Thursday, 13 October 2011

Introducing Kiberinka

This week, I have been busy meeting the staff at schools where the previous volunteer worked.  All of the schools have been incredibly welcoming, but at one of them they went that little bit further... I first met the Headteacher of this school on a bus to Kigali.  It was completely unplanned, but he was delighted to meet me, so I promptly made use of the meeting to arrange a visit to his school.  The day before my visit, I sent a reminder text and received the most welcoming text in response stating how much they were looking forward to greeting me.
After a very difficult 55minute moto ride over some of the bumpiest roads known to human kind, I arrived at the school.  The Headteacher came out to greet me and then took me to the staff room to meet some of the teachers who were there.  As soon as I walked in there was an excited buzz and conversation between the four staff.  Although my language skills were improving, I had no idea what was being discussed, but I recognised the word for “name”.  Then I remembered that Louise had advised me I would most probably be given a special name upon arrival.  I had not realised this would happen so fast, I thought it would take more time – you know...maybe they would get to know me first and then name me.  But Ladislas was laughing and he said to me “We have a name!”  “Oh,” I said “What is it?” “It is Kiberinka!” He was very pleased about this.  “Yego, yego!” said the staff in the room, nodding their heads in agreement.  It was with a certain amount of anxiety that I asked what this name meant.  “It means the one who will fetch a very good bride price.  We could get a good dowry for you.  You would be worth many cows.”  I thought about this, and then decided I should be flattered about the name.  Ladislas proceeded to tell me I was beautiful, so I told him he was my new best friend and I was delighted with my new name.
Special cow dance
I was then taken into every single classroom in the school.  In each one, I was introduced as “A friend – not a visitor” and each class either sang me a welcome song, or clapped for me, or asked me difficult questions.  I was made to feel very welcome.  There followed a 90minute meeting with all of the teachers where we discussed how we could work together and what they would like me to do and then the Headteacher and Deputy ate some mandazi and drank fanta with me.  Before I knew it, it was time to go home.  My moto driver, Mutoni, was told my new name and was very pleased for me.  I later informed my DEO (District Education Officer) of my new name and he agreed it was good and suggested I would probably be able to fetch at least 40 cows if I were to get married.  Not only 40 cows, but my Dad would be allowed to choose the cows so he had the best of the herd.  Maybe it’s time to buy that milk quota back, Dad!

1 comment:

  1. its a long tractor ride from rwanda to the creamery

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