About Rwanda

Volunteer satisfaction, health, and safety

• Annual Volunteer Survey satisfaction results [PDF]
• Health and medical care summary [PDF]
• Crime, harassment, and early termination of service [PDF]

Resources

The below resources are intended to provide information and background on Rwandan History and Culture. Opinions expressed in the provided resources do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peace Corps Rwanda or Peace Corps Rwanda Staff.

Rwandan Cultural Resources

The Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy manages Rwandan Language and Culture Preservation, Museums, and National Archives. These include the Ethnographic Museum located in the South that is rich in Rwanda’s history, culture, and anthropology, The King’s Palace, and much more.

Several art galleries in Kigali host exhibitions in addition to selling their artwork. The most popular art is Imigongo. Imigongo is an art form traditionally made using cow dung. Often in black, white, and red. They are used for decoration in the home and public spaces.

AZIZI Life located in Muhanga (close to the Peace Corps Rwanda Training Center) is a fair trade organization which partners with Rwandan artisans to bring beautifully designed, hand crafted goods to the world. In addition to selling Rwanda crafts, Azizi life provides classes on Rwandan traditional cooking, drumming, and dancing.

Online Resources for Information on the Genocide Against Tutsi

The Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi offers an educational experience to visitors about the Rwandan History that led to the 1994 tragedy. All Peace Corps Rwanda Trainees visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial as part of Pre-Service Training.

Aegis Trust is a global not-for-profit organization that works to prevent genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. Aegis Trust Rwanda supports the Kigali Genocide Memorial and fosters Peace Education Programs.

Books on the History of Rwanda and the Genocide Against the Tutsi

• Allison des Forges: “Leave none to tell the story. Genocide in Rwanda”. Human Rights Watch, 1999.
• Linda Melvern: “A people betrayed: The role of the West in Rwanda’s Genocide”. New York: Zed books Ltd, 2000.
• Dallaire Romeo: “Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda”. Random House Canada, 2003.
• Stephen Kinzer,” A thousand Hills: Rwanda’s rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It”. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2008.