My host family experience

It has been six weeks and every volunteer has settled into their host homes, an integral part of the ICS experience in Rwanda. Host families play a pivotal role in integrating all of us into the local culture and society. Moreover, the warmth and friendliness of our hosts has made this cohort feel at home. To give future volunteers and other readers an idea of what the host home experience is like, I am going to give you a tour of my host home.

This is the home of Jean-Faustin and Mama Cedric. They have three sons: Eric, Cedric and Derek. Their hospitality has seen them host volunteers from the previous two cohorts. They are hosting me and Tina from this cohort, and greatly enjoy learning about new cultures and practices. They have been in their home for ten years, and over such time have made it welcoming and beautiful. Walking up from the gate in Jean-Faustin’s shop, you reach my dad’s shop. He sells food, toiletries and sweets – it’s a great place to go when you’re hungry. 

This is the entrance to the home. The small house on the right is Jean-Faustin's shop.

As you continue up the hill, you reach the front door. There is a large patio around it. It is a calm place to sit in the afternoon and read or listen to music. It also has the best phone reception, making it ideal for long phone calls to family back home. From the patio you can see rolling mountains in the distance, and the bushes surrounding it are home to many small birds.

The patio that leads to the front door.

Through the front door is the sitting room. It has become home to many of the other volunteers, who like to come around to tea, donuts and games. Our host parents are always so happy to see everyone. There are four comfortable sofas, which we sometimes have dinner on while watching some TV. A few weeks ago, we all got together to watch Miss Rwanda together – the beauty pageant is very popular here (we even spotted Miss Hertiage in Huye recently). Jean-Faustin loves to take long naps in the sitting room on weekends. It’s also a wonderful place to watch movies with Derek in the evening.

Some of the team hanging out after work.

Right next to the sitting room is the dining room. Tina and I spend every morning and evening here, having long conversations with our host family. Every morning, Mama Cedric is kind enough to leave bananas, eggs and tea on the table for us before she goes to work.

In the evening we all sit down together and talk about our days, often finding out new things about each other. Our host mum is a fantastic cook. We often have rice, chips, noodles or sweet potato. We eat beef every night and often have dodo (a Rwandan dark green leafed vegetable) or isombe (cassava that often comes with ground peanuts). Each meal always ends with fresh, tasty and sweet fruit. I always eat bananas, but we also have watermelon, pineapple or papaya. 

The dining room: Tina and I have such great food here.

Tina and I have our rooms along the corridor perpendicular to the living room. They’re spacious and relaxing. The beds are comfortable and have mosquito nets, and are great to take naps on after long days at work. 

This is my room.

My room has hooks and a table where I can put my clothes. Tina’s has a cupboard. Our rooms are great places to go after work and relax. 

This is Tina's room.

Our bathroom is right next to Tina’s room. Whenever we want to shower, there is a shower head we can use at any time. Whenever we don’t have water, we can take a bucket shower using water in a jerry can. On colder days, or at times when we miss hot water, we can heat up water on the stove and have a warm bucket shower. Our bathroom also has a toilet and sink.

Our bathroom.

Next to the bathroom is the kitchen. It is where our host mum makes all the amazing food we get to eat. All the food is peeled, washed and cooked here. Both Tina and I have spent a lot of time there, learning new recipes from our host mum. She has taught me how to make milk and black tea, along with chips, roast potatoes and beef stew. At times when Mama Cedric is not around, Tina and I cook together. Our latest recipe was a courgette stew with rice – Tina did most of the work! The poster of Wayne Rooney was put up by Derek – he’s a big football fan.

Tina and Mama Cedric in the kitchen - Mama Cedric making us all tea.

Tina and I have really enjoyed our host home experience so far. The kindness and hospitality shown by our family has made us feel so comfortable and welcomed. We can’t wait to learn more about our families over the next few weeks, and learn more food tasty food recipes.


Dan Greener
Photos by Rabeya Ullah