Rwanda Open Summit Program
/Wednesday, 23 May: Pre-Summit gathering
School visit, lunch, travel to Musanze and opening celebration.
The SCIL team will visit a school in Kigali on the day before the summit and you are welcome to join us for this. It will provide an interesting comparison to the rural schools we will visit in Musanze.
Bourbon Coffee is the best place for an espresso, latte or capuccino and we will be having lunch in Kigali before travelling to Musanze in the early afternoon.
On arrival in Musanze there will be time to check-in and perhaps a quick orientation walk of the city before the Summit opening dinner at Ishema Hotel. As part of the opening celebration we will enjoy a performance of a local dance group.
Stephen Harris, Director of SCIL, will welcome all guests and cast the vision for the next few days.
Thursday, 24 May: Let’s get this thing started!
Schools, the lake and the conversations
We will start the day with a brief overview and background of the schools in regional areas.
There will be two schools on the program today - Maya 1 and Kagogo, a stark contrast to the city schools. The smiling faces of the children and dedication of the teachers will impress you. The school buildings and environments will challenge you.
After the school visits we will call by Lake Burera. The natural beauty of the Musanze region is breathtaking. While at Kagogo you will have caught a glimpse of Lake Burera. On the shore of the lake we will have our first conversation and share impressions of the school visits, before heading back for lunch.
In the afternoon we will commence the idea gathering process. The dialogue will have a facilitated session, capturing and sifting thoughts and impressions. We will stop for dinner, then keep talking as long as we need to.
Friday, 25 May: Keep thinking, talking and processing
Another school and the hard work begins.
The day will start with a school visit to help shape your thinking.
Now, with all this input and the conversations, we put our minds to strategy.
What are the simple yet effective strategies that will make a substantial difference to the educational and life outcomes of young people in rural areas of developing nations?
Over to you!
Through a process of facilitated discussion we will synthesise our initial ideas and impressions into a broad range of strategies - at this stage, every idea is a good idea.
Saturday, 26 May: A community visit and a laser focus
Kinigi and more hard work
This time the day will start with a visit to the community of Kinigi. Many tourists come here to see the gorillas, as it is located near the start of the tourist centre, but few actually have the opportunity to meet the local people, and play football with the kids.
The SCIL team have visited this community several times and have been warmly welcomed. This will give an opportunity to absorb the reality of life in rural Rwanda, yet be inspired by young people who can dream of the life that a good education can afford them.
Now the hard work begins. Taking all those great ideas of the day before and develop a number of strategies where we can think about our next steps. We will stop for meal breaks, but will keep going until we have identified those key areas. Lots of coffee needed!
The summit will officially conclude on the Saturday.
Sunday, 27 and Monday 28 May: Post-Summit activities
The SCIL team will be in Musanze until Tuesday. Participants may choose to leave immediately at the conclusion, or join in some post-summit activities.There are a number of activities that you may like to do. A great way to contribute to the local economy.
Reconciliation Village: A post-genocide project that has resulted in a village built by perpetrators of the genocide, who have paid the price, for the families who were victims of the genocide.
Local Musanze activities: Church, Markets, Musanze Stadium
Lake Burera boat trip: There is an opportunity to take a ride on the lake. This is a business run by locals and you will appreciate the natural beauty of the region.
Extended Lunch together: There will be an opportunity to reflect over the last few days on Monday 28 May, before we all go our separate ways.
Other activities that can be individually booked/arranged.
Gorillas and Volcanoes National Park: Your booking is required at least 2 months in advance. The exhilarating climb to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers fantastic views in all directions, before the trackers are immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and the chattering of rare golden monkey. Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully-grown silverback gorilla, up to three times the size of an average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors. Costs for gorilla permits: USD $500 per person for non-nationals
Akagera Safari Park: Akagera is, above all, big game country! Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge from the woodland to drink at the lakes, while lucky visitors might stumble across a spotted hyena or even a stray lion. The park costs $30 for entry and the transport for the day trip is approximately $50.
