Goodbyes and a new hello from Rwanda

Steps being made on BLF

Those working on the BLF programme, including myself, have been lucky enough to observe the change that is slowly setting in. Although subtle ‘pushing’ is still needed, the percentage of people who need pushing is on the decline. I’ve found that teachers and headteachers now understand the importance and necessity of BLF activities and are positively implementing its methods.

Slowly but surely, new teaching methodologies are replacing the old ones. The Rwandan Government has attempted to change the teaching language to English from French and Kinyarwanda (the official language of Rwanda) since 2008. The move is intended to strengthen Rwanda’s ties to its English speaking east-African neighbours. It’s essential that learners understand what is being taught, and it’s difficult for primary school learners to understand English, which is not their mother tongue.

If teaching is done entirely in English, nothing will be learnt. It must be accepted that change is to come gradually. The switch to English has been a tricky and slow process to navigate but there’s been some positive steps made and, because of BLF, teachers can now try to teach in English with the help of our training and mentoring.

Saying farewell to Rwanda and great friends

Work on BLF forges on but it’s time for me to go back to India and be reunited with my loved ones. My time in Rwanda has been both memorable and rewarding. I’ve learnt so much and I’ve changed as a person - my acceptance and power of resilience has increased two folds. I’ve learnt that every human-being you meet understands the language of humanity – which is universal – and that is something special. Three key words that would best describe my time in Rwanda would be respect, acceptance, and teamwork. When I’m home, I plan to collect my thoughts and focus on how I can use my knowledge and skills effectively for those who are in need of it the most.

Thank you so much for following my BLF journey, it’s been amazing having the opportunity to write to you. I wanted to say goodbye and thank you from my heart in person (well, video!). It’s because of generous supporters like you that every nation has the chance to develop. Myself and so many others are able to do what we’re doing thanks to you. So, THANK YOU to all those kind hearts out there.

I really will never forget my time here in Rwanda and the incredible people I’ve met along the way. My experience would not have been the same without fellow volunteer and now great friend, Deanna, by my side. Our last trip was to the Twin Lakes in the district of Burera. We camped on the bank of the lake and enjoyed boat rides, campfires, tasty food, and serenity. Deanna has plans to visit India and I will be very glad to see her again and welcome her to my home country.

Like myself, Deanna is also leaving Rwanda to fly back home to the UK. Deanna would like to share a final update with you too.

Hi, it's me, Deanna!

Working as an Inclusive Education Advisor (IEA) in Rwanda has overall been an eye-opening experience. I have supported the SNECOs (Special Needs Education Coordinators) in their training of headteachers and ‘focal teachers’, who are the selected lead of Special Needs Education in each school. The feedback I have received has been so positive. They’ve told me that BLF has not only helped them identify the needs of pupils, but also with strategies on how to support them.

The Inclusive Education (IE) Toolkits that I worked on are now in schools, and training continues on the practical implementations of IE. There’s still a lot of work to do with the focal teachers, but the evidence of change can be seen in schools, whereby teachers are now understanding that the needs of many children can be addressed with the right intervention.

I have also heard much positive feedback on school visits. A focal teacher told me that before BLF, many students with disabilities were not attending school. Teachers and school leaders weren’t skilled on the ways to teach and treat students with disabilities and learning difficulties. Community members had the mindset that children with disabilities had to be enrolled in special schools only, but now they are attending regular schools due to the support BLF has provided.

I’ve also heard optimistic and encouraging feedback from parents. One mother explained that her child was enrolled in a deaf school but after she failed to afford the school fees and transport for her, she learnt that there is another school BLF support with IE. She decided to enrol her child there because she heard that the SNECOs came to give support on teaching children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The mother said that as an outcome, her child is performing better compared to where she was before – which was amazing to hear! I thought this was so heart-warming and it’s truly down to the generosity you show to VSO that incredible progress like this can happen.

A visit from the CEO

A month or so ago, VSO CEO, Phillip Goodwin, came to visit Rwanda. He visited Kayonza, the district that I live in, where I had the privilege to meet him during a meeting with the mayor. He was such a genuine person who showed great understanding of the challenges the mayor had raised and was able to discuss how these challenges could be overcome. I was really pleased to know that VSO has Phillip’s positivity leading the organisation.

A goodbye from me

I’m sad that my time in Rwanda has come to an end but before I go, I’m really excited to have my son come out to visit me, where I can introduce him to life out here before we fly home together. The most fundamental thing I’ve learnt is that you do not need much to achieve a lot. People in Rwanda have little compared to the UK, but they have motivation and resilience, and that is truly inspiring to witness. I’ve learnt to be flexible, imaginative, and realistic in my role as IEA which I will take with me to any role I participate in moving forward.

Bornali and I will keep in contact for sure, she’s become a great friend. On our last trip together to the Twin Lakes, we shared a tent and we were like a couple of school girls on a sleepover, chatting throughout the night whilst enjoying the scenery around us! Before we go our separate ways, we’re going to have early birthday celebrations together as we’ll miss each other’s.

In 2020, I had a trip planned to travel around India which was cancelled due to Covid. I still wish to visit India as my ancestors came from there, so now that I know Bornali too, I have decided that within the near future I will visit India and see Bornali in her homeland!

Thank you so much for making a difference. Your donations have helped to provide international professionals like myself with the opportunity to use our knowledge and skills to support Rwanda in developing its education system. We’ll be able to leave our national colleagues with the knowledge to allow them to continue developing the programme.

Meet your new BLF volunteer

Although this will sadly be the last time you hear from Bornali and I, we’ll be leaving you in the capable hands of another volunteer moving forwards, who’ll be bringing you their own news from the field.

Whilst it’s always sad to say goodbye, I hope our updates have shown the bright future ahead for Rwanda’s education system thanks to the BLF programme. Seeing the difference that the work has made first hand has been wonderful – and none of it would be possible without you. Thank you so much for your continual support and for helping to ensure no child gets left behind in education.

Watch this space for an exciting update from your new volunteer!

Take care and best wishes,

Deanna Faria and Bornali Ghosh

VSO Inclusive Education Advisor, VSO School Leadership Advisor