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Blog posts about Rwanda

Teacher with a large class size in Malawi

Is teaching the world's toughest job?

Low pay. Lack of respect. Being asked to achieve the impossible with not enough time, resources or training to do your best. Teachers around the world reveal the challenges they face – and why they keep at it despite everything.

A student answers a question during a lesson about relatives and family in English class at Hamugongo Primary School in Kagera, Tanzania.

Inside the world’s classrooms

Open the door of classrooms around the world and you’ll find a surprising range of challenges – as well as some truly incredible teachers dedicated to changing children’s lives.

Val Desborough showing off her London Marathon medal

Val's marathon effort

When keen runner and VSO volunteer Val Desborough secured a place in the 2018 London Marathon, she saw an opportunity to combine her two worlds.

The deaf volunteer struggling for health equality

Around the world, people with disabilities face additional barriers to getting quality healthcare. Niyonsaba Brown, 31, is a young deaf woman volunteering to change this in her native Rwanda.

Things I never thought would be possible

What a difference six months on placement has meant for Methodology and Resources Adviser Mary Sugrue from Limerick.

"The single greatest experience of my life"

Ruairi O’Hehir from Dublin describes a typical day volunteering as an Education Management Adviser in Rwanda.

Five minutes with... Michelle Dully, Teaching Methodology Adviser, Rwanda

Since 1999, VSO has been placing skilled and experienced education volunteers from across the globe to work with the Rwandan government and partner organisations to improve the quality of education. Michelle Dully from Co. Meath is one such volunteer.

Teacher Grace Chigwechokha in Malawi

The hardest job in the world

Low pay. Lack of respect. Being asked to achieve the impossible with not enough time, resources or training to do your best. Oh, and the future of the world depends on you. Lucy Taylor hears from four teachers around the world about the challenges they face – and what keeps them going, despite everything.

Teacher Grace Chigwechokha in Malawi

The hardest job in the world

Low pay. Lack of respect. Being asked to achieve the impossible with not enough time, resources or training to do your best. Oh, and the future of the world depends on you. Lucy Taylor hears from four teachers around the world about the challenges they face – and what keeps them going, despite everything.

Antoinette shows her mother how she can write letters of the alphabet

Growing up in Rwanda: A photo essay

Most six-year-olds in Cyete eat once a day and cannot yet read and write. Enathe describes the life of her extraordinary daughter, who is blossoming in a household that despite being materially poor, is full of warmth, hope and faith.

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