FAQs for Visitors

+ What is the purpose of welcoming visitors to the Village?

Established by our Founder, Anne Heyman, in order to “bring the world to our children,” ASYV’s visitor program works to introduce our kids to individuals from all around the world through day, overnight, and multi-day “service learning” trips. By enabling the free exchange of ideas and experiences, and by facilitating dialogue on topics ranging from daily life to the social and political realities of their respective countries and communities, ASYV’s visitor program has enabled many of our students and guests to build a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

We welcome more than 700 day and more than 150 overnight visitors to the Village per year to experience our model and understand the role a youth village is playing in post-genocide reconstruction, as well as see one of Rwanda’s best high schools. Visitors expose our students to different cultures, perspectives, and ideas, and help them to practice and build upon their English language skills.

+ What paperwork do I need to complete before I visit?

To ensure the welfare of our students, all visitors are required to complete our Visitor Registration Form in which they will be required to agree to ASYV's Visitor Policy & Agreement. The other paperwork required is dependent upon whether you are visiting for a day, overnight, or on a longer trip. ASYV staff will share general information and required paperwork in advance of your visit.

+ What is lodging like in the Village for overnight guests?

Visitors stay in our Guest Houses. Each room has simple furnishings of full or bunk beds and shelves. The Village provides sheets, a pillow, a light blanket, a small towel, and a permethrin-treated mosquito net for each bed. You are welcome to bring your own sheets and towels from home — and we always appreciate donations of sheets, towels, and blankets. The bathroom has hot and cold water.

Service learning visitors stay in our Intore Learning Community Visitor's Center (ILC). See "Service Learning Visitors" for details about the ILC.

+ Can you accommodate people who follow strict religious observance and/or have dietary restrictions?

Yes, the Village has experience accommodating dietary restrictions, including participants who keep Kosher. Breakfast in the Dining Hall consists of a freshly baked roll, and of homemade porridge. For those eating in the ILC, breakfast typically consists of bread, cereal, omelets, and fruit. Lunch and dinner usually consist of rice, beans, and a starch (potatoes, cassava, etc.). Most days, the food in the Village is vegetarian. Meat is served infrequently, and there are always vegetarian options available. Please notify us in advance if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions so that we can work with you to plan accordingly.

A Chabad in Kigali can provide catered meals for groups to eat during excursions outside the Village, or in the Village for special occassions like Shabbat, for an additional fee with advanced notice.

+ Is ASYV handicap accessible?

ASYV’s terrain is similar to much of Rwanda, characterized by rolling hills and unpaved dirt roads. ASYV is not currently handicap accessible, however, should you have questions about a specific case or possible accommodations, please contact Jill Elias.

+ I want to come when school is not in session. Is this possible?

This may be possible depending upon the dates. Although the majority of students will not be at ASYV during school breaks, we offer various camps and opportunities for them to remain on campus. Please contact Jill Elias to discuss booking a trip while school is not in session.

+ How do I get started with planning a trip?

We’re thrilled that you are interested in planning a trip! Contact Engagement and Operations Manager Jill Elias to start the conversation. We will discuss dates for your trip, required paperwork, an overview of the ASYV Service Learning curriculum, general logistics, and what to expect.

+ What are the options for additional excursions?

We’re glad you asked! Rwanda offers a variety of opportunities to explore wildlife, culture, and history. Popular excursions include a guided safari in Akagera National Park and visits to local NGOs such as Gardens for Health and Zipline Medical, among other options. Contact Jill Elias for a full menu of excursion opportunities and to learn more.

+ What is lodging like in the Village for Service Learning participants?

Service learning visitors stay in our Intore Learning Community Visitor's Center, which offers single-sex boys’ and girls’ dormitories furnished with bunk beds and shelving units. There are two private supervisor bedrooms reserved for trip leaders, which can be reserved on a first-come basis. The Village provides all guests with sheets, a pillow, a light blanket, a small towel, and a permethrin-treated mosquito net for each bed. Supervisor bedrooms have their own bathrooms. Dormitories have access to two sets of shared single-sex bathrooms with multiple stalls each, which offer hot and cold water.

ASYV provides single rooms for trip leaders and double rooms for participants.

+ What does the service learning curriculum entail?

ASYV’s structured curriculum ensures a mutually beneficial and enriching experience for the ASYV community and the participants.

This curriculum was crafted intentionally with the aim to answer the following essential questions, allow visitors to engage in meaningful conversation and reflection, and reinforce the value of global service and citizenship. ASYV staff/Fellows are trained to facilitate each of the sessions, modifying activities as needed for each group.

Essential questions:

• What is ASYV? Who are our kids? Why was it created? Why visit ASYV? How does ASYV serve as a model of resilience in a post-atrocity country?
• Why is it important to learn about the country’s history, the genocide, its aftermath, and reconciliation?
• How has Rwanda progressed and developed? How does this development impact children today?
• What is the value of global service?
• How do we responsibly engage in global service?
• How will you bring this experience back to your community?

On a standard trip, the curriculum is broken down into seven distinct meetings -- two pre-trip virtual calls and five in-person discussion sessions hosted in the Village.

+ When is the best time to run a trip?

The best time to run a trip is while school is in session to ensure that you can spend as much time as possible with students and staff. ASYV’s school calendar is dependent upon the Rwandan school calendar, which is subject to change each year. Typically the school calendar runs from late September through early July, with a two-week break in December and a two-week break in April. Please contact visitors@asyv.org for the most current calendar dates.

+ What if my group wants to spend more than 8 nights in Rwanda?

Although ASYV’s standard itineraries include 8 nights, we are happy to work with you to plan a longer trip experience.

+ What are ASYV’s safety and security protocols?

ASYV has a Health & Wellness Clinic on-site and nurses are available to treat general ailments or first aid needs. In the event of a more serious medical emergency, participants are directed to contact the nurse on duty in the clinic by visiting the clinic directly or by calling the emergency clinic phone number (+250 780303304). The nurse on duty can refer the case to Rwamagana Hospital (~30 minutes away), or Legacy Clinic (~1 hour) or King Faisal Hospital located in Kigali (~1.5 hours away) and a Village van/driver can provide transfer. Should the group, for any reason, need an ambulance stationed at the Village for emergency evacuation, this can be arranged ahead of the trip at cost. For reference, a more extensive list of medical providers can be found on the U.S. embassy's website at https://rw.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/.

Rwanda was named the sixth safest country on the planet for solo travelers as of 2022 and is typically a crime-free, and very visitor-friendly country. The Village’s grounds are surrounded by a fence and monitored 24 hours a day by our security personnel. Anyone who enters or exits the grounds must check in with security. In the case of any emergency, one should contact the Visitors Fellow leading the trip, in addition to the Country Director or Executive Director. Contact information will be supplied ahead of the trip.

+ What vaccines will we need to participate on a trip?

At the present time, ASYV recommends the following: Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Malaria Prophylactic Prescribed. We also require all visitors to have received the Covid-19 vaccination series plus a booster. The CDC no longer recommends the yellow fever vaccine for most travelers to Rwanda. However, if you are traveling to Rwanda via an endemic country, you may be required by that country to obtain the vaccine. Please consult your physician or a travel clinic regarding any other recommendations.

+ What are the visa requirements for Rwanda?

Visitors who will be in-country for 30 days or less can enter on a tourist visa. As of January 1, 2018, citizens of all countries can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival. The cost of the visa is $50 USD, which can be paid by cash (in USD) or credit card. Bills should be printed 2009 or later. You may also purchase your visa in advance of your arrival by applying online at irembo.gov.rw at least 3 business days in advance for your visit. Be sure to use the IREMBO website to apply online. Other sites purporting to offer the entry visa may be a scam. Since March 2020, nationals of member states of either the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations or La Francophonie are not required to pay a fee.

+ Which airport should we fly into?

Groups should fly into Kigali International Airport.

+ How many participants do you recommend for a trip?

ASYV’s Service Learning trips can accommodate groups as small as 6 people and as large as 30 people.

Please note that coaster buses can accommodate 30 people including the driver (26 comfortably). To ensure space for an ASYV staff member and tour company staff member, groups exceeding 27 people will require a second bus.

+ What should we pack?

ASYV will provide a general information & packing list packet to guide participants on what to expect and offer packing recommendations. We will also address packing on a pre-trip call with the group. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any specific questions.

+ Do I need a trip leader?

Groups are required to travel with a designated trip leader who serves as a liaison to ASYV and works with ASYV staff in Rwanda to ensure a successful trip.

• Groups traveling with participants under age 18 are required to travel with one trip leader per seven minors.
• Groups are required to travel with one Trip Leader per ten participants aged 18 – 20 years old. Trip Leader(s) must stay with the group in the ILC facility unless otherwise agreed upon with ASYV.
• Groups are required to travel with one Trip Leader per 25 participants aged 21+.

+ Anything else I should know?

As a core component of the service learning experience, groups commit to fundraising $5,000 to support the Village in honor of their trip. ASYV will provide a fundraising page and comprehensive resources to support the group’s efforts.