Bad Boy Bennie Bites Back

I received this email today from Bad Boy. Sorry about photo - but I think Bad Boy is on the left, then Roger, Gus and Mark (our minister)

The email speaks for itself and I have copied it to you with his permission. I phoned him tonight and apparently he is working on another epistle. In the meantime here is the Word of Bad Boy Bennie Chapter 1.

'Hi Garlic. Bad boy here , great to follow your holiday exploits whilst relaxing is sunny Chryston.

I was not in the least surprised that you and Roger were having difficulty with exact locations, as past experience has given plenty examples of this in various hill walking expeditions that I have been involved in. Good to hear that all has been resolved and that you know exactly where you are once again.

After an emergency meeting of the Session it has been decided that on your return, you and Roger must spend a period of three weeks quarantined at Gartcosh parish church, before being allowed to rejoin the caring sharing church family at Chryston. This decision was taken over concerns that personal hygiene issues brought to light in a recent blog i.e. lack of showering facilities ,could put the session in breach of certain health & safety regulations when you return.

I tried to argue against the decision stating that this was actually normal for Roger and that we have not had any recorded instances of footrot within the congregation for several years now, but I was shouted down by a group of outsiders led by Malcolm who insisted that rules are rules and that furthermore he could recommend a security company to enforce said decision.

After some consideration of the costs involved the session refused this suggestion, and instead have set up a committee to look into ways that the congregation could be encouraged to take part in providing resources for this very important task.

The only concession I could win on your behalf is that you will be allowed to drive past the church on your way to Gartcosh in order for the congregation to wave to you from an appropriate distance still to be specified.

Be assured that I will continue to defend vigorously any attempts by the outsiders to impose further sanctions against you and will keep you updated on developments.

I must go now as I believe my internet transmissions are being monitored by someone hiding in the graveyard, these are dangerous time’s we are living in .

Give my regards to all.

Bad Boy Bennie.'

So Bad Boy tries to make things better, but just manages to ensure that our return to the fellowship next week, will be marked by concerns about our cleanliness and huggability - yes folks, we have learned how to hug - you too are in danger!, And we hug good. Perhaps Sunday week we will dance in Chryston too.

Bad Boy will undoubtedly raise the matter of dancing at the next session meeting on Tuesday - are we allowed to dance to the beat (sorry hymns) or not - Roger needs to know!

Could I apologise to all those not from our church for the direction this blog has taken. I will try and regain control - must stop eating those bananas!

Miracle Mutesa

Now John is the next person to be blighted by Garlic's obsession to get revenge by giving people nicknames.

This is Miracle John Mutesa.

John is our can do/will do guy. He greets you with a wild swing of the arm, which seeks out your hand to give it a firm welcoming shake, and then either slaps you on the back, or gives you a big hug.

It was he who came to collect us at Kigali Airport; he who delivers a printer to my room when I desperately need one; he who plays the piano, guitar and leads the singing at church, fantastically well; he who is our material negotiator and sorter of deed plans; he who stands beside the Ugandan preacher on Sunday and interprets a twenty minute sermon with brilliant vitality.

John does things, does them very well, he anticipates your needs, and wants to make sure that everything is ok for you. He will even phone you up while you are in a taxi and advise us of what fare to pay - so that we do not get done.

But there is more to John. He has very little family - no-one close. I suspect the genocide is the cause of this. I think about asking why no parents or brothers and sisters, as we walk along the road, but I bottled it - probably to protect both of us from the answer I suspected.

Instead he tells me of hard work at school, scholarships to Bible Training College in South Africa, and when I ask him his plans he says he is content to just continue the work that God has given him here in Kigali.

John is a pastor in L'Eglise Vivante Church. His main role, is to support the work with the orphans, street children, and homeless. He spends lots of time with individuals teaching about the Gospel. This week he is deep in translation and organising a course for an invasion of Rwandan and international ministers.

He is so busy that we have not really had long enough to find out what he is thinking, except I know that he likes preachers who teach from the bible verses, and make Christ relevant to ordinary people like you and me. Rog and I were just saying today that we need to sit down for a couple of hours with this 24 year old, and get to know him even better.

John Mutesa, we hope, is coming to Scotland next June. Roger and I are going to take him sailing and kayaking at Arisaig. He is going to 'love it'(!) and we are going to love having him over, as are all his many friends in Scotland.

So given all of the above - its Miracle Mutesa from now on. I would like to say that he is one in a million, but I am increasingly finding here that there are loads of great people to meet and chat to out here. But John is really fantastic and a great blessing to his church, and all the visitors who come out here

Interesting - me and you are learning more from them, than they from us!

Stats, CADs, KIST, and BBB

Hi to all you watchers, and bloggers.

I finally found the stats tab on the blog - it had gone walkies. Various emails and texts were telling me there were a few sad (like us) people out there with nothing better to do than watch our progress, and other things.

Well the stats are showing 98 hits yesterday, and 1124 over the last month. Great to have people's support and interest. We have had hits from USA (about 45 - who are all you guys?). Then there is someone in Singapore, a few in Germany. Would be great to know who is watching.

Nice to know from Fiona that the Braehead office is enjoying the occasional laugh re the blog. I hope Chris has got that ice just perfect for my first curling practice when I get back. Pamela - has David McAdam booked practice ice for Mon 13th at lunch time - for him and me - he is a bit silent about it - let me know, but do not tell him I was checking up(!!).

What I particularly liked about the stats was that the top post so far is the one of Roger on his knees. I shall let him know in the morning - he's gone to bed. He's an early bedder - I'm the owl!.

The second biggest number of hits was Roger and the cow - he is obviously becoming quite a celebrity - I mean Roger - not the cow.

Today we were worried about the land deed and eastings and northings. Thanks for those trying to get us information about this - please relax. Having had 3 different readings from land surveyors, some in Congo and others a mile west of the site, we finally managed to get the matter settled, and the land deed has gone off to be registered.

Another problem was the extent of work being requested for the planning application which included an engineering report on all 4 buildings in the site masterplan. We had to visit another architect with much experience of working in Kigali, and have clarified what remains to be done. So we are back on track with deadline of planning application going in on Monday, which we should achieve, though Rog is once again going to be very busy.

This afternoon Paul the Pastor, Roger and I spent about an hour and a half talking about what we need to do to set up the College. This will require some transitional staff, and a gradual growth of courses, probably starting with construction. It is very early days but we need to make sure the staffing and financial plans are in place as soon as possible. Good to get the discussion started and particularly regarding the people with skills that might have a heart for this work.

Tomorrow I have to try and do some CAD drawings and see if I can produce a polished 3D front and back image of the College. Failing this I may have to phone up Gordon Yeaman and ask him to some work again - hopefully not Gordon.

I also want to make appointments with the Rector for the Kigali Institute for Science and Technology - Abraham Atta Ogwo. Abraham has close links with Glasgow, and I met him in Whiteinch in July, and we agreed that we would would spend a bit longer talking about lots of stuff! More of this when I have seen him.

I have to relate that I am pretty grumpy regarding my new nickname. When Norman Cathcart sends me copies of emails marked to Garlic M I know that my concerns re this nickname sticking are coming all too true.

So from Garlic and Roger to all of you - God bless

PS - We are thinking up lots of nicknames for each of you - How about Bad Boy Bennie!

Rain in Rwanda

So yesterday during the church service, it rained for the first time since we arrived 10 days ago.

The rainy season is September and October and then April. I am told that you know when it going to rain because around lunch time a wind will get up, and can be quite strong and then suddenly a really heavy shower starts. When it is at its worst the very deep flood troughs on each side of the road flow very fast and quite dangerously.

Yesterday was really quite mild. When the first rains start the roads get quite slippery, and Pete says loads of cars end up in the ditch - so we drove carefully. Well thats a bit relative. We were coming down this steep hill, when we came upon this guy on a bike. We clocked him doing 70 km per hour! - not bad considering the amount of bananas on the back of his bicycle (no its not a motorbike) and the wet surface.

Anyway, while I am on bananas, the Rwandan bananas are really great, and we are consuming several each day. A fact I learned yesterday, is that bananas are hallucinogenic - which would certainly explain some of my strange blogging, and the movement in Rogers feet during the service - definitely looked like dancing feet to me, but I must be just seeing things - hope the video upload to You Tube goes well! See Rogers dancing feet - click here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iotyW3qr2Q

Better Blogging

Hi All

I had heard that quite a few people were struggling to make comments on our blog.

Now this might be a bit risky, but I have changed the settings in the hope that you can really tell us what you think.

Have a go in the comments box underneath

Mucina Kids

Today we got the chance to travel an hour and a half northwest of Kigali to a new church in Mucina. The journey started on pretty good roads, but then we turned of onto dirt track for the next 15 miles. Basically we were taking a track which journeys over the top of all the hills with outstanding views of the surrounding area.

Mucina does have a town centre and a medical centre - looked like one consulting room to me, and a new church that is not quite finished - no doors or windows.

On the way we picked up a small group from another church on the way - I think we had 8 in the back of the pick up, and 6 inside, plus the very 3 large speakers, and the electric piano - just the usual load really.

When we arrived at the church we were greeted by this large crowd of very welcoming children, and were sat as guests of honour at the front of the church. This was the usual 3 hour service with lots of dancing and singing - from both the adult choir in great red and white dresses, and the junior choir, who also provided the drum beat.

I have to announce to the Chryston folk that we have now gone through 6 hours of services without Roger or I being forced to dance - I bet that stimulates a few emails this week. However I do have a piece of video of Rogers feet - sorry to bring them back into the frame again - but this time the video shows them tapping away to the rhythm - evidence enough I think!

It was a great experience, and my best memories will be of the fun and brightness in the childrens faces - sheer joy on earth. Hallelujah - Amen!

Tomorrow its back to deed plans and masterplans, and a meeting with Pastor Paul to discuss clearing the site of foliage, and arranging our meeting the curriculum people at WDA.

Anyone good at producing eastings and northings on a map of Kigali - we need a bit of help on this one! - just email Gary on garymacfarlane1@me.com if you have knowledge of this - Thanks

Best wishes to everyone back home - we are both very well and in good spirits - hope you are enjoying our blog and the experiences we are relating. God Bless

What do you mean we are in Congo?

Sometimes I feel this is project is back to front. Yesterday we were completing the plans for planning submission. Then we go to a meeting on Friday evening, and learn that the new deed plan shows that the size of the plot is 20% less than we had based the masterplan on. Even worse the site is too narrow to put the building on!

At this point the project manager is having kittens, and would prefer a three round fight with manic mosquito than this news. Cries of incompetence ring around my head. As soon as we get home, we plough through the eastings and northings figures. Why is that different, how did this angle change, how do we sort this.

After spending half the night downloading google earth, trying to recalculate eastings and northings into latitude and longitude, and eventually doing our own drawing of the site using the angles, the team (Rog and I) cried out - That cannot be right! - not really having a clue what was right.

So, only thing we could do was to demand a further site assessment, find the concrete blocks (see photo - not easy) that detail the land and get a guy with a GPS to rework the positions and a new deed plan.

The summary, - they had not noticed that the dirt track down the side of the land had widened significantly, by the effect of torrential rain, and they therefore discounted 10 x 100metres of our land, as well as forgetting to include the exact corners of the site. Never trust a surveyor unless you are there and double check everything he does. Further deed plan arrives tomorrow - we will check it very carefully!

Oh, and why Congo. Well when we were going through the readings and comparing the GPS results on the deed plan, the surveyor announced that the plan related to GPS readings in Congo, which unfortunately for us is a long way north of Rwanda. Don't worry - we checked that one on Google earth as well.

Boy are we having fun!

Denise Departs from Solace

Yesterday I blogged about a very special man - Rwanda Pete. Today, a very special lady - I have to tell all those hundreds of Scots who have been out to stay at Solace Ministries, in Kigali, that Denise has left!!

When we arrived at Solace on Wednesday, we knew that we had arrived in heaven. Denise was there to welcome us and immediately made us feel absolutely at home. She has looked after the place for the last 4 - 5 years and everyone who has come back from Solace has sung her praises.

She is moving on to work in an advertising agency in Kigali. We were talking to her today and she says she is really going to miss all the many friends she has made.

Why not email her - bestill0509@gmail.com and let her know you are thinking of her. But all is not lost - she is coming to Scotland in December - to Dunbar - to visit some friends - so hopefully we may see her then

Rough Roads What!

I had hoped to upload a very short and not great video of 4 wheel driving Rwandan style, but wireless is too slow to allow this - so instead more photos.

The villages we visited today were only 3 miles from the centre of Kigali, but this is really where the street children are. You turn off a main road, onto a very narrow deeply pitted dirt track, and the car churns its way vertically up this for about half a mile until you reach the skills centre.

When you drive past you get big waves from the children, they jump on the back of your truck, and we have to stop several times to encourage them off.

Would like to have got out, but we would have been swamped, there are so many of them. Its also really frustrating not to be able to communicate with them.

Anyway, we are just starting to get to understand a wee bit of Rwanda - but much much more to learn

Rwanda Pete

Sometimes you come across a gem of a guy, and Pete Andrews (the one with the hat) is one of those.

Pete came to Kigali in 1982, from a background in Social work and caring for children in care. He was made redundant when care homes were closed and he went into motor mechanics. Answering an advert that year, he and his wife came out with Tearfund to Kigali.

After 28 years of total dedication they and their staff manage the care of 400 street children+. Rather than keeping them in orphanages, they ensure that the children are cared for in families. He has a team of 5 social workers and one administrator, in a highly efficient service run from the headquarters in Kigali. Read more at http://www.rwandaorphans.com/

But thats not all. he has set up a brilliant skills training college for 70 young adults on the side of a hill (see photo), teaching them electrics, carpentry, IT, sewing, culinery skills and many other key skills that allows them to get into jobs. 6 of their students have managed to get into University as well.

But that is not all either. He works with 70 (or was it 170) churches across the country http://inkurunziza.com and helps with the building up of their buildings. Then there is the bible and book translation business, making sure that Rwandans have access to decent scriptural books for study and learning more about God.

And the effect of this commitment to the Rwandan people whom he obviously loves, is that they a church service in Kigali, just down from the Kigali National Bank, at which 1000 people come each Sunday. Oh and a very useful table tennis team that I hope to get a game against.

I asked Pete if he had considered writing a book about everything he had done, but he says he is too busy. He himself would want this blog to say that it is the love of God in his being that drives him on, and that he would want people reading this not to reflect on Pete's efforts, but on a God who demands that we love those in need, and in poverty, and take real action to meet that need.

More of Pete later, because I think on Sunday he is going to take us to a church service up country. Pete - God bless you.

Garlic Macfarlane and the Vice Mayor

I am happily blogging in bed. Tonight I hope to have a mosquito free night. As you can see my laptop and me (no you are not getting a picture of moi!), have decided that we are fed up getting bitten by Manic Mosquito.

Manic has been chasing use around the whole of Kigali. Every night I hope that I have kept him out, and then he buzzes in one ear hole and out the other - usually about 3 in the morning. Then he takes a few bites quietly and disappears off.

The following morning big weals form and then you realise he got you once again. What is worse, he does not like Fleming at all. He says he does not know what a bite is! Must be the smell or some of that awful substance he puts on before bed.

I suppose I cannot expect Manic to like Fleming, but just once it would be nice to see a large spot come out on his face, but I really doubt its going to happen.

Anyway, tonight I have taken every precaution as you can see, and tomorrow I hope to report that Manic was found shrivelled on the floor from hunger and dehydration - I will not be showing him any sympathy.

So what of garlic. Well its quite simple. When you are given the opportunity to meet the vice mayor, and have to wait outside in 32 degree heat, then you get a bit dry. In to her room you go, and when the introductions happen, you slightly stumble out your name.

Oh thats an unusual name she says. I look a bit surprised - always thought Gary was ok as a name - nothing much unusual about it.

Did you say Garlic Macfarlane!? You can imagine my alarm. Immediately I realised that the whole of Rwanda was now going to know me as Garlic Macfarlane (and Scotland also for that matter). What a disaster, and no way of hiding the nickname. I can just see my McAdam introduction at the first evening service after we return home. Mental panic sets in, and I have no escape.

Fleming was convulsing in the corner of the room, desperately trying not to offend Florence, the Vice Mayor. John Mutesa who was listening outside the room, also heard it. So absolutely no hope of keeping it quiet from anyone

Florence took it in great style, not so I! But Garlic Macfarlane it is!

Cannot even think of a good email address that goes with it!

Oh well, perhaps when we meet Florence next week, I can persuade her to think of a nickname for Fleming and Mutesa

Brought to his knees

Well he could not last much longer. Its been such a hard week for Rog, that he spends most of his time on his knees. Whether speaking to David McAdam on the phone, or working on plans for the planning department.

Rumour has it that he kneels in a bowl to wash - but I do not believe that one.

About the only time he does not spend on his knees is when he is praying - seems odd to me!

As for the feet - no comment.

Ask Robert Bennie - he will tell you about the full history of the feet, but its not for the faint hearted.

There is a battle royal going on between Rog and I. He says that Rwanda comes first, Ireland comes second, and Scotland is third. But I say Rwanda first, Scotland second, and Ireland third.

We need a vote on this - so some blog replies please.

Next blog will be about Garlic Macfarlane and the Vice Mayor

End of Week 1

This is a bit of a reflection on the past week.

This is indeed a city of many hills, and they are very disorientating. I doubt after three weeks I will be much the wiser. I know a few big landmarks like the airport, football stadium and UTC where we go to have great coffee and blog. The rest is a set of weaving dust tracks, some wide and flat and driven at 40 miles an hour through busy housing communities, and others are as lumpy as the sea of Prestwick promenade during a gale

Then the streets have their own particular gulleys where the rain pours along and gouges out deep tracks that 4 wheel drivers desperately slide to avoid. I cannot conceive what it is like when the heaviest rain comes in October and April, because many of the street buildings must have rivers flowing through them.

Newer houses are protected by being surrounded concrete trenches, and other land has deeper cuttings lined by very well fashioned stone sides and bases. All these seem rather odd given that we are in the dry season and there is no rain at all.

So travel has been slow because of roads, but really also by poor time keeping. If a meeting is at 9am, that means we leave at 9 - 9.30, stop several times on the way to buy messages, or to get a new driver, and arrive around 10.30 f we are lucky. The really odd thing is that you can go to meet someone really important and she does not mind. Its just Rwanda!

But do not mock it - they get things done, they are very astute, polite and caring, and they are very determined to make their new country work. They refuse to allow you to pay for anything because we are their guests, they know everyone and are always stopping to chat to friends, the mobile is king, and when you greet each other its a firm handshake or a big hug and a slap.

What I do not like is the poor plumbing, and what I think is brilliant are all the kids, their smart uniform dress and their zest for life.

Back to Cows and College

I'm in the middle of typing a blog on College, and here finally a photo I was try to upload into the cows bit has popped into this blog - anyway I am not removing it - here is Rog and the cow hand and Paul.

Colleges - In Kigali, everything to do with Technical education is developed by the Workforce Development Agency. They vet colleges, curriculum, equipment and advise Colleges on what they want for their nation

So today we met Denis at WDA, and what a tall man he is - if only I could upload my pictures you would see a picture of me breaking my neck to talk to him.

Anyway, now that we are staying at Solace, and this place is really heaven, I hope that I will be able to upload photos even if I have to do it overnight!

Sorry got side tracked by my frustration at the download speeds. Anyway, Denis offered for us to meet with each of the heads of department, and also Albert the director of WDA. It is Albert I particularly want to meet because we would like to get a joint proposal together with ourselves and the Scottish Colleges. Albert is on holiday, so I will have to be patient, and hope he comes back before we leave.

Denis has also put us in contact with the Association of Colleges, and the curriculum develop team - so thats at least more meetings next week

No Red Tape in Rwanda

Moving fast or what.

We have been in the country 2 working days, and today we met with the Vice Mayor. There had been a bit of the technical problem with the land deed.

No problem for this very pragmatic and able lady. She just called a team meeting there and then, and the decision was made. Then in the afternoon the surveyor went out to the land and today a new land deed with the correct details has been done.

Fantastic! Ownership and deed problems resolved.

Then, she commanded me to produce a masterplan proposal and business plan for the College, so I have been working solidly on it. Tonight the Rwandan team will debate it, and tomorrow it goes to her with the Project Masterplan - also done today.

But what of Roger?

Well following our meeting with the planning department, he has been advised that all plans will be on A0 sized paper. So instead of him watching Macfarlane slave over his business plan, he is cutting and pasting madly, and tomorrow we will try and get the plans finished for final checking and then into planning department on Monday.

And if you think that is all we have been doing - think again!

Rog and the Cows

Paul the church pastor was eager that we see a bit of local Kigali countryside, so in between several meetings he took us out to see his cows.

Situated about 5 miles east of Kigali, we went through pretty rough roads and much poverty, to eventually arrive at a very pretty spot at the head of the valley. Here we met his hired farm hand - see photo, and journeyed down the valley to this pretty pathetic river that supplies the local area with just enough water to survive and produce.

I am pretty impressed with the work the Government in Rwanda has been doing to encourage investment, agriculture, construction, education and health care. Given the adverse publicity that it got from our press prior to the election, I have to say that there is far more very positive action happening, and it is obvious the people are reaping the benefits.

Mind you, it would be good to know if there area strategic plans to harness the rainfall better so that they have plenty for growing.

As to Roger and the cows - well they looked pretty under - nourished - similar to Rog, but at least he is now getting stuck into a vegetable panini - he did not seem to want the beef one!

Dancing the Aisles

Well this is pretty shocking to the Church of Scotland mentality. Church service started at 9.30 and lasted until 1pm. But the real difficulty was coping with the charismatic nature of the service, dancing, raising of hands and speaking in tongues.

Roger says he did raise a hand once - though I cannot confirm this. As far as I was concerned, tapping my feet was about as far as I would go. There is one photo of me smiling (definitely not a CofS act) and perhaps a slight sway of my hips - but your not getting to see it unless I accidentally upload it!

Photos are very slow to load - so apologies for the lack of pictures - I will try and load as many as possible.

After the service we went with the Rwandan team to the site and a newly built Medical Centre by Solace Ministries. We now have a pretty good understanding of how the Rwandans construct their buildings, so Roger is sitting with me at the UTC drawing more plans.

The Rwandan team are also looking at building a church on the site, and now want a guest house - for all you Scots people that want to come out and help with the various work - and as part of the guest house, some shops, restaurant, medical centre and goodness knows what else. I am not sure Rog will get all the designs for this done by Wednesday night when we next meet!

So lots happening and much to do - off to meet the Mayors district team, in charge of everything in the area - just trying to pursuade them that we are good guys and that we want the best for their people and district. So no problem there then!

Touchdown Rwanda

After 24 hours journeying, Roger and I have arrived in Kigali. No problems with the flight, though 4 hours in the Java Cafe in Nairobi Airport was pretty stuffy.

We were collected in fine style by John Mutesa, and after a 25 minute ride down very bumpy streets we found our accomodation.

We each have our own rooms which is a luxury - Roger will be glad to be able to get away from me some of the time.

On Friday we had a very hectic day, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial - A very peaceful place, but incredibly troubling. Being brought face to face with the reality of human inhumanity, was humbling. To realise that genocide is almost a regular feature of human history spanning all world cultures, makes one very thoughtful of what factors change our thought processes from creating to destruction.

We also visited the church where they have an active bakery, the land registration centre, and the land that we have purchased for the new College. The latter is really exciting, and Roger and I spent an hour going over the plans and the site.

Tonight we meet the Core Team who will support the transition. We have had useful contact with Department for International Development, and are planning meetings on Monday with the Workforce Development Agency, the Department for Education, and the Mayor of the District. we are going to be very busy.

In the mornings Paul, Roger and I discuss team development, general planning and timescales and in the evenings I am trying to create a College Development plan - a bit on the hoof - but essential if the College is going to be viable in the long term.

Great Fun and in the end potentially personally very rewarding.

More later - keep in touch with the blog, and is you want to email me with advice etc - garymacfarlane1@me.com - or just blog it!

Every blessing from Roger and I. Hope you enjoy the photos - when we can get them loaded - download speed not quite Broadband speed!

Learning from the Experts

When you take on the building of a Vocational Training College, you soon find out that, as a GP, you really do know nothing about anything educational.

But when the Ihumure College needs to actually function successfully, you start to ask a few questions like:

• Is there a set Rwandan curriculum for each subject - no
• What equipment will we require in the College - good question - depends on curriculum
• Will business in Kigali employ our students - only if they have very relevant skills
• What are the relevant skills - well that depends on what business needs
• Has anyone done this stuff before - yes - college principles, and the Scottish Government were involved in the Malawi with the same work

So I gave Linda McTavish, principle of Anniesland College a phone, and before I know it I am meeting her, David Loudon from the engineering section, and on Monday, Frieda Loughran from the Adam Smith Institute

What a great team they have, and Linda was brilliant at steering Jean Wilson and I in the right direction.

So when I return from Rwanda, we will possibly have a meeting with a few college principles to discuss some partnering approaches to answer some of these questions.

The photos are for the Rwandan team, and the Workforce Development Agency - so that we can get into discussing details re rooms and equipment. The WDA do the endorsement of the College. They also have requested some help from us in developing curriculum - hence the importance of the Scottish Colleges getting involved. Otherwise a GP and an architect would have to do it, and that spells real disaster!

Many thanks to Anniesland College - Fantastic Group of people and great leadership!

We leave on Thursday for 3 weeks - Kigali Here We Come!

Well where on earth is Rwanda? Africa I think. Yes, of course its Africa, but its rather big.

Well pretty well right in the middle.

To show you exactly where the Ihumure Vocational Training College is going to be built here is a reference for google maps which shows the exact piece of land - just North of the airport

Just scroll back to see where exactly it is.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?t=h&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=-1.965052,30.156484&spn=0.010251,0.006813&z=17