Buzzing from the success of the Kamonyi festival, the team travelled south to our final destination of Huye. We dropped off coach Veronique en route in Muhanga where she was taking charge of her girls team in a match that afternoon (her energy is incredible and so inspirational).
We were surprised to see Rwanda grow ever greener as we headed south as it had already seemed as green with vegetation as we thought it was possible to be! Late that afternoon we arrived in Huye and met coach Aimable, a man with an infectious smile. A brief plan for the week was discussed before the team retired to our spa hotel for some well-needed R&R. This was also a time to reflect on the disparity in wealth between Rwanda and the UK with access to sauna, tea and a full-body massage costing a mere 7,000 RWF (£5.31), a fraction of what we’d pay back home. Another comparison we’d learn later in the week emphasising even further the stark contrast was in the cost of a haircut 500 RWF (38p) versus a UK salon haircut of £70, which would be a good monthly wage in Rwanda.
The task in Huye was slightly different compared to the first two regions, which were brand new to cricket. Cricket had been introduced into Huye a few years ago by CWB and the Rwandan Cricket Association and our role was to help keep the momentum up and give guidance to local coach Aimable where required.
The difference was immediately apparent. A few of the schools we visited had stumps set up in the playground with matches going on at break time. We arrived early to one school and a few of the team got involved in a game. A nice surprise for the kids to be bowled at by former Rwanda captain Eric!
Known as The Brain City, due to its prestigious university, Huye also managed to cram an unbelievable number of schools into quite a small space. Their proximity to each other and the local cricket club, where Aimable coaches nightly training sessions after school, meant that throughout the schools we visited this week there were a lot of skilled cricketers already in each of the schools. Not only did they demonstrate great technique in all of the drills, they were also quick to help out the newbies, making the coaches’ jobs a lot easier with the larger groups. This was so heartening to see the cricket skills and CWB values of inclusivity on show and a clear result of the fantastic work Aimable, Vero, Eric and the other RCA and local coaches and teachers had been doing since the last CWB visit. A fantastic start to week two!
Be First to Comment