From todays New Times

70 children immunised against killer diseases

BY LILLIAN NAKAYIMA

WESTERN PROVINCE KARONGI — Mukungu Clinic in Karongi district has immunised over 70 children in the ongoing health campaign to protect children against the ‘six killer’ diseases. The campaign that started recently has seen days of immunisation being increased from one to two days in a week, including Wednesday and Fridays. A medical official at the clinic said increasing the days was part of a countrywide campaign to reduce infant mortality rates. The medics say many mothers have embraced the campaign. “We have so far immunised over 70 babies,” said officials at the clinic. She added that as part of the campaign, children are weighed and mothers with malnourished children are counseled. Pregnant women are also advised on how to live during pregnancy. “It was long over due in this area and the large turn up emphasises it,” said another staff, Sister Theresa Uwayo who also acts as a health counselor. Uwayo stressed that immunisation should be stepped up in rural areas. Another health campaign that has been stepped up in the area includes teaching pregnant mothers to voluntarily test for HIV/AIDS to know their health status.

To me the idea that more than 70 babies have been immunised shouldn't be newsworthy, but instead everyday..

Dobby got done

On Sunday we took Dobby to the vets to be sterilised.

Before
She was not a happy passenger trying to scratch her way out of her travel box, and came home obviously sedated still and looking very thin and small.

After

Monday she still was sitting very quietly looking sad and hung-over, and didn’t eat or drink anything. We set her up a sick room in one of the spare bathrooms.

Meantime Nev has been acting up, demanding attention, calling out for Dobby – however as soon as they are together he howls/growls and hisses at her as if she were a stranger.

Tuesday I got sneaky trying to make her eat and drink by rubbing water and pureed fish and rice on her face or paws as she was by now cleaning herself regularly but still wouldn’t eat or drink willingly.

Today things are looking up, Nev still is hissing, but she doesn't seem too impressed or scared, she's eating a little and seems stronger on her feet.

Hopefully by the end of the week she'll be back to normal, and we can let her and Nev get back to their usual routines together. The aim of the game is to let them out into the garden in a few weeks time...

Modern problems

We live in a total different world then people here, you are reminded of that constantly.

My latest dilemma that occupies my thoughts:

What to do with my midlife crisis.

As we all know, men are meant to have a midlife crisis at the age of 40. Of course this is far away as I am only 27 (and 11). Examples from my direct environment. My brother-in-law got a 'ligfiets' (laying down bicicle?), my brother is taking flying lessons.

I am not allowed a mistress, so what will it be. A motor is too dangerous. Hairpiece is too itchy. I will not bungyjump.

So, as far as I can tell this leaves a sportcar. I am not sure if that is such a good idea though in Rwanda. It has to be said that driving can be a top sport here sometimes.

Any suggestions are more than welcome.

(re)structuring a city

One thing we noticed when we returned from our holidays is a baren hillside where used to be houses.

The council of Kigali city has relocated a whole neighbourhood to make place for modern, big, shiny buildings. The people involved were not very happy; they got little time, a small fee and houses without electricity or running water in return. But it happened. This is not the first time something like this happens, and probably not the last. We hope our gardener can stay in his house for a while, he live near us, which is near the centre.

Photo update p 4 Barcelona - grafitti

Barcelona has some really cool corners..

we couldn't get the opening hours of the shops right, so saw lots of shutters with some amazing grafitti art

Photo update p 4 Barcelona

we had a great time in Barcelona, both of us managed to switch off and chill out, a real break.

We hardly saw enough of all that there is to offer, but did go to MACBA, Gaudi's El parc Güell, the Sagrada Família, the mountain of Montjuïc, Parc de la Ciutadella, Mercat de la Boqueria and a few eateries and drinkeries..

Hotel lift - just like out of a black and white film and room - very boutique Market Hotel

Market and shops







and we thought that both the Netherlands and Rwanda were OTT bureaucratically - try paying for your 2 minutes parking!

there must be some really tall people in Barcelona.....

Flash Flash - the funkiest omelette house I have ever visited

Gaudi.. at the park Güell


we were there with a few thousand other tourists...

..beautiful architecture..





Sagrada Família







at Monjuic Lon rode on the cable car!

Photo update pt 3 NL again

we had a great time in the Hague, eating, drinking and making merry - while Lon went on his course
Emma and Andrew were as ever fantastic hosts, and Emmas 40th cocktail party went well (for those concerned about the number of bottles on the table, Emma and Andrew have been the recipients of remains of a number of exiting expats booze cupboards)
This is a room in the new CitizenM hotel at Schiphol airport - small but well designed, and we'd recommend for those who have an early departure or very late arrival. A lovely big bed and full of gadgets - adjustable lighting, wifi, and films to watch

Photo update pt 2 - UK

Dad down at the Bourne legion

Haze and her parents


walking in the fields