International Volunteers from VIS Begin One-Week Visit to Rwanda to Learn About Salesian Social Projects

Kigali, Rwanda — On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, a group of international volunteers from the Italian NGO VIS (International Volunteers for Development) officially began their one-week stay in Rwanda with a visit to the Salesian Planning and Development Office in Kigali. At the Office they were received by Father UFITAMAHORO Servilien, the Directort of the Planning and Development Office. The purpose of their visit is to deepen their understanding of the country, its culture, and the impactful work undertaken by the Salesian Mission.

Led by Luca Cristaldi, a representative of VIS, the group expressed their commitment to learning about Rwanda’s social and educational development efforts. Cristaldi explained, “My name is Luca Cristaldi, and I work for VIS. We are an Italian NGO working with the Salesian Mission. This is the start of our one-week visit, during which we’ve participated in a training about volunteer issues. Our goal is to get to know Rwanda—its people, traditions, and the work that the Salesian Mission does here with children, schools, and training programs.”

He emphasized that the visit is primarily a learning experience. “For us, it’s very important to understand this country’s context and see firsthand what the Salesian Mission accomplishes. This week is about training and knowledge exchange—learning from the local community and preparing ourselves for potential future support and collaboration.”

Cristaldi also shared initial impressions of Kigali. “It’s a very large and busy city. We saw many people walking in the streets, going about their daily lives, which gives us a glimpse of the vibrant community here.”

This visit marks the beginning of the group’s productive week in Rwanda, fostering cross-cultural understanding and laying the groundwork for stronger partnerships in development. The visitors look forward to engaging further with local organizations and communities during their stay.