Location:
Central Region (60km from Kigali)
Travel:
By vehicle (1 hour: 60km) from Kigali
People:
Please refer to section on Ethnic Groups (pending)
FHI Work:
FHI has been operational in the area since
1994, just after the war, starting with relief food distribution and then
rehabilitation. Currently, various types of rural development programs are
running as follows:
- CDP: The Child Development Program is a core program based on child
sponsorship. It started in Rwanda in 2000, and thus far, 3,063 children benefit
from this program.
- CHH: The assistance to Child-Headed Households (CHH) started in 1997. This
project has been adapted to changes in the macro environment. The current
version assists a community for three years with a focus on survival, protection
and holistic development of the target households.
- ICE: The Integrated Community Engagement is a three-year project built on
the achievements and experience of the Integrated Assistance to CHHs in Muhanga
district. The project focuses on: (1) Agriculture geared towards Bio Intensive
Gardening, animal husbandry (especially pig rearing) and reforestation, (2)
HIV/AIDS and (3) Capacity building. This project targets 170,000 economically
and socially vulnerable people in the Muhanga district.
- BH: The Bringing Hope project aims at alleviating the impact of HIV/AIDS in
both the Muhanga and Ndiza districts of Gitarama province. The project focuses
on (1) Prevention (2) Home-based care and (3) OVC (Orphans and other Vulnerable
Children)
Housing:
Simple, basic adobe style house covered with cement, dirt
floors and corrugated tin roofs. Generally, pit toilets. Practicum students will
live with FHI staff in the midst of a community and experience what every day
life is like.
Meal:
Local food ---- potatoes, beans, rice, sauces of various
kinds.
Communication:
Public phones and internet cafes are available in
Gitarama town.
Work Practicum Options:
- Option #1. HIV/AIDS -- FHI/R is involved in a Bringing Hope project where
home-based care is given to people living with HIV/AIDS. If you are interested
in being a health provider or social worker this could be a good area for you!
- Option #2. Churches -- There are a variety of ways interns can be involved
in churches. Working with children in VBS or Sunday school, getting involved in
music, or being a pastor’s intern are all feasible options.
- Option #3. Agriculture/Animal Husbandry -- Community projects are currently
being implemented in FHI/R’s project areas, including: Bio-intensity gardening,
agro forestry, and a "pig project".
- Option #4. Education -- FHI/R’s Child Development Projects provide a
wonderful opportunity to get involved doing home visits, and working with
families, child headed household, and parent groups.
- Field trips to various types of development programs depending on student
interest: Accompany FHI staff to project sites; Agriculture, Natural Resource
Management, Forestry, Road Construction, Animal Husbandry and HIV-AIDS
prevention activities with Youth group.
