Questions. Answers.

We have been hosting trips to Rwanda for young craftspeople since 2013. The experience has always been positive and the results have been tremendous. Our social and continuing education initiative has received numerous awards. We are particularly proud of the Herrmann Schmidt Award for innovative vocational training.

Due to the positive response, we have decided to continue the collaboration and the craft and cultural exchange. The cross-sector project will begin at the end of September 2025. Young craftspeople from Europe will travel to Rwanda to exchange ideas about crafts and culture with young Rwandan apprentices and to work together on social projects using their own skills. In doing so, they will learn about the country, people, and culture of Rwanda.

Rwanda has developed into a prosperous Central African state and is working purposefully on its transformation from an agrarian country to a knowledge-based, middle-income economy. To this end, Rwanda is seeking partners to support the country in the field of education, particularly in establishing and expanding its vocational training system.

With our social education project, we want to promote exchange and give a broad group of young people from Europe and Rwanda the opportunity to:

• to meet on equal terms across the levels of profession, craftsmanship and social commitment,

• to get to know each other,

• to exchange ideas about the profession and culture and

• to work together socially for a better world.

The project offers a unique opportunity to engage in temporary, professional and social activities in Africa and to get to know the multifaceted Rwandan culture in a special way.

The focus is on encounters, exchanges and collaboration in smaller social craft projects.

You'll travel to a beautiful African country, meet interesting people, get to contribute and test your skills in meaningful ways, develop your social skills, broaden your worldview, and gain unforgettable professional and personal experiences. You'll escape the daily grind and help improve the lives of others.

The project will shape you personally and serve as an excellent reference on your resume. Working abroad is a dream for many.

Rwanda is one of the safest travel destinations in Africa.

Africa's smallest country has a moving history. The 1994 genocide left deep scars. The Rwandan people are looking forward, but have not forgotten their past. It is impressive how Rwandans strive for forgiveness, reconciliation, and reparation. Other countries with similar histories can learn from how they deal with this difficult past.

We have been organizing social education and exchange projects between young German craftspeople and Rwandan vocational students in Rwanda for many years. We have always been warmly welcomed. Every effort has been made to ensure our stay was pleasant, carefree, eventful, and safe.

The accommodations, the locations where the social craft projects are carried out, the travel routes and the sights are selected to guarantee safety.

Current general travel and safety information is available on the websites of the Rwandan Embassy in Berlin ( http://www.rwanda-botschaft.de ) and the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Anyone who meets the conditions of participation can register:

• 18 to 35 years old

• Craft apprenticeship in the third year of training or journeyman or young master

• Permanent residence in the EU

• CV in German, English, French or Dutch

and comes from one of these trades:

• roofer

• Electrical

• tiler

• painter

• Wall

• Plaster and stucco

• interior decorator

• Plumber/Carpenter

• vehicle painter

The project is likely to start at the end of September 2025.

We will meet at Brussels or Amsterdam airport and fly to Kigali together with the teams, travel companions, and the organizing team.

The return flight will of course be communicated as soon as the departure time is known.

We will spend 10 days in Rwanda and work together with Rwandan vocational students on non-profit social projects.

New contacts, exchange on craft and cultural topics, sustainable, social commitment, appreciation and a well-rounded travel program to beautiful places and interesting sights in Rwanda.

The trip is divided into cultural activities, crafts, and leisure activities. We will spend several days working on social projects with Rwandan trainees from various vocational schools. Each young participant will be assigned a Rwandan "buddy." This ensures an exchange on equal terms. Together, we will work on a social project using handicrafts.

We'll visit craft suppliers and a construction site, tour the Genocide Memorial Center , and speak with witnesses. We'll visit local markets and take a trip to a national park (e.g., Akagera Wildlife Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park ). Time will also be allowed for a dip in a cool pool and for individual leisure activities.

A diverse program planned by Rwanda experts, where you can get involved in social activities and put your craft skills to the test. Along the way, you'll get to know a foreign culture and a beautiful landscape.

Rwanda is known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills." Even after your return, you'll benefit from your trip: You'll return enriched with many new experiences and have honed your social skills.

The trip will cost approximately 2000 euros.

This includes flights, accommodation, meals, transportation within Rwanda, and the tour program, including entrance fees. We will stay in guesthouses or simple, comfortable hotels. We will travel through Rwanda in modern coaches.

The total costs do not include:

• Transport to and from the airport in Europe

• vaccinations

• Insurance

• Entry visa if necessary

• Pocket money for daily expenses (souvenirs, personal activities, etc.)

Each participant is initially responsible for financing their own trip.

Financial support

However, there are various ways to raise travel expenses. If you can't cover the trip yourself, talk to your training company or school and ask about organizations and foundations you can contact. Local and national trade organizations, industry sponsors, professional associations, state associations, and guilds are also interested in supporting the project. Just ask around to see what's possible.

Sponsors

At the same time, we will also seek sponsors, inform industrial companies and craft businesses about our project, and apply to government institutions for funding for our social education project.

Yes. We have been organizing the annual social education project for journeymen and women painters in Rwanda since 2013. We last visited Rwanda with a dedicated crew in October 2024.

We have an excellent network in Rwanda. Several official organizations support the project. We know the do's and don'ts. Together with our partners in Rwanda, we can ensure a safer environment during the stay.

The experiences from past trips are incorporated into the new itinerary. Former participants "lost their hearts" in Rwanda and returned home with many unforgettable impressions and experiences. These are unique professional and personal experiences that will last a lifetime.

The Central Association of German Skilled Crafts (ZDH) is very enthusiastic about our project. Therefore, the ZDH has assumed patronage for several years. With this leading association of German business, the skilled crafts sector has a strong voice that advocates for the interests of today's 1 million craft businesses with approximately 5.5 million employees.

EURwanda Handcraft Foundation eV is a non-profit organization. We, the people behind the organization, are a group of charitable-minded women and men from crafts, guilds, professional associations, companies, ministries, social institutions, and foundations. We are committed to the idea of a fair, just, and sustainable world for all. Through our commitment and our travels, we are making an active contribution to achieving the 17 global UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Furthermore, as a non-profit organization, we are committed to promoting effective and sustainable youth development in the skilled trades in Europe and Rwanda. Intercultural exchange between European and Rwandan youth plays a key role in this process.

The Central Association of German Skilled Crafts (ZDH) and other craft associations are involved in the project. Several sponsors, such as Signal Iduna and IKK Südwest, have supported the project for many years. You can find an overview of all sponsors and supporters on our website.

In Rwanda, we maintain close contact with the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) and Rwanda Polytechnic (RP). We work with the relevant ministries, vocational schools, and universities. We are also supported by the Rhineland-Palatinate / Rwanda Partnership Association, both in Germany and on-site in Rwanda.

The board and task force of EURwanda Handcraft Foundation e. V. are planning and organizing the project “Rwanda 2025: We share Handcraft!”.

After more than ten years of successful collaboration between young German painters and Rwandan vocational students, we have been integrating and bringing together other trades since 2018. In doing so, we are also raising awareness of the shortage of young talent in Europe and are committed to providing fair opportunities for young Africans.

We hope that the "Rwanda 2025: We share Handcraft!" project will convince many handicraft organizations to participate permanently in social education projects for young artisans. We also hope that they will choose a sustainable collaboration with Rwanda and EURwanda Handcraft Foundation eV.

We are currently preparing to develop a digital craftsman campus (see website).

We are convinced that social engagement will have a positive impact on the image of the entire skilled trades industry. It will motivate young people in Europe and Rwanda to choose a skilled trades apprenticeship.

With this project for social and vocational training in Rwanda and Europe, we are building bridges and overcoming borders, combating racism, and enhancing the image of skilled trades. Today's apprentices will be tomorrow's teachers!

No. It is helpful to speak English or French, but it is not a requirement.

There will be enough translators on site. In our experience, minor everyday issues can be resolved with "hands and feet," if necessary. This can bring a few surprises and often brings a smile to serious faces. Improvisation is simply part of Africa.

You can apply by email to info@eurwanda-handcraft.org . Simply include a brief CV and your passport photo. If you're interested, please answer a few questions about yourself. Your information will, of course, be treated confidentially and will not be shared with anyone else.

We're particularly interested in why you're signing up for the project. If you've already had or have experience with social projects, don't forget to tell us about it. We're also interested in knowing if you have a special hobby, play an instrument, have any special role models, etc. Providing this information is voluntary. You decide what you want to tell us about yourself.

It's important that you're open to new challenges and enjoy working with people from different backgrounds on an equal footing. Our international teams consist of young people from Europe and young Rwandan vocational students. We will respond to your application within one week.

Registration is expected to be possible until the beginning of June 2025.

Please stay updated on our website, Facebook, and Instagram. We will also provide regular updates on further developments there.

Preparatory meeting / workshop

Once the application phase is complete, we will contact you with further information about the trip and travel preparation. We will also send you suggested dates for our preparatory meeting.

We'll provide information about the project and the trip. We'll discuss the current security situation and offer tips on proper behavior and what's important in the project. We've prepared a code of conduct and designed a workshop on social/emotional and intercultural skills for you.

You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions in person, and you'll get to know your fellow travelers. In the preparatory meetings on past trips, we've repeatedly observed that these meetings helped quickly clarify questions and eliminate uncertainties. And everyone's anticipation for the trip grew significantly. So come along and let yourself be inspired!

passport

Please check your passport's validity in good time (by July 2025 at the latest). Your passport must be valid for at least six months on the date of departure.

vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccination is no longer required for entry into Rwanda, but we would strongly recommend it. We also recommend malaria prophylaxis. We will explain more about this at the preparatory meeting. Our partner, IKK Südwest, will also advise you on all health-related aspects.

Upon arrival in Rwanda, we will apply for a visa on site, which will be confirmed immediately.

International health insurance is mandatory , and you can purchase it for just a few euros for a year from many insurance companies, such as Signal Iduna. This should be taken out before booking tickets and accommodations at the latest. We also recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance and travel luggage insurance.

From experience, we know that many companies are open to releasing a candidate for travel.

Other companies suggest splitting vacation time (50/50). Please discuss this with your boss and/or the training director at your vocational school in a timely manner.

Of course, submitting vacation days yourself is also an option. This year, there is also a national holiday during our trip, as long as it falls this week; Thursday, October 3, 2025, is German Unity Day. That means submitting one less vacation day.

On our website www.handcraftgoesfuture.com you can find out everything about the project “Rwanda 2025: We share Handcraft!”.

We will soon provide updates on the project and the country of Rwanda via mailings and a newsletter.

There are many websites about Rwanda. Here are some recommended links:

• in Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruanda

• on the website of the Grassroots Partnership Association Rhineland-Palatinate-Rwanda: http://rwa.rlp-ruanda.de/de/laenderinfos/ruanda/uebersicht

• on the website of the Rwandan Embassy in Berlin: www.rwanda-botschaft.de

• and the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/laender/ruanda-node

Simply send us an email to info@eurwanda-handcraft.org . We'll respond as quickly as possible, usually within three business days.

Still hesitant? Contact us; we'd be happy to give you more tips. This project is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an extraordinary social learning journey. And if you like our project, be sure to spread the word, recommend it, post, etc.

Anyone can support our project "Rwanda 2025: We share Handcraft!" How is up to you. We look forward to hearing from you!

You can support us, for example, by participating in the project, by recommending us, or by providing in-kind support or donations. Or you can join us on the trip and get involved in one of our non-profit projects for improving educational conditions in Rwanda. Perhaps you, as a parent and craftsperson, are interested in joining us in Rwanda? Experienced craftspeople are sought after as team members.

We are especially pleased to receive sponsorships for a participating young artisan. Please contact us at info@EURwanda-Handcraft.org .

Of course, we are also very happy about financial support:

Donation account: Volksbank Trier

IBAN DE87 5866 0101 0000 6576 00