Umuganda

This mud is heavier than it looks. 

Last week we joined with the rest of Rwanda to take part in community work. There’s a specific word for it -  umuganda - translated as “people working together”. On the last Saturday of every month the law states that Rwandans must take part in local community work, from sweeping streets, to digging holes, to helping vulnerable people living in their umdugudus. I’ve been informed that those who are found not helping either have to pay a fine or are taken in a police car to the nearest project. 

It’s such a great move because it means that local people are paying attention to the area they live in, and are able to work together to make a difference. Yet, as I attacked the ground with a hoe (trying my best to create a hole) I was reassured by the local community members that it’s not just about getting stuff done. Part of this obligatory community work is to ensure that neighbours gather together and share their experiences of life; umuganda is a way of seeing the people you live next door to. 

We’ve been in Rwanda for a while now, and it’s so rewarding to engage with the people living on our doorsteps, as well as those who we visit as part of our weekly schedule. Our local community are friendly and welcoming; many people recognise us now and those who speak English have conversations with us on a regular basis. Last week I met Paul, who wanted to know who we were because he’d seen us around. Someone else invited themselves to our house to play Scrabble, and another person wanted to pop round for dinner.

Aside from all the excellent conversations, we helped shovel some dirt at a house that needs repairing. The woman who owns it is still living there because she can’t afford to live anywhere else, but the roof is falling in and there are holes in the floor. The rest of her community have taken it upon themselves to fundraise enough money to make the repairs happen, and they’ve elected someone to be in charge of managing the project. And what’s more, they’re paying for professionals to fix the problems because they don’t have the skills to do it themselves. 

Umuganda isn’t just something that happens once a month, out of obligation. It’s part of life. I’m humbled by love that local communities have for for one another and challenged by life in the UK, in contrast. So now, I’m wondering how to be more generous and less selfish - less me and more us. Because community should happen all over the world, not just in this beautiful little country. 

Umuganda: local community work; people working together.