Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Answers about Dream Village Rwanda programs, services, partnerships, volunteering,and youth opportunities.

Everything You Need to Know About Dream Village Rwanda

Clear answers about our work, programs, and how to get involved.

Dream Village Rwanda works across health care, youth empowerment, and sustainable development to support young people across Rwanda.

This FAQ page answers common questions from:

– young people and families
– donors and partners
– volunteers and interns
– researchers and institutions
– community members

If you cannot find the answer you need, please contact our team directly.

About Dream Village Rwanda

Dream Village Rwanda is Rwanda’s leading youth-led organization delivering a proven peer-driven system that improves HIV outcomes, transforms behavior, and creates economic independence for vulnerable young people. Founded in 2016, we are NGOsource ED-certified (equivalent to US public charity status) and deeply integrated into Rwanda’s national health system, operating across 12 health facilities in 3 Kigali districts.

Dream Village Rwanda was founded in 2016 by Norman Manzi, the organization’s Founder and Director. Norman’s vision recognized young people living with HIV not as victims or beneficiaries, but as agents of social change capable of leading transformation in their communities.

Dream Village Rwanda was founded in 2016. In 2019, we launched our flagship CATS model and opened the Rwanda Nook Hub. We have continuously expanded since then, becoming a first-time Global Fund grantee in 2025 and a strategic partner of Plan International Rwanda for their 2026-2030 country strategy.

Yes. Dream Village Rwanda is officially registered as NGO No. 237/RGB/NGO/LP/06/2018 with the Government of Rwanda. We are also ED-certified by NGOsource, which is equivalent to being recognized as a US public charity. This certification ensures our legitimacy and accountability to international standards.

Dream Village’s vision is: “A Rwanda where adolescents and young people living with HIV are empowered as social change agents.” We believe young people should be recognized as leaders and changemakers, not passive beneficiaries.

Dream Village primarily operates in Kigali, Rwanda, across 12 health facilities in 3 districts: Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge. We also implement the Global Fund AGYW program in Rwamagana, Kayonza, and Kamonyi districts. Our headquarters is in Gasabo District, Kigali.

Dream Village serves 3,500+ young people annually across all programs. In Q1 2025 alone, we served 2,896 young people through various health, empowerment, and agriculture interventions. These numbers continue to grow as we expand our partnerships and programs.

Dream Village uniquely combines youth-led execution, government integration, and proven health outcomes in a single organization. We operate at the center of Rwanda’s health system (not at the margins), we are endorsed by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, we sit on Technical Working Groups influencing national policy, and we achieve 84% viral suppression rates. No other organization in Rwanda combines all these elements.

Health & HIV Services

CATS stands for Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters. It is a peer-led HIV treatment and prevention model where young people living with HIV (aged 18-30) are trained as health workers to provide peer counseling, adherence support, home visits, and psychosocial care to other young people living with HIV aged 0-27. The model is adapted from Zvandiri in Zimbabwe and has been endorsed by Rwanda’s Ministry of Health for national scaling.

Yes. HIV-related services for young people are provided free of charge.

Services include:

– peer counseling
– treatment adherence support
– mental health support
– home visits
– SRHR support
– comprehensive sexuality education

Viral suppression means HIV treatment is effectively reducing the amount of virus in the body.

Dream Village currently reports an average viral suppression rate of 84% among supported youth.

Yes. Young people diagnosed with HIV are linked to care and peer support quickly.

Youth Empowerment & Skills Training

Programs include welding, tailoring, fashion design, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and digital learning.

SOYEE Hub is a vocational training initiative focused on employment and entrepreneurship for youth.

Rwanda Nook Hub is a digital self-learning and innovation center supporting youth skills development.

Some graduates receive startup kits and equipment support depending on the program.

Programs are open to youth seeking economic opportunity and skills development.

Agriculture & Skills Training

Programs include moringa production, agroforestry, organic farming, and vocational agriculture training.

The moringa program supports nutrition, health, and income generation through sustainable agriculture.

Yes. Training is open to participants with different levels of experience.

Agroforestry combines trees and crops to improve soil health, sustainability, and productivity.

Joining Programs

You can contact Dream Village directly or visit one of the partner facilities or training sites.

Many health-related services are free. Some training programs may include small participation fees.

Dream Village primarily serves children, adolescents, and young adults.

No. While some health programs focus on HIV care, many empowerment and agriculture programs are open to broader youth populations.

Volunteering & Internships

Yes. Volunteer opportunities are available across health, empowerment, agriculture, and communications programs.

Yes. Internship opportunities are periodically available for students and recent graduates.

Currently, internships are unpaid but provide practical experience, mentorship, and professional exposure.

Yes. Volunteers and interns may receive certificates upon successful completion.

Donations & Partnerships

You can support through donations, partnerships, volunteering, advocacy, or in-kind contributions.

Dream Village is NGOsource ED-certified, supporting tax-deductible giving for eligible international donors.

Yes. Dream Village works with NGOs, government institutions, donors, universities, and private sector partners.

Through monitoring systems, reporting, audited financial processes, and accountability mechanisms.

Government Partnerships & Strategic Collaborations

Yes. Dream Village works closely with government institutions including the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), Ministry of Health, and district health systems.

Yes. Dream Village participates in national HIV prevention, care, and treatment structures, including Technical Working Groups and national strategic initiatives.

The Rwanda Biomedical Centre has endorsed Dream Village’s peer-led CATS model and supports its integration into youth-friendly HIV services.

Yes. Dream Village implements AGYW (Adolescent Girls and Young Women) programs supported through national systems and Global Fund mechanisms.

Dream Village collaborates with organizations including Plan International Rwanda, Health Development Initiative (HDI), Zvandiri/Africaid, Segal Family Foundation, and others.

Yes. Dream Village welcomes partnerships focused on youth health, empowerment, agriculture, education, research, and systems strengthening.

Yes. Dream Village works with international donors, bilateral agencies, philanthropic foundations, and technical partners supporting youth-led development.

Yes. Dream Village supports research, operational learning, student engagement, and evidence-generation partnerships.

Companies can support through sponsorships, CSR initiatives, employee volunteering, equipment donations, and strategic partnerships.

Organizations partner with Dream Village because of its:

– youth-led model
– government integration
– proven HIV outcomes
– community trust
– scalable systems approach

Dream Village maintains transparent reporting systems, program monitoring, financial accountability, and regular communication with partners and donors.

Organizations can contact Dream Village directly through the Partnerships page or Contact page to explore collaboration opportunities.

Still Have Questions?

Our team is ready to help.

If you need additional information about programs, services, partnerships, or opportunities, please contact Dream Village Rwanda directly.

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