Über uns | Neza Rwanda

About us

Neza Rwanda ("beautiful Rwanda" in Kinyarwanda), was created by the idea of connecting the two countries. To create a bridge between Rwanda and Switzerland, to bring people and cultures together and to allow an exchange to learn from each other.

Jackie Helfenberger

As a tourism and language travel professional, entrepreneur for many years in the field of language travel and internship placement, I can now use all my learned skills and experience in the company. I fulfill my passion to get to know people and to support them in their talents, as well as to enable them to have new experiences, by guiding tours and arranging internships for young and old. The training in coaching and leadership flows into my everyday life as a networker. Advising and guiding investors who are setting up a business in Rwanda. My multicultural side also shows in my love for languages, I speak English, French, Spanish, Italian and a bit of Kinyarwanda.

Eliane Aregger

Bachelor's degree in tourism, major in sustainability and international development.
I love creating experiences, especially authentic journeys where you have the chance to connect with the local population. Meeting each other with respect, immersing oneself in a different culture and getting back home with lots of impressions and inspiration.

The aim is to create added value for the local population through local tourism and to ensure visitors an memorable journey with many stories, encounters and impressions from Rwanda.

Background

It is also known as the land of "1000 hills". Rwanda is the pearl in the heart of East Africa, a country spoiled by natural beauty. Kigali, the political, as well as economic center of Rwanda, connects the new and the old world with modern facilities, art, culture and its lived African traditions. Nature lovers are also delighted by the tropical vegetation, in higher areas the lush green jungle forests and in the national parks by the still worldwide unique mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, leopards and zebras.

Since the emergency and recovery period following the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has made significant socio-economic progress, with economic growth rates among the fastest in the world and a significant reduction in poverty.

Development has improved living conditions for Rwandan women throughout the country. Life expectancy has increased from 49 years in 2000 to 66.6 years in 2017. Poverty has decreased significantly from 60.4% in 2000 to 38.2% in 2016/2017 and extreme poverty from 40% to 16% in the same period. Infant and child mortality has been reduced by over 70%. Free universal primary education was introduced and extended to a 12-year cycle.

Rwanda has the potential to develop knowledge-based sectors, building on its strong governance and the large investments already made.

These include the nationwide expansion of the fiber optic network and the rapid adoption of ICT, as well as a well-maintained and growing road network in urban and rural areas. Socioeconomic transformation in the country is being driven as the labor force shifts from agriculture to services and industry with higher productivity. With nearly 70% of the labor force still engaged in agriculture, the potential for productivity gains through structural transformation, urbanization and industrialization is significant.

However, Rwanda is not only known for its genocide and poverty; the entrepreneurial women who had to act after the genocide to feed their children are also impressive. Meanwhile, Rwanda has made it to No. 6 in the world gender equality rankings. This is because women are considered by the constitution to have at least 60% in government and have equal rights to men.