Volunteer Programs in Kigali, Rwanda

I enjoyed some of the activites , but not others. The rivre walk and the walk to the koppies was 10/10. No intrenet was challenging , so 7/10. Jane , Precious , Patrick and Lucas were 10/10. I woul recommend this project to anyone who needs a detox from Social media.

New culture, new people, New Life. When we exchange our perspectives, ideas and plans to make a world better place for everyone. It's good to go different places it helps me view life in many directions

Hice 5 años en haiti, me se su idioma, se toda su cultura, me gustaría volver y apoyarlos en todas las dificultades que tienen, ya que ameritan mucha ayuda de todos nosotros, para ellos poder sobrevivir

I would really like to volunteer. I am passionate about charity and showing kindness to the world. Please, give me a chance. Kindly provide Certificate of sponsorship too since I'm not able to provide for myself at the moment. Kindly put my request into consideration.

Subject: Feedback on Voluntary Work for RSDO in Rwamagana. Dear RSDO and mister Faustin, I want to thank you for the opportunity to be part of this project in Rwanda. It was a meaningful experience, and I truly enjoyed working with the children and young women, especially in encouraging their participation in sports. Seeing their enthusiasm and being able to provide sports equipment to schools was incredibly rewarding. The housing arrangements were good, and I appreciated the balance of staying with mister Faustin while still having my own privacy. It made me feel welcome and comfortable throughout my stay. One aspect that could be improved is the pace of the work. At times, I felt that things moved a bit slowly, and having more structured activities could enhance the impact of the program. However, I also understand that this might be part of the local culture and way of working. Overall, I am grateful for this experience and would love to stay involved in any way I can. Thank you again for all the support! Best regards, Sol van Berg

Go Volunteer Africa team led by Anna did such a great job, communicating with us via email and gave us the encouragement we needed to take this step with our family. Thanks so much. It was great to have Emily at the airport to meet us. The school and Head teacher Moureen - all were excellent. Thank you for being so flexible with us and providing such a fantastic experience for our family. We will remember it for the rest of lives! Gorretti does a good job cooking for us and taking great care of the house. We felt very fortunate to be well taken care of. We look forward to keeping in touch with them and the projects they are helping. We are now in Uganda, working on a construction project and we shall also share our volunteering experience. Our children are involved in tree planting project, very amazing experience so far and they love it, and every day is great.

This an increasingly popular way for individuals to make a meaningful impact in communities around the world. With numerous organizations offering volunteer programs, it's essential to review and research these opportunities to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. *Pros:* 1. *Cultural Immersion*: Living and working with local communities provides an immersive cultural experience. 2. *Skill Development*: Volunteers can develop new skills and gain experience in areas such as teaching, conservation, and community development. 3. *Networking Opportunities*: Volunteers can connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. 4. *Personal Growth*: Volunteering abroad can be a transformative experience, fostering personal growth and self-awareness. *Cons:* 1. *Cost*: Many volunteer programs come with a hefty price tag, which can be a barrier for some. 2. *Safety Concerns*: Volunteers may face safety risks, such as health concerns or political instability, depending on the destination. 3. *Cultural Differences*: Adapting to local customs and way of life can be challenging for some volunteers. 4. *Quality of Programs*: Some volunteer programs may lack structure, support, or meaningful work, leading to a disappointing experience. *Recommendations:* 1. *Research Thoroughly*: Investigate the organization, program, and destination to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. 2. *Read Reviews*: Look for reviews from past volunteers to gain insight into the program's quality and challenges. 3. *Choose a Reputable Organization*: Select an organization with a proven track record, transparent policies, and adequate support for volunteers. 4. *Prepare Yourself*: Culturally, emotionally, and physically prepare yourself for the experience to ensure a smooth transition. By being aware of the pros and cons, doing thorough research, and choosing a reputable organization, volunteers can have a safe, rewarding, and life-changing experience abroad.

As a Social worker i often meet with clients to assess their needs, provide counseling, and develop individualized plans to address their challenges. This could involve sessions with individuals, families, or groups.

I previously participated in a trip abroad to represent my country abroad in the field of art and music, and we got third place in singing. I am a girl who loves to travel and help others, especially since I am a doctor. I am used to caring about the health of others. I strive to volunteer in many fields

I volunteered in Rwanda for 2 weeks with Go Volunteer Africa. Paul was our coordinator and he did a fabulous job with everything planning. He was very supportive and always available for help. Before I made my decision to volunteer I managed to talk with some of the past volunteers through a connection. I received varieties of feedbacks some were very positive and some were partially positive. But one thing I learned from all participants is that the projects associated with GVA are positive life changing and the hosts are very nice and honest. They will go out of their way to help you and make your stay smooth. I really enjoyed my hospital experience because I got to rotate through all the different departments in the hospital on different days including surgery, pharmacy, pediatric care, primary care etc. It was great to have this hands on experience. Since I had already traveled to Uganda and Kenya for safari, I spent the weekend volunteering with children. It was a lot of fun playing with the kids. Our host family was great. I shared a room in the same host family with another volunteer. It was also pretty easy to navigate the bus system between the family, the school and the hospital.

I have been in Rwanda for one month working within the women's support staff here and it has been an absolute eye-opener and one which has allowed me to experience many new things. From the moment I arrived at the camp, I was taken away by the beauty of our surroundings - the green forest surrounding the back of the camp and our views out over the green tea farms and the surrounding areas. Stunning. Living within a local community has also been a real eye-opener, seeing their way of life and how they have adapted to live in this small paradise has been amazing, especially the way that they have allowed us to fit into their village and are willing to help us with anything we may need. I have genuinely enjoyed every aspect of the program I have done here and I am so grateful to Go Volunteer Africa for making this arrangement. The local crew are also extremely fun to work with and the mixture of people on camp means that there is plenty to learn and never a boring moment. I would recommend Rwanda's women empowerment program to anyone, but be prepared for basic living standards! This is genuinely not a problem and I believe it has added to my experience here but maybe bring a few luxuries from home with you!! Enjoy!

My time in Kenya was incredibly transformative in so many ways. My cultural understanding, medical knowledge, and awareness of disease burden, politics, and healthcare quality all upgraded more than I could have ever imagined in 4 short weeks. From the moment I was greeted by the IMA staff at the Mombasa airport to my very last day, I was always comforted by the immense kindness and hospitality of the IMA staff and Kenyan people. I never had a moment where I felt unsafe, in fact, I would always feel a sense of love from every local I had encountered. When I arrived at the residence, I was astonished by how clean and spacious the residence was. The staff was incredibly accommodating and never failed to brighten the room. Linnet, Catherine, and Naomi constantly made sure the residence was in tip-top shape with the most amazing attitude. Linnet specifically treated me as if I was her own son, which made me feel like I never left home. I always looked forward to meals, because Joshua, the chef, did an amazing job of introducing Kenyan cuisine in new and delicious ways every single day. One of my favorite parts of my time in Kenya was with the driver, Francis, who became a lifelong friend and was always enthused to drive us anywhere in the Nyali area and provide amazing insight into what it is like to be a born and raised Kenyan. The food and culture I experienced were like no other. Our mentoring doctor, Dr. Shazim, who lead suturing, intubation, and resuscitation workshops, also took time to tour us on the best restaurants and street food Kenya has to offer. He also took us to a go-karting spot and a kayaking site where I made some life-long memories. Benson also did an amazing job showing us the must-see spots of Mombasa on the city tours. I was stationed at the Mental Unit of Port Reitz Hospital. My rotations sectioned my time between the Outpatient department, Occupational Therapy department, and clinical psychology. However, Psychiatry is an interdisciplinary field, so it was encouraging to see all the departments work cohesively as one unit despite the stark lack of resources compared to the western world. The lacking of sufficient resources was a constant theme throughout my experience at Port Reitz, but it was awe-inspiring to witness the creative lengths the staff managed to perform to deliver the best care they could despite the cards being stacked against them. On top of all the routine obstacles to the delivery of proper mental healthcare, during my time there, devastating nurses and physicians strike was in full swing. While this caused most public hospitals to be virtually non-functional, the few immensely altruistic nurses and interning physicians who still called to duty allowed Port Reitz Mental Health hospital to not only fully functional but adapted and evolved to make their healthcare delivery more efficient prior to the strike. It was thanks to these heroic few that I even still had the opportunity to shadow abroad, but more importantly, they kept from depriving the Kenyan people access to the second-largest Mental Health Institution in Kenya. Overall, my experience in Kenya is one that I will never forget. I recommend this program to everyone and the lifelong friendships I made in 4 weeks will have me back in Mombasa in no time.

My trip to East Africa was an absolute success thanks to all the IMA staff who protected us and worked hard on our behalf during our stay. From our daily drivers: Javan, Teddy, and Benson to our housekeepers and chefs, we were able to have every one of our needs met due to their efforts. Our safety was a top priority during our trip and we never had to sacrifice the feeling of comfort. I am grateful to have experienced the way of life and the Kenyan culture during my two-week stay abroad. I was able to grasp the true meaning of a developing nation as I was faced with the reality of Kenyan's way of life. Whether it was through the constant bus rides and the observations I was making of the roads, the houses, and the civilians. Or whether it was face to face on a daily basis at the public hospital where I interned in the dental unit, it was under these circumstances that I was exposed to a lifestyle that will forever linger in my memory. This mission trip will serve as a personal reminder for my long-term aspirations in the health care field. I would like to return as a dentist in the future and aid these people with my time, effort, and resources. I would like to extend my gratitude towards the International Medical Aid organization for allowing me to participate in this educational experience so early in my dental career.

This was one of the best experiences of my life. The staff and drivers were amazing!! Due to covid we had fewer medical clinics which is out of our control but wish we had more community outreach activities

I probably had one of the best experiences of my life in Natuwa for a month, feeding the many animals that live there, taking care of them, discovering a different way of life than mine, more minimalist and peaceful. Rodolfo is an extremely understanding man who cares about the well-being of his voluntarios. We had the chance to do several extra activities outside the centre, such as snorkeling near to Isla Tortuga, or swimming at night with bioluminescent planktons, which were dazzling. The workteam is really friendly and allows you to feel integrated quickly and easily. However, you have to expect to work hard sometimes, for example planting trees, doing work to maintain the infrastructure, but this is only a part of the day. outside the centre

To say my experience in Kenya was amazing would be an understatement. My experience in Kenya with IMA was truly life changing. It opened my eyes to many things including the differences in health care delivery, culture, politics, disease burden and much more. My first day in Kenya I was welcomed at the airport by IMA staff, they immediately made me feel welcome and safe. All Kenyans truly made me feel welcome and safe. There smile, spirit, and culture was immediately evident and welcoming. As we drove to the residence IMA staff gave me a brief education on the areas we were passing by. They pointed out coast general from the road so I could see just how large the public hospital was from a distance, soon where I’d be interning. They pointed out the different shops (how most make a living in Kenya) and the differences in driving from what I am accustomed to in the United States. Upon arrival to the residence they helped me get my bags and introduced me to the house keeping staff as well as the chef who would be taking care of me the next couple weeks. I was then shown were I would be staying and given a tour of the residence. The residence made me feel safe and secure. I had a few concerns arise that were immediately addressed by in country support and my program mentor. It made me feel even more welcome knowing that I had the support if I needed it. The IMA staff became like my new family. Over the next couple weeks I spent time at the hospital following the clinical officer, interviewing patients, and taking care of there needs. I was also able to observe many emergencies in the emergency room. Following the clinical officer really allowed me to see first hand the diseases affecting Kenya and how treatments performed are much different of that than the United States. I seen first hand how malaria affects the country and why malaria can be serious, I seen how Dengue fever also effects the region, this another mosquito borne illness. I seen how respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, rhinovirus, and adenovirus impact the children of Kenya as well as non respiratory illness like H. Pylori impact the children. I became aware of how lucky we are in America to have access to clean food, air, and drinking water. We did a hygiene education session at the local school, a subject very much taboo in Kenya. We taught young girls about menstrual health and proper hygiene. At first I was very nervous and I thought I wouldn’t enjoy teaching young girls about menstrual health. It was very out of my comfort zone and I wasn’t sure what to share. However, I reminded myself why I came on this journey in the first place, it was to push myself out of my comfort zone and immerse myself in another cultures healthcare system. I embraced teaching the young girls, the girls asked us many questions about our own experiences and we were able to share our own experiences with them. It wasn’t until after we were done that I realized how big of an impact I had and how big of an impact the menstrual hygiene clinics IMA does have on the communities of Kenya. As I have returned home from Kenya I have taken everything I learned home with me. It’s important that we continue to advocate for change in Kenya. Kenya needs access to clean water for cooking, hygiene, and drinking. Kenya needs access to a better healthcare system. Currently in Kenya access to healthcare is a privilege not a right. Payment is due at the time of service, if you cannot pay service is not rendered and this is not fair to the Kenya communities. The money America sends over seas helps fight HIV in Kenya. Women are able to receive free medication to manage their HIV due to support from the United States. This is amazing and I am so glad I learned this during my medical internship. I would highly recommend a medical internship with International Medical Aide. It will challenge you to grow mentally, physically and emotionally. It will challenge you to fight for change in other countries and it will challenge you to advocate for better healthcare for all. Thank you to all of the IMA staff for making this experience possible.

I’ve never shadowed dentists before, but after just a week of shadowing at Coast Provincial General Hospital, I witnessed procedures that I never would have imagined seeing. I spent a lot of time in the minor oral surgery room because I’m interested in specializing in oral surgery after dental school. During the first hour of every shift, all the interns and dentists gathered in the minor oral surgery room and did dental rounds on cases of patients. This was my favorite time of the day because it was a great opportunity to be in a discussion setting. I listened to the dentists talk about unique cases including facial and oral tumors, and a lot of the times, the cases would be truly uncommon in a dental setting back in Canada. Reflecting on my journey today, I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible individuals I’ve met along the way. Although public healthcare in Kenya is completely different than a setting that I hope to work in the future, I’ve realized that what makes a great dentist is all the same, no matter where in the world. A great dentist should be someone who is not afraid to make sacrifices for the ultimate greater good of health, and that is to do the best you can for as many people as possible. My memories with IMA are definitely ones that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Before I arrived, I had a full schedule planned for me so I knew exactly what I had to do. I had three meals a day planned out for me, but also had the flexibility to go out to eat. My cultural trek to the Masai Mara was also very organized. I enjoyed being a guest of IMA my entire trip and definitely would say that IMA made me feel comfortable during my trip to Kenya.

I spent 4 weeks in Rwanda with Go Volunteer Africa and I was able to participate in different programs. Mostly teaching English to children and working with women projects. But they also have programs with sports and young men enterprises and lots of outreach activities. It was a life changing experience and we could connect with the communities and get to know the people who live there. For me, this was the number one reason why I loved this experience. The children's were kind and respectful, eager to learn. So the teaching was natural and easy. I felt home in our volunteer house living with 6 other girls and two boys. We had dinner together every day and spend weekends travelling together as well. I felt welcome by the city of Musanze and Kigali and by all the Rwandans I met. Throughout those four weeks not only did I build an individual relationship with each and every kid but I also made so many friends in the program. Jim, the Coordinator at Go Volunteer Africa’s offices who arranged my program in Rwanda was very supportive and making sure we got the best experience. The staff in Rwanda is extremely very helpful and I am looking forward to travel with you again in Malawi.

Musanze is an amazing place and my experience at the women’s center and with Go Volunteer Africa was incredible. It was very well organized right from the moment I signed up, Jim supported me throughout the entire experience, all of my questions were answered thoroughly and promptly and I had the experience of a lifetime. Although I had wanted to stay in Kigali, but Jim’s offer for Musanze turned out to be the best. I stayed with a local host family for culture experience. The host mother was outstanding and really caring. The project Manager Damien helped me and the other volunteers in every aspect of our trip. He knew a lot about the area, making it easy to get around, visit the best places and shops. During my time in Rwanda, I met a few other volunteers while I was there and we would catch up for a meal or go for swimming. GVA Rwanda is a very affordable, safe and flexible volunteering option. I would definitely recommend GVA if you are interested in a great volunteer experience in Rwanda.

This was my first experience volunteering overseas and it was challenging, rewarding, frustrating, satisfying, scary and joyful all at the same time! I don't think there is any way to understand what it is like and what it does for you other than to experience it first-hand. You will learn a lot about the daily realities of life in a developing country like Rwanda, learn even more about yourself and what you are made of, and most of all understand how even the smallest gestures of good-will and service go very far to help others in need. My Favorite Experience was working with the women groups and helping them in designing business plans for their small ventures. I was surprised that resources are so incredibly scarce for local organizations; it seems to be the biggest limiting factor for getting things done and making progress. The organizations themselves struggle to stay in operation on a daily basis, and have virtually no support from within their own country. My best received lesson... Face each day with an open mind and a healthy dose of humor. There will be many times when you will ask yourself "what am I doing" or "why am I doing this" but if you put aside the critical thoughts and embrace the experience, you will be surprised how things always seem to work themselves out in the end. Thank you team Go Volunteer Africa