no accident.
For me the realization of the danger I had been in became real when over and over my employees and neighbors came saying, “Thank God, Mummy, you did not wake up and you are alive.”
New steps have been taken to safeguard me and my home. A bit like locking the barn after the horses have been stolen. Restoring my sense of security will take much longer.
So many suffer because of the coronavirus pandemic, and many are desperate. This desperation has led to desperate measures. I hope the thief is feeding a family with the proceeds gained by selling the computers, etc. The theft is then at least doing some good.
Worship news
Our community choir is made up of mainly children under 12 years. The rule during the pandemic is no child under 12 can attend worship and those over 12 years must be accompanied by a parent. That is not always possible, so they cannot come. Pastor Yves went to visit them. They gathered in their village and had a Bible study.
Bible study
Pastor Yves then presented each child with a packet of biscuits (cookies). Some of the children asked for cookies for a sibling at home, so they are holding up two packets. The remaining biscuits in the box (86 pieces total) were then given to other children in that community. Sharing the love of Jesus and the sweets made many children happy.
Pastor Yves, the choir leader and our church member Claver, wearing masks, were joined by some of the kids in a photo. We welcomed Claver into our church family this year by baptism.
Special visitors
A very proud papa. Benjamin, our maintenance manager, brought his daughters to visit Mama. Benj also has two sons, but papas and their daughters in every family are very special. Ange is 10 years, and Josianne is 18 months. Mama gave the girls each a packet of cookies (green packet) and sent two for the brothers. The three older children are students at Urukundo Learning Center.
Life without school
Here’s an update on what is going on in the life of Claude, our 13-year-old secondary (junior high) school student.
With opening schools still on hold and the music program finished until school opens, Claude wanted something to keep him busy. He has always liked the farm and the animals there. Yep, he is becoming a farmer.
Theresa, manager of the Sewing Center, made him a coverall to protect his regular clothes. Urukundo bought him a pair of boots, and he was ready to work.
Feeding and watering chickens takes up a lot of his day.
Claude said he does not like the pigs, and the cows are very big. I understand that. These broilers will be ready for market soon.
The cowboy is in the teaching mode, and Claude is the student. Being friends with the cowboy is very important. Cows are honored in Rwanda and being a cowboy is also an honored position.
The farm got a great helper, and Claude has a learning experience to his credit.
Farm update
The pandemic has made us more aware of the need to have earned income and to be self-sustaining. The farm has the most potential as food is a necessary commodity all the time, no matter the circumstances. For some time now, we have looked for ways to improve the farm. Thanks to special donations designated for the farm, our buildings have been made safer for our animals and more day-old chicks have been purchased.
Removing buildings that are no longer usable to make room for our expanding poultry production is a step needed. Demolition is a part of improvement.
Benjamin, our maintenance manager (in the red hat), and his crew of three carefully remove the roof tiles. They will be given as promised to the woman who sold us this piece of farmland. It has been a long time coming and she has been patient.
We used the building as a place to store bulk food for animals. Finally, after feeding mice, other larger rodents, birds, and heaven knows what other creatures who stole our animal food, this old shed is coming down. It is a mud-brick structure. Mud here is red. Age and weather also have also taken their toll.
We now store animal food in this well-constructed building.
There are screens on the windows to keep out birds. There is a door that closes to keep out uninvited guests. It’s definitely a safer place to store animal food and necessary wood chips for baby chicks.
There is a story connected to the old building.
This was the only building on the piece of land when we bought it 14 years ago. The older woman, Esperance, who sold it to us, wanted the tiles from the roof. Now, I ask you, what good would a building be without a roof? I refused, but I promised her when we tore down the building, we would give her the tiles.
For several years she came almost every week to make sure we had not taken the building down and kept the tiles. She was keeping her eye on her roof tiles. I don’t blame her. I was determined to keep my promise to her. That was my first direction when the old building was to come down: “Remove the tiles carefully and call the lady and let her know she can come for her promised tiles.” Bless her heart. She came to see if it was for real and when all the tiles were removed, she and helpers loaded the tiles into a truck and took them away. She was very pleased that at last, the tiles were hers.
Yes, now 14 years later, the dear lady has her roof tiles. We have kept our promise.
The roof is off. The tiles are gone. Progress in action.
The mud-brick, shed-type building was in bad shape when we purchased the land. The rodents in this building were a danger to our baby chicks. No more predators.
All that remains.
In closing
The coronavirus has made life a trying time here in Rwanda and in other countries.
We are all in this together.
Do your best to stay healthy and stay safe.
This too shall pass.
When? I do not know.
Mama
Fun with photography
Keeping kids busy during the time of no school has been challenging for Urukundo’s staff. We used music for some and photography for others. Give a kid a camera and an interesting experience takes place, not just for the kid but also for the mama (me). I have two cameras I protect with my life. It was hard to give the cameras to the kids, but it was necessary. I am pleased to say they took care of the cameras as I would myself.
I am no judge of photography, but I know what I like, and I like their ideas of good photography. They are very creative and artistic. I have chosen just a few to share. I am sharing these photos taken by the kids, without comment.
Your comments would be appreciated, please.
I repeat, comments, please. Photography for art’s sake.
Thoughts for the month
In closing, I share my thoughts for the month with you.
Let our hearts and eyes see and appreciate all the beauty around us.
Let us see the wonders of our world through the eyes of a child.
Mama