On Wednesday 27 June 2007, Mr Nsabayesu Aimable, the gentleman in the middle of the picture below wearing a black suit, travelled from Kamembe to Bugarama by minibus to make an in impromptu visit at the school. The 2 ladies on the right are catering staffs and house in the background is P6 kids restaurant. None of the Rwandan team had been informed of the visit and Mr Nsabayesu carried with him a letter giving him the mandate to request RSVP documents and access both the school and the restaurant.

He set off from Kamembe just after 9 am local time and arrived at Mihabula, a Pentecostal Church owned primary school, around 11 am.

He says "since all kids were into their classrooms having lessons, it was quiet in the playground. Only the teacher's bike was visible outside".

At his arrival, the head teacher was not at the school- away on a meeting- and P6 teacher was not into the classroom. Mr Nsabayesu was therefore introduced to P6 kids by Monique, the P2 teacher and school treasurer.

Later, the P6 teacher (right) arrived with medication bought from a local pharmacy ).Due to a high doctor/patient ratio, even people like teachers may self medicate; and although illegal, often the prescribing "pharmacist" may not have completed a pharmacy course in secondary school!

This girl (front row left) is called Rita and came 4th in recent exam results. Must say that unlike schools in England and Wales apparently abolishing school exams, Rwanda’s education system is heavily based on multiple examinations, at least 3 every year from P1 to P6.

So, Rita is the top girl for the 2007’s P6 class. She is reading one the books donated by RSVP. RSVP has purchased books such that a book is shared by 2 kids for English and social sciences, and 8 kids for common errors in written English and French grammar; with the teacher having access to his own didactic books- 2 in total. So, the total books for P6 now mounts to 58 (up from just 5 – that is 1060% increase).

What does the second photograph show?Two very important messagesFirst, in addition to a stamp reading "donated by the Rwandan School Village Project (bottom right corner), RSVP books have been given a unique number by the school using a permanent marker pen (great effort considering the lack of sophisticated technologies).Second, careful observation of the books held by the girl in view (above) shows books have been covered by a kaki paper. This is precisely the same material I used for the few notebooks afforded during primary and secondary school. The paper is a cement bag's insert used by the local cement factory called CIMERWA.According to the provisional 2 year plan, the school feeding and book programs will be extended to other classes as funds grow. So, let's now introduce P5 class coming to P6 in January 2008, which is, according to Mr Nsabayesu, desperately looking forward to the school meal.

The class on the third photo has already received 108 books such that a book is shared by 2 kids for English and Social Sciences and 7 kids for Common errors in written English and French Grammar, with the teacher having 2 didactic books.

Initially, P5 had just 13 books for 75 kids. There is now an 830% increase in books number. The class in now split into 2, P5A and P5B.

The above picture shows the middle and right row of pupils. The item hanging on the wall behind is a broom used to sweep the class. Also used in household for the same purpose

This photo shows Jeanne, a girl who has come 1st in the recent P5 examination.Emphasis is put on girls here because, compared to boys, they very often face the greatest challenge in their educational pathway! So, well done Jeanne!The above picture shows the left row and Jeanne is seating on the second line

Mr Nsabayesu followed P6 kids to where Chantale Umutesi, the winner of the caterer’s competition, prepares and serves school meals.

This photograph shows kids washing their hands. I am very delighted by the fact that a waiter actually uses a jar to pour clean water for every kid.Most people would normally simply wash their hands from a communal container (dirty). So, full marks here. Not clear from the photograph whether soap is provided or used. The report hasn't mentioned this.

Here girls have sat at the table alone, but, according to Mr Nsabayesu, “they usually mix well with boys”.

Jars and bottles in view contain boiled (then cooled) water and every child has their own cup. Mr Nsabayesu reports that kids wait for food in discipline and usually drink a lot of water before meal due to heat.

Before moving on to serving food, let’s see the state of kitchen and where food is cooked.

I must warn UK volunteers and readers that this would not obtain a certificate from the Food Standards Agency or sister organizations.

20 randomly selected daily log books were collected by the Rwanda Coordinator as a source of feedback.

The log books are divided into 12 columns indicating date, amount of food, state of food i.e. burnt, too salted, badly kept (smelly), cleanliness of crockery, cleanliness of staff both physical and uniform, pre-meal hand washing, cleanliness of toilet (long hole), drinking water (boiled or not), and finally additional comments i.e. suggestions or areas needing improvements.

20 randomly selected daily log books were collected by the Rwanda Coordinator as a source of feedback.

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