Reflections from Team Rwanda 2025: Student volunteers making a global impact
28 Aug 2025
The University’s flagship overseas volunteering project has come to a bittersweet end, as the 2025 cohort returned from a month of volunteering in beautiful Rwanda.
Equipped with a diverse range of skills from across multiple disciplines, thirteen undergraduate students took part in the project, working alongside Rwandan volunteers to support our partner organisation, Azizi Life, in delivering projects themed around community research, digital media, and storytelling. They also explored new business ideas for Azizi Life’s site in Byimana, Rwanda.
The trip was documented on the Team Rwanda blog, with each student contributing a post about their experience. One student reflected:
“As part of the Data Gathering team, I spent each day in the village. It was challenging work at times, but what made it so meaningful were the people we worked alongside. Every household welcomed us with smiles and friendly conversation that made us feel included and at ease.”
The group was supported by Success and Development graduate intern Soumya Singh, as part of a pilot initiative that saw a staff member travel with the team. She shared:
“The best part about Rwanda was, without a doubt, the people. I’ve built friendships that I’ll value forever! I was fortunate to work with an incredible team of students – so hardworking, dedicated, and always willing to go above and beyond for their projects. I’m truly grateful to have been part of the project and thankful to everyone who was in it with me, including the amazing Azizi Life staff and both the University of Manchester and Rwandan volunteers.”
Before travelling, the Team Rwanda students also undertook fundraising efforts, raising over £5,000 to support Azizi Life’s rollout of new water filters in the rural communities they serve.
The Volunteering and Awards team will now evaluate the impact of this year’s trip and begin preparations for the final Team Rwanda cohort in summer 2026 – while also scoping out the next chapter of our overseas volunteering programme.
As we begin a new academic year, Team Rwanda is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact student volunteering can have - not only on the communities we support, but on the students themselves.
- If you're interested in supporting future overseas volunteering initiatives or learning more about how these experiences shape our students, the Volunteering and Awards team would love to hear from you.