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By Carina Cordero Brossy<\/p>\n
Matthews, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
What are you doing the last Saturday of every month? Well, if you are a citizen of\u00a0Rwanda<\/strong>, this Saturday morning is booked. Once each month, all Rwandan citizens commit to a day of community service in an event called Umuganda<\/em>.<\/p>\n History<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Translated as “coming together to achieve an outcome,” Umuganda is deeply rooted in Rwandan culture as a way family and friends support one another during difficult situations. In 1974, the Rwandan government established a national Umuganda with strict rules and non-participation penalties. This once-traditional form of solidarity thus fell under state control, which created unease among the citizenry.<\/p>\n Lost Tradition<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The grisly Rwandan genocide of 1994 brought greater mistrust and distortion of this tradition, because its meaning was twisted into justification for seeking out and destroying the Tutsi people (70 percent of all Tutsis perished within the 100-day genocide). It wasn\u2019t until 1998, as Rwanda sought to rebuild a unified nation, that Umuganda was reintroduced.<\/p>\n Restoration<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Today, Umuganda takes place on the last Saturday of the month. Out of a population of over 14 million, all able-bodied Rwandan citizens ages 18 to 65 are required to participate in structured, monitored local service. These initiatives are credited with an enormous number of improvements: building schools, constructing health centers, tending cooperative gardens, cleaning roadways, recycling waste, planting trees, among others. In addition to creating a vehicle for public service, Umuganda also creates a platform for local project leaders and community members to exchange information and concerns.<\/p>\n Scope of Service<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n According to the Rwanda Governance Board, from July 2015 to June 2016, 91 percent of the population participated in this activity, which equates to more than RWF 19 billion (Rwandan francs) in human services. Given that state law now forbids you to mention your ethnicity, use plastic bags, or neglect your duty on an Umuganda day, Rwanda has clearly emerged from its difficult past. The world can now see the possibility of a more unified, progressive African continent.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/22016266173_ebb378df59_c.jpg” alt=”stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”22016266173_ebb378df59_c” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo “Umuganda Monthly Community Service in Ndera<\/a>” by Paul Kagame. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/33105679325_26d5f6123d_c.jpg” alt=”Stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”33105679325_26d5f6123d_c” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo “Umuganda in Gatsibo District<\/a>” by Paul Kagame. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Questions” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n\n
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