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Q: What are the schools like?
A: Many of the high schools were built after the genocide and so are quite new. They are generally very well cared for, as is the country in general, neat and clean. The boarding high schools usually consist of several instructional buildings built around a central “square.” Most have dual-language instructional materials in both French and English.
Q: How large are the schools?
A: Of course the sizes of the schools vary, but a typical school may have 600 – 800 students. Both boys and girls attend high school in Rwanda.
Q: How large are the classes?
A: In general classes are not excessively large. You may expect 25 – 40 students in your classes.
Q: How long is the teaching day?
A: Many of the schools begin about 8:00 AM, although some begin as early as 7:00 AM and end between 3:30 and 4:30 PM. In general there are eight periods a day, five days a week. Class periods are usually 50 minutes long and lunch is about an hour to an hour and a half.
Q: How many classes will I be expected to teach each day?
A: Each teacher, volunteer or local, is expected to teach 5 or 6 periods daily. You will have about 24 – 30 class periods (of 50 minutes) each week.
Q: Am I expected to run extracurricular activities?
A: Most of our WorldTeach volunteers engage in some sort of meaningful service outside the classroom, but you are not required to do so. Especially at a boarding school, it is important for the students to have enlivening activities that they can do outside of the classroom. Most of our volunteers find these activities and projects to be the most rewarding.
Before you leave for Rwanda you will want to think about potential extracurricular activities you would like to work with, so that you come prepared to do the things you want to with the students, i.e. coach a sports team, start a reading or drama club, help in the library etc.
Q: When will I find out where I'll be teaching?
A: You will probably not know where you will be teaching until shortly before departure. The country is small so there is little variation in sites. It is also possible that you won’t know your site placement until you get into Orientation.
Q: Why are so many of the high schools boarding schools in Rwanda?
A: The Rwandan genocide occurred in 1994, which is 13 years ago, so all the students in your school will have survived the genocide. Many children lost one or both parents during this horrific period so the schools have become a major role in caring for these children, many of whom do not have other places to go.
Q: When was the Rwandan genocide?
A: The Rwandan genocide began on April 6, 1994 and ended in mid-July 1994. During that short period of time it is estimated that over 800,000 people were killed.
Q: How are those who were children then doing today?
A: Some are doing reasonably well, some not so well. A National Trauma Survey conducted by UNICEF in 1995 estimated that over 70% of children were witnesses of extreme violence, and over 90% thought they themselves would be harmed or killed. These young people will especially need your kindness and caring.
Q: Are there any special days in remembrance of the genocide?
A: Yes. All schools will be closed the week of April 6th, the day the genocide began. School leaders report that this can be a difficult time for many of the students, and that those who are traumatized often affect others. This time requires particular support from teachers, community leaders and other adults for these students.
Q: Will I receive any training on how to deal with the special emotional issues these students might have?
Q: How will I travel to Rwanda?
A: WorldTeach arranges travel for the group departing for Rwanda from a departure city in the US (usually NYC, Boston or Washington DC). The group will meet at the departure city airport and then travel together to Kigali. The WorldTeach program fee will cover the international round-trip flight from the departure city. More details about the group flight arrangements will be available about two months prior to departure. You will then be asked to confirm your travel plans by a certain date so that WorldTeach can finalize the group air tickets.
Each volunteer is responsible for getting himself/herself to the US departure city. Many volunteers are able to find discounted or teacher/student fare domestic connections from the internet or student travel agencies such as
Student Universe or
STA Travel.
Q: Can I make my own travel arrangements?
A: Yes, you may opt out of the WorldTeach group flight. Prior to departure, you must coordinate with the Program Manager for Rwanda, who is in the US office.
If you choose to travel independently to Rwanda, you must plan to arrive in Kigali on or before the date of the group's flight arrival so you do not miss any orientation activities. If you purchase your own ticket, WorldTeach will deduct the cost from your program fee.
Q: When are the school holidays?
A: There are two vacation periods during the school year. The first is in April and the next is in July. They are both 2 weeks long. The semester is over in late November, and then the students have the month of December off before beginning again in January.
Q: Can I come home during the year?
A: As a WorldTeach volunteer in Rwanda you are under contract with your host institution and are responsible for working full time. However, during the two school vacations, you may travel wherever you wish. If a family emergency or event requires you to go home during a term you must clear your absence with your school director and arrange coverage for your classes. Any trips home or other personal travel will be at your own expense. You might want to suggest for your family or friends to visit you in Rwanda, ideally at the end of your service or during the two school vacations so that you can spend more time with them.
Q: Will there be a chance to travel to other places?
A: Absolutely! East Africa is a fascinating place, and most volunteers will not want to miss the opportunity to go on a safari. While Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park, and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park are extremely popular, there are numerous other safaris that you might want to take. For the more adventurous spirits, you may want to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro!
Unique to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the famous mountain gorillas. About 80 people per day are able to register to see these marvelous animals in the wild, but the experience is very pricey (about US$500 per person.)
A: WorldTeach will let you know what you need to provide in order to obtain the appropriate visa that will allow you to live and work in Rwanda.
Q: What requirements are there for my passport?
A: You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the end of your service. You must also have at least four blank pages in your passport for visas because you will be tempted to travel to other African countries once you are there. It’s much easier to get the extra pages prior to your visit than to have to get them at an Embassy in Africa.
Q: What immunizations will I need?
A: The most comprehensive source of information on immunizations and travel health is on the
Centers for Disease Control website. This site provides recommendations for travel to Africa as well as detailed information on specific diseases. Also refer to the Healthy Travel guide that WorldTeach will send you when you confirm your participation in the program.
You should consult your doctor or a travel health specialist about immunizations and other health needs. Please understand that WorldTeach staff are not qualified to give medical advice. All we can do is tell you what immunizations are usually recommended for travel to Rwanda - only your doctor can give you specific medical advice.
Q: What if I get sick? What are the medical facilities like in Rwanda?
A: Adjusting to a new environment, diet, and climate places demands on your body and health. Living in a new culture and taking on new professional responsibilities will be tiring. You will probably get sick at certain times; it is unavoidable. But you will also learn how to look after yourself, maintain your health, and seek treatment for sickness in a new environment.
There are quite good medical facilities in Kigali, the capital city. King Faycal Hospital, a 200-bed hospital is the major hospital.
A: For now the answer is yes. The government of Rwanda has been very committed to creating lasting peace in the country. Many laws have been enacted that curb the root of violence of 1994. For example, guns are outlawed for all non-military personnel in the country. Also, ethnic distinctions between Hutu and Tutsi - which ignited much of the violence of the genocide is also illegal (all documents and reports now use the term "Rwandan" to describe the population as a whole).
Visitors will notice that on the whole, Rwandans are very respectful people and go out of their way to make foreigners feel safe. While volunteers will encounter remnants of the Genocide, i.e. students having flashbacks, actual violence is not something that volunteers should expect to encounter.
It is important to note that in recent months a conflict in neighboring Congo (DRC) has been threatening to spill over into Rwanda near the north-western city of Gisenyi. Currently, this has little impact on Rwandans, but volunteers will want to monitor the situation closely. See the
New York Times article on the problems in Congo from December 13.
There are also US Department of State Travel Warnings issued for several of Rwanda's neighbors including
Burundi to the south, and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east.
Q: Will I have health insurance?
A: Yes, you will be covered under the policy that WorldTeach has for all its volunteers, this includes emergency medical evacuation insurance. For medical expenses, such as doctor's visits, and prescribed medications, you will need to pay upfront, keep the receipt, and file a claim to get reimbursed by the insurance company. You will need to read the policy carefully to be certain that it adequately meets your needs. Many volunteers also choose to keep their own health insurance coverage as well.
Q: Is there a fee for the program?
A: Yes, there is. The volunteer participation fee is US$7,990. There will be
matching grants of up to $2,000 awarded to volunteers who fundraise at least that much of the fee thus making the cost $5,990.
Q: Why is the fee so high for this program?
A: The Ministry of Education of Rwanda is only able to contribute US$100 per month plus housing, for each volunteer teaching in their schools. The difference must be covered by our volunteer participation fees. The Rwandan government pays their own teachers approximately US$200 per month, which does not include housing. Housing that you will be provided costs about US$100 per month, so you will be receiving from the government what a Rwandan teacher would receive.
Q: Are there any scholarships or matching funds available?
A: Yes. WorldTeach has donors who are able to match up to US$2,000 for each volunteer who fund raises at least that much, thus reducing the cost of the program to US$5,990. WorldTeach will continue to try to identify persons and organizations that might provide additional support, but volunteers to this program should count on only the US$2,000 matching funds to reduce the volunteer participation fees.
Q: Will I receive any stipend during the year?
A: Yes. You will receive approximately US$100 per month from the government for the months you will be teaching; in addition you will receive US$100 a month from WorldTeach, for a total of US$200 per month. This should be adequate for you to live in Rwanda. However, if you wish to travel, get your own cellphone, or visit the mountain gorillas (which can be very expensive) then we recommend that you budget additional funds before your departure.
Q: What sort of support will I have in-country during the year?
A: You will have a full-time, in-country field director who will run your Orientation, Mid-Service and End-of-Service Conferences. Your Field Director will also make site visits, and be there to support you through any problems that may arise throughout the year.
A: Yes! Because Rwanda is a small country, and you will all be living in and around Kigali, you are likely to get together with other volunteers at times throughout the year.
Q: How much money should I take with me?
A: This will depend greatly on what you want to do. The US$200 you will receive in stipend (US$100 from the government and US$100 from WorldTeach) is not a lot, but it is what Rwandan teachers will receive and should be enough for your day-to-day living expenses. If you want a cell phone, internet connectivity, and are interested in traveling more, you will need to bring extra money. Most volunteers recommend taking or having access to money in the US because you may change your mind about what you want to do once you are there. It’s hard to be in the area and not to go on a safari, for example!
Q: Will I have access to email in Rwanda?
A: Fortunately, most schools have internet access. In general, you may use the internet after school on weekdays. You can explore purchasing an external modem that works in the country, but these are expensive and you’ll need more than your stipend to cover these costs. Also, in larger cities, particularly Kigali, you will find lots of internet cafes that you can use and pay by the minute.
A: Yes, there are, but they are not cheap! If you have a mobile phone that has international calling abilities, you may purchase a new SIM card in Rwanda to make your phone compatible with their network. If not, you can purchase a phone in country. In addition, you will need to purchase a phone card with minutes, which you will pay for as you go. Overall, the cell phones have pretty good reception throughout the country.
Q: Are you still accepting applications?
A: Yes! WorldTeach accepts volunteers to this program on a rolling basis. Once the 20 slots are filled, we will no longer accept applications, except to the waiting list.
Q: Can I speak to a returned volunteer?
A: Because this is the first year of the program, we are unable to put you in contact with a returned volunteer. We can put you in touch with a returned WorldTeach Year volunteer from another program, specifically Namibia, who may be able to answer some of your questions. Hopefully you will be able to speak with potential volunteers in the future!
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