By Diane - Muganza School - 24/03/17 - People
Damien teaches biology, creative arts, ICT, English (primary level) and an after school English Club at G.S. Muganza School, Nyaruguru District, Rwanda. Muganza School has about 1,400 students. There are just over a 1,100 students in the primary school years P1 - P6 (Years 1-6) and about 300 students in Senior 1-3 (Years 7-9). Rwanda has 9 compulsory years of education.
Damien really enjoys teaching because he likes interacting with young people and finds it a really rewarding way to make a living. The most challenging aspect of his job is an over loaded school timetable and poor pay*. Damien is 27 years old and was born in Southern Province, Rwanda. He’s single and has no children. I asked him about a typical day in his life………
I wake up each morning at 5am. I don't have running water at home so I walk about 1km down into the valley to collect water. I take a quick shower when I get home and then walk about 2 km’s to school. I teach the morning shift** which starts at 7.20am and goes through to 11.40am. I often buy some milk in the shop near school for lunch where I also buy something for dinner, maybe some Irish potatoes or beans with some vegetables. I’m back at school at 12.40pm for the afternoon shift and then leave school at 5pm. I walk the 2km’s home again and prepare lessons for the next day.
* Teachers in Rwanda earn approximately 40,000 Rwandan Francs (RWF) per month (approx. £40 per month). Teachers with 5 years experience or more can expect to earn 45,000 RWF per month.
** Children attend school in two shifts - the morning shift is from 7:20am -11:40pm. The afternoon shift is from 12:40pm – 5pm.