Adventures In Rwanda

Muraho muraho. Apologies for my blog neglect of late. Things had been hectic with much illness, death, 2 house moves, and more.
I do have a lot I could share. Perhaps about the beautiful 26 year old man who had polio as a child and TB of the backbone as an adult. On Monday, he came to greet us in his house (about 6 ft X 10 ft total) climbing uphill in a classic crabwalk style (hands behind scooting on his bum) with his younger child balanced gracefully on his stomach. Or something silly, like how everyone here asks me if I am hungry everytime I yawn. I would be in big trouble if I was hungry everytime I was tired in life! Oh my.
However, I have been wanting to write a bit more about peoples' names here. To clarify an earlier entry: generally a baby is named at about day 8 through a celebratory naming ceremony. Though I missed my neighbor's, I did get to watch the video for 3 hours straight! Most babies are given 2 names, KINYARWANDA French, as such.
Without "taking the piss" (that is for my British friends!) as this is only my understanding of just a few names here, I thought I might try to make a bit of a creative entry through a totally fictional story wrapped around some friends' names. The story is random but relates a few of my experiences here. Enjoy...all translated Kinyarwanda names will be in italics with the (KINYARWANDA French) name following.
One day little G-d helps me to grow up (IMANAIRERE Diane) was crying to her mama. She said, "I don't know how I will learn and grow", and her mother answered, "Imanairere, G-d will help you to grow up". Little Imanairere told her older brother, I thank G-d (NISHYMIMANA Yves), "I thank G-d". But Nishymimana said he has a friend at school who is even luckier; his friend's aunt had told him that his friend will have help all his life in development of everything. He told his sister that they should go seek advice from his school friend, G-d helps me in development (MUJYAMBERE Richard).
So the two wee ones (that's for my Scottish friend Rose!) took a taxibus (a large van) to mu mujyi (town). Then they wove through town to find the Nyenyeri line as the taxi stops often switch with no apparent notification. They squeezed onto the second taxibus and slipped onto the back bench. They heard a young man, I have someone who can take my place (NDICUNGUYE Fabrice), shout "I have someone who took my seat!" They shouted back, "twicarne" (shove over) and all fit easily on the bench. Ndicunguye calmed himself as his lovely best friend, If you could you would be a hero in all areas (MUJYARUGAMBA Pierre), took both of his hands gently in his, rubbed his back softly, and told him that all will be well.
So the kids stayed on the taxibus, but as it stopped for petrol on route, a seller of nailclippers opened the window to market his product to them. A quick opportunist reached his hand through the open window and snatched Diane's cellphone. The nailclipper seller, Innocent, yelled "I am Innocent!" as sometimes these events happen with accomplices. Well, another passenger, Tresor (Treasure Paul) had witnessed the entire episode and ran after the thief, caught him and returned the phone to Diane. At this point the crowd decided against calling the police. Instead, they asked the old man, G-d heals you (HAKIZIMANA Joseph) sitting in the front to say a prayer for the thief to make him choose to be good and to thank Tresor for rescuing the phone.
Later that afternoon, in Gikondo, all 3 kids enjoyed some orange fanta, goat brochette, and had their hair done at Shaloom Saloon...and all felt good about their ability to grow and cope, with Aa little help from friends!

Yours,
MUROREKWERE Julie (When you see her give her parents a cow for dowry) or something like that!!