Trips
2027 trips
June 11th-23rd: 10 of 16 available
Jun 23rd-Jul 4th: 7 of 16 available
Oct 9th-20th: 10 of 16 available
Apply:
Each trip involves:
Up to 18 Youth player volunteers, age bracket 16-21 - must be at least 16 years old at the time of the trip. The ideal time to travel is probably the end of S5 or S6
Up to 2 experienced adult youth coaches, min UEFA C licence qualified
Up to 4 additional adult youth coaches
2028 trips
Jun 24-Jul 5: applications open
Jul 8-19: applications open
Oct 7-18: applications open
Apply:
Webinars / Q&A
Find out more about our trips, and hear directly from our Ambassadors and previous volunteers
Register for a webinar and we will send you a code to enter
Next Webinars
Sunday 4th Oct, 8pm
Sunday 11th oct, 8pm….live from Rwanda!
Itinerary
Day 1, morning: Arrive at the guest house 2am. Breakfast 9am, then sort out the donations
Day 1, afternoon: Batsinda Street Rescue Centre. Football with the kids (all ages), then back to the centre, which usually ends with dancing
Day 2, am: National Genocide Memorial, Kigali
Day 2, pm: Ntarama Genocide Memorial, Bugengera
Day 3, am: Travel to Karongi
Day 3, pm: Rugabano village (football)
Day 4, am: Bisesero genocide memorial then village (football - on the pitch we built)
Day 4, pm: Mubugo village (football)
Day 5, am: Boat trip on Lake Kivu
Day 5, pm: Rubengera schools (visit and football)
Day 6, am: Rubengera schools (visit and football)
Day 6, pm: Karongi Football Academy
Day 7, am: Kibuye Market
Day 7, pm: Karongi Football Academy
Livalana Hotel, Kibuye, Lake Kivu, Karongi District,
Day 8, am: Karongi Football Academy
Day 8, pm: Travel back to Kigal
Day 9, all day: Safari
Day 10, am: Craft Market, Kigali
Day 10, pm: Amohoro, National Stadium tour
“It was a great reminder that coaching isn’t just about tactics and drills. Being in a completely different environment, with limited resources and a language barrier, pushed me to adapt, be creative, and focus on the basics of connection and communication.
It also reminded me of the community spirit and connection that football creates. ” Clare Docherty, Ayr Utd Academy
"Cannot put this trip into words!! Best and most unforgettable 10 days of my life. The people I met and experiences I had will stay with me forever.
Seeing the reality of life half way across the world has been such an eye opener for me and has changed my perspective on life. Something as simple as a high-five or a wave out the window brought so much joy and excitement to the children’s faces.
It is so inspiring how the people of Rwanda could have so close to nothing but still have the biggest smile on their face. This trip showed me how much a sport can bring so many people together. I am incredibly grateful to have gotten this experience. I couldn’t have done it with better people. Until next time " Youth player, July ‘26
“The trip was a life changing experience for all of us. The Rwandan kids were always so cheerful regardless of their situation, and their reaction to us was superb. Everyone treated us like their own, and it definitely showed us all how much we take for granted” Youth player, June 25
“Rwanda wasn’t as basic as I expected. Yes, we saw real poverty, but nothing that made me feel uncomfortable - and the guest house and food were brilliant!” Youth player, June 25
“After being home for a couple of days and taking time to process everything, i would just like to say a massive thank you for the opportunity to go to Rwanda. I can now say the experience has been life changing and i’m so grateful for making the full 10 days the best days of my life. I would absolutely love to go back one day as i’m now thinking I might take a gap year and travelling/volunteering in Rwanda would be a dream. THANKS again, I had the best time !!” Youth player, June 25
The basics
Below are the main things you need to know about our trips…
Itinerary
Afternoons are all about the football, delivering sessions for either:
Karongi Football Academy
School or Village teams in Karongi District
Street rescue kids
Mornings are for discovering Rwanda’s history and culture. We’ll visit schools and community projects such as Batsinda Street Rescue centre, as well as Genocide Memorial centres
4 days are spent in the capital, Kigali. The rest are in the Western District of Karongi, where our Academy is based
Costs and admin
We ask each volunteer (youth or coach) to fundraise and donate a minimum of £2,850 including gift aid, which can be donated over a period of months before the trip
This donation covers the cost of sending a volunteer (travel, accommodation, food etc) - any surplus is used to fund our activities in Rwanda, mainly Karongi Football Academy
We will organise your travel - flights, accommodation, meals (excluding alcohol), travel around Rwanda and entrance to genocide memorials etc. Your group will be accompanied by experienced charity reps as your trip managers and guides
Individual travel Insurance and vaccinations are not included and are the responsibility of each volunteer to organise for themselves before the trip
Our Scottish team are all volunteers - no salary or expenses - though we do pay our Rwandan guides, coaches and translators
June ‘25
Our first trip specifically for youth players, and a fantastic success. 16x youth players, with a 50/50 male/female split, and 5 experienced coaches. Highlights included:
Connecting 4 sectors in the Karongi District with SPFL clubs Dundee United, Hearts, Hamilton, Hibs and Spartans
A session at Rubengera, future base of Karongi Football Academy
Past trips…
November ‘24
Organised at short notice for the Scottish FA, who had agreed to deliver 1.1 and 1.2 coach education to Rwandan coaches in Kigali. Joined by new clubs Rosyth and Salveson, as well as sponsors Saltire Roofing
Highlight of the trip included:
Seeing the new pitch at Bisesero
A plaque presented by Hearts FC to the newly renamed Bisesero Hearts FC!
Delivering training sessions for Mens Div 2 sides La Juennes FC (who top the league and were donated a full set of Hearts training kit) and Esperance FC
February ‘24
Several new clubs joined us in Feb 24. Highlights of this trip included:
Linking up with a kids football club in the Gikondo area of our guest house - Galactique
Seeing the first stages of the pitch project at Bisesero underway
Coaching sessions with Div 2 club La Jeunnes FC and Div 2 Womens Club Forever Women
Getting a pitch level sneak previw of the new national stadium
October 2022
Hearts returned to Rwanda in October 2022, along with the Scottish FA. Grass roots were represented by Tranent Colts, Spartans, Musselburgh Windsor, Gala Fairydean, Dalkeith Thistle, Currie FC and Gullane Athletic
Click here to see the full gallery from Oct ‘22
2020
Visited, and funds donated
Faith & Hope School, Gako Village, Bugesera
Batsinda ex-street children, Kigali
Supported Needs School, Kigali
Visited, with kit & equipment donated
Bisesero School
Good News Rwanda
2016
The original trip organised by Mark Fleming, with Tranent Colts