The third and latest addition to the internationally accredited Singita Community Culinary Schools (SCCSs) has just opened in Rwanda, where it is set to make a significant difference to the future prospects of talented individuals from local communities.
With this flagship initiative already empowering up-and-coming commis chefs in South Africa and Tanzania, students at the new campus will now emerge with sought-after skills and strong employment prospects upon graduating from the professional culinary arts course.
Run in partnership with Muhabura Integrated Polytechnic College (MIPC), the Rwanda SCCS is located at the MIPC campus in Musanze close to Singita Volcanoes National Park (SVNP).
After an upgrade and renovation of the teaching kitchen and theory classroom at the MIPC in July 2021, the very first intake of students embarked their year-long course. The first class of ten students will graduate in June 2022, fully prepared and armed with the practical and theoretical knowledge to succeed as they embark on promising careers in hospitality. While tourism in Rwanda is burgeoning, luxury hospitality jobs are hard to come by, especially in remote areas such as Musanze.
“It has been a dream to open a Singita Community Culinary School in Rwanda. Rwanda’s government has been promoting vocational training that leads to jobs, and the SCCS is well-aligned with that. Having this opportunity so close to Volcanoes National Park (VNP) means a lot to the local community – and it also contributes to Singita’s long-term purpose.”
– Claudine Tuyishime, Conservation & Community Officer at SVNP