Excitement, curiosity and laughter filled Zaria Court Hotel Tapestry Collection by Hilton on May 14 as 25 pupils from École Primaire APPEK Kamuhoza visited the facility for the first time, taking part in sports, wellness activities and guided experiences that many described as unforgettable. The visit, organised by Zaria Court Hotel as part of the hotel’s corporate social responsibility initiative, introduced the children to hotel life through interactive sessions focused on recreation, wellness and learning. ALSO READ: Zaria Court Kigali now open as part of Tapestry Collection by Hilton The football pitch quickly became the highlight of the day for many of the learners. “I was very happy because I played football. It was my first time coming here and I really enjoyed it,” said Grace Juliane Namwezi Ineza, a Primary Six pupil. The children started with a guided gym session, where they were introduced to fitness equipment and healthy lifestyle habits, before touring the hotel and heading to the multipurpose court and children’s play area. Lucky Alpha Imena Gatete, 12, said the experience gave him a chance to discover something completely new. “They first showed us the gym and explained the equipment. After that, we played games and enjoyed ourselves. What made me happiest was discovering a new place,” he said. ALSO READ: Inside Zaria Court’s $25m sports complex Some pupils said that the visit turned out to be very different from what they had imagined. Before visiting, Cody Jayson Shami thought Zaria Court was a courtroom. “When I first heard the name, I thought it was a place where people go for legal cases,” he said with a laugh. “But when I arrived, I found a place for fun and sports. I enjoyed playing football the most, and the pitch is better than the one at school.” Beyond the excitement of the games, some pupils said the experience opened their minds to bigger possibilities. Sandra Irakoze Uwase, 11, said the visit showed her the kind of facilities that exist in Rwanda and inspired her own ambitions. “We played freely and had fun. I learned that Rwanda has many beautiful places like this. One day, I would like to have a place like this too so I can help others enjoy it,” she said. The initiative also aimed to give young learners exposure to environments and career possibilities they may not normally encounter, helping broaden their understanding of opportunities within Rwanda’s growing hospitality and sports sectors. Teachers who accompanied the pupils said the visit was about more than recreation. Peter Nduwayo, a Primary Six teacher at École Primaire APPEK Kamuhoza, said such exposure helps learners connect classroom knowledge to real-world experiences. “They learned through play, teamwork and interaction. Experiences like this build confidence and curiosity,” he said. The pupils, most of whom are among the top performers in their classes, ended the visit with refreshments at the hotel’s sports bar before heading back to school. Zaria Court management said the initiative was designed to expose children to new environments and inspire them to dream bigger. “We wanted them to enjoy themselves, but also to discover what a hotel is and what opportunities exist here. Maybe among them is a future chef, manager or general manager,” said Walid Choubana, Zaria Court’s General Manager. He added that the hotel has plans to continue organising similar community-based initiatives. “This is part of our commitment to giving back. We believe inspiration starts early, and we want children to know that with hard work, everything is possible,” he said.
