We took over the library for one of our sessions and did orchid in a box. Orchid in a box is when we paired the students up and gave one person a picture of an orchid and the other colouring pencils and paper. They had to describe the orchid for there partner to draw. Then we taught them orchid anatomy and got them to swap over and do the same again but hopefully with better pictures as they understand the anatomy of an orchid and can describe the orchid better.

We are teaching all aspects of the lab so that also includes washing up contaminated jars ready to use again.

Back at the college we restarted workshop with KCCEM students after the Christmas break. We started off with sowing orchid seed. All students had a chance to sow their own orchid seed and learn about sterile techniques. We have had a good turn out and lots of enthusiasm. We are filling the KCCEM lab with lots of petri dishes of orchid seed.

Over christmas we also got to visit Nyungwe.  This time we saw orchids and not many animals.  Maybe we are louder on foot than in a car, or maybe the animals are just smaller in Nyungwe.  We did 2 different trails, Igishigishigi and of course Kamiranzovu swamp trail.  With the Igishigishigi trail we also did the canopy walkway about 80m above the forest floor.  It gave us amazing views.

During our christmas break we had a chance to see a bit more of Rwanda.  We took a 2 day safari around Akagera National Park.  It was amazing, and although we didn’t spot any orchids, we did spot many animals.  Most of our second day we spent looking for the biggest animal in the park – ELEPHANTS!