Vicky Ford is writing some brilliant reports on her mission to Africa, to the 
beautiful country known best for its genocide, to Rwanda where she – and other Conservatives – are helping improve the lives of those living in abject poverty. I know it will be a truly unforgettable and moving experience.
The aspiring MP is among Project Umubano in Rwanda, a team of Shadow Ministers, MPs and volunteers who David Cameron will be joining next week. They are spending two week on activities ranging from rebuilding a school, to teaching football and cricket to young people.
Vicky is enthusiastically helping refurbish the existing classrooms and build a new one. She has been told that in Rwanda, 50% of children never finish primary school, therefore the teachers try to really teach these tiny pre-schoolers as much as academic work as possible even at such a young age.
Project Umubano in Rwanda is a major social action scheme designed to help bridge the “obscene” wealth gap between the world’s richest and poorest nations. This is one of her recent posts, I am in total awe, I would so love to be there too:
“Our project in Rwanda is now moving incredibly quickly. A bit of background information. The Girubuntu project was initially set up in 1994 to provide an orphanage for survivors of the genocide. Some of the orignal survivors still live at the site, others come back during university breaks, others have moved on. Also on the site is the pre-school, currently for 80 children most of whom are orphans themselves.
“Yesterday I met the children. At the pre-schools I have helped in the UK a lot of time is spent in play. We believe that children will learn a lot about themselves, the world, and how to interact with others through playing. In the UK children have lots of time for academic study later. However here in Rwanda I have been told that 50% of children never even finish primary school, therefore the teachers try to really teach these tiny pre-schoolers as much as academic work as possible even at such a young age. They are also being taught English and French – even though outside school they speak “Kinynaranwda”.
“The state of the “classrooms” was really sad with crumbling walls and leaking roofs. Working alongside local people we are completely refurbishing the existing classrooms and building a new one to allow the school to grow. We start at 7am each morning. I have been plastering, helping to put in new electrics and planning decorations which I hope will be fantastic.It is an incredibly interesting country and with 20 different projects going on at the same time the conversation over dinner each evening is non-stop. Some of us are working with the country’s top lawyers, some are working with street children and there is everything in between. What an opportunity to see a country through so many different peoples’ eyes.”
The pic shows Vicky, (she is on the left), and was taken just before her flight to Nairobi with Nicola, a flautist, who will be running a music programme in a school and is equipped with30 recorders and recorder books. And there is also Kitty, who will be working on a VSO project with young people. Her backpack is stuffed full of condoms and educational leaflets.
Vicky kindly put my name forward to join this very special trip, but it was oversubscribed, I was not lucky. But Iain was and I know he will produce some great videos and reports from there. I felt you would be kicking yourself if you missed out on Vicky’s posts too, they are worth a daily read.
I’m sure many special lifelong friendships will be made from this unforgettable trip, the memories will remain with everyone for ever. And, as Vicky observes, what a different world it is there, it makes me feel ashamed that we take so much for granted when I read something like this:
“Nicola, who came here to teach music, has found herself teaching excel and word every day to 40 pupils in their late teens and twenties. The class shares two ancient computers. She made them some cardboard keyboards last night – they are over the moon! What a different world.”
There wasn’t any publicity for this worthy event, Ellee.
Incidentally, I do not have a beard. Commander Riker of the Enterprise is the one who has that.
Ellee, I have sent you a private email dealing with the question you asked. Let me know if it didn’t arrive (we have had trouble before, I recall).
I’m sorry Ellee, but your post on Rwanda actually made me feel quite angry – as far as I know, Rwanda has been a brutal military dictatorship ever since the supposed ‘genocide’ back in 1994. No one in Rwanda has any democratic rights – and there has not been any democratic elections in Rwanda for well over 13 years.
I find it completely astonishing that nobody even mentions such things nowadays when discussing Rwanda. I think if we really want to improve the lives of Rwandan people and their children, the first thing we all need to do is demand immediate democratic elections in that country. It’s all well and good seeing the Tories go to Rwanda to help the poor children, but that is one thing – however, totally ignoring an undemocratic military dictatorship (for over a decade) just reminds me of the bad old days when the Tories (under Thatcher) turned a blind-eye to the hideous human rights abuses of General Pinochet.
Today, Rwanda is a society where if you dislike someone badly enough, all you need do is inform the military authorities that this person was involved in the ‘genocide’, where they would be taken away and locked up indefinitely. Indeed, the best way of getting rid of people you don’t like in Rwanda is to charge them with genocide.
Things are really bad in Rwanda today, and it’s very difficult to see how the Conservatives can help turn that situation around when they appear to be ignoring the military dictatorship, or worse, lending the Rwandan dictatorship a veneer of legitimacy.
Maalie, thanks, I have received your email and replied.
Courtney, I agree with everything you say. Surely it is not a bad thing to try and help improve the conditions that some of the people in Rwanda are living under, especially the children.
I agree with what you say about General Pinochet too and the horrific killings there.
I don’t know what the answer is. The people who should listen don’t want to hear about democracy. How do you make them listen and care enough to take action?
Your right Ellee,
I agree, it can never be a bad thing to try and help these poor people in Rwanda, in very practical and creative ways – indeed, I have always had the utmost respect for those who actually get on a plane and go to such God forsaken places.
I suppose the first thing we should be do is highlight the fact that Paul Kagame’s 13 year military dictatorship represents everything that is wrong about Rwandan society today – and until this has changed the future for Rwanda, regardless of any genuine humanitarian interventions, will always look bleak.
Very interesting post, Ellee, and I can see why you would have liked to have been a part of this project. Of course it will help people – but those involved can turn round and come home after a few weeks when what the people there need is long-term help. I also agree with all that Courtney says. I suppose we each help in what little way we can.
I cant believe that a group of people with very little real practical expertise ( were there any electricians , brickys , plumbers amonsgst all these Conservative MPs and would be MPS ?) going for justTWO WEEKS is anything other than a publicity exercise ( caring Tories etc ) and something to add to the wannabees CVs.
The people who really change things in places like Africa dont spend their time bragging daily about it on blogs ,they go out and spend real time there as medics , nuns and the like, often devoting all their lives to the native people.
Many years ago I had a friend who was a highly trained engineer here at home but he took a whole year off to go out on VSO work in Africa ( voluntary service overseas ) he really tried to make a difference .And he didnt bore us all to tears about it afterwords .
At the other end of the scale I remember a local Conservative MPs frequent fact finding trips to Hong Kong which apppeared to mainly help his wife collect fine silk clothes .
Have you seen the film “Hotel Rwanda”; It is based on truth and it brought home to me the horrors these people are facing.
Have just caught the tail end of a discussion programme on Radio 4 , it seems that Dave Cameron is off out to Rwanda today or tomorrow.
How convenient that he will have a nice group of fellow Tories already out there to put into his photo shots .
The cynic in me is now well sure about the real reason behind the group trip .
Hes tried everything else to make the voters like the party perhaps Africa can do the trick.
As an ex party member find it utterly depressing to see the party it has become.
Its recent behaviour (example , parachuting in candidates who only a month ago were not members and then discovering they had actually been financilly supporting Labour ) shows just how low it has fallen .
No wonder Gordon Brown is doing so well .
I despair .
Hi Ellee. Thanks for posting about the Rwanda project. just a couple of pick ups from your correspondents.. my husband is one of the MPs participating so no doubt someone will post ‘well you would say that wouldn’t you’ but anyway…. Georgegirl – its not just about the building work, we have people working alongside in Government admin, social structure, teaching, sport etc – its as much about empowerment/links/education for those who want to make their country work well as it is about the build at the orphanage. And Courtney yes of course they know what the Gov position is – and we are working with others who also wish to enable change. But its something, and as always people assume that this is the only time MPs do anything practical, which is not the case.
I never thought Id see a Conservative MPs wife using silly PC buzzwords such as ” empowerment ” especially in regard to this trip.
Does she really believe that the general public will see two weeks away as possibly achieving anything other than another Cameron photo opportunity .
When I told a friend and colleague ( who is very into watching politicians ) about the trip he said ” poor old Africa , famine, Aids , wars, locust , Ebola and now the Tory party how much more can they take “
Ellee: Bruce Springsteen once said: “You can’t save the whole world, but ya gotta try”. Not knowing the history of Africa at large, I can only recall it from my days as a tot during school history as being run by some kind of military regime. It seems overwhelming!
Every little effort helps.
Africa is such a huge undertaking and we should be reminded of its problems every day eventhough we as individuals cannot do much.
Georgetown girl, I wish you could your blinkered specs off for a moment, read Vicky and Iain’s reports about the projects they are working on, and, whether or nor you think it is spin, tell me where is the wrong in what they are doing after so many politicians have turned a blind eye.
The (far from perfect)RPF regime in Rwanda has consistently asserted its desire to create a civilian democracy rooted in ethnic reconciliation. In 2003, Rwanda adopted a new constitution that eliminated reference to ethnicity. The constitution also requires that at least 30 percent of the seats in parliament be reserved for women, who won approximately 40 percent of the seats during September 2003 legislative elections. Nearly a third of government ministers are women. The country’s first post‑genocide elections in 2003, though peaceful, were marred by numerous irregularities. The constitution provides for a multiparty system but provides few protections for parties.
While Rwanda is far from being a western-style liberal democracy, slow but sure progress in democratisation is being made….
Georgegirl: I didn’t realise that being married to an MP meant I was restricted in my language!
Empowerment:’increasing the spiritual, political, social or economic strength of individuals and communities. Often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities.’ As Ellee says, do read the reports.
Ellee, I see you’re right in there helping and it’s a pity you didn’t get to go but there’s much that can be done too from this end.
Well , after seeing all the reporting of this PR disaster ( saving Africa ) whilst ” call me Dave ” disappears from ever being there ( how horrid for his 42 colleagues who thought it would help their futore careers )one can only hope some of you are reading Peter Hitchens comments on this disaster of a leader .
You should all tell ” call me Dave ” what hes getting wrong , actually pretty much everything.
The problem is DC is completely wrong for the party and the country , but changing leaders yet again will be a disaster .
Personally I dont think the party is fit to rule .
You dont have the real sincere anger to win to get rid of the sins of Labour thats why you choose wind bags such as “call me Dave ” instead of conviction politicians in the mould of Maggie.
A plague on all your houses comes to mind.
Plus , how Gordon must be enjoying all this, it should ( but wont ) make you all think .
Might I add that I became a Conservative supporter because of Maggie , she was magic at a time ( like now ) when this country needed to feel proud and sure of itself again .
You lot ditched her and instead time after time picked a bunch of no hopers ( like now ) to take her place .
What a joke.
All the Tory party stands for now is a pitiful excuse of what was the greatest party this country ever produced.
You are going nowhere .
Georgegirl, PR does not come into this at all, why does being kind to others who have suffered in this unimaginable way have to be regarded as PR? Have you never personally helped anyone in your life?
You are obviously a follower of your chosen rhetoric – good luck to you.
Ellee,
Arent you reading the papers or listening to the news reports on all the channels ?
This isnt just a few rabid right wingers ( of which I am not )who are now starting to dispair .
Read Peter Hitchens blog to see what conservative party members are now feeling .
” Call me Dave ” two day hike to Africa was a disaster and gave the Labour lot a stick to beat him with .
As for those who got to Africa a few days before him , why exactly did they need to go ?
There is plenty of African labour available to do projects ( and give them employment ) all they need to be able to do it themselves is surely the cash .
All that was really required was for all the 42 to get the money together to send .
They should of course sent along a couple of people to help oversee and make sure the money was spent correctly .
And Im sure the MCC could have been persuaded to send proper cricketers along to teach the game.
If blogs are to be of any use ( other than a means of all those taking part stroking each others personal egos )then surely they should be to debate, challenge and give alternative views .
Georgegirl, I can understand why DC went to Rwanda and did not want to cancel, but I do agree now with hindsight that it was not the best decision.
And I do agree entirely with your sentiments in your last para too.
Ellee,
Its not about hindsight its about judgement a really clever and astute politician would have immediately his own patch was in deep trouble realised that that was where he needed to be .
Not on a pointless visit to Rwanda( which anyway could always have been re- arranged for a later date )
If you havent yet done so read todays Stephen Glover page in the Daily Mail ” Four good reasons the Tories need to stick with Dave ”
Its a very fair and balanced piece and its writer is prepared to let Dave have another chance over the summer recess to get on top of his present difficulties .
I personally think its too late , the dye is cast and people no longer either like him nor have any confidence that hes any real convictions .
I also agree with Stephen Glovers view that perhaps its not simply a ” Brown bounce ” but that actually now Blair is gone people are actually naturally turning back to Labour .
It wont help the Tory party to dig his head into the sand and imagine theres nothing wrong or if there is it will go away if ignored .
“Call me Daveâ€? two day hike to Africa was a disaster and gave the Labour lot a stick to beat him with.” Georgegirl.
I agree with you that Cameron’s trip to Rwanda has been shown up for what it was – a very cheap political stunt. However, there is absolutely no one, as far as I’m aware of, from New Labour who is giving David a lot of ‘stick’, or a hard time about his visit. Indeed, how could they? New Labour is famous for doing precisely the same thing.
Of course Cameron appears like a grand political statesman when he’s strutting around Africa, claiming to be fighting against global poverty, and especially after he’s been given the nod of approval from celebrities like Sir Bob Geldof – and we all know the M’lud Geldof can bearly stop himself from speaking on behalf of some 900 million Africans.
But, at home Cameron is rightly seen as a political loser, a two times by-election loser, who nobody listens to, not even some of his own A-list candidates. So what better place to launch a Conservative policy initiative than over 4000 miles away in the middle of Africa? It would have been totally bizarre if Cameron had launched his new ‘end global poverty’ initiative a few days after coming third in not one, but two by-elections.
The truth is, New Labour has no intention of making any political mileage from Cameron’s current woes over his trip to Africa – that is simply because Brown and his followers use Africa in exactly the same way as Cameron as just done. New Labour have been all but silent over Cameron’s apparent cynical use of Africa, this is only because the raising of any awkward questions would only expose the emptiness of New Labour’s own domestic policies and their love of jetting around the globe.
Spot on in every regard Courtney.
Everytime Rwanda is mentioned, people have to point out the 1994 genocide. Instead of talking of a horrible genocide and a military regime, we might as well mention the good things happening in Rwanda in 2007. Let’s talk about rwandan women after 1994. Nearly every woman took care of one orphan seeing that rwanda had atleast half a million orphans after the genocide.
Rwandan women represent 49% of the parliament, the highest in the world.
I don’t understand how people are expecting alot to come out of Rwanda. The genocide didn’t only kill people, it scared many. It’s impossible to share a country with people who killed your family. Even Kagame said it himself “a criminal population” .
Things are improving in Rwanda and I’m glad there are people in the world who are trying to help.
Intriguing. I actually think David Cameron is getting too much stick for going to Rwanda whilst parts of his constuituency suffered flooding. The latter is of course very uspetting for individual constituents, but the problems of Rwanda are more significant. If certain foaming rightists think a new “Maggie” is the answer, then, well, I wish them luck. The kind of view which will turn vast swathes of the country against the Tory Party. David Cameron is, ineptly, and far more ineptly and anaemically than Blair did, doing the only thing to make your wretched party electable again – moving onto Labour’s centre ground.
I wonder though, the Rwanda stuff. Worrying about Africa. Does this mean all you nice shiny New Tories repudiate the moral bankruptcy of your last government under Major which consistently cut overseas aid year on year? And salute this government for increasing it year on year? Do you accept your party’s culpability for consistent hostility to African issues, from freedom and democracy in South Africa (your crowning reactionary, vicious, shame, really), to ignoring the Rwanda genocide, to cutting aid? Otherwise isn’t this an exercise in sheer and manifest hypocrisy?
I’d be most interested in your views.
Ben,
Apologies for the delayed reply due to hols etc. My views on this blog are my own and I am not proud of past mistakes made by any political party. We need to think of the present and the future and look towards trying to help make good the evil atrocities of the past. I don’t think the Rwanda genocide will ever be forgotten, and it is all to easy to criticise those who offer help today for having an ulterior motive. I felt very sorry for Cameron as he was placed in a position where it would have been impossible to please everyone, he was damned if he went and damned if he stayed. He did his utmost to help constituents before he left for Africa and was constantly in touch with them while on his brief trip. I don’t think I could have given up the chance to see Rwanda if I had been in his shoes.
I agree with you as regards Cameron, Ellee. Thanks for the refreshingly open response – about as good as I could ask for.
You are also right that it is cheap to ascribe ulterior motives unless one has evidence for them. Pervasive cynicism re political motivation, which is fed by the media, is one of the problems of political debate in this country. At the same time, one cannot help but recall the inconvenient truths regarding these sorts of issues that your party’s last stretch in government throws up. I am glad you don’t attempt to defend that govt on these issues (I’m sure some of your readers would) – I think it makes your sincerity clearer. Whether this applies to your party more widely I think is fairly a matter for debate. I am sceptical. Labour does not have these inconvenient problems (but of course does elsewhere – typically too tolerant an attitude towards totalitarian leftism in the developing world, although never amongst the leadership it should be noted) because it has consistently paid attention to African and wider development issues.
[…] I shall particularly enjoy listening and learning from the African speakers. I have written before about Conservative women and Africa and only wish I could have joined our delegation to Rwanda earlier this year. […]