Guiding in Rwanda began in 1962 with the help of members of the Guides Catholiques de Belgique. However, due to the lack of support from local leaders, interest in the Movement dwindled after independence later that year. In 1967, Guiding was revived as a branch of the Scout Association. The Girl Guides set up their own organization, the Fédération des Guides du Rwanda in 1972 with a small team responsible for administration.

The Federation was composed of two Associations, the Association des Guides Catholiques and the Association des Guides Protestantes. A proposal was made in 1974 to form a single association, and the first National Assembly accepted this idea two years later. In 1977, the Constitution was accepted at a general meeting, a permanent national team was appointed, and a work plan was drawn up. The Association des Guides du Rwanda (AGR) received official government recognition in 1980.

Unfortunately, many Rwandan girl guides were killed during the 1994 Tutsi Genocide, and obviously, the organization’s infrastructure was destroyed. Thanks to Pfadfinderinnenschaft St. Georg, the Guides Catholiques de Belgique and other partners, the AGR resumed its work in Rwanda in 1995. With the Peace Campaign (Campagne d’Action pour la Paix), the Guiding movement revived, reunited members and continued to empower girls, young women and the Rwandan community. In 2002, the AGR became a full member to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It currently has more than 15,000 active members.

Across all 30 Districts of Rwanda, more than 700 skilled volunteers deliver non-formal education, at the core of which is the empowerment of girls to understand the way that they can achieve positive change in their community

MEMBERS

The AGR currently counts over 16,000 members across the country, divided into four branches:

• Bergeronnettes: 5 – 12 years old
• Guides: 13 – 17 years old
• Routières: 18 – 35 years old
• Cadres/ Trefoil Guides: 36 years old and above