Discover Rwanda w/ Aegis Students

Looking for that last special christmas present?

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:07:25 +0100

If you live in the UK and are looking for that last little christmas present to finish off the shopping, look no further!

Lisa Ellwood has yet again organised an alternative Christmas gift scheme where you can purchase a gift on behalf of a friend for a boy from Les Enfants de Dieu. Les Enfants de Dieu is a not-for-profit organisation supporting street boys in Kigali, Rwanda. Your friend will receive a card explaining this fantastic present idea.

http://www.enfantsdedieu.org/

Firstly for those of you on a tighter budget you can buy one of the children a set of socks and underwear. A cliche Christmas gift maybe, but many people do not think of donating simple things such as underwear to these boys. These will cost £7.

The second gift is a rucksack the children can use to carry their school books on their huge morning walk to school. This was requested personally by all the children when they were asked what they needed. The bags will be made in Rwanda by a cooperative of women who all suffer from HIV. These will cost £13.

http://inezacooperative.wordpress.com/

The Christmas cards you will receive to give to one of your friends are made in York at Brunswick Organic Nursery. This is a sheltered workplace for adults with learning difficulties and they will also receive a small part of the money raised from the sale of these cards.

http://www.brunswickyork.org.uk/index.php

If you think this sounds just as great as we do drop an email to l.ellwood@hotmail.co.uk and put your order in!

Exclusive: Kagame’s Historic Speech In Parliament

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 18:10:14 +0100

Exclusive: Kagame’s Historic Speech In Parliament:

President Kagame on Thursday (October 04) delivered what some commentators are describing as a ‘life-time’ or ‘historic’ speech in Parliament as he launched the judicial year 2012.

When Clive Met Adrien

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:22:36 +0100

When Clive Met Adrien:

If you find yourself in London and looking for a break from Olympic fever this Friday, then this is a definiate!

Rwandan sitting volleyball team's Paralympic dreams

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 21:17:33 +0100

Rwandan sitting volleyball team's Paralympic dreams

Rwandan basketmakers weave their way into Macy's

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:19:09 +0100

Rwandan basketmakers weave their way into Macy's

Rwanda 'gacaca' genocide courts finish work

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:50:47 +0100

Rwanda 'gacaca' genocide courts finish work:

Rwanda’s community courts, known as gacaca, have finished their work, after 10 years of trying those accused of involvement in the 1994 genocide.

Uburanga Art Studio

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:58:26 +0100

Uburanga Art Studio:

If you find yourself in Kigali and in search for some local culture, head the Uburanga Art Studio for a fantastic experience and a chance to meet some fantastic artists!

First International Art Exhibit Shown

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:51:58 +0100

First International Art Exhibit Shown:

Rwandan artists have been branching out onto the international stage for quite a few years now, but finally international artists have arrived in Rwanda and started showing their own work.

Rwanda: Tomorrow is Today

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:48:30 +0100

Rwanda: Tomorrow is Today:

Following the path that led Rwanda to where it is today. We cannot forget the past but only learn from it.

Photo

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:47:39 +0100

EXCITING NEWS...our summer program is here!

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:44:28 +0100

Discover Rwanda 2012 Programme
09/07/2012 - 02/08/2012

KIGALI
Day 1 – 09/07/2012 [Monday]

Morning: Participants arrive in Rwanda at Kigali International Airport in Kanombe

Lunch: Camellia Tea House in Kigali City Centre

Afternoon: Change money, purchase local sim cards, relax at hostel and explore

Dinner: Welcome Dinner and drinks atBuffalo Village Bar and Restaurant

Evening: Free time to adjust to being in Rwanda

Day 2 - 10/07/2012 [Tuesday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Morning: Discover Rwanda Briefing from Sam Boarer and Yannick Tona

Lunch: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Afternoon: Tour of Kigali

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening: Free time to adjust to being in Rwanda

Day 3 - 11/07/2012 [Wednesday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Morning: Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. Welcome from Aegis Trust Rwanda by Solange Umulisa (Aegis Rwanda Deputy Director) and Aegis Students Rwanda by Yannick followed by guided Tour of Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.

Lunch: Museum Café – Kigali Genocide Memorial

Afternoon: Visit the memorial for the Belgian UN Peacekeepers who were killed during the genocide as part of UNAMIR Peacekeeping mission

Visit the house of the Former Rwandan President - Juvenal Habyarimana – who was president until the genocide started on April 7^th 1994 – he died when the presidential plane was shot down on April 6^th with both him and the former Burundian President, inside.

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Day 4 - 12/07/2012 [Thursday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Morning: Visit the Nyabarongo River where many Tutsis were thrown during the genocide to be killed – many after they had been severely maimed so they were unable to swim. Often the Interahamwe would say that throwing Tutsi in the river was like sending them by a shortcut back to Abyssinia where many said the Tutsi had come from.

Visit Ntarama and Nyamata Memorials – two churches just outside Kigali where many Tutsi fled during the genocide to seek refuge, thinking that they would be protected in the church. Many Tutsi who had fled to churches in previous years had been safe as the militias were afraid to kill inside.

Time to sit and reflect at the memorial sites.

Lunch: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Afternoon: Visit Ecole Technique Officielle (ETO) – the school which the story in the film Shooting Dogs was about, then Visit Nyanza Memorial where those who had sought refuge with the United Nations at ETO, were massacred.

Visit Ibuka – the Umbrella organization for genocide survivors in Rwanda and have a presentation and discussion about their work.

Visit AVEGA – the national association for survivors of the genocide who are widows. Have a presentation and discussion about their work

Dinner: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Evening: Power of Image Film Screening: Ghosts of Rwanda

Day 5 - 13/07/2012 [Friday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Morning: Visit the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) for a discussion about their role fighting genocide ideology in Rwanda, in commemoration and remembrance.

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Afternoon: Time off from scheduled activities

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening: Free time

SOUTH PROVINCE
Day 6 - 14/07/2012 [Saturday] early start + overnight stay in Butare

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Morning: Depart for Southern Province and Rwanda’s second city, Butare. Visit Kabwayi Memorial - one of the memorials which shows the role and complicity of the church in the Rwandan genocide.

Lunch: Butare Town

Afternoon: Murambi Memorial centre near to Butare town – the site of a school where thousands of men, women and children fled for safety in 1994 and where the French operation called Zone Turquoise was. The remains of many of the victims of the genocide have been left unburied and preserved in lime.

Evening: AERG (Association for Student Genocide Survivors) Visit the AERG group in the National University of Rwanda (NUR). Pay respects at memorial for students and teachers who were killed at the National University during the genocide and talk with and spending evening with students.

Dinner: Butare in town

Day 7 - 15/07/2012 [Sunday]

Breakfast: Hotel in Butare

Morning: Visit the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare to learn about the history of Rwanda, culture, language, colonial times, music, food, traditions and the genocide. See the performing traditions of Rwanda.

Lunch: Butare Town

Afternoon: Visit the former traditional and modern kings palaces Nyanza

Evening: Travel back to Kigali

Dinner: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

KIGALI
Day 8 - 16/07/2012 [Monday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Morning: Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a discussion about their role and work in Rwanda and abroad

An audience with the British High Commissioner – learn about the role and projects of the British Government in Rwanda as well as their projects in aid and development for the country.

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Afternoon: Visit the Parliament of Rwanda – hosted by the Parliamentary Commission for Human Rights and the Fight against genocide.

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening: Free time to sit and reflect on the day’s activities, update workbook, discuss activities and update blogs.

Day 9 - 17/07/2011 [Tuesday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Morning: Visit the Canada Embassy to learn about the role and projects of the United States Government in Rwanda, as well as their projects in aid and development for the country.

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Afternoon: Visit the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, and have a presentation and discussion about their work.

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening: Free Time

Day 10 - 18/07/2012 [Wednesday]

Morning: Meeting with Office of the President of the Republic of Rwanda

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Afternoon: Meeting with Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

NORTH PROVINCE
Day 11 - 19/07/2012 [Thursday] overnight stay in Gisenyi

Breakfast: Hostel

Morning and Afternoon: Travel to Gisenyi on lake Kivu. Visit the Volcanoes National Park on the way and climb a volcano if group interested.

Lunch: Musanze (Formerly Ruhengeri)

Afternoon and Evening: Arrive in Gisenyi, check into accommodation and go for dinner at Stippag Hotel

Day 12 - 20/07/2012 [Friday]

Breakfast: Hotel

Morning: Free time in Gisenyi to explore the town, visit volcanic hot springs, hike along different trails and shop

Lunch: Serena Hotel

Afternoon: Depart for Kigali

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening: Free Time

KIGALI
Day 13 - 21/07/2012 [Saturday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Morning: Visit Aegis Rwanda Social Affairs Department beneficiaries, hear about the programme and what it is doing to help survivors of the genocide and listen to the testimony of one of the Survivors.

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Afternoon: Take part in a Football match with Kigali Genocide Memorial Staff, Discover Rwanda participants and some of the orphans supported by the Aegis Social Programme

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening: Free

Day 14 - 22/07/2012 [Sunday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Morning: Volunteering at Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel – a Social Enterprise of Aegis Trust.

Lunch: Africa Bite

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening Free Time

Day 15 – 23/07/2012 [Monday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Morning: Volunteering with genocide survivors.

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Afternoon: Time off from organized activities

Day 16 - 24/07/2012 [Tuesday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Morning: Meeting at the Ministry of Justice to learn about Justice System in Rwanda

Visit the United Nations International Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Kigali to learn about their work.

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Afternoon: - Visit to and discussion with the Gacaca Courts - the court in change of judging people who participated in the genocide in Rwanda.

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening: Free time to sit and reflect on the day’s activities, update workbook, discuss activities and update blogs.

Day 17 - 25/07/2012 [Wednesday]

Breakfast: Hostel

Morning and Afternoon: Aegis Students International Conference. See separate programme for conference itinerary.

Evening: Party to celebrate the 11^th anniversary of Aegis Trust!

KIGALI AND EAST PROVINCE
Day 18 - 26/07/2012 [Thursday]early start + overnight stay in Kibuye

Morning: Visit the ICTR centre for research in Kigali

Lunch: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Afternoon: Depart for Akagera National Game Park for Discover Rwanda Safari.

Evening: Put up tents in Akagera Game Park, relax and share stories around the camp fire and in the Akagera Game Lodge

Dinner: Hotel Akagera

Day 19 - 27/07/2012 [Friday]

Breakfast: Take Away Breakfast from the game lodge for an early start on the safari

Morning: Wake early to visit the National Game Park - Akagera for Safari whilst the animals are out grazing and searching for food.

Lunch: By the side of lake Muhazi

Afternoon: Relax by the lake and then travel back to Kigali - arriving late afternoon

Dinner: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

KIGALI
Day 20 - 28/07/2012 [Saturday] Umuganda – community service (details in DR brochure)

Breakfast: Hostel

Morning: Umuganda

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Afternoon: Free Time

Dinner: Gorilla Hotel

Day 21 – 29/08/2012 [Sunday]

Breakfast: Hostel

Morning: free time from scheduled activities

Lunch and Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

WEST PROVINCE early start + overnight stay in KibuYE
Day 22 - 30/07/2012 [Monday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Morning: Travel Kibuye in the western province of Rwanda.

Visiting Nyange Memorial on the way

Lunch: Hotel Guest House Bethanie – on the lake side

Afternoon: Visit Kibuye Town memorial

Evening: Free time

Day 23 - 31/07/2012 [Tuesday]

Breakfast: at Hotel

Morning: Visit the Amahoro island on Lake Kivu

Lunch: at Island

Evening: Back to Kigali

Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

KIGALI
Day 24 – 01/08/2012 [Wednesday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda YouthHostel

Morning: Meeting withRwanda Development Board who are concerned with the development of Rwanda in three main areas of Tourism, IT and Investment.

Afternoon: Programme De-briefing and information about what participants can do to help support Aegis in Rwanda and engage with their community on their return home.

Lunch and Dinner: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Day 25 - 02/08/2012 [Thursday]

Breakfast: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Morning and Afternoon: Free day to go shopping and explore Kigali, return to any sites, conduct interviews, re-visit sites, memorials, conduct research and so on. Transport will be at your disposal

Lunch: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Evening: Relax and departures

Activities for Free time

- Rwanda Cinema Centre Film Festival (It is a festival organized by the Rwanda Cinema Centre across the country screening movies and documentation - some made by Rwandans)

- Quiz Night at Sol e Luna Pub/restaurant every Monday

- Salsa Lessons at Horizon and Pasadena

- Karaoke at Maman Africa bar, restaurant, club

- Swimming

See you all there soon!

Clive Owen backs London-Paris ride for peace-building education in Rwanda

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 01:14:06 +0100

Clive Owen backs London-Paris ride for peace-building education in Rwanda

Wouldn’t you want to be here? Nyungwe Forest - Southern Rwanda

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:37:22 +0100

Wouldn’t you want to be here?

Nyungwe Forest - Southern Rwanda

Rwanda's Calllixte Nzabonimana gets life for genocide

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:34:15 +0100

Rwanda's Calllixte Nzabonimana gets life for genocide

A fantastic video from Aegis Trust’s YouTube...

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:27:11 +0100

A fantastic video from Aegis Trust’s YouTube channel!!

‘Not on My Watch’ was created in Rwanda in 2004 as the Aegis Trust prepared to open the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.

Check out more fantastic video’s here…

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4719A87E725A9EFE&feature=plcp

Climbing beans improve life for Rwandan farmers

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:27:17 +0100

Climbing beans improve life for Rwandan farmers

'Dark tourism' study centre launched by university

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:58:06 +0100

'Dark tourism' study centre launched by university:

In a response to this article tune into BBC World Service tonight between 18:00hrs and 19:00hrs BST to listen to Richard Newell of Aegis Students explain why we feel that it is important for those of us who wish to contribute to the prevention of genocide, continue to visit the sites where these atrocities took place. Taking the opportunity to attend Discover Rwanda more important than ever.

Rwanda Coffee Revenue Grew 84% to $5.9 Million in First Quarter

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 21:35:48 +0100

Rwanda Coffee Revenue Grew 84% to $5.9 Million in First Quarter

Genocide suspect Uwinkindi sent for trial in Rwanda

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:05:05 +0100

Genocide suspect Uwinkindi sent for trial in Rwanda:

The first transfer from Arusha to Rwanda as the ICTR winds down by 2014.

Rwanda genocide survivors cycle towards London 2012

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:17:39 +0100

Rwanda genocide survivors cycle towards London 2012