Ever wondered what would happen if every person in your community gave up 3 hours once a month for the good of the community what the results would be? Well, the results would be a clean, safe and well built neighbourhood like Rwanda. Very many people wonder why Rwanda is cleaner than all the other East African countries, not to mention the neat roads and their well maintained sideways the country is impeccable! The answer is simple “Umuganda” literally translating into coming together for a common cause or call it community service.
In my homeland Buganda it’s called “Gwanga mujje “ drums would be sounded by the elders of the village for all villagers to convene to dig the roads and trenches, dig the wells and springs. Mend the roof of a church or a hospital help an elderly neighbour with a leaking roof or fill the big pothole in the road. These were not only bonding moments for the community but also a way of making our communities better. As you can realize I speak of it in the past tense because these days have long passed with the westernization and education not very many people would show up (if they even came anyway) if these drums were sounded at all or better yet they may not even understand them.
In our neighbouring Rwanda, the spirit has continued on. After the 1994 genocide, President Paul Kagame saw a need to bring together a community that had been torn down and devastated during the merciless killings and also a way to ensure that their country was kept clean. He then thought of reviving an old tradition in olden Rwanda tradition Umuganda. So every 4th Saturday of every month, all stores, roads, and offices are closed for a compulsory 3 hours of community service. Although it is compulsory, people take it upon themselves without being threatened to go to jail or anything of that sort to keep their beloved country clean. The whole activity is overseen by an area chairperson. Anyone who does not participate without a viable reason id worked upon by the community. You are excluded from community gatherings or even fired from your job basically because people grew up seeing their elders participate in this community service.
The biggest part of the community does show up and put in an effort to dig the drainage ditches along the sides of the roads to divert the rainwater. Other groups weed the side of the dirt roads, pack in potholes they see along the way and hack off overgrown grass along the side. Other villages put up stones along the same edges and roads to prevent mudslides. Other people with particular skills give their services for free this day. It’s not mandatory for the children to take part but they keep around and play with other children from the neighbourhood while some lend a little help.
Imagine if all of us gave in 3 hours every month to our community what a difference that would make. We would know our neighbours better we would have a cleaner and safer surrounding. The benefits of community service can be seen in the neat and clean safe Rwanda. Like president Kagame commonly says “we do not need international aid to keep Rwanda’s backyards clean”
Africa Adventure Vacations
Kasubi Opposite New Market Hoima Road
Phone: +256 752 974500 +256785025022
Email: info@gorillatrekk.com
africaadventurevacations@gmail.com
15 Days Gorilla Safari Tour
12 Days Gorilla safari tour
10 Days Gorilla Safari Tour
8 Days Best Of Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzee And Tree Climbing Lions
8 days Uganda safari tour – rhinos, wildlife, primates and gorillas
8 Days gorilla safari trip
6 days gorilla safari tour – gorillas, wildlife and chimps safari
7 Days gorilla adventure Tour safari
7 days gorilla tour primates, wildlife safari and gorilla trek
6 Days gorillas and chimpanzee trekking
6 Days Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda
5 Days gorilla safari and Water rafting
5 Days gorillas and wildlife tour
4 Days Gorilla Trekking and Lake Mburo Safari
4 Days gorilla safari and Kampala city tour
17 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife Safari and Cultural tour
1 day Short Gorilla trip – Rwanda
2 Days Gorilla Tracking
3 Days gorilla tracking in Rwanda
3 Days Magical Gorilla Tour And Culture
3 Days Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
3 Days Nyungwe Chimpanzee Tour
3 Days Primate Safari
4 Days gorillas and Lake Kivu tour
5 Days Gorilla Trekking Experience
5 Days Rwanda gorilla safari
6 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Safari in Rwanda
6 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour
6 Days Special Package
7 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour
8 Days Best Of Rwanda
8 Days Rwanda Gorilla Holiday Tour
9 Days Expeditions To Rwanda
14 Days Best of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi Tour
15 Days Best Of Uganda Safari Tour
16 Days Remarkable African Safari
19 Days Big Five Safari In Uganda
2 Days Gorilla Safari in Volcanoes Rwanda
3 Days Affordable Gorilla Safari in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
3 Days Rwanda Chimpanzee Trek In Nyungwe
3 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari In Akagera National Park
4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari, Dian Fossey & Golden Monkey Tracking
4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
5 Days Best Rwanda Primates Safari
7 Day Uganda Wildlife Safari & Gorilla Habituation Experience
7 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tour & Wildlife Safari
6 Days Mountain Gorilla trekking in DR Congo and Rwanda
9 Days Uganda, Rwanda DR Congo Gorilla Safari
10 Days Gorilla trekking Safari in Congo and Uganda
14 Days Uganda and Rwanda safari
15 Days Uganda gorilla safari tour
16 Days Uganda and Rwanda safari tour
16 Days Uganda and Rwanda safari
16 Days Uganda and Rwanda gorilla safari
20 Days Uganda and Rwanda safari
3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda
3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park
3 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari
3 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking safari
3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking safari from Kigali Rwanda
4 Days Double gorilla trekking safari Uganda
4 Days Gorilla Fly In Safari Uganda
4 Days Luxury Safari to Kidepo Valley National Park
5 Days Mountain Gorilla Tracking and Wildlife Tour In Uganda
9 Days Primate Safari and Genocide Trail
10 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Tour
10 Days Fly In Uganda Gorillas – Rwanda Wildlife & Primate Safari
11 Days Magical Hike To Rwenzori Mountain Ranges
11-Day Hiking Sipi Falls, Abseiling, White Water Rafting and Gorilla Tracking Experience
13 Days Luxury Classic Wildlife Safari in Uganda
1 Day Kampala City Tour
2 Days Lake Mburo National Park Tour
3 Days Nyungwe Chimpanzee tour
3 Days Primate Safaris Rwanda
3 Days Nyiragongo Hike
3 Days Sipi Falls Hiking And River Nile Exploration
3 Days Group Tour To Queen Elizabeth Tour
3 Days Magical Experience In Queen Elizabeth National Park
3 Days Murchison Falls National Park – (2 Nights)
3 Days Experience Murchison Falls
4 Days Tree Climbing Lions And Chimpanzees
4 Days Queen Elizabeth And Lake Mburo Safari
5 Days Kampala And Source Of The Nile Tour
5 Days Green Rwanda Experience
5 Days Kidepo Valley National park tour
5 Days Zebra And Lions’ Tour
6 Days Special Package
7 Days Gorilla Trekking And Tree Climbing Lions Of Ishasha
7 Days and 6 nights wildlife safari to Uganda with Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking
8 Days Rwanda Wildlife And Cultural Tour
8 Days Best Of Rwanda
9 Days wildlife Safari to Uganda
9 Days Visit Rwanda
10 Days Rwenzori Mountains Climbing
10 Days Mountain Rwenzori Climbing expeditions
12 Days Best Karamoja Trip Uganda
13 days wildlife safaris and jinja city tour
14 DAYS Big Five & RAFTING – 14 DAYS (13NIGHTS)
15 days Bird watching Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari
15 Days Uganda Hardcore Forest Birding Safari
Leave a Reply