The following reflection was shared by an international volunteer who served at RDIS from October 2022 until August 2023. At the volunteer’s request and in respect of personal privacy, the name and photo of the volunteer remain anonymous.
“I was honoured to serve as a volunteer at RDIS from October 2022 until August 2023.
I was sent by the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), a long-term partner of RDIS and the four dioceses of the Anglican Church of Rwanda: Butare, Cyangugu, Kigeme, and Shyogwe. UEM organises several volunteer and exchange programs. Supported by Engagement Global, these programs encourage young people to engage with different social and cultural backgrounds and to broaden their perspectives through international experience. I was especially grateful to be among the first volunteers to participate again after the global Covid-19 pandemic.
My daily activities mainly involved office and administrative tasks, where I supported colleagues in their responsibilities and ongoing work.
I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity RDIS gave me and for the many experiences through which I learned more about the organisation’s work and the socio-economic context in which it operates.
These experiences strongly influenced both my academic journey and my personal development. The staff of RDIS works every day to positively impact the lives of their beneficiaries and during my time there, they also had a meaningful impact on mine.
Thank you, RDIS, for this enriching and unforgettable year.”
International volunteer service invites young people between the ages of 18 and 28 to spend a year contributing to projects in another country. Working together, cultural exchange, and learning from one another in everyday life are central aspects of the volunteer experience.
The Rural Development Interdiocesan Service (RDIS) in Rwanda periodically offers placements through the North-South volunteer program. This forms part of the United Evangelical Mission’s (UEM) volunteer service and the broader weltwärts program.
