All work and no play?

K, S, Kim and John enjoying a peaceful evening stroll in Gisenyi next to the DR Congo border

Disability is not Inability

Sign Language Interpreter double tasking

Working with my very able colleagues from RUB (Rwandan Union of the Blind)

SMART objectives in Kinyarwanda = PBBBB

Murakaza neza in our sunny sitting room

Our dining area

Many of you may think we are constantly blazing the tourist trail.  Indeed you are somehow right, as we maximise time spent between work, rest and play.

Happy to report on the next wave of roving Rwandan ambassadors after our in-laws to be, Kim & John took to the green and lush hills of Rwanda like ducks to water of which we currently see bucketfuls. It is the rainy season and raindrops keep fallin’ on my head. From riding pillion, connecting with kids, haggling prices on must have baskets and banana leaf bags to Kimisagara English Club and Root Foundation, the Markwell*s  passed the new citizenship test for aspiring culturally sensitive travellers. The Delightful Duo may request a reference from us any time. Every flexible, friendly and accommodating visitor is most welcome in our house and for sure we have enough room.

On the work front, I like to think of my most treasured moments as the weird and wonderful highlights enjoyed when working with our beneficiaries.  In modern and PC international development speak, I am capacity building. Together my VSO Training Buddy, Tina and I push the boundaries on diversity and disability inclusion and this month alone saw 21 participants positively contributing to our 2 X 2 day workshops on Project Design & Developing Proposals. We already look forward to welcoming them back into our fold in December, so that together we can KISS the basic principles  (Keep It SImple Stupid) on Project Management Implementation. The USP (unique selling point) of the Kirsty & Tina Show is how we accommodate a wide range of disabilities PLUS include Sign Language Instructors, Kinyarwanda Interpreters and pepper our training with own favourite expressions and etymological context where necessary:

– Are we singing off the same hymn sheet?

–  Let’s focus on the key milestones

– If RwandAir can fly on time, so can you

– Ready to rumble

– Did you manage to recharge your batteries?

– Graveyard slot (= after lunch).

– We are on a roll (or rather loll)

– Yes we are winning

Should you have reason to travel around Rwanda and hear the abovementioned expressions, you will know that not Kilroy but Kirsty was here.

And let me conclude with sharing the best feedback I have EVER had on a participant survey: “our trainers are not boring”. 

Do make a note of IDPD 2014 / International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3rd – preparations are underway.