What if...?

'What if'

I mean how many times in your life do u think, say or ask: 

What if?

Isn't it crazy that one tiny insignificant 'what if' could completely change your life...

I mean what if i didn't go to Rwanda...

 I would of worked in the coop for 3 months, 

Yeah I would have been a couple thousand pound richer

 But no amount of money could replace that experience.

What if my parents were still together,

Would of avoided a lot of challenging situations

But I wouldn't have the extended family I do now.

What if I went to University last year to do Primary Teaching
Yeah I would be a year into a degree
But I would be a  year into the wrong degree.

What if Russell, Cameron or Lexie weren't here?
What if Lisa didn't move here in primary 5?
What if Iain didn't start emailing me?

So many questions and possibilities,
So many things that could have changed....
But I wouldn't want it any other way.

Life is full of so many 'what ifs' 
And sometimes its better just to take everyday as it comes 
Because, at the end of the day, life's just too short. 
Don't you think?

Lx

Until next time Rwanda....

So as we speak I am sitting in Kigali Airport, Rwanda.

Either; 3 months, 12 weeks, 90 days, 2160 hours or a whole lot of unforgettable memories.

Some doubted my decisions, some didn’t understand and some just didn’t listen

But now I can truly say with all of my heart – it was all 100% worth it.

Firstly I want to thank everyone who made this dream possible,

If it wasn’t for all your support I wouldn’t have made it.
Rwanda and its inspiring people are now a part of my life that I will always remember,

And for that I am eternally grateful.

Secondly I want to thank everyone at the YWAM base...

Life with you there as friends, as family, as servants – it was unforgettable.

Every one of you have been a blessing to meet whether staff, student or volunteers

You all made a difference to my trip and I will never forget you.

Thirdly I want to thank Umugwaneza.

Without all your support, information, guidance,

Life and laughter this would NEVER have been possible.

You put up with me learning Kinyarwanda

You showed me African living

You took me to Akagera and Bukora

Basically, you made my trip.

I will never forget you and our time together in Rwanda

See you in two months? Can’t wait.

Finally, I want to thank Rwanda.

I want to thank the people for their warm welcome

It is amazing how this country has been rebuilt after the terrible Genocide,

It is such a beautiful place and everyone looks after it so well.

The difference between the city and the country was extreme...

But from both places I experienced amazing things.

I think from this you can all tell I pretty much has the time of my life,

Hope to meet again someday Rwanda, Love Nyiramwiza!

Lx

What An Experience...

Whether it’s been working on base, 

washing with a bucket or 

exploring the length of Akagera national park; 

Rwanda has been anything but ordinary.

Less than 5 months ago it started...

‘Hey i would quite like to go to Rwanda...”

There have been many things in my life I have thought about doing

 But they are all just thoughts, ideas, dreams... right?

After months of intense organisation: shopping, fundraising, vaccinations – that dream became reality!

Here I am.

In what’s known as; Rwanda, Kigali, Rubirizi, Kabeza, Samuduha, or for the last three months... Home.

Being here I have not only made lifelong friends but also been welcomed into an amazing family.

Just like any other family we sit round a table and eat together (granted there is a lot more than one table!), We look out for each other, we spend time with each other and most importantly we love each other.

A year ago I had my heart set on going to University to do a teaching degree, after months of interviews and offers it didn’t work out, I was lost. Now I sit here after having a full time job for 6 months, doing short term volunteer work in Africa, planning on going to University in September to do a nursing degree 

And I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

Although something may feel like the worst possibly situation at the time,

 6 months later you will completely understand... 

I guess what I am trying to say is thing’s really do happen for a reason. 

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love

the things you are, the things you never want to lose."

Lx

It feels like home to me...

So here I am.  Sitting in sunny Rwanda...

With physically very little, surrounded by a thousand beautiful hills 

With only one question running repeatedly through my head - 

How and when will I return? 

Beautiful views, Amazing family and friends, Brilliant culture,

and Half my heart, sound perfect, it is. 

However,  am I talking about Scotland or Africa?

Scotland is amazing….

The scenery is outstanding, the culture is unique

The people in it are special and yes it's my home…

But it's not Africa.

Africa is breath taking….

The views and sunsets are extraordinary, the way of living is so simple

The people are so precious and yes I love it….

But it's not Scotland.

In a perfect world:

Scotland and Africa would be neighbouring countries

I would be offered free flights back and forth as often as I wanted

Or everything I love about both countries could be merged to make…

Afriland!

But then there is reality.

Okay, Its official I have caught the Africa bug…. Mfasha! (that's help, for those Scots!)

Above is something else I really don't want to leave behind...

Lx

I told you dreams came true...

Muraho Everyone

Sorry for the lack of blogging, it's been a busy couple of weeks.

For so long I have talked about Rwanda...

After months of fundraising

Dozens of Vaccinations

Two very packed suitcases

And a lot of dreaming

- I'm here!

After three weeks of being here I feel like I've lived here my whole life,

I feel so at home and I am loving experiencing the different culture.

On the third day I was here someone said to me 'how long have you been here?'

They were shocked when I said only three days because I looked so at home.

Life is even better than I thought it would be:

Getting up at 7 to hear the birds and feel the sun shining through my window

Meeting everyone for breakfast and starting of the day with a hot cup of African tea

Starting work after a morning of singing and dancing - can't think of anything better..

Finishing work duties and spending the evening with friends, or should I say family.

Ending the day with a chapter of my book and beautiful sunset... sound perfect?

It is. 

Scotland : Africa

       A hot running shower : A bucket of cold water 

A variety of foods: Beans and rice

         Midges : Mosquitos

   A toilet : A hole

I have definitely learnt to appreciate the little things, 

But I wouldn't change a thing, otherwise it wouldn't be Africa

...It would be Scotland? 

I am still Me..

 Just in a different location,

With a new name and 

A much better outlook on life.

Keep in touch!

Lx (Nyiramwiza)

One suitcase down...

Okay...

So after a few successful days of shopping 

I am officially one suitcase closer to Kigali! 

Made me realise:

 Just how many toiletries I'll need for 3 small months

Just how quickly a suitcase fills up

Just how much I need to take

Just how soon it is....

I can't wait!

Seeing Carla today and talking though plans made it seem so close,

Seeing that suitcase sitting in the corner of my room is a constant reminder

and opening my advent calender everyday determines the exact number of days.

What will I wear?

What bag will I take?

When will we arrive?

What will we do first day?

&

What will it be like?

Yes, I have heard so much about it and I have researched a lot

But I can only assume that nothing is like the real experience

So please, experience, hurry up....

Lx

Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Dreams...

What are they?

How many of us have been dreaming for snow this Christmas,

But now we have it, do we really want it?

A dream is something you think you need, 

or something you think will make life better.

In this case has the snow made life better,

or is it more hassle then the dream is worth, confused? 

Basically we spend so long wishing and thinking about dreams,

But when they are eventually granted do we really appreciate them?

I guess what I'm trying to say is

be careful what you dream about, dreams are unique. 

They are something you should spend your whole life waiting for or trying to achieve, 

maybe then we will start to appreciate the true understanding of a dream.

Just a thought...

Goodnight

L x