We had a rather disturbing experience on friday when leaving cyanika to come to kigali to pick up seb and kate; we pushed it to the back of our minds in the euphoria of meeting them, but i dont think it should be forgotten.
We had arranged for the wonderful Aragis plus friend to come and pick us up on their bikes; Unfortunately john had told them to come at 7 instead of 10 (kinyarwandan time-telling is impossibly difficult!) anyway they came at 7 and I apologised profusely but they said they didnt mind and would return at 10; Valerie said they didnt want to wait where they usually waited because there was an UMUGANDA -community work where everyone has to take part; its always on the last saturday of every month and sometimes randomly on another day, the work can involve anything but it usually involves clearing a road or digging a ditch - its always back breaking work;
Aragis and friend returned at 10 and made us understand that they had hidden their bikes in the bush somewhere and went off to retrieve them. we jumped on the back and set off, but when we reached the kiosk where all the bikes and everyone else always hangs out it was deserted and we wre suddenly set upon by guards who proceeded to attack us with huge wooden truncheons to try and knock us off the bikes. We put our hands up to defend ourselves and they didnt actually hit us but only because the boys were determined to carry on whatever and eventually we got away and sped off leaving the guards shouting after us; They obviously werent making any concessions for muzungus that day and we felt very threatened and quite shaken up although we made a joke of it with the gallant cyclists.
We dont know whether to inform VSO of the incident or complain to the village chief, but i think we should tell someone ; generally we feel very safe here although i believe ther are some aid workers who get up to 100 pounds a day danger money for being in Rwanda!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment