Africa Volunteer Work – RC2
There are a number of ways to assist with health and education in Musanze District on this Africa Volunteer Work community project. The organization accepts volunteers throughout the year to assist with various programmes. A volunteer’s length of stay varies from 2 weeks to 3 months. You can teach, build or provide medical care.
January 2007 was the opening of a preschool in Gashangiro, 4 kilometers from Ruhengeri. The 2013 school year has 195 children, ranging in ages from 2 years to 6 years old, in attendance. 6 Rwandese teachers are on staff but volunteers are very much needed and appreciated, sharing life skills and knowledge with both the students and teachers. Adult classes are held many afternoons offering the local population English lessons, traditional dance lessons and parenting/hygiene seminars.
A small medical clinic on the school ground treats all students and many of the neighboring families. Ailments range from small cuts, skin fungus and infected ears to burns and more severe cases. Consequently, anyone with medical knowledge would find this work very rewarding. There is a home repair project for widows and teenage head of household. The family home is outfitted with new roof, windows and door as well as insulation. This project is seasonal because of our heavy rains.
Your help with these children will be invaluable. To be acknowledged and heard gives them self-confidence; to be educated opens doors they did not know existed.
School terms (approximate):
- Jan 2 – March 2
- Mar 26 – July 20
- Aug 27 – Oct 19
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive today at Kigali International Airport. A representative from the charity will meet you to travel with you to Ruhengeri. Normally, your accommodations are with the family of the founder of this community project. The founder Cathy Emmerson is originally from Maple Ridge, BC, Canada. Cathy has spent the last many years working tirelessly to make life better for Rwandan kids in Ruhengeri (Musanze).
Days 2 – 14
Begin your volunteer work in health and education projects with children and adults of this local community. You might help build or repair a house for a local person in need, or teach English to adults. In addition, if you are medically trained, you can assist in the village clinic that seems to always be busy.
You might go shopping for goats to be donated to destitute families. Together, you will determine which community project can best use your skills. Days of work are normally Monday through Friday. Weekends are yours to relax and do as you like. Breakfast and dinner will be served at your homestay daily.
Day 15
Finally, today you can make your way back to Kigali on a short 2 hour bus ride.
About Rwanda
The Republic of Rwanda, “Land of a Thousand Hills” or “Pays des Mille Collines” is a small landlocked country. Beautiful mountain scenery and, of course, the mountain gorillas can be seen in this stunning country. Volcanoes National Park hosts the gorilla population and this is where your unforgettable wildlife experience can be had. Rwanda is situated on the western arm of The Great Rift Valley, in a watershed between Africa’s largest rivers – The Nile and The Congo. Images of “Gorillas in the Mist” will abound.
