Umuganda is a programme that gives Rwandans accessible opportunities to build, improve and strengthen their communities and country. Through planting trees, cleaning streets, cutting grass and building houses, the programme offers a variety of neighborhood enriching tasks for its members. The programme takes place on the last Saturday of every month from 8:00am-11:00pm, and during those hours, everything from businesses to public transportation ideally is limited, and community service becomes the country’s priority. I participated in Umuganda a few months back and I thought it would be an awesome experience; not only to give back to the community, but also to feel a sense of unity with my fellow countrymen and women. The day of, I joined the members at 8:30am to find them already hard at work cleaning a sidewalk littered with dirt and garbage. The group was composed of predominantly male residents as well as a handful of women. I quickly found that the work was much more difficult than it looked. It was a great work out, if I do say so myself. As I looked around, I couldn’t help but notice that the majority of participants that Saturday were from a particular demographic—the lower income class of the community— which raised the questions: where are the rest of the residents? Where are the youth, middle and high-income families? The Umuganda participant body should reflect these communities as well, as the programme benefits Rwandans of all walks of life. It’s one thing to create a great idea or cause, but leading by example through action is equally, if not more important in the implementing process, and while visionaries are a necessity to the progressive movement of societies, what good is it if these same figures don’t back their ideas through actions to show citizens that they believe in their ideas not only in theory, but also in practice? One of the key components that drive a cause or idea to succeed is unity. This is our land, and if we truly believe Umuganda to be a good thing for our country’s future and pride, then all citizens should get their hands dirty in the process—literally. Let the message— through our actions—be that with every Rwandan—rich, poor, young, old—together, we can transform our country’s vision to reality.
