June 27, 2007 Impromptu Inspection Report.

Polite notice: All photos shown herein should be enlargeable on click. Please use the BACK button to return to the Inspection Report article thereafter. Thanks.

On Wednesday 27 June 2007, Mr Nsabayesu Aimable, the gentleman in the middle of the picture wearing a black suit, traveled from Kamembe to Bugarama by minibus to make an in impromptu visit at the school. The 2 ladies on the right are catering staffs and house in the background is P6 kids restaurant.

None of the Rwandan team had been informed of the visit and Mr Nsabayesu carried with him a letter giving him the mandate to request RSVP documents and access both the school and the restaurant. Full report in his own words at the end, but first, some photographs: Top.

He set off from Kamembe just after 9 am local time and arrived at Mihabula, a Pentecostal Church owned primary school, around 11 am.

He says "since all kids were into their classrooms having lessons, it was quiet in the playground. Only the teacher's bike was visible outside". Please click photo to see bike better (please use BACK button to return to this page thereafter)

At his arrival, the head teacher was not at the school- away on a meeting- and P6 teacher was not into the classroom. Mr Nsabayesu was therefore introduced to P6 kids by Monique, the P2 teacher and school treasurer (photo not shown). Top.

Later, the P6 teacher (right) arrived with medication bought from a local pharmacy (not shown).

Due to a high doctor/patient ratio, even people like teachers may self medicate; and although illegal, often the prescribing "pharmacist" may not have completed a pharmacy course in secondary school!

This girl (front row left) is called Rita and came 4th in recent exam results. Must say that unlike schools in England and Wales apparently abolishing school exams, Rwanda's education system is heavily based on multiple examinations, at least 3 every year from P1 to P6. Top.

So, Rita is the top girl for the 2007's P6 class. She is reading one the books donated by RSVP. RSVP has purchased books such that a book is shared by 2 kids for English and social sciences, and 8 kids for common errors in written English and French grammar; with the teacher having access to his own didactic books- 2 in total. So, the total books for P6 now mounts to 58 (up from just 5- that is 1, 106.00% increase).

What does this photograph show? Tried to enlarge it yet?

Two very important messages: Top.

First, in addition to a stamp reading "donated by the Rwandan School Village Project (bottom right corner), RSVP books have been given a unique number by the school using a permanent marker pen (great effort considering the lack of sophisticated technologies).

Second, careful observation of the books held by the girl in view (above) shows books have been covered by a kaki paper. This is precisely the same material I used for the few notebooks afforded during primary and secondary school. The paper is a cement bag's insert used by the local cement factory called CIMERWA.

According to the provisional 2 year plan, the school feeding and book programs will be extended to other classes as funds grow. So, let's now introduce P5 class coming to P6 in January 2008, which is, according to Mr Nsabayesu, desperately looking forward to the school meal: Top.

This class has already received 108 books such that a book is shared by 2 kids for English and Social Sciences and 7 kids for Common errors in written English and French Grammar, with the teacher having 2 didactic books.

Initially, P5 had just 13 books for 75 kids. There is now an 730% increase in books number. The class in now split into 2, P5A and P5B.

The above picture shows the middle and right row of pupils. The item hanging on the wall behind is a bloom used to clean (sweep?) the class. Also used in household for the same purpose. Top.

Please meet Jane-called Jeanne (girl in focus second line), a girl who has come 1st in the recent P5 examination.

Emphasis is put on girls here because, compared to boys, they very often face the greatest challenge in their educational pathway! So, well done Jeanne!

The above picture shows the left row and Jeanne is seating on the second line. To see other photos of P5A, please click here and also here. To see photos of P5B, please click here and also here and lastly here please.

At lunch break, at this stage of the project, only P6 kids go to the restaurant for school meal. Please have a look at some random kids in the playground. It's lunch break!
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Mr Nsabayesu followed P6 kids to where Chantale Umutesi, the winner of the caterer's competition, prepares and serves school meals.

This photograph shows kids washing their hands. I am very delighted by the fact that a waiter actually uses a jar to pour clean water for every kid.

Most people would normally simply wash their hands from a communal container (dirty). So, full marks here. Not clear from the photograph whether soap is provided or used. The report hasn't mentioned this.

Here girls have sat at the table alone, but, according to Mr Nsabayesu, "they usually mix well with boys".

Jars and bottles in view contain boiled (then cooled) water and every child has their own cup. Mr Nsabayesu reports that kids wait for food in discipline and usually drink a lot of water before meal due to heat. Top.

To see the picture of boys and the rest of P6 kids, please click here.Before moving on to serving food, let's see the state of kitchen and where food is cooked.

I must warn UK volunteers and readers that this would not obtain a certificate from the Food Standards Agency or sister organizations.

On the right, this is maze fufu. It is strange that food was left open like that. But, most Rwandan villagers would cook their meals in the same way: take 3 stones, suspend a saucepan on the top then put firewood in the space available. On the left, this is a more energy efficient way of cooking. Top.

A metal as demonstrated above has a hole to fit the size of the saucepan at the top and also has only one side hole. One firewood is inserted in the side hole as a source of fire, and the rest of the hole is packed with rice skins (forgive me for this- just to mean the hard bit that normally covers dried rice- will check the right word for you later).

There is a double advantage: energy efficiency and less smoke. Furthermore, since the village is surrounded by rice fields, a number of people have opted for this technique.

Wanting to have another look? If yes please see another picture here. Otherwise, let's see kids getting on with food, they must be very hungry!

3 observations to make from this photograph:
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First, the meal size looks reasonable if not quite overfilled. But, if in the West, please do remember that this contrasts with small size-high- calorie- low- fiber meals available in the West. To see the Wednesday menu, please click here.

Second, unlike most village kids, these kids are actually eating with folks (note no knives). In my childhood and almost all villagers, folks were/are reserved to parents and visitors.

Finally, I believe the bottled water is for Mr Nsabayesu because the book seen on the table (looking like a Bible) can't belong to any of these kids.

Here is Mr Nsabayesu testing the meal. He says "I asked how much I should pay and was told I will be welcomed as guest"! Top.

Very kind and typical of Rwandan tradition, but wonder whether this lady might be actually cooking more food than necessary. Is there any food wasted? How much is left over? These are the questions to keep an eye on. Any way Mr Nsabayesu reports that the food was very testy indeed (phone conversation).

This photograph shows kids feeling in their log books. P6 kids, their teacher, the head teacher and minister keep a log book wherein they rate the service provided by the caterer.

Kids' log books are anonymous and it is encouraging to see them doing it independently of each other. Log books and pens are collected after the meal and redistributed at the next meal day. Top.

I must apologize for introducing the next section just after talking about food. This is a massive challenge but I must warn UK volunteers that the following photo is consistent with what almost all villagers use. I certainly used it. It's not even to the standards of rich people who live in village (very few) let alone in the metropolis areas. You will see why I say that.

This is the restaurant's toilet. Please don't ask me how far it is from where food is cooked, kept or the eating area. I would also be grateful if I weren't asked about toilet paper. Top.

Wonderful human beings supported by RSVP shown on the photos herein live in these conditions. I certainly did, but they still do. Massive challenge and a motivation to keep going!

However, it must be said that the caterer has to have a hygiene certificate from local government to run a restaurant. Mr Nsabayesu Aimable reports "the toilet area needs some cleaning".

Mr Nsabayesu's concluding remarks (those written originally in English are put in italic) :"To finish , I thank you all founders of RSVP, partners, volunteers with my heart, it is a very good project that I believe God will sustain and bless because it impacts on numerous strata of our society and caters for tomorrow's Church."

He continues: "I also thank the beneficiaries because they have embraced the idea of working in transparency. They work with such level of commitment and responsibility that they do remain natural even during an impromptu visit. God bless you".   
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