Rwanda
According to Wikipedia, the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda, is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million (2011), and is among the most densely populated countries in Africa. At 26,338 square kilometers (10,169 sq mi), it is comparable in size to the state of Maryland in the United States. The capital, Kigali, is located near the center of Rwanda and the economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture by local farmers.
The entire country is at a high altitude; as part of the Albertine Rift Mountain range dominates central and western Rwanda. The lowest point is the Rusizi River at 3,117 ft above sea level. The watershed between the major Congo and Nile drainage basins runs from north to south through Rwanda; while Nyungwe Forest is a contender for the as-yet undetermined overall source of the Nile River. Rwanda has many lakes, the largest being Lake Kivu in the west, which is also one of the twenty deepest lakes in the world.
There are 670 bird species found in Rwanda, and the greatest diversity of large mammals is found in three National Parks, which are designated conservation areas. Akagera contains typical savanna animals such as giraffes and elephants, while Volcanoes is home to an estimated one third of the worldwide mountain gorilla population. Nyungwe Forest boasts thirteen primate species including chimpanzees and Ruwenzori colobus arboreal monkeys; the Ruwenzori colobus move in groups of up to 400 individuals, the largest troop size of any primate in Africa.
The entire country is at a high altitude; as part of the Albertine Rift Mountain range dominates central and western Rwanda. The lowest point is the Rusizi River at 3,117 ft above sea level. The watershed between the major Congo and Nile drainage basins runs from north to south through Rwanda; while Nyungwe Forest is a contender for the as-yet undetermined overall source of the Nile River. Rwanda has many lakes, the largest being Lake Kivu in the west, which is also one of the twenty deepest lakes in the world.
There are 670 bird species found in Rwanda, and the greatest diversity of large mammals is found in three National Parks, which are designated conservation areas. Akagera contains typical savanna animals such as giraffes and elephants, while Volcanoes is home to an estimated one third of the worldwide mountain gorilla population. Nyungwe Forest boasts thirteen primate species including chimpanzees and Ruwenzori colobus arboreal monkeys; the Ruwenzori colobus move in groups of up to 400 individuals, the largest troop size of any primate in Africa.
Peace Corps Rwanda
The Peace Corps signed a country agreement with the Government of Rwanda in 1974 and the first group of three Volunteers arrived in 1975 working in university education, and later expanding into fisheries and agriculture. The agency withdrew Volunteers in 1993 due to the civil war and the program closed in 1994.
A new country agreement was signed with the Government of Rwanda on July 18, 2008. The first new group of thirty-five Public Health trainees arrived in January 2009. Currently, over 100 Volunteers serve in the areas of Health and Education in the Peace Corps Rwanda program.
A new country agreement was signed with the Government of Rwanda on July 18, 2008. The first new group of thirty-five Public Health trainees arrived in January 2009. Currently, over 100 Volunteers serve in the areas of Health and Education in the Peace Corps Rwanda program.
Peace Corps Journals
Peace Corps Journals is "the world's largest collection of Peace Corps stories." It allows volunteers and otherwise to connect their blogs on one site to easily share information, stories, and experiences.
PC Rwanda GAD Blog
This blog is one of our ways to spread information, gather opinions, and publicize work in gender development within Rwanda and Peace Corps. New entries go up every Monday by a different GAD member.
PC Rwanda Stomp Out Malaria Blog
Get caught up on malaria activities in Rwanda by reading the malaria blog maintained by Rwanda’s Malaria Volunteers for Stomping Out Malaria in Africa.