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Back to Mission Trips Scenes from previous trips Application and reference forms Mission Trip Resources Rwanda 07 blog Contact us Team resources for Rwanda Trip 2009 The following information should help you to prepare for your mission to Rwanda. Information on the country Rwanda is a landlocked country surrounded by Uganda in the north, Tanzania in the east, Burundi in the south, and Zaire to its west and northwest. Rwanda lies on the East African plateau, with the divide between the water systems of the Nile and Zaire rivers passing in a north-south direction through the western part of the country. To the west of the divide, the land drops sharply to Lake Kivu in the Great African Rift Valley; to the east, the land falls gradually across the central plateau - its grassy highlands are the core areas of settlement of Rwanda's population - to the swamps and lakes on the country's eastern border. Most of Rwanda is 3,000 ft above sea level, with much of the central plateau being higher than 4,700 ft. In the northwest, on the border with Zaire, are the volcanic Virunga Mountains; the highest peak, Mount Karisimbi (14,870 ft) is snowcapped. Lake Kivu, 4,700 feet above sea level, drains into Lake Tanganyika, through the sharply descending Ruzizi River. The Kagera River, which forms much of Rwanda's eastern border, flows into Lake Victoria. The people speak their own local language, known as Kinyarwanda. The official language is French, which is spoken in most places of business. Some also speak English, but not as many. The main people groups are the Hutus, making up about 85% of the population, and the Tutsis, which comprises most of the rest. An aboriginal people group, called the Twa, make up about 1% of the population. The 1994 genocide involved the Hutus trying to exterminate the Tutsis. The recovery period took years, but the are many signs of growth and renewed confidence in the country at present. New construction abounds in the capital, Kigali, and the people are working hard to put the past behind them. For information on shots required for travel to Rwanda click here For a sample packing list for a mission trip click here

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