Volunteer in Rwanda

We have close working relationships with a number of organisations in Rwanda who are in need of volunteers.

Rwanda Community Tours – ‘RWANDA’S HOPE’

In 1994 the world turned away while over one million people died in the worst genocide in modern history. Rather than turn away from this tragedy, ‘Rwanda’s Hope’ provides the opportunity to understand the factors that led to the deaths of so many Rwandan citizens.

This organisation works closely with victims on both sides of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. They need volunteers to help it promote peace, reconciliation, and environmental education through tourism. This is best achieved with the locals and international people working together. There is a need to involve the local communities in the community - based tourism to enable them to benefit and have a way to move forward in their lives since the genocide. The volunteers are an essential part of this programme, they will bring their skills, abilities, and knowledge to help develop this way forward. The volunteers will benefit as well, learning of the negativity of the history of Rwanda and seeing that there can be, and is a positive way forward and learn from the past to develop the future. Volunteers will also benefit by being allowed to research the genocide and learn how the Rwandans have moved forward with the help of the Gacaca courts, environmental education and conservation. It is giving the people a future to focus on instead of dwelling on the past.

The organisation also provides services in tourism, to organise tours that fit the budget of tourists to visit the mountain gorillas and other activities within the Virungas National Park and elsewhere in Rwanda, together with the cultural experience and talks about the Rwandan history and allowing visitors to interact with a post genocide society.

Amahoro Tourism Association – we invite you to discover the ‘LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS’ – an exciting natural and cultural experience of a still widely unspoiled part of Africa.

The word ‘AMAHORO’ means peace in Kinyarwanda (the local language). It was chosen as the company name, a company owned by Rwandans who share the desire to contribute to a long-term peaceful environment in Rwanda. The belief is in partnerships that are mutually beneficial. We can guarantee the most intimate and intense visitor experience, while ensuring that our activities contribute to the sustainable development in Rwanda. Your visit to Rwanda is not only an unforgettable personal experience, but also your opportunity to support this important development process.

This association was formed in 2004 to serve as an umbrella organisation for the 13 community projects. The mission is to support the community projects in promoting quality community based tourism and benefit the communities through sustainable development. To educate, eradicate poverty, and improve health. Create connections with other organisations, NGOs, and individuals. To show direction, gain knowledge, and marketing on the national and international level.

Volunteers are needed to bring their skills, abilities and knowledge to the projects so they can develop in a sustainable way for the future.

The majority of the projects are based in Ruhengeri. Volunteers will be able to choose one of the projects to work with. Volunteers will live in the project house in Ruhengeri and it has all the basic requirements of the developed world, eg. kitchen, bathroom with flushing toilet, hot and cold water, bath and shower, bedroom fitted with mosquito net. They also have access to the internet.

The community projects are -

TRADITIONAL DANCE AND DRUMMING LESSONS

STORY TELLING with a knowledgeable guide who knows the Rwandan history

HELPING IN AN ORPHANAGE

HANDCRAFTS with the local women’s association

EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS TEACHING ENGLISH - also learn the local language KINYARWANDA

BANANA BEER PRODUCTION

TRADITIONAL HEALING METHODS

TREE PLANTING

EVENING MUSIC with the local women

VILLAGE WALKS

ISLAND DEVELOPMENT - the island has a population of 178 people and we want them to develop in a sustainable way to benefit from the island

BEEKEEPING – learn more about honey production in Rwanda

HOMESTEAD – teach the locals about hygiene

COME AND TAKE TIME TO HELP US AND FIND WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO IN COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM

Page last updated : 01/10/2007