Swimming to school: The only option

LILLIAN NAKAYIMA meets the children who swim 3 hours to school each day I was a typical child, naughty and rebellious, especially when it came to going to school. The same cannot be said for the children of Kumbabara Island in Lake Kivu. On a boat from Kibuye the journey to Kumbabara seems unending. Not only because of the distance but the waves of the blue waters of Lake Kivu make it scary. I am not a strong swimmer. Finally, the captain announces that we have arrived. The journey took 35 minutes on a fast boat. The little mud houses on the island accommodate 200 people whose major activity is fishing. “Most of us live here because of ancestral reasons,” explains islander Erias Ngirente. At 45, Ngirente has lived his whole life in this remote place. Ngirente’s four children are among those who swim to school each day. “The fact that this island has no school doesn’t mean that our children won’t attend schools like others,” explained Monica, Ngirente’s wife. “I start the journey to school at 5,”says Esperance Mukamudenge who is now 12. The children wake up at 4.30am to make the three hour journey to the mainland. At 12, Esperance is in primary two at Ruganda Primary School, yet others her age are in primary four. Kumbabara islanders go to school late because their parents worry that they will not be able to do the swim at a young age. “During their infant stage, we teach our kids swimming as we prepare them for school,” says Deodone Munyankoni, 40, a parent. At 5am, there are strong waves on the lake and the weather is often harsh. Parents forbid their children from going to school when it rains heavily. “Last year, I almost drowned as I tried to rescue my uniform that was being blown away by strong winds,” said Esperance.Before the kids set off, they warp their uniforms and lunch in polythen bags. “It is not easy,” says Esperance. Some children are given basins which they push to their destination. The challenges do not end when the children reach school. “One time, my classmate called me Madam Samach meaning mermaid and I felt bad about it,” say 13 year old Rachel Musanabera. Teachers allow these children to leave school at 3pm so that they have enough time to swim home. “These are kids with special needs and we try to simplify life for them,” says Jean Rurangwa, a teacher at Ruganda Primary School. “We own three wooden boats on this island but we chose to use them for fishing to earn a living,” says Ngirante. “I know, that one day I will replace Minister Joseph Habineza,”says Augiste Sibomana, 14, who is in primary four. Swimming so far every day has developed his passion for sports. As dusk falls, the little ones go to bed as early as 8pm so that tomorrow they can rise early and make the long journey to school. Ends