Trip Itinerary
Tuesday July 15th
- Arrive in Kigali at 8:30 am.
- Met by Solace staff at airport (Denise Mugeni and Rev Jean Gakwandi).
- Settle in at Solace.
- Meet Moses and present laptops at Learning Centre.
- Orientation drive around Kigali by Jean Gakwandi and visit pool at Novotel near Solace.
- UK teams arrives at Kigali Airport 7pm and transfer to Solace Ministries.
- All accommodation at Solace Ministries in Kigali except where noted.
Wednesday July 16th
- Breakfast at Solace.
- Presentation and tour of Solace Ministries with Rev. Jean Gakwandi.
- Join Solace testimony service with Mama Lambert where survivors talk for the first time about their experiences.
- After lunch see Solace’s demonstration farm/income generating project for widows and medical clinic (under construction) in Kabuga with Rev. Jean Gakwandi.
- Return to Solace for dinner.
Thursday July 17th
- Breakfast at Solace.
- Introduction to the Learning Centre (LC) with Moses Kiyendeye Teach at LC 9.00 - 12.00 am. Lunch at Solace.
- At 2pm drive south to Ntarama to open the SURF community centre and health clinic supported by INSPIRE!africa and Network for Africa (N4A) with Gabo Wilson from SURF and AVEGA executive.
- Visit SURF child headed households.
- Then visit genocide memorial in the Ntarama district: a church where 5,000 were killed in 1994.
- Return to Kigali. Dinner at Mille Colline (of Hotel Rwanda fame).
Friday July 18th
- Breakfast at Solace.
- Leave 8 am and drive south to Christian Aid and Avega projects in Ntongwe, Ruhango. Projects include renovations to homes of widows.
- Drive further south to Butare. Quick lunch in Butare then visit the National Museum. Shopping at the Museum. Crafts prepared by widows and orphans.
- Visit the Murambi genocide memorial where 50,000 were murdered.
- Drive back to Kigali for late dinner at Solace.
Saturday July 19th
- Breakfast at Solace.
- Teach at LC 9.00 - 12.00 am. Lunch at Solace.
- 2nd UK team (Hillary and Richard) arrive at 9.10 at Kigali Airport. Transfer to Solace.
- Visit craft market in Kigali and pool at Novotel.
- Dinner at Solace.
Sunday July 20th
- After breakfast at Solace visit the Genocide Museum in Kigali
- Then see SURF projects including child-headed households for genocide orphans in Kigali area with Sam from SURF.
- Lunch and dinner at Solace. Visit Novotel pool.
Monday July 21st
- Breakfast at Solace.
- Teach at LC 9.00 - 12.00 am. Lunch at Solace.
- Afternoon visit to Manos de Madres, a cooperative sewing project for women with HIV/AIDS.
- Then to ‘Cards from Africa’ in Kigali where orphans make handmade paper and greetings cards.
- Drive north to Ruhengeri for dinner and overnight at Hotel Muhabura.
Tuesday July 22nd
- Mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga mountains.
- Then see Fair Children Foundation projects with Elie Nduwayesu in Ruhengeri. School for deaf children and meet with child heads at Episcopal school.
- Late afternoon return to Solace.
- 6pm 1st UK team departs for London.
- Dinner at Solace with 2nd UK team.
Wednesday July 23rd
- Breakfast at Solace.
- Teach at LC 9.00 - 12.00 am. Lunch and dinner at Solace.
- Visit Peace Ruzage’s veranda project and the Women for Women International project for prostitutes in Kigali. Women learn crafts, literacy, sexual and reproductive health. Opportunity to purchase crafts made by these women.
- At 3:30 leave for Kabuga to present goats to widows and then to cow naming ceremony.
Thursday July 24th
- Breakfast. Teach at LC 9.00 - 12.00. Lunch at Solace.
- Visit to Ubuntu Edmonton. Arrive at 2 pm. Located in a neighbourhood of Kigali called Kimironko. Phone number: 08 52 56 88. Projects include sewing, food program, nursery school and youth camp.
- Dinner at Heaven in Kigali with Nicole and Marcelle from Ubuntu.
Friday July 25th
- Breakfast. Teach at LC 9.00 - 12.00 am. Lunch at Solace.
- Drive west and north to Akagera National Park Lodge.
- Enroute visit Avega Community Centre and Medical Clinic.
- Dinner at Lodge.
Saturday July 26th
- Akagera National Park game drive to view savannah wildlife.
- Meals at Lodge (box lunch).
Sunday July 27th
- Akagera National Park morning game drive and boat trip.
- Breakfast and lunch at Lodge. Visit to pool at Lodge.
- Drive back to Kigali in late afternoon.
- UK Conservative Party invaded Solace Ministries, so moved to SOS Children Villages guest accommodation.
- Dinner at Havana Club near Solace.
Monday July 28th
- Breakfast at Solace.
- Teach at LC 9.00 - 12.00 am. Lunch and Dinner at Solace
- Carol and Gord transfer to airport and depart at 1:55 pm from Kigali airport along with Hillary and Richard from the UK team.
- Visit Ivuka Art Studio and traditional dance project.
Tuesday July 29
- Breakfast. Teach at LC 9.00-12.00 am.
- Farewell presentations with students.
- Lunch and transfer to airport. Departure 1:55 pm
