School life
In a Rwanda classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Africa · Country briefing
Rwanda
A child-friendly mission briefing for 20 November - capital, climate, school day, languages, fun facts, native animals, and five questions to ask the class on the other side of the world.
- CapitalKigali
- Population~14 million
- Time zoneAfrica/Maputo (UTC +2)
- CurrencyRwandan franc (RWF)
Rwanda, with Kigali marked
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Climate in November: End of dry season or start of wet season; warm.
The capital
Kigali
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes Rwanda a bit special.
The Land of a Thousand Hills
A whole country made of green, rolling hills
Open lesson
Volcanoes National Park
Five old volcanoes that became a forest for mountain gorillas
Open lesson
Lake Kivu
A huge mountain lake on the western edge of Rwanda
Open lesson
Nyungwe Forest
An ancient rainforest full of monkeys and a treetop walkway
Open lesson
Agaseke - Rwanda's peace baskets
Beautiful woven baskets with tall pointed lids
Open lesson
Brochettes - grilled meat sticks
Tender meat cubes grilled over hot coals on a stick
Open lesson
Tap any card to open a class-ready mini-lesson - for the teacher to walk through, or an older child to read aloud.
Native animals
Wildlife your partner class might know best.
- 🦍
Mountain gorillas
Gentle giants of the misty volcano forests
Open lesson
- 🐒
Golden monkeys
Bright orange monkeys that leap through Rwanda's bamboo forests
Open lesson
- 🦤
Grey crowned crane
The elegant national bird of Rwanda
Open lesson
- 🐵
Chimpanzees of Nyungwe
Our closest cousins, swinging through the ancient rainforest
Open lesson
- 🦍
Kwita Izina - the gorilla naming ceremony
Rwanda's most famous yearly celebration of baby gorillas
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!English
Five questions to ask
Conversation starters
- 01What does your school day look like?
- 02What do you eat at lunch?
- 03What games do you play at break?
- 04What's the weather like today?
- 05What do you wish more children around the world knew about your country?
What not to assume
Friendly cautions
- ℹRwanda has many regions and communities - there is no single experience.
- ℹClimate, food, and traditions can vary widely from one part of the country to another.
Culture
Food, music, sport, festivals.
Food
Music
Sport
Festivals
Tap any chip to open a class-ready lesson - what it is, why it matters, fun facts.
Reflection prompts
- “What's something you'd love to share about your school day?”
- “What's the most surprising thing you'd love to ask the other class?”
Could your class meet Rwanda?
Choose Rwandawhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.