Rwandan youth take Umuganda to Germany

Rwandans living in Cologne and Munich have introduced Umuganda, a Rwandan traditional community service, in the two German cities with a view to support the needy.

Monday, February 27, 2012
Amb. Christine Nkurikiyinka presenting her credence letter to Hungarian President Pu00e1l Schmitt last week. The New Times / Courtesy.

Rwandans living in Cologne and Munich have introduced Umuganda, a Rwandan traditional community service, in the two German cities with a view to support the needy.The Rwandan mission in Berlin says Rwandans in Germany initiated a collective service initiative, modeled on Umuganda, for the neediest people living within their neighborhoods.Rwandan peacekeepers have previously introduced Umuganda in Darfur and Haiti.According to the embassy, the objective was also to show that the Rwandan culture had something to offer to a developed country.The initiative, which started last month, is a brain child of a group of Rwandan youth, grouped under what is called ‘Ruanda Connection.’ Through the initiative, the group has thrown its support behind social projects that support the neediest people. "On Friday evening Rwandan youth living in Cologne helped prepare a meal for homeless people. Their counterparts in Berlin also cared for the needy people and distributed warm soups in a soup kitchen,” reads part of a statement from the Embassy."Members of the Rwandan community in Munich renovated a cultural centre on Sunday. A pleasant surprise for the youth in Berlin was the participation of Ambassador Christine Nkulikiyinka along with members of her family who donated food to the homeless.”Meanwhile, last Wednesday, the envoy presented her letter of credence to Pál Schmitt, President of the Republic of Hungary. After presenting her credentials, the two discussed possible areas of bilateral cooperation and expressed the need to strengthen bilateral ties.