Umuganda - A Process to Beautify Rwanda...

I made a promise to blog about Umuganda, and I admit it's really an interesting topic to share.  Umuganda is the Kinyarwanda word meaning 'contribution.'  Researching the issue, I found a blog from the excellent organization Kiva (www.kiva.org), and given my shortage of time, I will re-produce some of that blog here, for a former Kiva Fellow working in Rwanda (for the original post, go here).

In Rwanda, there is a mandatory community service day from 7:00am to noon on the last Saturday of each month.  The day is called Umuganda, meaning “contribution”.  The start of this practice predates colonial times and is still practiced today.  All able bodied persons over the age of 18 are expected to participate in volunteer community work.  Participation in Umuganda is usually supervised by a manager, or Umudugudu, who oversees a group of households (usually between 50 and 150).  Not participating in Umuganda without authorization can lead to a fine or arrest.

On this day, business activity halts, no public transportation operates, and people are seen everywhere working.  Most commonly people participate by cleaning streets, cutting grass and trimming bushes along roads, or repairing public buildings.  People with skills may offer their services for free on this day.  For example, doctors may offer free medical service and teachers may offer free classes.  Similar to microfinance, Umuganda helps to further economic development and makes the country less dependent on donor contributions.

The benefits of Umuganda are not merely economic.  The day is intended to build community involvement and strengthen connections between people.  Also, since everyone is expected to work, it gives people a chance to come in contact with all members of the community.  One benefit of this is that people can access authorities and inquire or voice opinion about various issues.

Okay - back to me now...

I admit, I have not participated in Umuganda activities, yet, but I will.  Should we do this in the States?  You bet!  Before I leave, I'll get more information, including a little research on the laws, and penalties for not participating, and share it with ya'll.

Musanze, Pt. 2 – Work Ethic

There are many things in Rwanda that will leave a lasting impression after I return to the U.S.  Among these this is the impressive work ethic among Rwandans.  Sure, you’ll find the average slouch here and there, but I must say overall this is a hard-working people.

This strong work ethic was again evident to me on my recent trip to Musanze (in the northern province).  As a little background, recently the Government of Rwanda ordered that Rwandans could no longer live in grass-thatched huts, and would have to build more modern houses.  The theory is that newer houses will be better equipped to support the fast-building infrastructure (electricity, water, etc.).  So, in villages all across Rwanda, there are houses that need to be built.

While outside Musanze, and on a hike up the highest peak in the area (see previous post), we came upon a man building his new house.  He wasn’t a young man, we can say, and the work looked tiring at best.  But it was truly a sight – rows of mud-bricks drying in the hot equatorial sun in front of the makings of a modest village home.  (In this part of the country, the mud is particularly good for fabricating and sun-drying bricks for home building).  I was immediately impressed by his work, especially because the walk up to his house alone was enough for me to pray that a Red Bull energy drink would fall to me from the heavens!

By way of background, the Government of Rwanda adopted a program to eliminate Nyakatsi - the grass-thatched huts in Rwanda.  The plan is to have al Rwandans in more more modern style dwellings.  Was was particularly striking here was the Nayakatsi in the background here, behind the new house being built.

I asked if I could take a picture, which is the customary and polite thing to do.  He jokingly said that I could if I gave him money or beer, but stoically posed for the shot.  (Notice the grass hut in the background.)

A couple weeks later I spoke to the friend I visited, who is working and living in a village outside Musanze.  I asked her about the village’s Umuganda activities (Umuganda, the last Saturday of the month, when all Rwandans mandatorily participate in community service from the morning to early afternoon).  She said that the villagers were building houses – 15 houses!  By the time she left at 1pm one house was complete, and the others were on their way.

I learn more about life, and the human condition, with each day I am in Rwanda.  And what I learn continues to impress me.