Kitchen/African art and studies in Rwanda

This morning I worked in the kitchen with the Rwandan cooks. The cooks all have families in the district, a town very far away, but they live at the village and only get to see their families once every month. They are all so friendly and were very appreciative that we were helping- they cut up pineapple for us and gave us a cup of mixed fruit to thank us. We were there from eight until two preparing lunch because there’s 400 kids to cook for and they have to do everything by hand. We cut up peppers, onions, green beans and tomatoes and peeled potatoes, which in total took six hours! Then in a massive pot they cook rice, beans, and green bananas that taste like potatoes. These kids have the same food for every meal, every day- rice and beans with some kind of vegetable. They never complain or get sick of it. When I ask them what their favorite food is, all of them say rice or potatoes! It’s all they have and all they know. I told them my favorite food was pizza and they had no idea what it was so I had to try explain it to them. As soon as they finish preparing lunch, the cooks start preparing dinner right away and when dinner is finished, they prepare breakfast for the next morning.

Today after lunch our water started working so we could FINALLY take a bucket shower and everyone was so relieved that we don’t have to sleep in our own dirt tonight.. I never actually feel clean after taking a bucket shower, but “clean” is very relative here. After showering, I went to an after school club that the village holds and did traditional, African art and learned how to weave a basket! It’s very intricate, detailed work and takes forever but it was very relaxing to just chill with kids, exchange stories, and weave a basket that hopefully will turn out as beautiful as the model on the table. One of the girls next to me was humming a song and after listening for a couple of seconds I realized that she was singing a Hebrew song that I learned on Alexander Muss in Israel! “Ooh zee.. vezeemrot yaa.. vayahee yeshuah” I started singing with her and the whole room knew the song too and sang along, it was truly a beautiful moment. One of the older volunteers that came here last year taught the whole village the song.

After art, I went into the music room and taught one of the boys a song on piano, then I walked to the science room and all the kids were studying physics. Not only are they extremely advanced in physics and math, but they learn it in English! One boy attempted to teach me but the language barriers made it too tough, Or maybe it was my lack of skill.. but I’m gunna stick with the language barrier excuse. I still can’t get over how sweet and amazing these kids are.. every person that walks by will stop to shake my hand and ask how I’m doing. They are so welcoming of new people I really think that all of us can learn so many things from them.