Welcome to a fascinating blog today! Not least because it has an unexpected development towards the end, after the Podcast.
The Author meets Tinashe Pindura at Pakati Secondary school, September 2019
Let me introduce you to Tinashe Pindura, former Deputy Head & Teacher of English at Pakati Secondary school until fairly recently. She has been a great source of information, stories & images for us here at Friends of Pakati.
She has been on the blog before – check out these 2 posts from 2019:
https://friendsofpakati.com/2019/01/28/staff-profile-5-mrs-pindura-deputy-head-english-teacher/
So, onto the podcast…our 12th, introduced once more by our editor, Bradley Mell
Now, to record the podcast I had to travel to her school, Mukombami High school, between Juru Growth Point and Musami Cross, another rural school.
As we talked beforehand, she was asking me about working abroad…she had thought about the UK but she didn’t like the sound of our winters! She had heard about a different opportunity in Africa, and days later while I was visiting Pakati, she was busy applying.
I got a message on Whats App, and tried to encourage her…
….it worked! So on October 19th, she arrived in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.
Here is what she told me when I asked her about it alll. Here is the full report:
“Just saw a press release by the government of Rwanda and Zimbabwe advertising the need for trained personnel in different fields. The first time I brushed it off then my friend said we should give it a shot. I wasn’t too decided and kept on procrastinating then eventually applied. I remember highlighting to you that I wasn’t too sure if Rwanda was a good fit and u said it’s not bad. Eventually I got called to write a competence based exam which was really tough but I managed to sail through. After passing I got called for an interview via zoom.
The interview comprised of the Rwandan and Zimbabwean team with experts in my field. It went well leading to my leaving Zimbabwe on the 19th of October along with other Zimbabweans who had gotten job offers.
The flight was less than 3 hrs . On arrival at Kigali international Airport was surprised seeing a lot of aeroplanes belonging to Rwandair . I ddnt expect them to be that advanced considering it is still a developing economy. We got welcomed by the Zimbabwean ambassador to Rwanda which was a nice gesture. One thing I can say about Rwanda is that people there have a strong work ethic and they sure know how to keep the country clean.
Also got to eat fried and cooked bananas for the first time!”
Tinashe sent me a some photos, including her new accommodation which she shares with 2 other Zimbabwean women colleagues. She is now training Rwandan teachers in teaching English.
Tinashe’s view from her work in Rwanda
Friends of Pakati wishes Tinashe well in her new environment, so Pakati is spreading across the World! No doubt we will hear from her again with more stories, about life in Rwanda. Good luck!
