Thread by @MatayoinRwanda

Some advice for foreign friends living in Rwanda:

Many foreigners in Rwanda get frustrated when people call, ‘Muzungu!’ Today I had an interesting experience at Umuganda. Two men watching me were talking and one said, ‘Atari muzungu, ari umunyarwanda!’ This made me think…
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(Their words meant, ‘He is not a Muzungu, he is Rwandan!) It seems that the ideas of being ‘Muzungu’ or ‘Rwandan’ in my neighborhood are not just fixed to racial identity, but rather to how you engage in community.
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Their words were so encouraging! Not only because I hope one day to be a Rwandan citizen, but also because it shows that Rwanda really is open to outsiders willing to do the work to engage.

So here are tips for those who want to transcend the name ‘Muzungu’:
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1.Make an effort to learn some Kinyarwanda. You don’t have to be fluent, but at least learning greetings and basic conversation shows people here that you really care about them. It also opens the door to relationships with many people who do not speak Western languages.
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2. Participate in Umuganda community work days. These meetings are a wonderful way to meet neighbors, learn about how local government works, and contribute to the development of your neighborhood. Someone will always be willing to translate the meeting for you.
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3. If you want to help people, partner with local leaders. Cell and Sector leaders have lists of priority needs and vetted beneficiaries and an incredible accountability system that ensures your donations reach the intended need. This is something I really love about Rwanda! 6/8

4.Take time to visit neighbors. In Rwanda, its normal to invite yourself for a visit! A Rwandan proverb says, ‘Ifuni ibagara ubushuti n’akarenge!’ (The tool that tends friendship is the foot!). This is one of the best ways to strengthen relationships in your neighborhood. 7/8

I’d love to hear from #RwOT any other suggestions you have for how we friends living in Rwanda can be better about engaging in community. Please share your ideas in the comments! #RwandaWorks