Ok so after a hetic 8 weeks back in the UK we find ourselves returned to Rwanda with activities cracking along. The national schools league has begun and the enthusiasm from the boys is amazing. They are all desperate to play and learn as much as they can. It was wonderful to see them all in full rugby kits donated by generous people back in the UK. We are moving forward with the aquisition of land for a dedicated rugby field and we are gearing up for the arrival of various volunteers over the next couple of months. In our absence there has been 2 sucessful tournaments with up to 10 teams competing. Photo’s to follow as this computer just ate my memory stick.
Well, we left, mid-November but the work continues!
We have left our coaching duties in the hands of two young players in the Rwandan National Team, Juma and Jean-Baptiste. Between them, they are covering the coaching needs of 4 street kids centres. We are hoping to pass these teams on to them in the long term so we can turn our attention to refereeing the 2008 FoRR/FRR School League and the development of new teams.
The FoRR volunteers, Kate and Toby also make a return visit to Rwanda. They will be assisted by three of their students from their school in Shanghai. We are looking forward to an update from them soon!
Before we left we had a pilot tournament with 4 street kids centres over 18s and under 14s. Despite the rainfall, it was a great success with the Red Cross winning undefeated. The whole endeavour cost less than £20. So we left £20 with Philip Gakirage and a second tournement of the same format was held last weekend, 8th December. This was delayed a weekend as Juma and Jean-Baptiste went to Burundi to play a club game. The Rwandan Buffaloes won the game, Juma scored a vital try.
We look forward to some fund/awareness-raising in the next few weeks before returning to Rwanda.
Emma and I have just spent the morning sorting out the latest arrival of kit. The invoice reads: 7 full stripes, 4 x 7’s stripes, 50 individual jerseys and uncountable tracksuits, shorts and socks. For this we and many Rwandan’s are eternally greatful. The next container is due out this coming weekend.Finally this weekend sees the first “annual” general meeting of the Federation of Rwandan Rugby for 3.5 years. We are hopful that it will result in a transperant and active committee that our charity can work in patnership with going forward.
Well, we left, mid-November but the work continues!
We have left our coaching duties in the hands of two young players in the Rwandan National Team, Juma and Jean-Baptiste. Between them, they are covering the coaching needs of 4 street kids centres. We are hoping to pass these teams on to them in the long term so we can turn our attention to refereeing the 2008 FoRR/FRR School League and the development of new teams.
The FoRR volunteers, Kate and Toby also make a return visit to Rwanda. They will be assisted by three of their students from their school in Shanghai. We are looking forward to an update from them soon!
Before we left we had a pilot tournament with 4 street kids centres over 18s and under 14s. Despite the rainfall, it was a great success with the Red Cross winning undefeated. The whole endeavour cost less than £20. So we left £20 with Philip Gakirage and a second tournement of the same format was held last weekend, 8th December. This was delayed a weekend as Juma and Jean-Baptiste went to Burundi to play a club game. The Rwandan Buffaloes won the game, Juma scored a vital try.
We look forward to some fund/awareness-raising in the next few weeks before returning to Rwanda.
