Bon Voyage

Farewell Lunch, parents, coaches, translators, players!
Waiting for the missing player to arrive at the airport!

It has been a few weeks since our last blog. Of course this means that we have been busy rugbying! Our schools league did not get off the ground due to the on-coming national exams this term, but we are working with an expert, Heavy to get everything set for the next academic year! Instead, those schools interested have been playing friendlies. We supply the kit, transport money and are often the referees.
This weekend just past was an emotional one on a number of levels. The KIST Univerisity team, the KIST Barbarians played their first game against the seasoned Butare Univerisity Grizzlies. Despite the disparity in skills and experience, the KIST boys did themselves proud and even managed to score a try! Sadly, one player was tackled into the flag pole positioned on the sideline (no pad protectors out here) and broke his leg. We are visiting him in hospital today. We are hoping that the players remember their enjoyment of the game and are not distracted by this misfortune.
The real emotion was towards the send off of the Mountain Gorillas. After six months of extremely hard work from us, the Rwandan coaches and touraid, we got the 12 players and 2 coaches on the plane to London! We are so happy that the passports and visas were not unsurmountable obstacles and are so impressed with the playing level of the boys. However, when one player was one hour late, to the airport, we did sweat. The releif to see him running up to the terminal was undescribable!
In April they had never played, now they could teach many of the schools some skills. Their levels of English are also better as they are inspired to try and speak the language and the strett kids, especially have developed beyond belief.
We wish them every success in London, please, please support them if you have time!
GO THE GORILLAS!!!