Day 11

Today is International Women’s Day, so hooray to most of us and congratulations. Personally I never even thought about it, untill I saw the women of the Muhanga District in action.

Duteremberi
We left early in the morning and hitched a ride with two soldiers and a police officer who were heading the same way. I was fascinated by the landscape, but my eyes sometimes wandered off towards the two army guys. A man in a uniform…. Grr!

The event took place in Kanyiyna, where Major Yvonne Mutakwasuku reveiled the foundations of a new house. Part of this project is a government initiative in which grass-thatched houses need to be replaced by stone houses with a firm roof in tiles or steel. The aim is to build 260 new houses between September 2010 and April 2011. Neighbours, community workers, national and international organisations and soldiers were all helping out. It’s part of the umuganda or community work Rwandans are obliged to commit to, one day every month.

This house will be donated to Mr. Jacques Nyandwi (36), his wife Leonia Yankurikiji (27) and their two little children. Mr. Nyandwi is a genocide survivor and although it is Women’s Day, it would benefit not only him but also his family. Up to now, they had been living in very poor circumstances, in a small houses shared by three young families. This certainly was a gift from heaven for them.

I even got the opportunity to interview them with the other journalists, but the unfortunate thing is that people here say what they need to say. Not their personal opinion, not what they feel or think. So every questions was answered with this standard – safe – answer. It sounded more like they'd just won an Oscar for poorest family and they thanked their neighbours, the fundraisers, the community and they were definately going to help others in a similar way. That was roughly the answer to my question ‘what do you wish for the future?’

Duteremberi is a national organisation for the aid of women. Not only do they provide shelter, food and fight for women’s rights, they also organise training in languages, computer skills, craftwork, etc, so that these women can gain an income themselves. One of their biggest partners is Oxfam International, of whom I spoke two Irish guys who were evaluating the project. In a few weeks time, I have an appointment at the Kigali headquarters of Duteremberi to find out more facts and figures. I was praised for my project and they were happy to assist me.

Let’s all chant
After the opening of the contstruction ground, the entire party gathered on a small field alongside the road. Little by little, men, women and children arrived at the scene. A group of proud mothers, with the urugori or maternity crown on their heads, opened the event by singing and dancing. The lyrics were about the celebration of women, human rights, abuse, equality, the importance of women, and that they’re the strenght of every family. If it wasn’t for the women and mothers, we wouldn’t be here today. So they are special and they need to be appreciated and treated with patience and respect as each is a kind creature of Imana, God.

Many officials spoke as well. They stressed the fact that building houses was a start, but that there’s still a long way in development, training and education. Men should back off a little since women work hard, have lots of knowledge which shouldn’t be taken for granted. Next to that though, women should implement better hygiene, care and nutrition in their daily life at that of their families.

Even some of the men joined in and it was a fantastic afternoon where women, for one day, were able to leave the households to their husbands and celebrate in good company. Many gifts were handed out, going from cows to two of the poorest women in the district, to certificates for completed training, etc.

Maman Thérèse was also present - how could she not be - and sang some fantastic songs. Some of the lyrics were translated to me; “Let’s all dance, women, children…. Women are in charge of providing good service, in hotels, in banks, and even in bed.” (the whole place cracked) She also stressed the importance of time management, hygiene, no corruption or abuse.

Chicken & football
After the celebrations, we headed back to Gitarama town centre, where I was treated with special grilled chicken. It was overrated, too expensive to even mention and I've been trying to avoid meat ever since I got here, but it was a nice gesture and I appreciated it. By 8.30pm however, we left the place as everything was being prepared for….. the big Arsenal-Barca game! What a way to end Women’s Day!

Tuesday 8th March – Gitarama 27 degrees