Volunteer for PREFER
The 2nd House Repair completed by volunteers, February 2007
In 2007 PREFER began a volunteer programme accepting volunteers from all corners of the world to come to Rwanda. A volunteer may stay from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on their own timeframe.
'Not all my patients love me', April 2008
- PREFER's preschool year has over 100 children ranging in ages from 18 months to 6 years old. We have 4 Rwandese teachers on staff but volunteers are very much needed and appreciated, sharing life skills with the students and teachers. We hold adult classes many afternoons offering the local population English lessons, traditional dance lessons and parenting/hygiene seminars. The construction of our 4 classroom school house is complete and our kitchen/office building is now ready in 2010. Your help with these children will be invaluable. They come from extreme poverty and possess few life skills. To be acknowledged and heard gives them self confidence, to be educated opens doors they did not know existed.
- If you would like a more structured environment, there are also teaching positions available at various primary and secondary schools in this district, as well as afternoon and evening tutorial classes needed. If you are interested in a district school please bring your diploma with you. Schools in Rwanda use French, Kinyarwanda and English. It is to the volunteer's advantage to speak French as well as English but not necessary.
- PREFER holds a small medical clinic on the school ground to treat all students and many of the neighboring families. Ailments range from small cuts, skin fungus and infected ears to burns and more severe cases. Anyone with medical knowledge would find this work very rewarding.
- PREFER has a home repair project for widows and teenage head of household. The family home is outfitted with new roof, windows and door as well as insulation. This project is seasonal because of our heavy rains.
Gramma practising giving medicine, April 2008
Here is some information regarding other aspects of your life in Rwanda.
- You will be provided with 3 meals per day. Meals consist of a variety of vegetables: potatoes, cabbage, beans, corn etc. Very little meat is eaten.
- One of the PREFER team will be at the airport to pick you up and transfer you to Ruhengeri where we are based. The Kigali airport is small; we will be waiting for you outside of customs, after you pick up your luggage, with a sign reading your name. Your return to the airport for your flight home is your responsibility.
- You will have a day or two to relax and get familiar with your surroundings at which time we will go through your orientation. You will be shown where to change money, email family and friends, and purchase any personal needs. If you have a mobile phone, bring it with you. It's easy and affordable to get a chip and activate it for use in Rwanda.
- Ruhengeri is a good size village with many hotels and restaurants, 2 markets, an abundance of small variety kiosks and even a swimming pool. We are only 12 kms from Volcanoes National Park and gorillas. If you are interested in gorilla trekking let me know ASAP to ensure there is availability and I will get you booked.
- The residence is a brick home with electricity and running water (yes, hot water for showers). It is 3 blocks from town center and 4 kms from the preschool. During your volunteer placement your weekends are free to do as you chose, either travel about and see other areas of Rwanda or stay home, relax and get caught up with your journal and emails.
- Rwanda is blessed with good government. Our current government, lead by President Paul Kagame, holds education first and foremost. We have the best roads in central Africa, a government that is transparent and accountable to its population, plus, we enjoy the freedom of movement ensured by our government's security measures. The growth and positive changes I have witnessed since living here are amazing. It is an exciting time to visit Rwanda and be a part of this country's future.
Rwanda
Thanks for your interest in Rwanda and PREFER. Please e-mail either Marcus Reeves in the UK or Cathy Emmerson in Rwanda with your questions or comments or use the contact form on the Contact Us page. PREFER look forward to hearing from you.
PREFER Volunteer Program Fees 2010
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | US$500.00 |
| 1 month | US$800.00 |
| 2 months | US$1500.00 |
| 3 months | US$2000.00 |
These fees include:
- Administrative charge
- Project donation
- Airport pick up/ transfer to project site (return to airport at your expense)
- Meals and accommodation during placement
- Transport to/from project each work day
- Supervision
A deposit of 25% of your program fee must be received by PREFER by either bank transfer or Western Union 30 days before the starting date of your stay. All deposits are non-refundable.
