Kigali, Rwanda, 2025

The cost of this trip for each volunteer is tax deductible donation of approximately $750.00.  You will be notified of the final cost as soon as possible.  Volunteers are also responsible for purchasing their international and domestic airfare from their home to our final destination of Kigali, Rwanda. 

About the trip:  In 2025, we have been invited to provide primary medical care and health education to patients in villages near Kigali, Rwanda, in partnership with a local school.  While this is GFR’s first trip to this area, your team leader has a great deal of experience working in this community.  You can expect to see, treat, and educate about parasites, malaria, scabies, and more.

Sustainability: We will provide community health education for patients and school staff on this trip.  In particular, parasites will be addressed with 48% of adults in Rwanda have a parasitic infection at any given time Education on scabies prevention, malaria prevention, and schistosomiasis prevention will also be important to improve health outcomes.   

About GFR: GFR has a long history of building and repairing schools, clinics, and community centers in areas where we provide care, as well as placing permanent drinking water treatment facilities in communities that have great need.  In 2022, we built a school in the Peruvian Amazon, and in 2023 we built a community center and orphanage in Liberia, in addition to completing the installation of water purification systems in India and Zambia as well as a water purification facility in Uganda. We will ensure their continued operation of these facilities in 2024 and will also be providing a new community center in the Peruvian Amazon in 2024.

Arrivals and Departures for the Medical/DentalTeam: Please arrive in Kigali, Rwanda (airport code KGL) on or before July 31, 2025.   Your GFR trip officially starts at a to be determined hotel and time.  Your team will hold 5 days of medical clinics with a rest/sightseeing day on August 3 about 1 hour from Kigali. Please see the “after the trip” section for more information on staying longer in Rwanda before making your flight arrangements.

What’s Included: This trip includes lodging, transportation, translators, water, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner within the official dates of the trip.  Most clinic supplies and any special projects are covered by GFR. In 2025, we are adding a $100 per person fee to cover the increased cost of medications and supplies.

What’s Not Included: Your international airfare, domestic airfare, snacks and drinks other than water, personal vaccines, and pre/post trip travel costs and expenses, trip insurance, transportation to and from the airport to hotels in Kigali, and any free day or post- trip adventures you wish to engage in while in Africa!

Important Information about this trip:  Walking on uneven ground is to be expected.  There may be times when you will need to work outside.  Lunch is provided but may be later than expected on occasion.  The weather will be mid-80s in the daytime and mid-60’s at night.  Rooms are dormitory-style and shared unless a single room is requested at additional cost. Please note that plastic bags are not allowed in Rwanda! We will be using paper packets for medications in clinic.  If you bring plastic bags of any kind (other than the 1 bag allowed for toiletries), they may/will be confiscated at the airport or other points of arrival.  

Cost: The cost of this trip is approximately $750.00 per person plus international and domestic airfare. You are responsible for purchasing airfare that meets the required arrival and departure times.  We always suggest giving yourself extra time for delayed or cancelled flights and that you purchase trip insurance from a reputable carrier.   This trip is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  You or your donors will receive a tax receipt upon making your donation.

How is your cost calculated?: At Global First Responder we strive to keep your costs low and our quality high.   We value your participation and willingness to volunteer your time and expertise. Everyone at Global First Responder is also a volunteer, donating their time to administrative tasks and paying their own way to participate in medical and construction missions around the world and here at home.  The fee you pay covers the actual cost of your expenses in country including lodging, transportation, meals, and translator fees and expenses. In 2025, we are adding a $100 general fee to each volunteer cover the increased costs of medications and supplies so that we can continue to provide excellent care for our patients.   At GFR, no one is paid a salary and everyone is a passionate volunteer, doing our part to help drive our mission of “One Global World, One Global Family”.

After the trip:  There is so much to do in Rwanda that it is hard for us to choose what to highlight for you!

If you are considering experiencing the famous Mountain Gorillas, you will need to act fast.  Permits sell out fast, especially in peak tourist season.  There are many options on line but don’t wait!  You can also do a “Big 5” safari at Akagera in one long day, seeing amazing animals by jeep and boat.

Click here to apply for this trip:  I want to join the Global First Responder team in Kigali, Rwanda!                                                                                                     

If this is your first time applying in our application system, please create a login and password.  You may use this login and password for all future trips you apply for (and we hope to see you on LOTS of GFR trips!!)

Itinerary (subject to change): 

July 31, 2025:  This is the arrival day for. your team.  The official start date of the trip is tomorrow, August 1, with an early departure to your clinic site.

You can arrive in Kigali any time prior to August 1.  You will need to make your own hotel and transportation arrangements.  Your team leader will notify you with information on the hotel and time to meet prior to the trip.

August 1, 2025:  You will meet your team at the time and location arranged by your team leader.  The drive to your clinic location and accommodation will take about 1 hour.  Upon arrival at your host location, you will have time to get settled and then have an orientation meeting.  After the meeting there will be time to organize and prepare for clinics.  Lodging and all meals are at this location for the week, with the exception of your free day, when lunch and dinner are on your own.   The accommodations for this team are dorm style and modern.

August 2 – August 4, 2025:  These are your first two days of clinic!  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are on site.  You can expect to see small children, the elderly, and everything in between.

August 5, 2025: Today is your free day!  There is a lot to do in Kigali, including a visit to the Genocide Museum.  Your team will be able to decide the plan for the day or you can just kick back and rest up.

August 6-7, 2025:  These are your last 2 days of clinic.

August 8, 2025:  Today is your departure day.  Transportation has been arranged for the return to Kigali. We hope that you will stay longer to explore more of Rwanda, including a safari and/or a visit to the famous mountain gorillas!