Bugesera, Rwanda

Tourists helping to prepare the midday meal at the Millennium Village, Bugesera, Rwanda

The Millennium Village Tour (part of the UN Millennium Villages Project – MVP) is a unique experience that introduces tourists to the development challenges of life in rural Rwanda. Visitors on the tour are introduced to many aspects of daily village life, including local agricultural techniques (e.g. being taught about the cultivation of cassava), education (e.g. a visit to a local school), health care (e.g. visiting the rural polyclinic), infrastructure (e.g. operating irrigation equipment), micro-enterprise development (e.g. basket weaving using sisal), and culinary activities (participating in the preparation of food).

The tour also includes a community gathering explaining how the village was impacted by the events of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with both victims and perpetrators of the genocide giving their own accounts of the event, its lead-up and immediate aftermath, as well as more recent efforts to heal the wounds and build trust.

Visitors to the Millennium Village in Bugesera, directly assist 200 cooperative members (and indirectly benefit a wider community of 50000 people resident in nearby area), with 70% of tour proceedings going directly to the community itself for re-investment in the community development, education and health funds, as well as the production of local handicrafts.