Alina

How have u been?

2010-02-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

It has been a very longtime since I updated my blog; je dois y rémédier et venir le visiter souvent. Right now the word which is beating me, making BIG my heart is MISSING
Will tell u more soon
muaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Countdown

2009-06-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

Le compte à rebours a commencé il ya a bien longtemps. Am excited to go back, en mm temps it's so sad to leave you my friends. You've been so special to me, everyone in one or another way.

I will miss u my BFF (how many do I have have now?? I can't count) But the main ones are two no four! nei, five or six! Don't remember exactly.

Also, you all my new friends (old ones now) I met in Norway & in Skien particulary . Ur friendship has been been, and it's still, a real Blessing 4 me.

Muri make asukuye, I have a msg for all of u: Jamais je ne vous oublierai, Aldri! Will do whatever it will require to come back to see you babies. And many of u are coming to visit me in Rda: u're all welcome!

Wknd

2009-05-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

Long wknd.............

Happy, happy,.............. happiness

whouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Just Sunday!

2009-05-10T02:07:00.001-07:00

It's Sunday! It's one of those Sundays I don't have any other plan than to lie down in my sofa, once tired I change and lie down in my warm bed; just to rest and relax!
That's one of the days I wish my Dear was here and we could discuss the whole day and eat s.th good, s.th light, s.th sweet, just share something. And go out some hours just 2 breathe fresh air.

That's one of the days I wish I could be with someone juste pr parler de tout et de rien, watch movies (and not series because the series r good 2 be wacthed in week days! juste des theories @ moi! pouf!). That's why am watching Disney Channel right now!

Yeeeeeeees! Friday night I went out and have had fun! Yesterday was the Wonderful Tasha's Bday! I like goin' out and meet people, especially when it's party! People do smile, do talk, do .....but most of all we DO EAT and drink!Takk Maman Tasha, the food was so good! and we shaked our bodies a bit! What I like! People natural swing! We don't need to ingurgitate bottles & bottles of alcohol; just happiness! Bare lykke!

Tomorrow is Monday .......... my "unfavorable" day! Yeah, je n'y peux rien! Hopefully the week will be nice!

My work

2009-05-09T14:17:00.000-07:00

Ca fait longtemps sans ri1 dire about my work!

De retour (from Gambia) la plupart du travail se fait au bureau main'nat (c k je n'aprécie pas sana ces derniers temps) mm si parfois j'me sens tellement fatiguée qu'au moment de la pause je reste on my desk, et k je ne prends absolument ri1 (s/pretexte de Mr Régime qui m'a rendu visite! heheh! Etant @ 1/2 vrai though). Les voyages en avion étant ......au point-mort; l'avion semble etre remplacé par le bus! Comme nous avons des présentations a faire, some local branches to visit, le bus semble notre moyen le + utilisé! Cela ne me dérange ps trop car ils sont confortables! Une heure passée sur terrain, échappées aux longues heures d'assise au bureau, ouf! cela me soulage trop! Au bureau, bien des fois l'air est étouffant!! Et c'est par chance que les heures passent et me délivrent de cette incommodité.

So far, am satisfied with my job. Non pas que ce n'est pas stressant parfois, mais que j'accomplis mon travail et a temps! Stressant par des réunions ennuyant tant qu'on se demande parfois c k que l'on fait et ce qui se passe autour de toi, stressant par des gens qui vous ............ (permettez-moi de me retenir sur e point), stressant quand tu dois donner ton rapport dans quelques heures ou que t'as un article a publier, stressant oui, bien des fois! Mais autant ca stresse, autant tu te défoules ailleurs, autant tu te sens bien aussi!

Soon (ooh very soon) je vais quitter cet endroit que j'avais commencé a aimer et a apprecier! Je me rappelle a peine un mois ici je pleurai seule chez moi, par manque a qui parler, urukumbuzi, ... homesickeness u know avec tous ses détails et ce qu'il englobe! Mm si je rentre tjrs seule et que je passe la n8 seule, mais ca change quand mm! soit je rentre tard d'une soirée avec des ami(e)s, soit je s8 fatiguée a mort de facon k je n'ai qu'un seul instinct celui de mettre mon pyjama et retrouver mon lit douillet, soit il y 1 film ou 1 nouvel épisode to watch calmement et simplement (surtout ca!!!), soit I have a sleep-over, soit .... les raisons sont multiples. Icyiriho: je ne m'ennuie + a mort comme c'etait le cas dans les 1ers mois! Et bien des choses vont me manquer (et vice-versa: am gonna miss it/them)!!!! ooh very soon am gonna meet my 1st norsk vennen! How much I've missed u guys! and we'll have a short time 2 stay 2gether B4 we go back: bare en uke!

Que 'est beau de travailler pr Red Cross, pr l'humanité kweli!!!

Yesterday was the Red Cross and Red Cresent International Day! We've celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the movement! Thanks God it's done! We've been preparing, planning,...how it will happen and it did! Finally we made it! And the street dance course the evening was so nice!!! hahhaha and vi har praktisert det like etter da gikk ut på klubben! so useful the course! hehe

Film film film

2009-05-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

Ces derniers temps je s8 trop accrochée aux series télevisées, ké c ki va m’arriver once at home avec notre connexion aussi rapide qu’une tortue ???!!! www.imideprimo.com !!! Je regarde trop de series k je ne sais m plus retenir si je suis à l’épisode 20 de O.T.H ou 20e de 24H ou au 20e de P.B !!!! Et voilà que du jour au lendemain je devi1 + accro @ 1 nouveau au lieu de s’en ........

Je pleure car Jack est mourrant, Tony Al. est terroriste, la saison va se terminer..... ; d’un autre côté Peyton est dans une situation critique, Lucas n’apparaîtra + dans les prochaines saisons,..... Et voilà k P.B, aussi, va se terminer trèeeeeees bientôt (il ne reste k’1 épis.) et ce sera la fin........ Sara est enceinte et ne l’as pas encore dit au père de l’enfant qui, lui aussi, ne se tient pas tranquille tant k Scylla court et risque de retomber dans les mains de la Company........Sa f#¤"%&*@ de mother me fait chi .... @ mort.......

oh lalalala it’s a long story ; oya nako des long stories gusaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !

Good morning Beautiful, how was ur night???

2009-04-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

Il est minuit! Je veux dormir (et je le dois) mais j’ai pas sommeil. J’ecoute de la musique tout en pensant : je me pose des questions .... c’est un peu compliqué ! Je suis bloquée ....

Quand je retourne mes yeux en arrière, je ne cesse de répéter GOD IS GREAT and he has done a lot 2 me, my family and friends : I didn’t deserve ... I have been lucky .... I’ve expected much .... I am planning …. I must … I should have done ….. I did it, I didn’t ... Ariko ikiruta I surrender all mes inquiétudes, mes doutes, mes peines, mes erreurs, mes prières, mes souhaits, my achievements, mes projets, ....TOUT : ALL
« Ntugasaze, ibyiza biri imbere ! » is it true?? None naba mbisize inyuma?? My childhood (Seigneur je te remercie pr la famille que tu m’as donné, pour l’enfance que j’ai eu ; am sure ko uwo mbikesha muri kumwe kdi ko natwe abasigaye Uturi hafi), mes études, my friends and relatives, my Darling, voyages, job, … ni byinshi I cannot tell it all. Mais j’ai confiance en TOI SGR ntuzantererana kuko Udahemuka. Mais quand je vois ce qui se passe ici-bas Oh Lord je perds confiance bien des fois. Aide-moi, fortifie-moi ! Ibintu byinshi binsubiza inyuma : Kuki ? P’koi ? Hvorfor ? Why ? toutes ces injustices, toutes ces haines, toutes ces guerres, toutes ces catastrophes et calamités, famines, oh why ? why ? why so ??
Quand j’ai commencé cette lettre j’avais en tête ma mission, la Norvège, Skien, mon prochain voyage (vacances) et voilà que j’ai dévié. Oh la la la ! Le cerveau ! Les émotions !

Snart, je vais revoir mes collègues et chers amis Youth Delegates. Mes 1ères connaissances in Norway ! Jeg savner dere so much. On va se revoir bientôt, fortifiés, changés (absolutely) par les différentes expériences que nous avons vécues pendant ces dix mois ! 10 mois que c’est long, que ça passe vite ! Mais avant, je dois retourner en BLG ! Dear tu vas devoir m’excuser kuko ... quand on dit BLG on fait référence à Ambiance - Jus de raisin - retrouvailles. Je serai SAGE je te promets, mais avec klk folies ! juste quelques, okay ? kurengera BIBI, toi-mm tu sais I can’t go over ... :2 bonnes semaines, mais d’ici (consultant mon agenda) ce n’est que klk heures ! minutes mm ! héhé ! Que ce sera beau et bon de pouvoir dormir, se réveiller et jouer avec Matt : 5 ans ou 6 ans déjà !Petit oiseau deviendra grand un jour ! Que les jours passent si vite ces derniers temps, OMG !

Revenant encore en arrière, cette semaine mm, j’ai eu une nouvelle vision de la réalité et surtout de la vie dans mon Pays. Il est vrai que c’est compliqué d’une part (part considérable) et facile d’autre part !! Still, Bro, I have 2 tell u ko la réalité, oui c’est la réalité ; BIRIHO.Le changement est possible cyane, cyane iyo byose ubishyize imbere ya Nyagasani ; nta MEN (but) nagashyizeho ariko kandi ntibura ! Birakomeye, birasharira (bitter), birababaje, biragoye... Afasha uwifashije ; kdi twe twakwifashije turarangaye, twacitse intege, twabuze aho duhera, turatatanye, ... Let me tell u : Ugiye gusura abantu wahagera ugasanga babaga ihene, ishobora guhebeba, iyo sound irimo agahinda, kwiheba na résignation ko bagiye kuyica bishobora kugukora ahantu ku mutima, ukwumva wababuza ngo basi bayireke ; ariko la plupart de cas ubyibikaho, niyo wabivuga nta ngufu ubishyiramo ahubwo ugasanga nyuma ya 30 min, 1 heure mwicaye murya za nyama, na za mbabazi wagize utacyizibuka sometimes ahubwo umuntu ukaba wavuga ngo n’iriya isigaye tuyishakire umunsi, cg se ako gakoko nako nimukotse nubundi ... To say that ........ hopefully u understand, u’ve understood.

Dear am down kabisa! Morale cini! Et pourtant je dois être forte pr moi mm, pour ma mère, ma soeur, my family, ... pour toi aussi. Ces klk minutes de conversations téléphoniques me soulagent et me pèsent à la fois! Ce n’est jamais enough ! Parfois je me révolte and I spend them mu tu détails non importants, stupides débats ( u know) ; ariko icyiruta U know what I mean muri each word, chaque soupir, every silence. I miss a lot 2 people: u and Joe! Kuko on s’attend/se comprend always ariko nziko ko our ideas/propos/points de vue ne sont pas tjrs concordants ; loin de là ! Ariko iyo ari ngombwa vous êtes les seuls à kunyereka réellement où j’ai déconné, ce qu’il 4 faire (kindly mais fermement) no kunsubiza mu murongo ! RESPECT kabisa ! Je vous respecte et sais pas ce que je serai without u !mrc pr tout !
OMG, il est 2h25 du matin ! Il 4 k je dorme sinon 2moro ce sera la cata !

Lord hear me when I call, when I knock oh God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress/doubt/pain/anxiety/crisis/loneliness/fails/falls; Have mercy on me and hear my Prayer. I’m calling upon U Lord my God, my Rock, my Fortress, my Shield, my Strength and my Deliverer who’s worthy 2 believe, 2 trust and to be praised, 4ever & ever, AMEN

My Bday

2009-03-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday the 19th I celebrated my "twitan" Bday! The day was so wondreful, unpredictable things happened 2 me.

The morning I overslept (I have come home late the night B4 from a belated Brother's Bday). When I arrived at work, we ate all 2gether: there was a Bday cake! wouuuuuuuu and some gifts of course.

The afternoon, the ungdomsgruppe cooked at the International Buffet, helped by a French guy (lasagnes, salade, schrimps, ....) It was so....mhuum veldig godt!

Etterpå we went chez moi: coffee, tea, pizza, cola, brus,........

Cake og Muscador; friends

jenter

Gutter

Twaraganiriye bishira keraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, gifts nazo ziraza ........... + "champagne" whouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

Then umuziki, .... ubundi gutaha no kuryama!

Thanks be 2 God

Nice wknd!

2009-02-16T06:18:00.000-08:00

It has been cold these last days. Once we went out and when we came back around 11PM it was -14 degrees! wouu!

But that's not my topic 2day! I just wanted to say a little bit about last Saturday (St Valz Day). We've had the annual meeting with the Youth group. Around 19.00, a friend came to see us and we went out. I was so hungry! The 1st Restau was full of commands! The 2nd was okay and beautiful: nice decor! They asked us where r our Valz! heheh! "Don't worry they're coming" hehhe!

We ate nice food, hum! ca valait la peine! I was dying: j'avais vrmt faim et n'avais pas mange de tte la j'rnee!Mbega ibiryo, ibigurumana, ibyo bateruranye inkono, ibisa umutuku, ibisa icyatsi, umuhondo,.... toutes les couleurs! it was so mhuam!

Jen, Me & Xstelle

Then a friend joined us, (finally) we got a male! heheh

Etterpå we went to dance. The club was too hot! wouh! And we met Amina and Amuney, other friends. Wouh, l'amiance etait @ gogo! twarahatwitse!!!! fire!

Hope that u've had a wonderful Val'z day

Vinter I Skien

2009-02-01T00:19:00.000-08:00

Pics taken from my veranda. It's cold; I avoid to go out as much as possible (-3 til -7 degrees this week)

My Holidays in Belgium and Hollande!

2009-01-31T12:34:00.000-08:00

This is ..... I don't know how to say it! It's more than words am gonna use. Because it was so unbelievable! My holidays in Belgia and Hollande! wow! Unforgettable days! Xmas '08 and New Year Eve '09: nice moments I shall cherish ever :)

Ambiance (jusqu'a l'aube), inzoga, music, ibiryo, la joie de retrouver les tiens after a longwhile, les deceptions, les rires, les pleurs, la honte, la simplicite, la gentillesse, la comprehension, la nervosite, gouter a des nouveaux plats, etre recue as a princess, gushwana, babysitting, family, friends, ex-classmates, nieces and nephews, .... whatever u can find in this word: RETROUVAILLES (REUNION)!!!
Mais aussi, et surtout, le nombre de bouteilles naturikijes, the number of caps flew into the air ... mhummm JUS DE RAISIN benshi bazi ku izina rya Muscador englouti,...haha

I can' tell a lot, mais seulement THANKS BE 2 GOD! U'RE SO AMAZING!

The Gambie

2009-01-28T05:15:00.000-08:00

What a nice time I've had in The Gambie! 2 nice weeks!

We left Skien busstasjon early at 2.00AM, picked the others in Porsgrunn. By 5.00 AM we were at Gardemoen Airport. It was so coooooooooooooooooold! Though, I was so excited to back 2 Africa, the sun, the travel,... the whole journey was so exciting!

8 hours of flight! Finally we reached The gambie. So hot oh My God! Many people, and they were harasssing us (asking money, asking to help us, asking if we want to go..., asking and asking...). A bus took us from the Airport to Mansea Beach Hotel at 500m from the Beach. It has a swimming pool where we dived almost every day! I shared the room with a funny and nice girl, Ida S. She's so nice. She helped me by her funny stories, her lovely comprehension and each day feelings shared before to sleep. "Tusen takk My Dear"

Many places we visited, different meal we ate! wouah!

The 1st week: They took us to different sightseeings. We visited the HQ of Red Cross in The Gambie, Fajikunda Red Cross link, the sewing school, the Health Center, a nursery school sponsorized by Norway, we went to the Beach, participated at the Beauty Queens Parade (parade organized by Fajikunda Red Cross) and they elected the Year Queen. Djalex (a popular and famous singer) performed that night and every one was crazy, dancing, shouting almost standing on our heads!!!! We went to the Crocodile Park and I shaked Charlie's hand (a crocodile)!!! Yes I did!!!! At the beginningI was afraid of course!

Fajikunda Red Cross, Charlie le Crocodile

Nursery School

The 2nd week: we trained the Fajikunda Red Cross volunteers in 1st Aid and Active choice. We visited the Roots Nursery School where some from our group became benefectors of 9 children (sponsor). We also contributed to the construction of the school's toilet. We went to James Island (island where were emprisoned slaves b4 being deported 2 America); we also went to Banjul Market. The night before we came back we had dinner with gambian guys. They really helped us and are so kind.

Every one is smissing The Gambie :)

Longtime!

2008-12-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

Yeah! Longtime!!!

I have been experiencing many things since my trip to Italy!

I have been to many places especially Denmark in Color Line; a high speed & new brand BOAT! It was really nice but not funny at all when the boat was going up and down and us just whining 2 the left & the right ( Yes I like to dance but,... when ther is Music and appropriated atmosphere! lol! ). I enjoyed my 1day stay in Denmark, the shopping (fordi things are cheaper than here in Norway and of course the duty free shop on the boat) Even if my account got a luck of much penger, am not angry at all! Necessary and nice things boat!

One weekend we went to Lifjell ( as we are travelling to Gambia next january), we had a workshop-relaxing wknd in a cottage in the mountains. Nice wknd! And great jobb we did there! Many things planned and arranged in such a short time. TOGETHER WE CAN! Many wknds we're busy in Gambia project, we're deserved a relax, a rest.

Last week we went to Oslo, where WE MADE IT: we were there when the treaty against the cluster bombs was signed. Historical event!!! And International en +! I hope that nations which signed and the ones which didn't will stopp producting, selling or using them. How better will be the WORLD then! Reste a croiser nos doigts! I can't forget how happy I was to see my Fellow Youth Delagates, once again! I really missed u guys. And the ones abroad! Il me tarde d'etre en June 09 to meet you again! And to go back in my Sweet and Beautiful RWANDA then; I'll see my... my... and My Lovely .....! Ouh il me tarde vrmt!

I don't forget the school where we have been in "School project" giving Aktiv valg eller Stopp volden eller Human trafficking. Også, we r still attending the norwegian class, by the way my norsk is getting better and better every day! Nice læreren! I'll miss them, our classmates, our nice and interesting studies,... all!

Today we're coming back from Gvarv wher we had a presentation about our Beutiful and Sweet Country : RWANDA. It was to a youth group which is going to a trip to the East African. You're more than welcome in our country and Mama Africa!

Stay in touch!

Italy, Red Cross roots!

2008-11-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

Mantova, Jen & moi

me

me and ... With a nice Lady

me, Skien Youth group

Nice moments! Best memories! Strong feelings!

Mingle mingle feelings!

2008-11-07T08:22:00.000-08:00

Je ne me sens pas bien du tout. Et pourtant 30 min j'étais souriante et de bonne humeur! Cela m'arrive very often ces derniers temps. Je pense que I miss my people. I mis my Mom (Sonia uri he?? Ubu se ugeze kuki? Avant de m'endormir et avant de me lever je te montre au Seigneur et je suis sure qu'Il entend mes prières et va les axaucer; je ne me decourage pas). I miss u Little Sis' ( tu n'aimes pas que je t'appelle ka Joe but tu resteras tjrs Ka Joe pour moi) I miss ... Que dirais-je? I miss u, I miss all our moments 2gether struggling, happy, enjoying life, having fun, ... avec qui décorerais-je mon sapin de NOEL, est-ce que je vais le faire au moins?? je ne sais pas. Am not sure!
Vous me manques toutes Lily, Diane, Denyse, Namy and Yannick, Nono, Mayibobos mwese, Vestine ( wowe narakubuze pe) parfois me je dis que le monde est injuste pe!!! Lovian, Joufiiiiiiiii, Bica, Josette (nkumbuye guseka pe nkakwekwenuka), Chanty, Petite(nkumbuye i Btre bya vrai), Soso, toutes les mamans et leurs Babies, baba abo nambariye baba abo natahiye ubukwe, abo tungana, abo nduta n'abankuriye; ndabakumbuye Coco et Madamu (les plus bonnes cousines I have ever had) Chantal nawe komera. Ba Tantes bose comment allez-vous? Et mes oncles?? Bo .... I don't say alot! I know u never care!! Habiyakwanza muzamuha rapport y'icyo mwamumariye à son absence!
Ndakumbuyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Vous me manques tous! Daddy, igiparu ngo mutahe! Titi comment Ça va iyo mu Burera?? eeh akabenz ka hahantu!! Maxime et Jo ni aye?? Oh , ma Chorale, GNF, qui vous a dit que je punirai tout célibataire à mon retour?? J'ai pas dit Ça moi!!! Quelle mouche vous a piqués comme Ça là??? Il me manque de chanter et de louer pour le Seigneur dans toutes les langues, les messes de mariages, nos bons moments (Kibuye, Akarwa, Rubona, Cyangugu,...)avec vous les gars. Eehhhhhhhhhhh groupe IBIHE Ça va???? oh oh nagiye tugitangira ibihe wana!!
At last but not at least: My Dear, .... les mots me manquent! Even le souffle!!! TU ME MANQUES terriblement! Tout ce que j'ai à te dire, je te le dirai au téléphone (loin des oreilles indiscrèeeeeeeeeeeetes) Bzu

My weekend at Eiden!

2008-11-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning, we drive from Skien to Tønsberg. It took us exactly 2 hours. Eiden is a Røde Kors Center in Tønsberg. An other beautiful center.
We went for a seminar-evaluation of FERIE FOR ALLE. We were with volunteeers of Red Cross from different parts of Norway. Am sorry my story doesn't have pictures as usual(I did't bring my camera!:(

We were welcomed by a guy, Laurencia and a lady, Wenkel. We were about 20 participants. After a short presentation and a movie about a Ferie for alle this summer at Eiden we had an ice breaker, I really enjoyed what we did: we were supposed to line up depending on our names, the color of our homes, the number of rooms in our homes, the numbers of ferie for alle we've attended as volunteers, our years of volunteering in Røde Kors,... then we were given groups.
After that we had a session about ADHD : Activity Deficity/Hyperactivity Disorder. After lunch we continued one hour with the same session.

Then we were given KINDER eggs and were asked to make a ukeplan for a ferie for alle using the tools inside the chocolates. It was funny! :)
Around 5PM we met at the reception and went out for an out-activity : they divided us into 2 teams of 9 people each. My team began by jumping in the air. It was dark! It was coooooooooold outside. But we had fun.
After the 1st game we did the .... I forget the name : with an arc and arrow, we tried the hit the target. Every one has 3 chances. After that, we went for the matryosha : to stay, all of us, 10 sec on top of a cube : many cubes of different sizes. We got mad with the 4th! We tried many many times, me on the shoulders of one guy, holding each other, sitting on ourselves,... but we failed. We gave up after a while trying in vain:)
We went to the next : tightened by ropes, we tried to catch and raise a piece of wood. We divided our group into 2, the first ones raised it in 2min11 and the second after 3min57!
The next was the labyrinthe-game: to bring a ball from the start point to the end point passing by numbers from one to 100 (if I remember well the numbers) and avoiding holes in the labyrinthe-board. We never passed the 68th point after 3 failures and restarting again.
The last task was to answer questions dropped along the path in the forest.

At the end we took our middag from the vikingstua : we were sitted around the fire and we were served our meal there. It was so hyggelig (vi hadde det veldig fint selskapet!)
After dinner we answered the questions we were asked in the game and they told us the 2 teams performances; my Team won!!!! We were given a glass every one! wine, beer, whisky, cola, fanta, vann, etc.... were served!
At the end we played the MAFIA game; 2 times I was a mafioso and wasn't catch! So, I won twice in that game. It was my 1st time to play it. But I think, now I know, I liked it, I like it. Absolutely!
At midnight we went back to the center, some chose to continue the beautiful and nice Night/moments we were having. At 1AM I gave up and went to sleep.

The following day, Sunday, after the frokost at 9AM we began the session by a group work:
- to tell our best memories from ferie for all we attended,
- the different skills that must have a volunteer
- how to improve the next ferie for alle

After that it was given the 1st aid course. For those who have had it we were divided into 2 groups and given cases to discuss and some questions to answer.

At 1PM we took lunch and said good bye to each other before taking the road back.

Nice wknd at Eiden:)

Skien

2008-10-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

It's one month and half that my partner and I are working with Skien Red Cross.
Just to summarize what we've been doing till now:
1. seminars: we've been in 3 mains seminars, the first was Active choice instructors course in Norsjø, the 2nd was on Rules of war in Merket and the 3rd one was about Human trafficking in Oslo(HQ of Norwegian Red Cross).

2. work: we visited the Porsgrunn Factory and a kindergarden(I don't remember its name!) and have been in Newspapers for that (superstars)! Apart from that we're working with the youth group in Skien and Porsgrunn. Every Wednesday we have outreach programme where we visit schools and teach them either Active choice, stopp volden or human trafficking, ...

3.Language : every day (except on Wednesday and other days with special activity) from 8.30 to 13.00 we have language course.The lærer are good and nice, they do their best! we learn Norsk, but we also do some other activities. Like this week, cultural week, we've been making bags, when other groups were busy painting and making pictures, and others writting articles and books.(I've made a bag myself!!). Once we learnt how to cook pizza and epple kakke! Hum!

4.Social: people in Norway and Skien in particular are kind. Once u meet them, talk with them they become ur friends. Especially people we work with are very kind, every time they take care of us!

5.The weather : hu lala! Yep, I've seen the snow, and I like it. But, the cold! Banange ndayibatuye!! It's getting cold and cold every day! Everyone tells me that the cold has not started yet!Oh My God how cold must it be to say It's cold??! I wonder!

6.Apartment: I have my own apartment, it's very nice with few meubles but I like it. It is big. Nei, it becomes big (especially) the night! loneless. I cook for myself everyday! Guess what I cook almost every day! CHIPS! :) hahaha

7.The cool things : we went to Solferino last week. I couldn't believe it! To be at that place where all begun! We went to Venezia, beautiful city with an interesting history and amazing culture, techniques in building, painting,...
We're planning the next trip to Gambia, January next year : ten days! I hope it will be nice too. We've been in Merket in Ferie for alle with kids. Five days in mountains, with kids, in cabins. I've been playing bowling, climbing, playing hockey, skateball, crossing the river in the air, doing canoe,... with kids. I can't forget how excited I was when they told me that we'll ride horses: va savoir! Guess how we rided horses: they brought ONE horse pulling a kind of chariot and it took us several rounds in the back not on the back of horse. Just look at the picture u'll understand! :) lol!!!

8. 9. 10. ... I know Skien reserves me many other surprises, not only Skien but Norway. How nice is it to be a YOUTH DELEGATE!!!

2008-10-25T17:47:00.001-07:00

C’est dimanche le 19 Oct, 20h35. L’avion décolle de l’aéoport Torp et arrive à Bergamo en Italie 22h15min. Nous sommes une équipe de 16 personnes, deux autres nous ayant rejoint le lendemain. Ils venaient de Bergen et avait été empêchés par je ne sais quoi ! Dans le groupe il y avait cinq jeunes volontaires (Ida, Nuchin, Veronica, Jennifer et moi). Nous sommes accueillis par une femme formidable qui nous a trop aidés pendant notre séjour en Italie. Un bus nous attendait à l’extérieur pour nous amener à l’Hotel La Spia d’Italia à Solferino la nuit mm ! On s’arrêta en cours de route pour prendre klk chose à manger : la faim nous tenaillait ! Je partagea la chambre avec Nuchin et Veronica, toutes venant du youth group de Skien. Jennifer et Ida dormaient dans la chambre à côté.
Lundi matin après le frokost, le bus nous amena à Castiglione où l’on visita le Musée.
Ici repose toute l’Histoire du mouvement de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, tous les outils utilisés (pinces, bandes, ciseaux, brancards, lampes, ...) depuis la guerre de Solferino à nos jours. On nous expliquait différents faits comme on visitait les différentes parties du Musée. Un bon repas italien nous attendait à midi au Cafè Forum à Castiglione mm ! L’aprem, nous avons visité l’Eglise catholique de Castiglione. Ensuite une partie de l’équipe, dont je faisais partie, décida de rentrer à pied : 10km à pied (ça use ça use, 10 km à pied ça use les souliers !). Ngirango twahagenze 2h30min ou plus ! Un bon exercise physique (hope that My Dear azampemba kuko ewana, sport yo narayikoze pe !)
Pour éviter des details inutiles, on prenait généralement le lunsj à midi et trente, le middag à 20h et le frokost à 8h. Nous avons mangé des pizzas dans un restau à Mantova la 2e soirée. Le lendemain, nous avons pris le train til Venezia. Venezia n’est pas belle comme l’est Hawaii ou Sydney ou New York,... Venise est une belle cité par sa parcularité ! C’est une ville en plein milieu de la mer, caractérisée par
 Le modèle de construction, l’architecture, les monuments et la peinture des temps anciens. Quand on regarde les Eglises, ponts, maisons,... tout est OLD-Fashion !
 Le nombre important d’Eglises, monuments et palace. Tout est accompagné d’une histoire trèeeeeeeeeeees intéressante (mais cela dépend de qui vous la raconte, de votre guide). Le Professeur qui nous accompagnait et expliquait excelle en matière d’Histoire de la Rennaissance.
 La foule de touristes que vous rancontrez à Venise ! Wouah !! Am sure ko muri Summer umuntu adahumeka kubera ubwinshi bw’abantu!!!
La soirée twagarutse Mantova et avons passé la nuit dans l’Hotel Albergo Bianci. Le lendemain nous avons visité La Croix Rouge Italienne de Mantova le matin et l’aprem dusura Palaces, Eglises, ... ahantu henshi, toujours guidés par le mm Professeur que la veille. Mbere yo gutaha dusezera kuri Annetti, la femme qui nous avez accueilli et guidait pendant tout notre séjour en Italie. It was sad ! 

La mm soirée twagarutse Solferino twakirwa na Croix Rouge Italienne d’Asola. Mes cher et chères amies cette soirée nous avons bu et mangé (red & white wine, champagne, limonades, amusegueles, spaghetti, pizza, gateaux,...).

Le lendemain (l’avant dernier jour) nous avons visité Solferino The Battle Field. Nous avons visité la Tour de Solferino et avons été au Site Mémorial de Solferino. Ici n’est enterré personne. Ahubwo chaque pays membre de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge est représenté : les noms de tous ces pays sont gravés sur des pierres formant un Mur de Souvenir.
Mbere yo gutaha nous avons visité l’Eglise de Solferino, là où reposent 40000 soldats décédés lors de la Guerre de Solferino. Vous ne pouves pas y croire but leurs os sont déposés de façon originale le lond des murs de l’Eglise ! Ooh Mon Dieu ! May leur soul rest in peace !

A midi nous étions invités à partager le repas chez la Présidente de la Croce Rossa Italiana de Mantova. Une belle and old dame et son mari et leur fille Francesca prirent soin de nous. Wine et plats infinis! C’étais merveilleux dans un décor inimaginable. Nkimwe dusoma mu bitabo pe ! L’aprem chacun eu droit au repos et le soir une fête d’adieu nous réunissa tous : host and guests !
Vendr matin nous avons clôturé notre trip par une évaluation générale. Après lunsj le bus nous ramena à Bergamo où l’on devait prendre l’avion. 18h l’avion nous ramenant home décollait et à 20h twahuhwaga n’umuyaga ukonje, preuve que l’on était de retour muri Norway !

Røde Kors Ungdom på Merket

2008-10-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

After the FERIE FOR ALLE, the children's camp; mon sejour a Merket goes on. Nous avions une formation avec Røde Kors Ungdom (Oppland og Hedmark group). des volontaires jeunes, joyeux, motivated, .... cooooooooooool! La formation a commence Vendredi soir par une breve presentation des participants et du programme de ce wknd ensemble. After the Middag, nous avons eu le LINEDANCE, with a famous dancer in Norway. She teached us quelques pas du linedance. Nous avons passe toute la soiree a socialiser, a danser et a nous connaitre de plus. Vous ne pouvez pas y croire, but we're with a NICE GROUP. Ils sont contents, vivants, amis, motivated, .... et surtout jeunes!
OOh plus tard Camilla, la presidente du Norges Red Cross Ungdom nous a rejoint. Elle nice cette girl!! Ce samedi apres le FROKOST nous nous sommes retrouves dans la salle ou nous avons ete parles du Human TRafficking in general et in Norway in particular. Nous avons ete divises en 4 groupes et avons fait, chaque groupe, a photo-movie about the Human Trafficking que nous presenterons au reste demain (I hope so!). A midi quarante cinq, Jennifer et moi avons fait une presentation sur la Croix-Rouge Rwandaise et ses activites. Nous avons clos la presentation a leur parlant de nos "funny events" zatubayeho tukigera Norway! Do u want to know what is it???

1. Nous avions des lourdes valises, qui nous ont ete difficiles a porter de temps plus qu'ici il n'y a pas de KARANI-NGUFU (porteurs de bagages). Arrivees a un escalier roulant nous avons bcp hesite a le descendre car c'etait trop complique voir impossible avec des valises lourdes et enormes que nous portions. Par chance, apres klk 3 ou 5 minutes d'hesitation quelqu'un nous a montre un escenceur.OUF! SAUVEES!
2. Pour allumer les lampes dans notre chambre du 1er Hotel ou nous avons atteri (car nous venons de sejourner dans plus de 4 hotels differents seulement apres 6,7 semaines in Norway!!) il suffisait d'inserer la carte acces pour allumer. Oh My God, pour y arriver ca nous aussi pris plus de deux minutes a le decouvrir et a se demander comment un tel Hotel a une coupure de courant!!! hafi guhamagara kuri reception tubabaza igihe umuriro uteganya kugarukira!!!hahah!! :)

3. 4. 5. Muzanshake mbibabwire personnaly!!!

Revenons a nos moutons; donc apres notre presentation nous leur avons raconte ces insolites. On s'est bien marre!

After the Lunsj nous avons fait une sorte de QUIZ qui consistait a marcher et repondre aux questions attachees a des poteaux, des questions concernant la Norges Røde Kors. Nous etions dans les 4 groupes formes le matin mm! Apres cela, Camilla la presidente nous a parle de la Norges Røde Kors Ungdom in general et recent news about it. Update! Nous avons egalement fait le HANDPRINT on a white cloth, juste en souvenir de cette formation. The white cloth with our hands printid and painted on will go in Hademark/Oppland Røde Kors Ungdom.

Juste avant le middag, we said good bye to Camilla la Presidente qui a recu un cadeau en souvenir: umupira mwiza wanditseho MERKET. Apres le middag nous avons fait le CAMP FIRE!!! wouah c'etait le moment le plus coooooooooool de la journee! Avec des chansons, guitares, ....pizzas, soft drinks, candies,.... oooh! wonderful.

A cette heure avancee de la nuit (2h du mat

in) nous sommes tjrs en train de rire, danser, watching movies, telling stories and jokes! I think we won't sleep tonight!!!

Good night! talk to u later !!

Ferie for alle in Merket!

2008-10-06T13:55:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I spend almost 8 hours in a bus, travelling from Skien to Merket. At the arrival, I touched and felt my ass just to be sure that I still have it after all those hours :)
(joke!) I'm still thinking and telling to my friends, especially those who are not in Norway or have never been here that Norway is a Beautiful Country, JOLI pays! Nice nature, much water, mountains and valleys, wouah! (I like the green hills I like the mountains,...I like Norway). I'd like to spend my life here with My Boo of course (my greetings and warm hug to Him).
The trip was not boring at all. Almost every hour we stopped and let the kids go to ... and refreshing themselves. Just to walk and move the legs.
My excitation was on top when I saw the snow!wouah! Have u ever imagine urself in a situation u categorize like "impossible" or just "ideal" and one day u find urself in it,there, doing what u've dreamnt several times?? That's how I was yesterday.That feeling is still here, inside me!
I'm in a cabine with five cute girls, from 6 to 12 yå. They ALL speak norsk and I speak English. Yes plz imagine our conversation. The information and communication:thank u Norges Red Cross Ungdom, u developped my knowledge in that field! We communicated, we slept together and the morning they find us Zero(0) Killed(K): OK. Today Anneli moved in our cabine, I really needed a translator, yes my Friend Anne u're welcome!
Today morning j'ai fait le Bowling!! Cool, my 1st time too! Yep the snow is not the only thing I've ever experienced. Actually Norway has many surprises to me! J'ai fait le bowling avec les kids. My high score kuri 10bottles is 8! Great thing for a beginner, don't u think? This afternoon we played an other game, I don't remember the name but it's about to throw un petit baton et faire echouer tous les pions du camp/groupe adversaire. Finally u have to hit the KING in wood! U can't imagine : in 3games which were played I hited the King twice and made my team win (twice)! Le moment le plus coooooooooooooool a ete quand on a traverse the river in the air!! How can I explain: on vous fait porter un calecons(hihi) :) en corde, on vous attache a une corde qui passe au-dessus de l'eau et vous glissez en l'air juste au-dessus de la river! u can't stop the screaming, shouting, de part la peur et l'altitude!Coool!
I missed the climbing show; I'm sure I could have been "geniale" also!
On Thursday we'll ride horses!!!!Look forward it!

I think,no I'm sure this week will be INOUBLIABLE in my whole life!

My first days in Norway!

2008-10-01T03:41:00.000-07:00

FIRST WEEK: 18^th- 24^th August

We did practical work on Monday morning by going to the police to apply for a residence permit. We then went to the tax office to apply for the tax cards which took us a week to get them. All this was successful because we were helped by a former youth delegate to Armenia and her name is Miss Ramune.

After the practical work, she took us to the Norwegian Red Cross and we met with Monika Andersen, the youth program coordinator. She gave us a brief orientation and promised to tell us more when the other youth delegates arrived.

NB: We were the most organized group among the rest. We arrived first and everything went smoothly compared to the rest of the delegates!

On the second and the following days, we were taken for sightseeing in Oslo city and get to know some of the things and how they operate them. On Friday all the foreign delegates arrived apart from the Sudanese who hadn’t got their Visas yet.

On that Saturday and Sunday, it was a very exciting day. We were part of the Mela Festival and we were given chance to participate in the voluntary work. It is like FESPAD of Rwanda. We helped in making the fence and explaining for the tourists what the Mela Festival is all about.

SECOND WEEK: 25^th to29th August

We arrived at the FK course in a place called Hadeland (in Gran Municipality) and we had dinner together with the rest of the youths from all over the world. They come from different organizations that are sponsored by the FK.

After one week of intensive training, we were awarded certificates in the following topics:

v Fredskorpset - organization, vision & values

v Personal challenges in a new and foreign culture

v Intercultural communication and understanding

v Norwegian development cooperation

v Information work

v Health and security

We then left the hotel back to Oslo.

Third & fourth week: 30th-14^th September

We were taken to a youth Hostel in preparation for the Red Cross training (at Haraldsheimen Vandrehjem). We were trained in the following aspects by different facilitators in their respective fields of specialties:

v Introduction to the Norwegian Red Cross Youth

v Active choice

v When catastrophe hits

v International Humanitarian law, Rules of war & Migration

v Information /communication/ photo shooting

v First aid

v Youths on the Run

v Briefing by the regional coordinators and contact persons

On the 15^th we were all dispersed to our respective places of work and that’s when we arrived in Telemark (Skien town).

Our impressions:

We are cordially happy and greatly honored for such a great opportunity. We feel trusted and for this, we shall do our best to be good ambassadors and convey the right message you gave us.

As human beings, we are still fighting with some of the challenges that come our way. It’s not very easy to adapt. We still have some problems with the culture here.

Ø The Norwegian are not out going

Ø The weather is getting colder so we are a bit worried

Ø The food is different from ours (the food we're used to in our country)

Generally, we are getting used to the Norwegian system and the culture at large. Skien commune have great hopes in us and we are trying as much as possible to do what is required of us.

Thanks;