OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Kinyarwanda, Swahili, English
POPULATION: 9.5 million (2007)
GDP per CAPITA (PPP US$): Rwanda $819 Canada $36,687 (2008)
% of Population BELOW POVERTY LINE: 56.9% (2008)
United Nations Human Development Index (HDI)
The HDI measures the average progress of a country in human development. It provides a ranking of 179 countries based on three dimensions of human developemnt: living a long and healthy life, being educated and having a decent standard of living.
RWANDA Country Ranking 165
WHY VOLUNTEER IN RWANDA?
Rwanda is a land locked, resource poor country. Years of civil war culminating in the genocide of 1994 had a devastating social and economic impact on the country. Over 1 million lives were lost and another 1 million Rwandans became refugees. Volunteers who choose Rwanda make an important gesture of international solidarity. By visiting the people and witnessing the legacy of violence, volunteers honour the country's efforts to rebuild for a peaceful and sustainable future. Participants support villages in the rural areas of Rwanda. They work with the communities building infrastructure such as schools and community centres. Our long term commitment is to help improve the community members' life options and to increase their self-sufficiency.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Volunteer! Work with locals to build community and important community infrastructure projects. No special skills are required. Currently participants are supporting the villages around Kazo Kibungo in the south-east area of Rwanda. We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to Rwandan projects and programs through Developing World Connections. Visit the Donate page or contact us for more ways to be of service.
WHAT WILL I SEE?
Upon completion of the volunteer experience, we recommend you visit the Genocide Museum in Kigali. Visit the incredibly lush and beautiful scenery in Rwanda and take an excursion in the Parc National des Volcans, the last sanctuary of the endangered mountain gorilla.
Get close to some of Rwanda’s fantastic wildlife at the A’Kagera National Park which covers over 2,500 sq km of savannah and is a habitat for over 500 species of birds.
WHEN CAN I GO?
| 2010 - Scheduled Experiences |
| MAY 8 TO JUNE 5 (STUDENT) |
| JUNE 19 TO JULY 3 (Short-Term) |
| SEPTEMBER 4 TO SEPTEMBER 18 (Short-Term) |
| OCTOBER 30 TO NOVEMBER 13 (Short-Term) |
Note: Schedule is subject to change depending on flight arrangements and suitability for host communities.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
For one week, the Program Cost is $1,600 and for two weeks it’s $2,000. This includes the in country food, in-country ground transportation, accommodation, project costs and a substantial direct donation to the host partner. It’s 100% tax deductible.
