Stories

Listening to our customers in Rwanda with Play Verto

Alight's partnership with Play Verto is part of our commitment to co-creating services by listening to displaced communities in Rwanda and addressing key concerns like security, employment, and health.

Alight staff member and Rwandan customers

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Co-creating services with displaced communities is crucial because no one understands their needs better than they do. This is why, for Alight, listening to those we serve isn’t a checkbox exercise after a project; it’s the very foundation of our approach. Our recent collaboration with Play Verto, a gamified data-collection platform, is another chapter in this commitment. In a pilot project, Play Verto gathered feedback from 725 displaced people across two refugee camps in Rwanda, providing us with unfiltered insights about Alight’s service and its impact.

While 73% of respondents felt that Alight listens and adapts to the needs of individuals and communities, this initiative wasn’t about seeking validation; it was about growth. The most meaningful outcomes were those that highlighted areas where we could improve.

How would you rate the quality of service received from Alight Rwanda in comparison to other NGOs?
73%: Higher quality services by Alight Rwanda; 19%: Similar quality; 6%: Lower quality

For instance, respondents expressed that security remained a top concern, reminding us that perceptions of safety and well-being vary and cannot be assumed. Play Verto’s survey results shed light on other areas of concern as well. In addition to the 14% that chose security when asked which three things were most important to them, respondents cited employment, physical health, and financial resources 13% for each. Other significant responses included “Being together with family,” “education,” and “food and accommodation.” As a result, we are now beginning to explore how to respond to these concerns.

Which THREE of these things are most important to you right now?

14%: Security; 13%: Employment; 13%: Physical health; 13%: Financial resources; other concerns included “Being together with family,” “education,” and “food and accommodation.”

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The feedback on our overall service quality also provided insights. When asked to rate the Alight Rwanda programs from 1 to 10, 17% of respondents rated us a perfect 10, 21% rated us a 9, and 25% an 8. Yet, 31% rated us a 7 or below, revealing that there is room for improvement, and reinforcing the importance of continuing to listen and adapt. Encouragingly, the vast majority—94%—would recommend our programs to others, with 39% already having done so and 55% indicating they definitely would.  

From 1 to 10, how do you rate the Alight Rwanda programs that have supported you?

17%: 10; 21%: 9; 25%: 8; 31%: 7 or less

The feedback on our overall service quality also provided insights. When asked to rate the Alight Rwanda programs from 1 to 10, 17% of respondents rated us a perfect 10, 21% rated us a 9, and 25% an 8. Yet, 31% rated us a 7 or below, revealing that there is room for improvement, and reinforcing the importance of continuing to listen and adapt. Encouragingly, the vast majority—94%—would recommend our programs to others, with 39% already having done so and 55% indicating they definitely would.  

Would you recommend Alight Rwanda programs to other people?

39%: I already have; 55%: Yes, definitely; 3%: Not sure yet 0%: No

Why is all this listening so important? Because Alight’s mission in Rwanda extends beyond mere humanitarian assistance. Since 1994, we’ve been committed to rebuilding lives, supporting displaced people from Congo and Burundi as well as their Rwandan host communities. Our work spans health center management, gender-based violence prevention, support for teen mothers, and more. Our goal isn’t to dictate needs, but to learn what these are and co-create services in ways that acknowledge the dignity and agency of the people they serve.

Listening is a continuous commitment to challenging our own assumptions. By listening closely, we discover each community's unique priorities and learn how best to respond, as those closest to the issues are best positioned to shape effective solutions.

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