Mama Rwanda Hostel

A business that houses a mission.

Mama Rwanda Village connected guests, art, culture, vocational training and work experience for young adults in Kigali.

Our social enterprise story

Irembo Foundation rents a community center in Kigali that is home to the Mama Rwanda vocational program, together with a youth hostel that rents rooms to visitors.

The hostel and its coffee shop earn income for the vocational training program, and they are run by young adults who have completed the Irembo Youth program and its employment training. Visitors stay in Kigali, experience local art and culture, and see a social enterprise working all around them.

Arts and cultural retreats

Irembo retreats bring visitors to Rwanda for art, culture and connection — including cultural field trips, time with the children of Irembo, and a donation to Irembo Foundation as part of the experience. Cultural opportunities can include local accommodation and safaris.

Inside the hostel

Calm rooms decorated with Rwandan art and hand-woven baskets, a shared living room and dining room, and a balcony over the garden.

A double bedroom with a woven headboard, a landscape painting and a Rwandan basket on the wall

A double bedroom with African paintings, bedside lamps and a patterned bench

A double bedroom with patterned cushions, wall lights and a luggage rack

The dining room with a long wooden table and a woven pendant light

The TV lounge with a wooden cabinet and a floor lamp

Two chairs and a small coffee table on the balcony above the garden

The staircase lit by wall lamps, with woven baskets and a painting of three women

Book on Airbnb

Guests and retreats

Visitors from around the world have stayed with us, learned Rwandan dance, and spent time with the children of Irembo.

A visitor laughing with a group of Irembo children

Visitors learning a Rwandan dance on the rooftop

A group of guests with Bertrand Ishimwe in the guest lounge

A guest with Bertrand Ishimwe at the entrance

Two young visitors with Bertrand Ishimwe

A visitor sitting on the steps with Irembo children

Guests and the Irembo team at the opening of the community center

Visitors sitting with Irembo children outside the center

An Irembo team member welcoming visitors at the center

A visitor laughing with a Mama Rwanda trainee and an Irembo team member, with handmade bags behind them

Every stay supports training

The same building where guests stay is where mothers learn sewing, weaving and tailoring, and where young adults gain their first work experience.

About Mama Rwanda vocational training