After throwing off the horrors of genocide the people of Rwanda reached into their precolonial past in search of structures and practices to rebuild their society. Before their world was interfered with by outsiders from another continent, Rwanda had a geopolitical element called the Umudugudu. Being the “Land of a Thousand Hills” it usually consisted of all of the families on a hill. It was their concept of neighborhood. Also, Rwanda had a practice called Umuganda whereby, on predefined days, all of the people of the Umudugudu gathered to perform work that improved the Umudugudu and to discuss issues important to the families of the Umudugudu.
Part of the rebuilding of Rwanda included reinstituting the Umudugudu and Umuganda. If you happened to be in Rwanda on the last Saturday of any month you will see the people gathered to work and meet together. It’s very inspiring.
Our neighborhood had a workday yesterday to clean up some common areas and to chat about things in the neighborhood. It was wonderful. We are blessed to have so many good neighbors who really do care about one another and show that care with actions. We shared tools and water, and after the work was done some wine. But mostly we shared time together.
Thank you Rocky Creek Ranch neighbors.
I am so glad to be getting to know my neighbors as we too are starting to build bonds. I like that our stronger relationship is part of our New Normal.