RWANDA

Historical Trip Cost: $4,999

Anticipated Dates: June 14th- June 28th, 2025

Kigali, Rwanda

Through a US State Department program called Community Engagement Exchange (CEE), Youthlinc was connected to Pascal Mutemberezi, who is the founder of Save Community Initiative, a nonprofit based in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Save Community Initiatives' work and goals complemented Youthlinc model and mission so incredibly well we established an incredible partnership with SCI. We began planning our first trips and after 2 years in the making we sent our first Global Community Leadership team through Utah State University. This paved the way for Service Year opportunities and since 2022 we have sent 2 GCL teams and 2 Service Year teams.

With the support of Meloni Rutagengwa the Director of Save Community Initiative. Youthlinc has established solid partnership SCI and together we have developed a packed itinerary with valuable projects, cultural exchange, educational opportunities, and excursion experiences all with safety and sustainability as our number one priority. We have had incredible success in Rwanda and are eager to continue our work as we discover how communities continue to further peacekeeping and reconciliation efforts in Rwanda post-genocide.

Nestled in the heart of East Africa, Rwanda is a small yet stunningly beautiful country known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills" due to its lush, mountainous landscape. Renowned for its remarkable recovery and transformation since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda today stands as a beacon of progress and stability. The country's vibrant culture, rich biodiversity, and commitment to conservation are exemplified by its thriving population of mountain gorillas and numerous national parks. Kigali, the capital, is a modern, clean city that reflects Rwanda's ongoing development and efforts to foster a peaceful, inclusive society. With its warm, welcoming people and breathtaking scenery, Rwanda offers a unique and inspiring experience for participants and a compelling story of resilience and renewal.

Leadership Development

9-month leadership development program with integrated local service component
Youthlinc’s mission is to transform volunteers into lifetime humanitarians, which takes time and effort- we are not a “pay-and-go” program
Twenty five years of proven curriculum and data show that our program truly changes and improves our volunteers & communities abroad
Connect and build friendships with your team for 9 months prior to travel

Projects

Work with the Save Community Initative to make lasting impacts on rural villages near Kigali
Projects relate to community health, business & vocational skills, ecological improvements, construction, cultural exchange, education, and oral histories.

What's Included?

We are a Utah-based program. Round-trip international airfare is included from Salt Lake City. Minors will never be asked to fly alone to another city to meet their team for the first time.
All meals, accommodation, transportation, & clean water
Excursions include a 1-day safari tour in Akagera National Park.
Travel insurance, medical professional travels with team, 1:3 ratio of adults:student

Requirements

80 Hours of Local service
Monthly Team Meeting Attendance
Engaged in Project Planning
Engaged in Project Fundraising
Uphold Youthlinc Code of Conduct
Passport (valid for 6 months after trip)
Rwanda Tourism Visa

Read about our 2024 projects

Meet Our
In-Country Coordinator

Melonie Ruyagengwa- Save Community Initiative

SCI founded by my late Husband Mutemberezi Pascal with the purpose of Impowering Women and Youth through training them how to start small business, hand craft and sewing, etc that can help them for development of their living. As the Executive Director of SCI Melonie focuses their efforts on changing the lives of vulnerable communities and populations such as women and youth.

Melonie has supported Youthlinc programing in Rwanda since 2022 after Pascal had visited Utah and Youthlinc staff during a state department exchange program in 2019.

Save Community Initiative's Mission: empowering women and children

Meet the Team Leaders

Team Leader (TL)

Nate Jones (He/Him)

Nate first became involved with Youthlinc in 2017 as a mentor, and has been a Youthlinc Team Leader since 2019.

Nate’s favorite part of participating in the Youthlinc’s Service year is helping students realize that as you serve other people, both locally and internationally, you develop a bond that last a lifetime. Nate received a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Utah, and is now an entrepreneur. In Nate’s free time he enjoys traveling, golfing, boating, skiing, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Email: nathan@youthlinc.org

Assistant Team Leader (ATL)

Rachel Allen (She/Her)

I am so excited to travel back to Rwanda and learn more about their history I am also excited to make strong connections with everyone on the team and the community.

I currently attend Utah Tech studying Exercise Science for Occupational Therapy. I love to bake, read, watch movies, and do anything outdoors.

Email: rachel.a@youthlinc.org