The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to work with children, and their communities, through our partner organization in Rwanda. Since the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has been working to climb out of the shadow of the past. Rwanda has mostly passed the point of needing emergency aid, but the genocide will have long lasting consequences, such as poverty and HIV/AIDS, for years to come, and there is much work still to be done.
Volunteers will assist our partner organisation's mission to facilitate processes to help eradicate poverty, reduce HIV infections, and help communities in capacity building programs. This is a Christian-based organisation, however, volunteers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Placements are based in two locations.
Urban placements which are primarily in the capital city, Kigali (Nyarugenge) but also in the surrounding districts of Kicukiro, and Gasabo.
Rural placements in the lakeside town of Gisenyi, Rubavu district which is in the Western Province close to the boarder of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a tourist hot spot due to the historical volcanic activities as well as the view over Lake Kivu.
All projects require volunteers who are self-starters and can conduct their daily activities with minimal supervision. You will take part in a flexible schedule in one or more of the following areas, depending on program needs and volunteer skills. For example, you may work in the morning at a school and in the afternoon tutor teachers in improving their English.
Teaching English is an important part of all programs and all volunteers should expect to spend at least some time teaching or tutoring groups in the community.
The volunteer opportunities are in the following areas:
The after effects of genocide lead to thousands upon thousands of children homeless and forced to live in orphanages. A high percentage of these children have also lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. As a volunteer you will take on the role of an older sibling and be involved in daily care activities which include feeding, teaching life skills, and playing with the children. You will work along side the house mothers to assist with teaching, homework help, childcare, and the daily operational running of the home. Volunteers are also encouraged to initiate their own work by organizing arts and crafts, music, dance, games, and sports activities for the children. This role is suitable for a caring, motivated, and self-directed person who has a love for children and has childcare experience.
The situation of schools in Rwanda is still unsatisfactory. Many of them lack books, scholastic and teaching materials, and school equipment. In fact, war and genocide caused heavy losses at the level of human and material resources as well as the decrease of the social capital. Estimates show that about 600 schools (almost a third of Rwanda's schools) were destroyed and 3000 teachers killed. What is more worrying is the fact that an important number of children do not attend school due to certain family chores and responsibility. Volunteers will work alongside local primary teachers to improve the level of English, math, health, hygiene, and science skills amongst students. Volunteers will also be involved in improving teachers' levels of English. Volunteers are not required to have a teaching qualification, but experience in subject areas like English, math, health, hygiene, science, and French would be advantageous. This program requires a one month minimum placement.
It is estimated that approximately 150,000 people are living with AIDS in Rwanda, with 78,000 of those women, and 19,000 children under the age of 14. The aim of the HIV/AIDS program is to decrease the spread of HIV through raising awareness and education, increasing access to homecare and providing emotional support to those affected by HIV/AIDS within the community. Volunteers have the opportunity to work with community mobilizers to assist with counselling and taking care of patients both at home and at hospitals. This will involve taking patients to the hospitals and doing a follow up of their nutritional needs. There will also be some administration and office work involved. No medical training is required for volunteers in this program but volunteers should have a compassionate spirit, HIV/AIDS knowledge, and basic counselling skills.
Volunteers will also have the opportunity to work with local women's associations in developing sustainable business activities such as local soap making, basket weaving for commercial purposes, and subsistence farming. Volunteers will work closely with these associations to bring in new business ideas, providing training on small scale business practices. Volunteers should have a basic knowledge in management of small scale income generating activities.
Gender-based violence (GBV) has been a widespread problem for women both during and after the genocide. GBV can be manifest as domestic violence, sexual assault and rape, and psychological abuse. Many women are forced to stay in violent relationships due to financial dependence on their spouses. Volunteers will be involved in promoting education to GBV victims through teaching english, counselling, visitation, follow-up, and school programs. Volunteers with less experience working in the area of GBV will teach English and mentor a group of youth, many of whom are from child-headed families. Volunteers should have knowledge of GBV and good listening and communication skills.
Volunteers with the appropriate skills may also have the opportunity to work with local women's associations in developing sustainable business activities such as local soap making, basket weaving for commercial purposes, and subsistence farming. Volunteers will work closely with these associations to bring in new business ideas, providing training on small scale business practices. Volunteers should have a basic knowledge in management of small scale income generating activities.
Full country name: Republic of Rwanda
Area: 24,670 sq km
Population: 10.1 million
Capital City: Kigali
People: Hutu, Tutsi, Twa
Language: Kinyarwanda, French, English
Religion: Christian 94%, Muslim 5%
Major Industries: Coffee, tea, flowers, minerals
Major Trading Partners: Indonesia, China, Germany, Kenya
© Copyright 2008 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.lonelyplanet.com
As a volunteer in Rwanda you must:
Your application process is free and seamless, and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organisations that allow you to transfer your application fee to another program at no extra cost.

Communication & Support:
Throughout the process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.
A US$350 application fee (fully transferable) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.
Your application fee includes the following benefits:
Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the program is:
The in-country fee covers administrative charge, airport pickup, a direct donation to the project, 2 meals a day during your placement, and supervision.
You will need to budget for your other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages, and entertainment. If you are willing to live on a tight budget you can get by on US$20 per week. The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, visa, shots, travel insurance, transport to placement, departure tax and your bus trip back to the airport.
Volunteers start on the 1st or 15th of each month.
Volunteers can stay from a period of two weeks to three months.
Your stay can be extended beyond three months on a case by case basis.
The Teaching program requires a one month minimum placement. School terms are usually between January 1st to March 31st, May 1st to July 31st, and September 1st to November 30th. Kindly note that school term start dates changes unexpectedly; the term may commence a week later than the scheduled date.
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions which we receive at the GVN inbox. This is a great place to start if you have questions about Global Volunteer Network and our placement process. This information should answer the majority of questions you may have.
What is the climate like in Rwanda?
What kind of volunteer work is available?
Is there any time of the year when I can’t volunteer?
When will I know specific details on the placement?
Tell me more about flying into Rwanda?
When do I need to arrive in Rwanda?
Tell me more about the accommodation?
Do you make provision for special diets?
Are there holidays or festival I should be aware of when traveling?
What age do you have to be to volunteer?
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?
How does GVN choose volunteers for this program?
Do I need to speak English to volunteer?
Can I bring my own family with me to the program?
Are there more expenses once I arrive?
How safe is it to volunteer in Rwanda?
How many volunteers are there on site at the same time?
What is the course content of the training?
What hours am I expected to take part in the program?
Are we able to do any sightseeing?
What clothing is appropriate for the program?
What resources will be available?
Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement?
Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please ask us a question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours).
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
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Hi again,
I’m in Remera to help out with the GBV kids program. The volunteer who has been running it left yesterday so a few of us are filling in until the new volunteers arrive. The children belong to the women who participate in the domestic violence counseling program. We teach them English, colour, draw, read and supervise their FOOTBALL games (which can get pretty intense- shoes flying and everything). They play barefoot on cement.
They range from small children to teens and they love to sing and dance.
I found out this morning that one of the “kids” in our ESL drama [...]
Click here to read the full blog entry
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
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Word has it that there are a lot of people reading this blog. I have therefore decided to make a concerted effort to fill you all in the details of my life here in Rwanda.
I am living in a guesthouse in the Niboye District of Kigali. The accommodations are good; we are fed good meals twice a day and now have (cold) running water. We have electricity, western toilets and a television with basic cable (Nigerian soap operas anyone?). A housekeeper and a houseboy take care of us. They live on the premises and cook & clean for us. Asumpta [...]
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Friday, July 23rd, 2010
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I spent the week assisting the teachers at the school in entering marks into excel spreadsheets. Now keep in mind that this is a private school which is supposed to provide a better education for the students, actually it’s usually a child’s only possible path to university. It was long tedious work because only 2 teachers had any knowledge of word excel and the power kept cutting out so anyone who hadn’t saved their work or had done so improperly lost it. This happened to me and Obed (the English teacher -English is his 3rd language) he had been saving [...]
Click here to read the full blog entry
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