Join Umuganda – Rwanda’s Monthly Community Service Experience

Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in Africa. It is known not only for its natural beauty but also for its cleanliness. You will rarely see plastic bags or trash on the streets of Rwanda, unlike in many other developing countries where litter is common.

One day is set aside, usually the last Saturday of every month, for community work. This day has helped Rwanda grow and improve a lot. At first, some people saw it as forced labor, but now many, including foreigners, join freely. Umuganda is for Rwandans aged 18 to 65 years.

Umuganda, also called Umbyizi, started in 1992 after independence. It means coming together to work for a common goal. It became an official government program in 1974, done once a week under the Ministry of District Development. In 1998, Umuganda was reintroduced to help rebuild Rwanda after the 1994 genocide. At first, some people were against it because they connected it to past violence. But later, they joined after seeing schools, villages, health centers, and administrative offices being built.

Umuganda happens every last Saturday of the month, starting at 8:00 am and ending around 11:00 am, lasting about three hours. Everyone is free to join, including tourists who come for safaris. On this day, the streets are quiet and it is hard to find vehicles until the work finishes at 11 am.

The work varies by place. In towns, people clean roads, cut grass and bushes, and repair public facilities. In villages, people often build houses for vulnerable families. Some professionals, like doctors, offer free health services to locals on Umuganda day. This kindness is part of Rwanda’s spirit.

Today, Umuganda is led by selected committees who supervise and report on the work done. They also encourage many people to join. More than 80% of citizens take part in building schools, health centers, hydroelectric power plants, and restoring wetlands.

Umuganda is also a place for communication, from village to national level. The government shares announcements, and citizens discuss problems and find solutions. This makes many people feel satisfied at the end of the day. However, some still see Umuganda as a waste of time, which has slowed some projects in a few communities.

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