Proudly Earned Stains

June 27, 2009 - Umuganda
Umuganda is mandatory, nation-wide community service that occurs once a month on the last Saturday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. Following the few hours of service, everyone listens to a lecture of sorts on the chosen theme of that month's umuganda (e.g. May's theme: customer care). Literally everyone (even the president) is required to participate - if you are caught out of your house not working, you can be fined or even jailed.

This particular day a team from UOB had semi-organized to meet at the home office to leave at 7:30 a.m. for our soon-to-open Nyamata branch to perform Umuganda service there. I hoped to make it, set my alarm, but was not fully committed to the idea. Luckily, I not only woke up but in fact made it to the bank on-time, despite transportation difficulties (on account of Umuganda). Once I arrived, we immediately piled into three cars - Ross's, Faustin's, and Jeffrey's - and left, also picking up a few more UOB employees on the way. I was nervous we would be stopped en route, as the roads are to be closed at 8:00 a.m. and the drive to Nyamata generally takes 45 minutes. Apparently, Jeffrey's skin color gave him a pass; people began to suggest I should sit in Faustin's passenger seat to ease his passage at police check points. Discrimination at its finest.

We did manage to make it to our destination, though with some effort and much confusion. In arriving at our work location, we were forced to drive through a small village and down a rather long, narrow dirt road lined on either side by people walking to the same place to which we were headed to work. Our driving past them, pasrticularly with much speed, threw dust into the air and therefore all over them (as Rwanda is currently in its dry season). Ross seemed oblivious to this fact, for he sped past them with little regard for the inconsideration he was displaying. Generally, I highly respect Ross's no-nonsense attitude, as he has been my greatest ally at UOB and often allowed me regain hope and sanity, but this is one example of such single-mindedness for results and timeliness producing negative consequences, even unintentionally. An excellent lesson for me.

When the work began, I was unsure how to make myself useful. I, as at other UOB events, had been designated as cameraperson, so I began by simply awkwardly, though purposefully, walking around, documenting activity. However, I was sensitive to the fact that the role I chose to play would be observed and scrutinized by all there - UOB employees and community members alike. Therefore, I felt compelled - both to uphold and celebrate the spirit of Umuganda and to impart a positive impression upon this community of my work ethic and all they associate with me - to work diligently. And with that resolution, I was off.

I took up a hoe - a rather "my-sized" hoe - and took a swing. My attempt at hoeing, having never before handled a hoe, was laughable (literally), and people were not shy about laughing at me - the muzungu with a hoe. I did not laugh. They were indeed laughing AT me. While I was resolved to serve, there were other opportunities for me to so without making myself ridiculous, so I took my hoe and used it for a different purpose, clearing land and turning up the top soil. I became adept at uprooting plant and developed a sort of audience, cheering section, and judging panel. Everything the muzungu did was interesting or strange or somehow note-worthy. Others were preparing the mud and grass to be made into bricks and others making the bricks: pouring the mud into the water-coated wooden frames; pushing it down to make the brick firm, sturdy, and compact; and slowly removing the frame. Man has made brick.

After watching the process a few times, I began making bricks mysef. Withba (a fellow UOB employee - one I would actually call my comrade) and I had a sort of cooperative system, and together we made 24 bricks. Locals seemed to be competing with me in terms of brick-making speed, appearance, etc. I may not have been the fastest brick-maker, but my bricks were very compact and straight; therefore, they/I became the subject of much controversy. Apparently, some people thought my bricks were outstanding - looked great and would prove very sturdy - while others thought they would crumble - too straight and too compact. However, one man standing by in this debate vouched for the quality of my bricks, saying he works in construction and my bricks were very good. Of course all of this was relayed to me by Withba.

Regardless of my bricks' quality, everyone seemed surprised/impressed by my diligence - reflected by my mud-covered appearance. I am glad to have shown that a muzungu is not afraid to get her hands (and general person) dirty.