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
Owner & Managing Director
As a long-time entrepreneur in the language travel and internship placement sector, I am the owner and managing director of Neza Rwanda. I am now able to bring all my experience and acquired skills to bear in our travel agency. My passion is getting to know people, nurturing their talents, and helping them gain new experiences — for young and old alike. My training in coaching and leadership informs my work every day, particularly in networking and supporting investors who wish to establish a business in Rwanda. Languages and cultures fascinate me: in addition to German, I speak English, French, Spanish, Italian, and a little Kinyarwanda. Through numerous trips to Rwanda, I have come to love the country, its culture and its people, and I now consider it my second home.
Victoria
Head of Administration
After studying cultural studies and completing training in the travel industry, I am able to bring my passion for travel, people, and cultures to my work every day. Discovering new places and meeting people from different backgrounds has been a source of inspiration for me for many years. At Neza Rwanda, I am responsible for administration and handle all organizational and administrative matters related to our travel bookings. I also organize internships for students in vocational training — both in Rwanda and in Dublin.
I am the mother of two sons. In my free time, I am particularly interested in photography, nature, and animals — passions that combine wonderfully with travel.
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.