Volunteering in Rwanda

Good afternoon,

On November 1 I will begin my first two weeks of volunteer work in Kigali, Rwanda. I was selected after submitting an application through Global Volunteer Network to work on a coordination project between two Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) focusing on food safety.  

In 1994 over 1million people were killed when the ethnic Hutus targeted the Tutsi population. Thousands more were forced from their homes into areas such as Uganda and The Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2013 it was announced that all refugees will be transitioned into their home country of Rwanda, the first time in almost 20 years these two ethnic populations will come into contact.

During this transition, they will be separated into new camps for Internally Displaced People (IDP) and over the next two years transitioned back into an integrated society. As the refugee camps of the bordering nations close, Rwanda will be responsible for feeding and housing people who have nowhere to go.   Organizations like Church World Services and International Organization for Migration can help, but they need to verify donations can be properly handled by organizers.   I will be on a unique team of internationals working to review and train on food policy to ensure that everyone is trained to the highest expectation and donations can be properly processed.

I have worked with refugees since starting my career in 2006 and would like the opportunity to experience firsthand the struggles many individuals face before arriving in American so that I may better understand the unique struggles they face. I have spent years assisting in the development of food service programs in Houston, including Houston Food Bank’s lunch meals to children in the summer and direct oversight of the Meals on Wheels program. I hold certifications in food safety management as well as have been extensively trained in volunteer management.

I have opted to provide my own funding for this experience, giving my cost to directly fund the program. For my 27 birthday, I will be serving in Rwanda and I ask for your assistance to help me raise the the last $1000 of the $2100 for this experience. Any amount over will be given directly to the program workers in Rwanda.

Thank you for your support!