Rwanda Signature

The Need

***Note: Full COVID-19 Vaccination is Required for Participation***

Rwanda, in east-central Africa, is surrounded by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi. Periods of violence in the 1990s lead Rwanda to experience significant societal upheaval. The 1994 Rwandan genocide took an enormous toll on the population, where at least 800,000 Rwandans massacred in 3 brutal months by approximately 15% of the population. The physical and structural violence of the Rwandan genocide directly affected the spread of communicable disease. There was also an increase in HIV transmissions due to sexual violence. These periods of violence caused thousands to seek refuge into camps with limited to no access to clean water, food, and proper sanitation. This increased the rise of infectious diseases. Increased incidences of both malaria and tuberculosis have lasted far beyond the formal end of the genocide. However, strong public sector leadership, investments in health information systems, equity-driven policies, and the use of foreign aid to invest in local capacity helped Rwanda achieve greater health outcomes for the total population.

Rwanda’s principal health problems are infectious hepatitis, dysentery, malaria and tuberculosis. International Medical Relief (IMR) provides Rwanda with greatly needed health education and acute medical and dental care. In the clinic, you will find that your efforts make a tangible difference as you treat many patients with infectious disease, large wounds, and a great deal of mosquito and water/fecal borne illnesses.

Our Work

International Medical Relief (IMR) started relief efforts in Rwanda in 2016. Since 2019, IMR has worked with a total of 191 volunteers and staff members that served over 4,600 patients. Each time IMR travels to Rwanda, the team brings Malaria and HIV testing kits. Since 2019, IMR has conducted over 95 malaria tests and 80 HIV tests. IMR main mission is to provide sustainable healthcare for any community and population our team serves. That is why our teams always hold educational community health classes, in order to empower the local community to take care of their own health and the health of those around them. IMR conducts community health classes of over 20 topics, including hygiene, sanitation, fecal and waterborne illnesses, nutrition, basic first aid, mental health, family planning, and others. Since 2019, there have been approximately 27,300 local community members who have attended IMR’s health education classes.

With diligent planning and preparation, IMR is dedicated to ensuring that specific goals are met on our missions, each in correlation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 17.

IMR works to elevate vulnerable populations through shoulder-to-shoulder care with our local partners, creating workforce density, and a cadre of future healthcare and public health leaders in association to UNSDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing.

In correlation with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, our organization works in collaboration and at the request of local hosts where we are under their direct influence and affluence. IMR never goes into a country without a formal invitation where there is a great community need for medical or dental care, and health education.

This Mission

Rwanda’s principal health problems include dysentery, malaria, and acute infections left untreated. Chronic communicable diseases needing education include infectious hepatitis, tuberculosis. and HIV as well as hypertension and diabetes. You will find that your efforts make a tangible difference as you treat many patients with infectious disease, large wounds, and a great deal of mosquito and water/fecal-borne illnesses.

Clinic is in a great location on this trip. We partner with a fantastic school to provide us with the room we need to care for the many hundreds of patients we will see. You will also stay at the school which means more patient time and less travel time! Here, you will have the opportunity to take a short hike through the village to the communal well, where you will see the true need for public health and understand a lot about how your patients live. A visit to the weekly goat market will also tell you a lot about village life. Goats provide your patients with their milk, cheese, and meat and are an important part of the daily rhythm in this village.

The people of Murindi walk or use bicycles for transportation and generally stay within their village area. Common illnesses include skin infections including scabies, and dermatitis, tinea corpus, ringworm, and other fungal infections. Respiratory issues are also common. You may also attend to bicycle injuries and other advanced skin and soft tissue infections. Educational dental care and primary care services are desperately needed. This underserved population lacks meeting basic health needs. Children and adults carry drinking water several times a day from a common community spigot where water is obtained down a steep muddy hill in 40-pound containers. Their average meal consists of cooked rice, local porridge or bananas gathered from their local trees. Due to the lack of a variety of balanced meals, there is a huge malnutrition problem. Stunting in Rwanda is caused by chronic malnutrition, and in Rwanda, 47% of rural children are stunted, along with 27% of urban children. We bring vitamins, deworming medicines and most importantly, sustainable education on proper hygiene and a myriad of other topics. Approximately 25-35%of the population complained of severe oral pain due to abscesses and dental carries.

IMR is always excited to return to this area of Rwanda where the need is great and the children wave with both hands to welcome you into their world!

Lodging/Transportation

Included in our Signature Trip, our team will have the opportunity to stay at the infamous Hotel des Mille Collines, also known as Hotel Rwanda. Since 1973, Hotel des Mille Collines has provided luxurious accommodation to travelers in the “land of a thousand hills” and in 1994, saved over 2,000 lives during the Genocide against the Tutsi. You and your team members will be provided with transportation to and from the hotel each day to bring you to meet your fellow team members for clinic (this transfer typically takes around 45 minutes). Each night, you will be able to eat traditional meals prepared by our hosts at Hope Haven, or take transportation back to your hotel for a decadent meal at the hotel. You won’t want to miss out on this special opportunity to stay at Hotel des Mille Collines.

Highlights

This trip includes a historical tour of Kigali and a safari at Akagera National Park! Your historical tour includes the museum and memorial for the Rwandan genocide, where you will be able to pay respects to those lost. The museum sets out the history leading up to the genocide and brings the somber realities of the atrocities to life. In understanding the roots of this history, you will appreciate just how far the country has moved on together in the last two decades. It also plays a vital role in educating Rwanda’s new and future generations about the genocide.

You will also take a hike to the village well early one morning before clinic – and perhaps help the children carry the jerry cans of water up the hill? It will be a wonderful learning opportunity for you about the struggles of having drinking water at your home every day. Don’t worry, your IMR team will be teaching everyone about CLEAN drinking water.

Another highlight will be the visit to the goat market. Don’t forget your camera on this early morning adventure before clinic! We know you were just thinking you needed a goat to keep your pup company. Now’s your chance! Bring your wallet!

While on safari, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with elephants, African buffalos, zebras, antelopes, impala, primates, and some of the 500 species of birds in the park! You may have the breathtaking experience of seeing leopards and lions there! This will be an all day journey. Hat, sunscreen, camera, closed toed shoes, and EYES WIDE OPEN are the order of the day!!

Extend Your Stay

You’re venturing around the globe, have you considered extending your stay a few additional days to visit nearby Uganda? Join IMR on an exclusive three-day extension!

Enjoy Uganda from above on your short flight from Entebbe to the outskirts of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. From here you’ll make you way to Buhoma, with a stop visiting a local forest tribe. Day two will be the highlight of your trip— or maybe year, as you hike the mountain rainforest and spend some time with the famed mountain gorillas. There’s no guarantee how long or short your trek will be, as it depends on the gorillas and weather, but you can expect a reward more precious than gold as you observe these magnificent creatures as they relax, play and feed in the heart of the jungle. Take a look at the trip itinerary.

For more information contact Worldwide Navigators, our preferred travel agency, at travel@worldwidenavigators.com