Franz Schwegler, former hotelier of a four-star superior hotel in Zermatt, was one of the first senior experts
to be on-site after the opening of the Sangira Hotel Talent School in Rwanda. With his knowledge, he helped
set up the Talents Bakery and the restaurant. In his report, he shares the challenges and accomplishments
he experienced along the way.

A field report by Franz Schwegler: Establishing the Sangira School

In November and December 2022, I worked as the first senior expert at the Sangira Hotel Talent School in Nyamasheke. My focus was on practical training in the areas of kitchen, service, housekeeping, and reception. The school had just opened, and my goal was to set up a simple kitchen and restaurant. With a budget of CHF 3’000, we achieved this in less than two weeks.

Impressions and challenges

Like many others, I had preconceived notions before travelling to Rwanda for the first time. However, the country surprised me in a positive way – despite the poverty, the people exude an incredible joy for life. Together with Jackie, Bobito, Christian (the school director), and the local team, we were able to hold classes within a few weeks, which was a significant achievement for me. One of the most beautiful aspects is witnessing the people’s joy – be it while singing and praying before school or while working in the kitchen.

The importance of Swiss Support

Every young person who graduates from the Sangira Hotel Talent School with a diploma and secures a job is a success story. Since the school was founded in October 2022, around 350 young people had this opportunity. This demonstrates how crucial international support, including from Switzerland, is for the project.

Find out more about the Sangira project in our “Brotzeitung”.