Rwanda Volunteer Program

Volunteer Projects in Rwanda

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.

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 this includes 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 daily operational running of the Home. Volunteers are also encouraged to initiate their own work by organizing art and crafts, music, dance, games, 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 an after school literacy program by tutoring teenagers that do not attend school. Volunteers are not required to have a teaching qualification but experience in subject areas like English, Math, Health, Hygiene and Science and French would be advantageous.

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. No medical training is required for volunteers in this program but volunteers should have a compassionate spirit, HIV/AIDS knowledge and basic counselling skills.

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 counselling, visitation, follow-up and school programs. Volunteers should have knowledge of GBV, good listening and communication skills.