RWANDA 2014
TRIP LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jim Losi, M.A.
Founder, Kundebana Foundation
jlosi@mac.com
925.699.1638
Ryan M. Lamberton
CILSA, Saint Mary’s College of CA.
RML4@stmarys-ca.edu
925.631.4015
Marshall Welch, Ph.D.
CILSA, Saint Mary’s College of CA.
MJW6@stmarys-ca.edu
925.631.8135
OVERVIEW
In 1994, the Rwandan Genocide resulted in the deaths of nearly one million people—nearly 10% of the population.
Today, Rwanda is considered a rising society in sub-Saharan Africa, with an impressive 9.9% GDP, and growing public
resources and support networks. In this program participants will learn a global and holistic approach to development
that addresses five areas: arts and culture, education, environment, governance, and health and human services. We
will do this through pre-readings and discussions and a 10-day immersion (March 27th – April 9th) in the life and culture
of Rwanda.
This document provides the following information about this program: Learning Goals, Trip Leader summaries,
important dates & deadlines, vaccinations & medications, summative itinerary, basic information about Rwanda,
preparation information, safety and communication information, behavioral expectations and program cost details.
LEARNING GOALS
The success of this program relies upon participants’ engagement with the conversation, readings, and travel
experience, and in their building community with fellow participants, the instructors, and community members we
meet. By the end of the program, participants fully engaged in this program will:
1. -Be conversant in the five areas of the development portfolio (arts & culture, education, environment,
governance, and health & human services)
2. -Develop knowledge of Rwanda’s Vision 2020, the Millennium Development Goals, and the UN Declaration of
Human Rights
3. -Investigate possible intersections between development and their own conceptions of working toward the
common good
4. -Examine their relationships with and to citizens of developing countries
5. -Develop/deepen their skill in working as a team toward a common goal
6. -Apply their knowledge of development and human rights to the case study of Rwanda.
READINGS
Rwanda, Inc. How a devastated nation became an economic model for the developing world
Program Reader
www.stmarys-ca.edu/GlobalFamilyService
Global Family Service Corps (RWANDA, 2014)- Page 1 of 7
ABOUT THE TRIP LEADERS
Jim Losi has been connected to Rwanda for over 20 years. In Rwanda and many other developing countries, Jim helped
establish NGOs for African orphans and served on the international board of CARE, a humanitarian agency fighting global
poverty. Jim has graduate degrees in international development and politics from UC-Berkeley. He has hosted many
travel groups to Rwanda; this will be his fourth excursion with Saint Mary’s participants.
Ryan M. Lamberton has worked in community service and social justice education for over 6 years. His primary role at
Saint Mary’s College of California is as the educational partnerships & outreach coordinator of the Catholic Institute for
Lasallian Social Action (CILSA); he directs summer fellowship programs and has lead workshops and taught courses on
leadership for social change. Ryan has a graduate degree in counseling; his synthesis project examined the spiritual
development of college participants during service-learning immersion programs. This will be Ryan’s third excursion to
Rwanda with Saint Mary’s participants.
Marshall Welch, Ph.D. is the Director of CILSA at Saint Mary’s College of California. Marshall has taught numerous
service-learning courses and has several publications, presentations, and workshops on service-learning, civic
engagement, and spiritual development in education. His work and research includes exploring the spirituality of
service-learning as well as the “shadow side of reflection” in service-learning. This will be Marshall’s first excursion to
Rwanda.
What are our favorite aspects of Rwanda?
Energetic, positive people, beautiful, resilient people & a thousand hills
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES
 October 1, 2013
Online Registration Opens. 50% of program fee is due upon registration
 December 1, 2013
Online Registration Deadline. Email or mail travel packet upon registration
 January 20, 2014
Final 50% of program fee deadline.
 March 16, 2014.
2pm-5pm Pre-Trip meeting at Saint Mary’s College of California
 March 27th
Departure from SFO or other appropriate airport
th
 April 9
Return to SFO or other appropriate airport
VACCINATIONS & MEDICATIONS
Vaccinations for the following diseases are required, based on a review of Center for Disease Control (CDC)
recommendations and conversation with SMC Health and Wellness Center staff. Your own physician may recommend
additional vaccinations; however, these are the minimal requirements for this particular travel program. The prices
listed are for the SMC Health and Wellness Center.
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Routine vaccinations (including tetanus or TDap; $45)
Hepatitis A –$80
Hepatitis B – $65
Typhoid – $50
Polio – $35
Yellow Fever – not available at SMC; Urgent Care Center in Walnut Creek is an option.
Malaria – medication taken before, during & after the trip; consult with your physician to determine which
form of medication is right for you; SMC can give you the prescription which you can fill at any pharmacy
When you register for this program, you will receive a SMC Travel Health Form that must be completed by your health
care provider. To get these vaccinations, contact your health care provider to see what may be covered under your
Global Family Service Corps (RWANDA, 2014)- Page 2 of 7
current health plan and where to get the immunizations and medications. Saint Mary’s Health and Wellness Center can
provide many of these immunizations for a fee. You will likely pay out-of-pocket for some or all health preparations
Information for the Travel Health Form:
Traveling to
Dates
Accommodations
Elevation
Animal Contact
Kigali, RW
March 29 –
April 8
5,141 ft.
Domestic animals
(very likely)
Butare, RW
Day Trip
from Kigali
Kacyiru Executive Apartments
The apartments do not have
AC, but it does have window
screens & bed screens.
n/a
5,813 ft.
Domestic animals
(possibly)
Ntarama, RW
Day Trip
from Kigali
Day Trip
from Kigali
n/a
4,370 ft.
n/a
5,200 ft.
Domestic animals
(possibly)
Safari animals
(observing)
Kibungo, RW
Health Care
Access
King Faisal
Hospital
National
University of
Rwanda Hospital
King Faisal
Hospital
King Faisal
Hospital
PASSPORTS
If you do not already have a valid passport, begin the process very soon. It currently takes 4-6 weeks for passports to be
processed. Information about this process is available at the US State Department. Participants are responsible to pay
fees to get a passport.
GLOBAL FAMILY SERVICE CORPS TRAVEL PACKET – JANUARY 6, 2014 (DUE)
The Global Family Service Corps travel packet includes information that will be vital should we encounter an emergency
while in Rwanda. This information is kept on file in the CILSA offices and by your trip leaders while we travel.
Inaugural Trip
Global Family Service Corps
RWANDA 2014 –ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCEDates & Location
MARCH 16th
Daily Activities &Themes
MARCH 27-28
Travel from San Francisco to Kigali. This involves a flight from San Francisco to Dulles
(Washington, DC), one VERY long overnight flight from Dulles to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia),
and one short flight from Addis Ababa to Kigali.
MARCH 29 –
APRIL 8
Based in Kigali,
Kacyiru Executive
Apartments
29 – arrival & rest in Kigali, Rwanda
30 – LEARNING DAY: Kigali Tour & National Genocide Memorial Tour
31 – LEARNING DAY: Millennium Development Village Tour
1 – LEARNING DAY: National Museum, Dance Troupe and Rwandan Art
2 – LEARNING DAY: Rwanda Development Board Visit & U.S. Embassy Visit
3 – SERVICE DAY: Ending childhood malnutrition with Gardens for Health
4 – SERVICE DAY: Providing quality education with La Salle Kirenge School
5 – TOUR DAY: Safari at L’Akagera Park
6 – EXPLORE DAY: On your own
7 – LEARNING DAY: 20th anniversary commemoration of genocide
8th DEPART: Kigali, Rwanda (late afternoon)
APRIL 9
RETURN to San Francisco
2pm-5pm, Saint Mary’s College of California: Required meeting Global Family Service
Corps Group for a comprehensive overview and orientation of the program
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GETTING TO KNOW RWANDA
What languages are spoken in Rwanda?
English is the official language of Rwanda, however many people also speak French and the local language Kinyarwanda.
In our March 16th meeting we will be learning key phrases in Kinyarwanda to help us with daily courtesies. We hope
that some of you might speak French, though it’s unlikely that you speak Kinyarwanda!
Will we be in rural and/or urban areas?
We will be primarily based in Kigali, the national capital of Rwanda, a westernized city of approximately 900,000 people.
Each day we will venture from the executive apartments on a 20-30 minute bus ride to our service and study sites. The
terrain of economic development changes quickly, and although we will not be working far from the executive
apartments, we will be in more rural feeling areas of high poverty. For one day, we will be based in Butare,
approximately 80 miles south of Kigali and home to the National University and the National Museum, which houses the
finest ethnographic collection in East Africa. Both of our community service partners: Gardens for Health and the
Lasallian school are in more rural areas.
Who will we meet in Rwanda?
We will meet professionals and vacationers, staff members from the Rwandan government and US Embassy, Rwandan
college participants, local non-profit leaders, safari guides, families, and children. With each conversation, you will
represent Saint Mary’s College of California and the United States, and you will be able to learn about the experiences of
others.
What local customs and mores should I honor?
We will spend time preparing for this during our pre-travel seminars, but here are two things to know from the
beginning: Within hours of being in Rwanda, you will notice that everyone shakes hands when greeting. Often people
will hold hands while in conversation and stand a little closer than Westerners may be accustomed to. Consider these
signs of hospitality and return them with a smile. On a different note: People in Rwanda are not referred to as Hutus or
Tutsis; in fact, this is prohibited by law. We will be careful in our travels to refer to all Rwandans as such. We will also
discuss how some social issues, such as sexual orientation, are problematic socially and legally in Rwanda.
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I heard about the genocide and the civil war in neighboring Congo, how safe is it in Rwanda?
The Rwandan genocide occurred in 1994, and the country has worked for nearly 20 years to recover from these
atrocities. The government is a constitutional democracy and is stable. As for neighboring countries, the itinerary for this
program does not take us near any of the bordering countries where there may be conflict. For up-to-date info, check
out the State Department website.
Can I eat the food and drink the water there?
The Center for Disease Control provides the general guidelines that we will follow. In Kigali, we will eat all of our
breakfasts and most of our dinners at the Umubano Hotel (down the street from the Executive Apartments) and at other
reputable restaurants. We will not be eating lunch together as a group. There are a couple of reasons for this. Our hosts
do not have the ability to feed us lunch, we do not have the capacity to keep and prepare food, we do not want our
lunches to create distance between us and the people with whom we serve, and it will be an act of solidarity (even if
small) with the poor. You are encouraged to bring CLIF bars or Power Bars if you think that you will need a midafternoon snack. There are a few things we will absolutely avoid during our trip, including tap water, ice cubes, and food
from untrusted sources (like street vendors). We will have bottled beverages (water, soda, etc.) throughout the trip.
PREPARING FOR OUR TRAVELS
What is the lodging for this trip?
While in Kigali, we will be staying at the Kacyiru Executive Apartments, within walking distance of the US Embassy and
public markets. The apartments cater to business travelers from across Africa, and we are likely to be among very few
Western guests. There are shops, a restaurant, swimming pool, and other recreational opportunities at the Umubano
Hotel which is next door to the Executive Apartments; participants will have access to these facilities. The Apartments
are air conditioned and have wi-fi. The apartments are not air conditioned, but they do have screens on the windows
and mosquito nets on each bed (if you want to use them).
Will I share a room?
No. Each participant will have his or her own room, which will include a double bed. Participants will be staying in a 4
bedroom, 2 bath apartment OR a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment.
How will we be getting from one place to another?
Our daily trips from the hotel to service and study sites will be via a chartered bus with a professional driver. We will also
be walking some as we tour various service and educational sites.
What should I leave behind?
 Your preconceptions about Africa and Rwanda!
 Expensive jewelry and gadgets
 No pocket-knives or other small sharp objects (some are considered illegal weapons)
 Electronics – think long and hard about what you really need
 In general … Do not bring something if you cannot bear it being lost, broken, or stolen.
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What should I bring to Rwanda?
Each person will be allowed to check ONE bag that weighs no more than 50 pounds. You will also be allowed to have a
carry-on bag. The March and April weather in Rwanda hovers in the 80s, with sunshine and sometimes rain. We’ll
discuss packing details in the pre-trip seminar. Here is a list to get you started; we’ll review/edit/add as we plan.
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Medications in their original packaging or prescription bottles; malaria meds
Glasses, contact lens supplies, sunglasses
Personal grooming needs (keep to a minimum)
Insect repellent (bug spray) with 30%-50% DEET
Hand sanitizer
Heavy shoes for working/walking
Hat for working/walking
Pants, long shorts, shirts, layering clothes
Sturdy work gloves for outdoor work
Rain jacket
Swimsuit, towel (for the hotel pool, if you want)
One “business casual” outfit for visiting the Embassy, attending church, etc.
Electrical adapter (if you bring anything that requires electricity)
Can I bring gifts for the people we will meet?
As a group, we will purchase supplies and gifts to share with our hosts and the people we meet. We will also talk about
what gift items you might want to bring on the trip. Light and portable is the key!
How much money do I need to bring?
The program fee is pretty all-inclusive. You will need to bring money for laundry, souvenirs, and food/drinks outside our
regular meals. This currency converter will show you the current exchange rate between US dollars and the Rwandan
franc. For example, a bottle of soda might cost 2,000 Rwandan Francs, which currently converts to about $3.00 US. We
recommend that you bring $300 to cover the above items.
SAFETY & COMMUNICATION
What happens if someone gets sick or injured?
We will have a first aid kit with us each day. If one of us gets sick or is injured, we will seek medical care. Because we are
staying in large cities, hospitals are easily available to us. (See the table in Vaccinations & Medications for details.) The
trip leaders will carry a phone capable of making international and local calls. We will be in regular communication with
the CILSA office, and they will assist us in communicating with your family if needed.
What happens if one of us gets lost or separated from the group?
Participants will never travel alone. Even during free time, you will be required to travel in groups of no fewer than three
people to ensure your safety. Also, all program activities will end before sunset each day so that we can be back in the
hotel and fully present before nightfall. Each of us will always carry a card with the location of our hotels, contact
information for the US Embassy and the instructors, and other important information. If you get separated from the
group, you will contact the trip leaders, and we will make arrangements to connect with you.
How will I communicate with my family and friends while we are in Rwanda?
The easiest way to communicate with your loved ones will be via email. The Kacyiru Executive Apartments has WiFi as
well as public computers. As a group, we will decide how to post regular pictures and reports either through a blog and
group emails. If your family needs to reach you, they can contact the CILSA office that can put them in touch with the
trip leaders. There is cell phone coverage throughout most of Rwanda; international rates will apply so be sure to discuss
with your carrier.
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BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS & CONSEQUENCES
Each of us has an immense responsibility to support the safety of the group, honorably represent Saint Mary’s College
and the United States, and respect the people and places of Rwanda. As a starting point, please remember that all Saint
Mary’s College policies are in effect during our travels. You are expected to be awake and prepared for each day’s
events, demonstrate a positive attitude, and act respectfully toward your team leaders, each other, our hosts, and the
people we serve. The Global Family Service Corps travel packet includes a contract you will sign regarding behavioral
expectations. Here are behaviors and choices that will result in your early departure from Rwanda:
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Veering from program agenda/activities
Persistent disrespectful behavior
Persistent cultural insensitivity
Physical altercations of any type
Alcohol consumption to the point of visible intoxication
Illegal and illicit drug use – If it is illegal in the US, consider it illegal in Rwanda (NOTE: to use drugs obtained in
Rwanda is to risk your personal health, the position of our group, and your potential incarceration—NOT a risk
you want to take)
If you are asked to leave Rwanda for any reason, you will be responsible for any costs associated with changing your
departure date from the original itinerary.
PROGRAM FEE – $5,000
This fee includes economy airfare, airport taxes, emergency health, travel insurance, lodging, in-country transportation,
breakfasts and dinners, entrance fees, local guides, safari, and reader. A portion of the program fee will support the
mission and work of CILSA. Participants will also be required to have certain vaccinations and medications for the trip;
these will have differing costs depending on each participant’s medical insurance. For an additional charge, first class air
travel is available upon request.
REGISTRATION / PAYMENT TIMELINE
October 1st
Online Registration Opens. 50% of program fee is due upon registration
st
December 1
Online Registration Deadline. Email or mail travel packet upon registration
January 20th
Final 50% of program fee deadline.
How many people will be going on this trip?
We will take between 12 and 18 individuals on this trip. If 12 individuals do not register by December 1st and you have
already registered, you will receive a full refund.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER ONLINE TODAY…
www.stmarys-ca.edu/GlobalFamilyService
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