Better Tourism for Better Lives.

About the Muhasuka Cultural Centre

We created Muhasuka Cultural Centre to share the joy and beauty of our country with people from around the world while building on the strength and sustainability of our local environment and the beautiful people who live and work here.

Together we can:

  • Empower women and youth with economic opportunities to break the chain of poverty in their families

  • Make women key partners of development in their community - leading with confidence, hope, and dignity

  • Change mindset and behaviors to support environmental protection and sanitation

  • Make sure community-based tourism is a great partner in protecting our culture and environment

  • Provide counselling and social  justice advocacy to the most vulnerable women and their families as needed and possible

To achieve this mission, we work with women and youth in the villages of Vunga and Shyira to develop all programing to share and preserve culture, protect our natural environment, and develop sustainable economic livelihoods for people in this unique rural area.

This includes:

  • Environmentally sensitive cultural tourism and outdoor adventures led by local youth and incorporating village residents eager to welcome guests and share traditions

  • Women’s weaving and embroidery cooperative, where local women are trained and employed so they can meet the needs of their families while creating beautiful products

  • Homesteading activities (animal husbandry and beekeeping), to support environmental sustainability, improved nutrition, and additional income for village residents

A Message from the Muhasuka Cultural Centre Founder

My name is Isaac Nsengiyumva, born in 1996 in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda, Co-Founder of Muhasuka Cultural Centre and Tourism (MCCT). My inspiration to create the MCCT came from the hardships I experienced through my past and the strength I found in community to build a positive path forward.

I was born one of two children in my family. My father died in 1997 and my mother died in 2001 when I was only 6 years old. From there my sister and I faced many years of struggle. There was no property or money left from my parents’ death and we were sent to stay at a relative’s home until 2010. Life there was hard, we received no parental care and were not able to attend school. In January 2010, I started seeking another shelter for my sister to no success. Finally in 2013, I found a poor abandoned house and began to stay there living a street life. In 2014, I met some foreigners who were interested in my help to learn about Musanze. Although I did not know any English at the time, I tried to talk with them using signs and slowly began learning a little English. With the help from one of the friends I was able to go back to school and studied Tourism in high school as a way to share the community I love so much with other people.

With Muhasuka Cultural Centre my goal is to work in a way that changes other people’s lives, especially the most vulnerable women and orphans living in and around Vunga village.

My life history became courage and strength to change my life and life of others to be better! This is why I created MCCT. I invite you to join me in celebrating and strengthening my community.

 Isaac