After six days in Rwanda and travelling and working with the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga members we are learning about some of the unique aspects of this country in East Africa.
Rwanda is called a Country of a 1000 Hills and as we travelled north to the district of Gicumbi the elevation changed from 1400m in Kigali, the largest city in Rwanda (1.25m population), to over 2,200m (7,000’) at our highest distribution point. We were also at one point just 200m from the Uganda border.
Interesting facts about Rwanda:
The government owns the fertile valley land and cooperatives farm this with the able but poor people working the land and paid by the government - in order to produce food for the population. These lands are producing rice, kidney beans, vegetables, tea, bananas and more as well as fish ponds of tilapia and mudfish (bowfin).
Motorcycle taxis are everywhere and you can simply flag one down for transportation.
Trucks, buses, vans and other public vehicles have a governor to limit speed to 60 km/hour - traffic is far less hectic here than in any other country we have visited.
Umuganga is the name of the event that happens the last Saturday in the month and from 8AM to 12AM the population cleans their neighbourhood and contributes to community service if vulnerable, elderly or others need help. This is reflected everywhere we go. This country is clean!
Every second Sunday from 7AM to 11AM Kigali is car-free and the streets are full of people walking, running, biking and playing.
Gender equality: as of 2018, Rwanda ranks in the top five countries for gender equality according to the Global Gender Gap Report - and we see this every day with noticeable leadership by women.
Fascinating country …
Team Rwanda 2023
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga 🇷🇼 and SCAW 🇨🇦