Wilderness Rwanda and Children in the Wilderness (CITW), in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Forest of Hope Association (FHA), organised a visit to Gishwati-Mukura National Park on the 14th of June 2025 for the CITW scholarship students who are in grade S3 at Kinihira Secondary School in the Gishwati community.
The children were born around the national park, and have lived here all their lives, attending the primary schools here too, yet have never had the chance to visit the national park. Now, thanks to our impactful partnership with the RDB and FHA, they have had an amazing and inspiring environmental adventure!
The guide started the day’s outing by explaining to the children why the park is called Gishwati-Mukura, followed by a walk to the Kaze Neza waterfall – “a waterfall where the wind is considered pleasant or refreshing”. They trekked to observe a troop of golden monkeys, as well as spent time learning the many different tree species.
The children really enjoyed the visit and paid great attention to why they need to help protect and conserve the park – including not chopping trees for firewood, or taking out medicinal plants, or water. The guide also explained to the children the importance of leaving the old trees in the park, why the animals really need the water, and what food they need to survive. The food sources provide the animals with the energy and nutrients necessary for growth, development, and carrying out essential life functions.
The students’ main takeaway from the field trip was why each living creature is interconnected, and dependent on each other in order to live.
These were just a few of our scholarship students on this visit, as we wanted to ensure compliance with all regulations and the visitors’ protocol. Now that we have established the ground rules, this visit will become an ongoing activity that we will provide for all CITW scholarship students in Rwanda.
“The children are being nurtured to become the next generation of African conservation leaders. I am so proud to collaborate with our partners, and support the children by involving them in nature, encouraging them to reduce, reuse, and recycle to become models of eco-friendly behaviour, all ultimately empowering them to take positive action”, said Aline Umutoni, CITW & Community Manager Rwanda.
