Summary: Big James
I started this trip with open eyes and an element of trepidation as I am not a cricket coach; but have a passion for the game.
I was out of my depth at times esp when 400 primary school children were running at us.. but i persevered and with the help of an amazing close knit team of people I can now call friends I got through it.
Highlights of the trip include meeting and playing cricket with the disabled children at Love With Actions (see previous post) and playing cricket in the rain with a group of girls who didn’t care less about the rain and were just enjoying cricket.
I was more in my area of expertise (as an umpire) when we ran festivals as was able to “officiate” over the short matches.
The country is beautiful and perfectly safe. We learnt the basic Rwandan words needed to survive and that we are “muzungos”. Everyone stares at us; especially in rural Rwanda where not a lot of white people visit.
We’ve hob nobbed with foreign office ministers and staff as well as other country embassy staff and prominent business people in Africa, during a drinks party at the UK High Commission. All of which was to bring attention to cricket in Rwanda and Cricket Without Boundaries and hopefully opened a lot of doors for Rwandan Cricket going forward.
We’ve all suffered from “Rwandan Revenge” at times; sadly two of our team were down for a few days with a bug, but we persevered as close knit teams do and the children did not miss out.
I’ve learnt I don’t want to be a cricket coach going forward. But I love the game; and loved giving up my time to come on this trip; meeting so many wonderfully enthusiastic children, teachers and colleagues at the Rwandan Cricket Association. I will remain involved with Cricket Without Boundaries and continue my own journey in the game (umpiring and umpiring tutoring/developing), inspired my thousands of Rwandan children who just don’t too smiling, laughing and singing!
Summary: James M
As the second week is coming to a close, my time in Africa has overall been amazing. Even through illness and the blaring heat it has been one of the best experiences of my life. It has been such a thrill to see so many children enjoy cricket and to be able to play it.
I have picked up many skills from this and it has definitely put things into perspective about life and how lucky we are as people. I would highly recommend going out with CWB to volunteer and if not, definitely get a trip over to visit Rwanda as it is a beautiful country!
Summary: Nathan
I’m not sure I’m ready to write a final testimonial for the last 2 weeks as I really don’t think I’ve had time enough to process what we’ve achieved and how much we’ve done in that short space of time. Sat here writing this I can’t believe that 2 weeks ago today I was sat on a bus excited about the prospect of a new adventure and what an adventure it has been!
I’ve made friendships that I hope will last a lifetime with the fantastic team that previously had never met, coached over 4000 children who will hopefully go forward and enjoy what cricket can give them in terms of enjoyment, fun and playing as a team and had tears of happiness when we visited schools that filled my heart with joy.
Many things are difficult to put into words and this experience is definitely one of those but I will never forget my 2 weeks here and the memories I have enjoyed ❤
Summary: Aarin
Reflecting on an Unforgettable Two Weeks in Rwanda
As my incredible two weeks in Rwanda draw to a close, I am filled with gratitude and reflection on an experience that has been nothing short of unforgettable. From the very first moment, this journey has been bursting with smiles, laughter, and excitement, creating memories that I will cherish forever. It’s almost surreal to think that just two weeks ago, I was that young, eager kid, full of anticipation and ready to embrace whatever lay ahead — and what a journey it has truly been.
Traveling with five extraordinary companions, I have shared some of the most cherished moments of my life. Together, we navigated new challenges, celebrated small victories, and embraced the joy of discovery throughout this beautiful country. The friendships formed during these weeks are deep and meaningful — they have grown stronger with every shared meal, every mile travelled across Rwanda’s hills, and every cricket session filled with energy and determination. The laughter and support we’ve exchanged along the way have made this trip not only a professional achievement but a profoundly personal and joyful experience. These are friendships I know will last a lifetime.
I am immensely grateful to the RCA coaches who have been our guides and mentors through this adventure, patiently supporting us as we worked our way across Rwanda’s rolling landscape. Their expertise, kindness, and dedication have helped us to not only coach the game we love but also immerse ourselves in the Rwandan way of life. Without their help, this trip would not have been nearly as rewarding.
Beyond cricket, this journey has given me a deep appreciation for Rwanda’s rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Experiencing the beauty of this land and its people has been inspiring and humbling. Watching cricket take root and flourish here has been a highlight — seeing children, teachers, and national players all embrace the game with passion and pride is truly heartwarming.
These two weeks have brought me immense joy, growth, and connection. I will carry the lessons learned, the friendships made, and the memories created with me forever. Rwanda has left an indelible mark on my heart, and I leave with a sense of fulfilment and anticipation for what lies ahead, both in cricket and beyond.
In the wise words of Edward our driver – “Many Many Traffic”
Summary: Ben
On the 26th of September 2025 I embarked on a trip with five strangers, our destination: Rwanda.
Our aim was to introduce cricket to as many children as we could in two weeks – so, armed with varying levels of coaching experience, a few bags of balls, plastic kit and a combined love of cricket – we set about our mission.
The two weeks that followed surpassed any expectations… those strangers became family, the days flew by, kit got dirty, balls got lost (maybe pinched) and Rwanda became home. It’s extraordinary how a Nation with such a painful and powerful history has been able to transform themselves into a leading light of Africa.
We started off in Karongi, a rural town near Lake Kivu. There we coached girls and boys between the ages of 6 – 18 (I think – some may have pushing 25). No matter who we met we were greeted with warmth and smiles, our time flew by and the incredible Rwandan Cricket Association (RCA) coaches Freddy and Manasseh couldn’t have done their jobs better. Freddy in particular went above and beyond to make our endeavours as smooth and successful as possible.
The next eight days were spent in Kigali, a very proud and bustling city full of energy. We visited more schools, spent time at the National Cricket stadium, had drinks at the British High Commission, enjoyed a lot of traffic, laughed and cried. There were some inspirational moments and we met some special, special people, none more so than the disabled school ‘Love with Actions’ – a definite highlight for the group.
In my eyes the last two weeks have been a great success, we coached and introduced the game of cricket to over 4,000 children, saw it being played with energy, enthusiasm and skill and most importantly saw the positive values cricket can offer on display. A special mention must go to our heroic driver Eddy who is an inspirational, caring and entertaining man. Not forgetting Freddy, Eric and the rest of the staff at RCA who made the trip so fun and smooth.
Words can’t describe how much I’ve enjoyed this trip, I’ve grown as a person, made friends for life and memories I will cherish. Thank you to Cricket Without Boundaries for the opportunity and thank you to the people of Rwanda. I’ll see you soon!
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