Only Love & Togetherness
African Road Learning trip to Rwanda, with Hands Free Mama, Togetherness Cooperative, All Soul’s community and Reach Rwanda Reconciliation.
Apply now!
Application deadline: January 20th, 2020
In-country dates: July 8th – July 17th, 2020
Rwanda Learning Trip
Optional Safari: July 17th-July 20th
What is an African Road Learning Trip?
African Road Learning Trips are thoughtfully designed to give you an opportunity to experience East African culture and witness the power of community led change. You’ll meet extraordinary Changemakers and see the impact of African Road partnership and their work in East Africa.
On an African Road Learning Trip, we don’t just visit projects, we connect with friends. We turn the idea of a ‘traditional trip to Africa’ on its head. Instead of asking you to come and fix, mend or build, we ask you to arrive open in heart and mind and ready to learn from community leaders in East Africa. They are the experts.
No two trips are the same. Each Learning Trip is a unique combination of deep conversation, great joy, challenging learning, team connection and hands on experience which add flavor and meaning to every trip. Activities for group reflection and team building are included each day. This special trip is customed designed for a Hands Free Mama Learning Trip 2020 team.
Whether you are an experienced traveler or have never visited the continent of Africa, this trip is not just a new experience, but a new way of looking at the world. We invite you to become part of the African Road story and learn how you can best benefit communities, internationally and as you take your experience home, locally.
This Learning Trip will focus on partnerships in Rwanda, with an additional option of a memorable and fun extension for safari at Rwanda’s Akagera National Park .
Rachel Stafford + Rwanda
A note from Rachel
I envision this travel experience as a unique opportunity for a small group of my online community members and their family members, to form connections with the Togetherness community. Together we will gain an understanding of the Togetherness story that can then be carried back to share with each of own local communities. I can imagine what might become possible when together as a team, in partnership with African Road, we each invite our communities to learn about and join the big dreams of our new friends at Togetherness.
For the past six months, African Road staff have been planning a customized trip for the special ONLY LOVE & TOGETHERNESS team. This experience is built on the foundation of 10 years of African Road partnership and relationship with Togetherness and the joy of the ties of friendship and connection that began when Natalie and I made our first trip to Rwanda and have grown over the last year and a half.
About African Road
African Road is built on the foundation of friendship with our Changemaker partners & their local communities in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, & Tanzania and Uganda. Their grit and integrity and sacrificial leadership inspire us. We walk together to seed lasting change and sustainability through community driven development.
Since the work of African Road is based on relationships and friendships, a unique model of partnership has emerged, one that is sensitive to the local culture and is guided by the communities themselves. Instead of offering one-size-fits-all solutions, we take time to listen to our Changemarker partners and communities. Together we invest in change that equips communities to lift themselves up to thrive.
Itinerary
Departures from US on July 7th. Team members will meet in Amsterdam the morning of July 8th and travel to Kigali, Rwanda together, arriving on the evening of July 8th.
This represents typical activities Learning Trip + 4 optional days. Activities and locations are subject to change.
Nine Days in Rwanda
Welcome to Africa + Togetherness Youth Cooperative
- Traditional drumming and dancing at Togetherness Youth Cooperative.
- Meet the Changemaker – walk the cooperative with Steven Turikunkiko and hear his story.
- Learn from the All Soul’s women’s cooperative. Hear about and see the impact of VICOBA Plus training in Rwanda.
- Visit local markets and shop for souvenirs
- Make bread at the Togetherness Women’s Bakery.
- Hike the rural hillsides
- Join in at the Togetherness Preschool and appreciate their groundbreaking early childhood education program.
- Enjoy a Togetherness soccer match or, get out on the field yourself.
- Meet the Changemaker – Penina Mukashema, Togetherness President.
- Eat dinner at a range of culturally interesting, local restaurants including Mille Collines aka Hotel Rwanda and world renowned ‘Heaven’ social enterprise.
Learning from Rwanda – Hope in Unexpected places
- Meet the Changemaker – Philbert Kalisa will guide us through his work leading post genocide peace and reconciliation initiatives.
- Explore the astonishing and beautiful Kigali city.
- Visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Center and a church memorial.
- Hear profound stories of reconciliation and healing from genocide survivors and perpetrators.
Safari!
Stay at the incredible Ruzizi Eco-Tented Luxury Lodge at Akagera National Park in Rwanda. Includes an additional night in Kigali
- Enjoy unique, lakeside, comfortable and attractively decorated tented luxury lodging with solar showers and gourmet meals.
- Go on a memorable sunset boat tour- see hippo, crocodile and hundreds of bird species.
- Wildlife safari drive. Be amazed by zebra, giraffe, wart hogs, impala, gazelle, and more. If we are lucky, we’ll meet elephant and on rare occasions, spot a lion.
Trip Costs
$2,800, 9 nights Rwanda Learning Trip
Cost is per person, based on a group of 14.
Cost increases with smaller group sizes.
$1,100 Optional Safari!
Three additional nights including: lakeside luxury tented lodging, stunning sunset boat ride, one day safari drive, gourmet cuisine.
Two nights at Ruzizi Tented Ecolodge and a final night and day in Kigali. Price is based on shared tents. Single tents are an additional charge and are subject to availability.
APPLICATION SCHEDULE
January 20, 2020: Application closing date
By February 25, 2020: Notification of acceptance
By March 13, 2020: $450 deposit and receipt of travel insurance for full trip cost submitted
By April 10: Half payment and air reservation payment made
By May 29: Final payments made
ORIENTATION SCHEDULE
Three remote orientation meetings will be scheduled by Doodle poll and held by Zoom call, or in the Portland office for any travelers who are local.
Tentative date range:
Meeting One: Late March through April 4
Meeting Two: Week of May 11th
Meeting Three: Week of June 15th
Learning Trip Packet PDF
FAQ
What do trip fees cover?
All-inclusive* Lodging, ground transportation, meals, water and non-alcoholic beverages, host fees and costs to partner communities, cultural activities and entry fees, translation, guides, and coordination, tips, visas for Rwanda are covered! Wow!
Your non-refundable $50 per person trip application fee covers the cost of application review, processing and a background check.
*You cover all airfare and personal expenses: travel vaccines (yellow fever may be required. Please consult a travel clinic for all recommended vaccinations) and anti-malarial medication-required, travel insurance-required, any alcoholic beverages, souvenirs. African Road travel agents can be of assistance with booking flights.
What are accommodations like?
The Kiberinka Cultural Center and Guest house in Kigali is our home in Rwanda. Kiberinka is a Social Enterprise supporting our partner REACH Rwanda in their work of reconciliation. You can expect a gated compound and gardens, breakfast served under a mango tree, a Rwandan-style restaurant and bar, and small, simple clean rooms with private bath, double bed, mosquito net and reliable hot water shower.
Is it safe?
Yes! Rwanda consistently ranks as the safest country in Africa and the 9th safest country in the world (via Telegraph). Our lodging, and thorough coordination with local authorities are tailored for the best possible safety and security.
Your safety is a top priority.
As with every part of the learning trip, relationships with trusted local partners, and comprehensive cultural knowledge make all the difference.
What is the food like?
Rwanda has some of the best restaurants in all of East Africa. A typical breakfast will include tropical fruit, coffee, tea, toast and eggs to order. While eating with local friends in their homes & communities the food is fairly simple: rice, beans, plantains, cooked greens & stewed meats. Travelers say they enjoy the food & the variety offered. Feel free to bring any snacks you like.
Am I prepared for the trip?
Some of our visitors have never been to Africa before, while others are seasoned travelers. In either case you will be in good company! Upon your application being accepted, you will receive a comprehensive information packet about the trip. In addition, there will be three orientation meetings in Portland, Oregon (out of town travelers will meet via Zoom call), where we will discuss details, itineraries, immunizations, visas, etc. We will even practice some words in Kinyarwanda, the local language!
Physical requirements?
Trips can be physically tiring. Plan for long days, walking in the heat at higher altitude in Rwanda on uneven terrain. Ability to climb in and out of buses & SUVs and up long flights of stairs is a must. Most facilities are not accommodating to travelers with any mobility issues. Jet-lag is a real thing to be considered as well.
Emotional expectations?
Seeing extreme poverty can be hard or hearing painful stories from the genocide is difficult but important. The people you will meet are strong and resilient and these new-found connections with people’s stories may well be life-changing to you. We expect this and we’re prepared to support you in it. As this is a learning trip, we want to encourage you to listen, we are there to meet people with open hearts & minds.
Can children and teens come on a Learning Trip?
This special Only Love & Togetherness Trip is designed to include mature teens of 15* or older who are traveling with a parent or guardian and who are able to enter into group activities and reliably and willingly follow group guidelines and instructions. It will be essential for each person regardless of age, to complete an application describing why they want to join this trip. Letters of reference are also required.
*Exceptions may be considered in certain cases.
What if the trip is filled?
Trips fill up quickly! A maximum of nine travelers (plus team leaders and the Stafford women) will be selected. Submit your application for consideration ASAP. Due to enthusiastic interest, return travelers are asked to apply again and have a new adult traveler apply with them. We love our traveling friends but want to be sure we have room so new friends can join in.
We will select 10 additional potential travelers for waitlist in case spaces come available.
African Road will additionally host an open application June/July 2021 Learning Trip. You are welcome to indicate if you would like your application to be considered for the 2021 African Road trip if you are not selected for this Love and Togetherness team. In this case your application will join new applications for the 2021 trip and will be reconsidered in early 2021 with no need for a repeat application fee to be paid.