Study Abroad Program In Rwanda

  Rwanda

Rural Areas

Term: Fall, Spring 

Description: You've read about poverty and development in textbooks. You've seen pictures of war and hunger on the news. Confused by the complexity of the issues? Wondering how you can make a difference?

Transformational development starts with you. Go ED. is a unique study abroad program that will change the way you think about your world.

FHI began working in Rwanda in August of 1994 in response to the overwhelming needs resulting from the genocide. The initial focus was to provide emergency relief, trace and reunite children with their families - Child WINS (Children Within Natural Social Structures), assist child-headed households, repatriate refugees, construct shelters, agricultural rehabilitation, and others in the prefectures of Gitarama, Gisenyi, and Kibungo. However, since 2000, the nature of programs has changed significantly, focusing on sustainable, long term, people-led community development.

FHI focuses on five main sectors of development: agricultural production/natural resource management; water and sanitation; primary health care; HIV-AIDS prevention, care and support; education; and income generation. FHI also provides developmental relief and rehabilitation for communities and regions experiencing or recovering from natural disasters. The programs currently running in Rwanda include Child Development Program (CDP), Child-Headed Households (CHH), Church Development, Bringing Hope (BH) for persons living with HIV/AIDS, Integrated Community Engagement (ICE), and our newest program, DAP (Development Action Plan), in partnership with World Vision, focusing on nutritional education.

Highlights:
* Step out of the classroom and into the real world issues of hunger, poverty and inequality. See firsthand Gods power at work in people and communities in hard places.
* Challenge your assumptions and worldview as you engage with history, culture and economics through lectures, field trips and a practicum.
* Let your experience change you in profound ways. Then lead and challenge others with what you have seen and heard.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Rwanda in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Food for the Hungry's Mission Statement: Go ED. is a ministry of Food for the Hungry, an international relief and development organization reaching out to the poor in over 26 countries. The vision of Food for the Hungry extends far beyond temporary relief - the goal is to transform communities and help them become self-sustaining. It is called Vision of a Community, and it means going into the hard places - areas facing extreme poverty and hardship - and sharing the hope and love of Jesus Christ. Our Vision of a Community helps us to target the end of both physical and spiritual hunger. We work with churches, community leaders, and families to accomplish this goal. Basic needs for food and water are met, along with developmental needs such as education, agriculture, health, discipleship, and church development. The task of ending worldwide hunger can seem overwhelming - up to 1,000 a day die of hunger - but Food for the Hungry believes that "since they die one at a time, we can save them one at a time."

Year Founded: 1971