Week 1

It may not feel like it, but I have actually only been here for 8 days. But starting from the beginning: the first 2 days of my stay were characterized by leisure. Since our regional coordinator, seminar leader (and my boss) Domy either didn't feel like it, was too hungover, or too busy during those days, our 'on-arrival seminar' was postponed multiple times. Not that it bothered us. We had plenty of time to get to know our surroundings, with the very friendly help of our predecessors and other volunteers who were still on-site. For example, they assisted us in acquiring 'moto-taxis', the primary means of transportation in Kigali – mopeds or motorcycles that disregard the traffic rules that are at least common in Germany. As a white person, one can undoubtedly expect to pay significantly more, although for a 10-minute ride it generally only amounts to about 70 cents. We got SIM cards, had coffee, and attended the farewell party of my predecessor Felix, which also served as my welcome party. After these very free initial days, things continued in a somewhat more structured manner. During the 'on-arrival seminar', Domy explained some fundamental principles of the local society, began giving us a beginner language course, and we met our mentors. After that was accomplished, I immediately started working, which in the first two weeks consisted solely of football training. I draft the training schedule, give final instructions to the children in Kinyarwanda, and my colleagues provide the local instructions. Perhaps the most exciting aspect is my new dog Bac – who is ideally being returned tomorrow. As a joke, my roommate Luisa and I mentioned during a lunch that it would be nice to have a dog on our property. Little did we know that this 1-year-old dog would be bouncing around in front of our door the following day and energetically jumping on and biting anyone who stepped through the door while tearing their clothes. It became so bad in the 3 days he was here that we could barely leave the property in the mornings, as the dog tried with all his strength to escape in order to chase the curious children. Of course, it was just play, after all, he is a very young dog, but since we are neither qualified nor prepared to take on such an energetic dog so early in our year abroad, we asked Domy to take him back. Other volunteers instead received a baby cat. Well.