Kigali, the city with a heart!

Editor, This is with reference to your article, “IMF upbeat on Rwanda economic performance” (The New Times, June 1). It is very encouraging to note that IMF has given Rwanda a “satisfactory” economic performance. The IMF has also laid down parameters that would help the country maintain a momentum of progressive reforms, among others. As Finance Minister Claver Gatete has very rightly remarked, this indicates a “vote of confidence” in the country’s leadership. However, seeing that beautiful photograph of Rwanda’s capital city, along with your article, I am reminded of some true incidents, during my many visits, which prompt me to call Kigali ‘the city with a heart.’ On one particular Sunday, I travelled from Chez Lando Hotel to St. Michels Cathedral and back after Holy Mass. Having just arrived from Kampala the previous evening, I walked into Bank of Kigali and wanted to swap my credit card for local currency. Unfortunately, the swap machine was not working and the manager suggested that I go all the way to the airport to get this transaction done. A customer, sitting opposite just asked me how much I had to pay the taxi driver, took out his wallet and gave me the Rwf5,000—which was the amount required. When I asked how and when I could repay him, he just replied, “Dont worry about that.” On another Sunday, on the eve of our major event—“India Show 2013”, I attended the English service at 9.30am at Regina Pacis Catholic Church, Remera. The Angels Choir sang so well. This prompted me to approach them as to whether they could perform the following morning at Kigali Serena Hotel and perform a set of Rwandan dances. They most readily agreed and to dance without any charge, whatsoever. Yet again, on a Saturday evening, the then manager of Ecobank, Remera Branch, actually left his office in Uganda and took me in his car to try and withdraw money from another ATM in the next township. The Indian cards, at that time, were not compatible and hence no money would get dispensed. The manager then drove me back to my hotel, asked me how much I needed, and took out his wallet and gave me the desired amount. And so, while the country continues to make strides on the economic front, it is the people who complement the transformation process and make the country a much sought after destination. During my extensive travels, over the last three and a half decades, from Canada and USA to Australia, I have never experienced the warmth and friendliness of total strangers as I have experienced in this beautiful land of a thousand hills and a million smiles! Clarence Fernandes, Mumbai, India

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Kigali, the city with a heart!