The country of a thousand hills has made massive pace to
rebuild in the aftermath of the atrocities, and in many ways it has been a
successful journey.
The tourism in Rwanda
is becoming famous especially among those keen on gorilla trekking safaris in virunga and other outdoor
opportunities. However Rwanda’s campaign to revitalize its image was well
underway even 10 years ago.
When it shines on the last Saturday of each month in Rwanda,
it dawns over a country blanketed in silence. The popular motorcycles, taxis
that stream across the city non-stop disappear. The streets are empty and the
shops are shuttered once a month for 4 hours. The entire country shuts down to
take part in the government mandated community service.
The nationwide community work day known as Umuganda was institutionalized
to promote peace, unity and prosperity throughout the nation. It is not a
Ugandan word or meaning muganda, it has totally a different meaning in Kinyarwanda!
Umuganda simply means coming together in a common purpose to
achieve an outcome. It is a practice that has long been in existence in Rwandan
culture. But recently in it was made a mandatory.
Umuganda is held on every last Saturday of the month. And due
to this community clean up, Rwanda is renowned for its cleanliness on the
African continent.
The project is not voluntary. The police monitors the
streets and can stop the citizens who are not participating and make them clean
up on the spot. And every citizen who doesn’t
participate in cleanup can be fined 5000 francs like 6 USD.
The country institutionalized Umuganda in its current form in 2009. It is compulsory for the
abled bodied people aged 18 to 65 and the cabinet members and the president
pitch in, to for the monthly community service.
Some of the nationals don’t participate in umuganda,
especially in Kigali city it is so
hard to keep track of the citizenry. Others are excused because they’re caring
for their children and others simply stay home until 11am.
The government still employs professional street sweepers,
gardeners and road crews. However even the ordinary citizens definitely do
their part. Since litter is now so scarce, for Umuganda people often do other
community service like building roads, repairing houses and also cultivating
vegetable gardens.
Umuganda is one of the unique way Rwanda is using to
overcome its challenges. After genocide, the government of Rwanda had to look for ways of rebuilding a shattered community
hence coming up with projects that will help people revive the voluntary
spirit.
In life it is all about helping each other especially when
it comes to things that require more efforts like building a house you can’t
build it alone. And if you help others, then they will help you when you need
help. Visit Rwanda for thrilling #Rwandasafari
and be part of the umuganda of this month.
Rwanda being it is the cleanest destination on the African
continent, directly contributes to its tourism. The first impressions speaks
volumes and when travelers land in Kigali driving to town, they are impressed
hence making Rwanda a prime tourist
destination.
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