Umuganda- A Beautiful Word
Years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the beautiful country of Rwanda. A stunningly beautiful nation filled with transformative leaders who are both visionary and heroic. I visited once in 2009 and then again in 2014, and both trips have impacted the way I see how we can grow as a culture.
Canada is a developed country, but we have a lot to learn, and there is ample opportunity for us to adopt solutions that could solve a number of our present-day challenges. In this case, Rwandan solutions that would make your neighborhood safer and secure with significant gains in community mental health.
A photo I took of my first Umuganda in 2009
Umuganda is a national holiday celebrated on the last Saturday of every month. Umuganda means "coming together in common purpose” in the local language. On this day, everyone in the country stops what they're doing and works together to improve their community. This could look like cleaning up streets and alleys, building new roads, or repairing buildings. I've not seen anything like it since. Businesses and roads close, public transportation is reduced, and everyone is outside getting work done. If someone chooses not to participate, they could be fined. I'll leave the conversation about violations of personal freedom to people interested in discussing such things, but here is what I personally observed.
The results are immediately visible to anyone landing in the country for the first time. The cities and streets are clean, tidy, and orderly. The ban on plastic bags in the country has likely played a huge part in this. Yes, I was asked if I had any plastic bags at the airport. I did not, but if I had, they would have been exchanged for a paper bag. Umuganda is also a reason the country is so beautiful. As a visitor, I always felt welcomed and safe in Rwanda. A big part of those feelings of safety was arriving and seeing that everything was cleaned up. I'm confident this is the experience for investors and business leaders deciding whether to invest in Rwanda.
The ongoing results of this policy are increased safety, community building, and increases in mental health. Not only that, but the country has grown economically by leaps and bounds since it was implemented.
Honestly, I wish something like this would come to Canada. Can you imagine what it would look like if 40 Million Canadians served together for even an hour once a month? Our cities would be clean, and our communities would become stronger because we would get to know our neighbors more by working alongside them.
One less boot in Kinnaird Ravine!
Now here's the thing. If I want to see change, I can't wait for the government to implement a policy like this; I have to support change at the grassroots. I know community is a noun, but I feel like it should be a verb. So over the weekend, I joined my local community league in our spring cleanup of the Kinnaird Ravine. It was great! I met some of my neighbors, and we were able to clean up one of the most treasured green spaces in Edmonton. No rocket science is required for these kinds of politics, simply rolling up the sleeves and getting some work done. This is what personal responsibility looks like; regular human beings offering some time on a Saturday to support the community.
It's easy to get discouraged or immobilized by the size of the challenge, but grab some friends, roll up your sleeves and unleash some Umuganda in your neighborhood.
Friend, thank you for reading, and I hope you can find a cause to give an hour to this week!