Experience family life, community and cultural exchange

Details

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  Description

  Muraho!
  
  If you are looking for an authentic experience in Rwanda, where you become part of a Rwandan family, discover our local culture and share everyday life welcome to our home in Nyanza, Southern Province, near the historic King’s Palace Museum , a region rich in culture, traditions, and history. " A home away from home"
  
  I am a mom living with my two adorable sons and my brother. We enjoy meeting people from different countries and background and we hope during your stay you will enjoy your stay and feel at home.
  For us hosting, is about much more than accomodation. It is about opening our doors, making friends and exchange cultures.
  We are a family who loves playing different games and collecting them. If you come to stay with us, please bring one of your favorite games so we can share and enjoy playing together.
  We also love learning from our volunteers too! Bring your culture, hobbies, music, recipes, jokes, games, and creativity.
  
  Who We Are
  
  I am an Agronomist by profession, with more than 12 years of experience in Agriculture, Potato Production and Sustainable Farming. But beyond that, I have always enjoyed meeting people, discovering different cultures and sharing what I know about Rwanda.
  My hosting journey started in 2021, when I was living in Musanze where I started to welcome international travellers into my home. (This is a story I’d love to share with you over a cup of coffee or tea.)
  In 2024, inspired and encouraged by some of the travellers I had hosted, I created a woman-led tourism business dedicated to offering authentic and meaningful travel experiences in Rwanda.
  Today, I am continuing to develop this journey through family hospitality, community-based tourism and a community development initiative called IGA – Community Learning and Development Centre.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  Light maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Videography

  

  Sustainability

  

  Writing

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Performing arts

  

  Photography

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Art & design

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Fitness

  

  Self development

  

  Movies & TV

  

  Farming

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Charity work

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Books

  

  Team sports

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking

  

  Dancing

  

  Camping
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  1. Getting insights into the daily lives of local communities.
  2. Engaging with us and creates friendships connections that last long after the trip.
  3. Learning to prepare authentic Rwandan dishes such as Isombe, Ubugari or Imvange.
  4. Experiencing the joy of playing traditional Rwandan drums or participating in cultural dances like Intore

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  There are many meaningful ways to contribute depending on your interests and skills:
  
  1.Community development and volunteering with IGA
  
  I grew up in a rural village with a rich cultural heritage but limited access to educational resources. As a child, we had no public library, cultural center, or safe space to learn, exchange ideas, or explore our talents. Books were scarce, and most learning happened only within schools, leaving little room for self-discovery, creativity, or exposure to diverse knowledge. Even today, children in rural areas lack access to books and safe learning spaces.
  I have always been interested in finding ways to create more opportunities for children, young people, women and rural communities, especially through education, cultural preservation and community development.
  This is one of the reasons I am working towards establishing IGA – Community Learning and Development Centre, a community-based, non-profit initiative that will start its work in Kibeho, Nyaruguru District, Rwanda.
  
  The initiative is being developed around several areas:
  
  * Learning and Literacy: Community library and children's reading corner, reading and writing clubs, digital literacy and learning and mobile library services for underserved communities.
  * Culture and Heritage: Traditional Rwandan dance and drumming and Inter generational culture sharing.
  *Women and Youth Empowerment: Leadership and life skills training, entrepreneurship and financial literacy and mentorship and career guidance.
  *Health and Well being: Sexual and reproductive health education, adolescent health awareness and menstrual health education.
  * Green Community: Environmental education, tree planting and conservation, waste management and recycling.
  * Children's nutrition: Promoting nutrition awareness and healthy feeding practices
  * Intercultural learning: Bringing people together through cultural exchange and shared experiences.
  
  This initiative is still at the development and establishment stage. I am currently working on putting it in place and building relationships with local communities and potential partners. I would be happy to meet volunteers who have ideas,help prepare educational materials, organise books, share creative skills and could contribute to this vision.
  
  There are many ways you can get involved:
  
  * Are your favorite books all shelved and unused? Give them a second life! A single book can spark a lifetime love of reading!
  * Heading to Rwanda soon? Why can’t you make your journey even more meaningful! Collect gently used books from school libraries, public libraries, bookstores, or even friends, family and neighbors. Pack them in your luggage and personally deliver them to us or reach out to us, and we can arrange to pick up the books directly from the airport.Your suitcase could be the start of a brighter future for a young reader.
  * Join us in setting up the library, organizing books, or leading reading sessions.
  * Share your talents, storytelling, arts, drama, music, or digital skills to inspire children and youth.
  * Help us to find partners either organization, school, or cultural center to provide resources, mentorship, or training.
  * Share our story with friends, schools, or book clubs.
  * Raise awareness in your community about the need for access to books and safe learning spaces.
  
  2. Environmental & Eco-Initiatives
  
  We are transforming our home into a green home.
  
  We are starting a family project to turn our home into a beautiful green home, a space that is eco-friendly and sustainable.
  This is a family initiative and I hope it will grow into a larger community project in the future because in Rwanda, many families include also ours do not have access to affordable fresh vegetables and fruits. We rely on markets where prices are often high and unstable. As a result, we struggle to afford a balanced diet, leading to nutrition challenges and food insecurity.
  
  Our vision is to create a home that embraces natural living, with spaces that inspire creativity, sustainability, and connection to nature and can become a model eco-home and learning garden for our community.
  
  Ways you can help:
  
  *Design and plan gardens and compost systems
  *Plant vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees
  *Build sack gardens or container gardens
  *Help organize and beautify outdoor areas
  * Nutrition Education
  *Take photos and videos to document and share our progress
  
  3. Family & Kids Creative Support
  
  Help my children learn and grow through:
  
  • Arts & crafts
  •Music (especially guitar because we have it at home)
  • French practice
  • Creative and educational games
  • Outdoor nature discovery
  
  4. Grants, Funding and Fundraising Support
  
  If you have experience or interest in:
  
  • Writing grant applications
  • Rsearching funding opportunities
  • Building donor partnerships
  • Crowdfunding strategy
  • Proposal writing
  • Storytelling for impact
  
  Your support can directly help:
  
  • Rural community library & learning hub
  • Women & youth empowerment programs
  • Eco-home & sustainability initiatives
  • Homestay network development
  • Cultural education & tourism equity
  
  5. Content Creation & Storytelling
  
  If you’re creative, you can help us tell our story through:
  
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Editing
  • Managing social media
  • Creating meaningful travel stories
  
  Meals: please read before arranging your stay
  
  One meal is included as a requirement of our Workaway exchange. You are welcome to buy and prepare your own food during your stay, and you can use the kitchen to cook your meals.
  
  Sharing meals is one of our favorite parts of hosting Workawayers. We also love to introduce our different traditional food to our guests, if you would prefer to have meals prepared by our family, we can offer this as an optional arrangement for USD 7 per person per day. This contribution is intended only to cover the cost of your food.
  
  Choosing this option is completely up to you. You are equally welcome to arrange your own meals and source food elsewhere.
  
  Please let us know your preference when you contact us so that we can discuss the arrangements before your arrival.
  
  If you are kind, open-minded, creative, community-hearted, respectful, love kids, willing to share and learn, then you already belong here.
  
  We would love to hear a little about you before your visit.
  
  When you contact us, please tell us:
  
  * Where you are from and what brings you to Rwanda.
  * A little about yourself, your interests and what you want to experience.
  * Which of our activities or projects interest you most.
  * When you would like to visit and how long you plan to stay.
  * What you would like to learn or share during your time with us.
  
  We look forward to welcoming you into our family.
  
  Murakaza neza!

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Kinyarwanda (Rwanda): Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  Your Language
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  Accommodation

  We provide a comfortable home where you’ll feel at home and part of the family.
  
  1. 4 Bedrooms: One of the bedrooms has a private bathroom and others share one bathroom.
  2. Kitchen: Perfect for preparing meals.
  3. Dining Room: A space to share meals together as a family.
  4. Parking: Space for more vehicle.
  5. Warm Family Atmosphere: Live with our family of 4.

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  What else ...

  Here are some amazing places you can visit during your stay:
  
  1. King's Palace Museum : Discover Rwanda’s royal history
  2. Rwesero Art Museum: Contemporary art in a former royal residence
  3. Kwigira Museum: A private cultural museum sharing traditional Rwandan history and values
  4. Ethnographic Museum: Learn about Rwanda’s traditions and culture
  5. Mount Huye: Beautiful hike with panoramic views
  6.The King’s Trail: Walk through historical routes connected to Rwanda’s monarchy.
  7. Coffee & tea plantation visits and tasting experiences
  8. Nyungwe Forest National Park Chimpanzees, canopy walk, waterfalls, and rainforest adventures
  9. Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine: Important pilgrimage site known internationally
  10. Lake Kivu: Relax by the beach in Karongi, enjoy boat rides and beautiful sunsets
  
  Authentic Rural Experiences
  
  • Milking cows the traditional way
  • Learning how banana wine is made
  • Making traditional sorghum beer
  • Cooking local Rwandan dishes together
  • Visiting local markets and farms
  
  Engage with the Community:
  
  1. Attend traditional dance performances or music events.
  2. Visit local markets to shop for handmade crafts and fresh produce.
  3. Attend community work every Saturday end of the month
  
  Available Transport Options
  
  Taxis: Affordable and reliable taxi services are available, and we’re happy to help you arrange one at a fair price.
  Motorcycle Taxis (Moto): A common and adventurous way to get around town quickly.
  Public Buses: Budget friendly buses connect Nyanza to Kigali and other towns.
  Walking: Our neighborhood is safe and walkable, allowing you to explore local sights on foot.
  
  How Helpers Can Spend Time Off
  1. Relax and read a book on our veranda .
  2. Learn how to play traditional drums.
  3. Enjoy family game nights with us or introduce us to your favourite games!
  4. Plan a weekend trip to Lake Kivu for breathtaking views and water activities.
  5. Engage in discussions about Rwandan history and culture.
  6. Learn a few words of Kinyarwanda.
  7. Playing basketball, volleyball or other sport at Musanze youth center
  
  Our Commitment to You
  
  We want all our helpers to feel at home, and we value cultural exchange. Whether you’re learning from us or teaching us something new, we believe in creating a memorable and impactful experience.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Room office or at the veranda with reliable internet for video calls, online work, and communications.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Safe and peaceful parking space.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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