Rebuilding a Home

Per my earlier post, you'll recall that the home of one of our CHH girls, was recently washed away pretty much leaving her and her younger siblings with no shelter.  Short term, they have been staying with their community mentor but yesterday, work started rebuilding their house.  This involved taking apart what was left of the old house and rebuilding using old materials where possible together with some new iron roof sheets, wood and materials.  I didn't realise but the rebuilding was going to be done by the other CHH children and the older boys from the deaf school, together with some of the teachers / vocational skills trainers.  Becky and I also went along to help!

CHH girls chat away whilst carrying rocks on their heads!

There was the most amazing feeling of community spirit I have seen!  Not that that was a surprise as Rwandans are very community minded, but it was so special to watch the children work so well together.  We walked down from the deaf school together after morning lessons, and all picked up some stones at the road side to carry to the home.  I carried a rather pathetic smallish rock.  Some of the CHH girls could carry 2 large rocks on their heads at the same time!!!   They used wrapped banana leaves to make holders for them.  Then others carried wood.   In less than 4 hours, the frame of the house had been built.  There were no arguments / debates over how to do things - the children just got on with it.  No breaks either!! Plus it was one of the hottest days since I'd been in Rwanda. 

Here are some more pictures from our rebuilding.   There are also more houses that need urgent repairs (plus many more urgent needs across the organisation), so sorry for the plug again, but if anyone has not yet donated and would like to, please visit my fundraising page.  Thank you so, so much!