Rwanda Travel Forum

Hey Everyone,

I am planning a trip to Kigali for 6 months or so.

I am also trying to learn french, and was wondering if they speak french there on a day to day basis, in the markets, shops etc? If I spoke to them in French, would I get a french response? I need volunteer work in an NGO, and people are telling me Kigali would be good for this, but if they don't speak french, I'll need to look elsewhere! But I love East Africa!

Thanks in advance, I'm so stuck, any vague information you have would be great!

Kate

Hi Kate, many people speak French, though English has been gaining influence im Rwanda. The local language is Kirwanda, but as you are white, most people will try to talk to you in either English or French. You are aware that the French spoken in Africa can be a bit different from what you might know from France, Belgium or Switzerland? If you are in Kigali, you should be fine, in rural areas people speak rarely more than a few words in foreign languages. If you plamn to wotk in Rwanda, it might be a bit difficult without speaking the local language, though (not to mention stuff like work permit etc. the economic crisis is hitting Africa these days as well, and the government clearly prefer it when Africans do the available jobs, not foreigners who want to save on their travel budget)

Hello, thank you for your help! However, as I am not expecting payment of any kind I am confused as to why it would occur to you I would simply be going to save money 'on my travel budget'. I would never seek to take a job of a local person , I am only seeking volunteer work to gain necessory experience.

Hi,Kate your well come to kigali.
Am a a rwandan by nationality, staying in kigali and it's where i work if you speak if french in kigali your likely to have an answer in french, most rwandans do speark french,enlish and kinyarwanda as their mother languege,so am ready to help you in those things you mentioned above.
You can contact me on this E-mail nockerus@yahoo.com for full contacts or you can send me yours on this site if you wish to.