Category: People

{{IGIHE.com had an exclusive interview with Sondra Myers, the editor of The New Rwanda: Prosperity and the public good, a handbook constituted of essays written by eminent figures in the field of Democracy and leadership such as: the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Clement Alexander Price, and Bishop John Rucyahana.}}

Basing on this handbook she invites all Rwandans to actively participate in the National conversation, as a way to confront and solve together challenges that may rise in the society.

IGIHE.com: {{What propelled you to write this handbook and why did you choose to call it “The new Rwanda: Prosperity and the public good”?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:In April of 2008, with the cooperation of the OTF Economic Development Consulting Group, and with the endorsement of His Excellency President Paul Kagame, I organized and moderated a round table discussion, “The Role of Universities in Building a Culture of Civic Responsibility, Interdependence and Prosperity.”

One of the recommendations that grew out of that meeting was “engaging citizens in their own communities in discussions of public issues, values and policies by creating a ‘National Conversation on Prosperity and the Public Good’.”

From past experience I knew that having a text for such a conversation is essential—at least as a starting point to the discussion.

{{IGIHE.com}}: Why was the preface written by the president of Rwanda?
The President endorsed the project as it was presented to him by our mutual friend, Michael Fairbanks, founder of the OTF group and the Seven Fund.

He believed it was useful and in fact when he saw the handbook, he immediately requested a translation into Kinyarwanda, which we did.

IGIHE.com: {{What is the core reason of your interest in the national conversation?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:Over the past twelve years, as countries were shedding colonial powers or authoritarian or dictatorial leaders and seeking democracy, it became increasingly clear to me that citizens play a central role in making democracy work and that becoming a citizen—developing both the will and the skills to do so—is difficult when one has been a subject all of his or her life.

Hence I got the idea of creating handbooks (My first was Democracy is a Discussion: Civic Engagement in Old and New Democracies) to be used as text for discussing such matters in formal and informal learning settings.

IGIHE.com: {{After talking to prominent Rwandans and other important people who follow closely what happens in Rwanda, what overall view did you get about Rwanda?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:I have the sense that Rwandans are looking forward to and willing to invest in a bright future. There is a lot of positive energy—a can-do mentality—and, at the same time, a lack of corruption—that makes working here both productive and enjoyable.

IGIHE.com: {{Is it probable that you might have missed out another image of Rwanda perceived by small Rwandans?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:Yes, I do not claim to be working with all Rwandans—and I am well aware that all are not moving forward as quickly as those who are well educated and reasonably prosperous.

However, I think that working with people in leadership, particularly educators, is valuable—and something that I have considerable experience with.

Others whom I hold in high regard work at the grass roots level, often with people who are suffering from poverty, disease and serious post-genocide traumas.

IGIHE.com: {{“You cannot sustain a prosperous economy if it is one that fosters entrepreneurship for the few but leaves the rest in poverty.” You highlighted this aspect, is it in any way referring to your observations of the new Rwanda?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:It is an observation I make in my own country and in every country I know.
One of the most chronic and ever-growing pathologies in all our countries is the growing gap between the rich and the poor. It can only lead to serious conflict—even revolution–and cannot be resolved without addressing the problem head-on.

The American pledge of allegiance ends with “One nation—indivisible–with liberty and justice for all.” I firmly believe that all nations should strive for that goal.

IGIHE.com: {{After analyzing how different people compare and contrast Rwanda to their respective societies, in your opinion what assets does Rwanda have that can help it acquire all those lessons put forward in the essays within the realms of democracy, economic prosperity, or civil society?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:Safety, lack of or minimum of corruption, strong and forward looking leadership, people of good disposition and a strong work ethic. Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention the post-genocide recovery.

Naturally there are lasting traumas and memories—but Rwanda has risen out of the ashes of the tragedy and is standing straight—ready to build a more sane and humane future. It is almost miraculous!

IGIHE.com:{{ “In my view, the most precious right that an individual can have is the right to be responsible for the public good.” does this convey your own experience and how?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:This statement conveys my belief that in the realm of rights—there is no right more satisfying to oneself and none more valuable to our societies than the right to be responsible for the public good. As we look around the world, there are not many who possess that right. It is above all, in my view, worth striving for.

IGIHE.com: {{What was the feedback of the first edition of the handbook by Rwandans of all levels?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:As I mentioned earlier, I have worked for the most part with educated people who are above the poverty level—so I don’t really have feedback from the vast majority of Rwandans.

IGIHE.com: {{What message would you like to pass to the readers of our website Igihe.com?}}

{{Sondra Myers}}:I propose that people read the essays and discuss them with friends, family and colleagues; see them not as gospel but as “food for thought.” You can agree or disagree or have no opinion about them–but acknowledge that it is important for all of us to see ourselves as custodians of our societies. It is the only way that we can discourage outside or inside tyrants from controlling our lives.

Sondra Myers is senior fellow for international, Civic and cultural Projects at the University of Scranton, her works encompass:

– Co-editor of the Pluralist Paradigm: Democracy and Religion in the 21st Century (2006)
-The Interdependence Handbook (2004)
-Editor of the Democracy Reader (2002)
-The Democracy is a Discussion handbook (19996 &1998)

In a bid to enhance Rwandans to conduct their own national conversations, {{IGIHE.com}} will be publishing essays and respective discussion questions retrieved from The New Rwanda: Prosperity and the public good handbook.

Laure Rurangwa
Photo: http://matrix.scranton.edu

{{The new weekly radio show Ni Nyaminga also publishing a free bi-monthly magazine aims at inspiring and enabling Rwanda’s teenage girls aged 10 – 19 to reach their full potential.

Ni Nyaminga distributes its magazines countrywide in order to create awareness to the targeted group and to have their voice heard.}}

Speaking to IGIHE.com, Thornley, Brand & Communications Manager, Girl Hub Rwanda the initiator of the project, a day prior to the end of the road shows said the main objective in this context was to tour the country with popular artists and entertainers while giving away free copies of the magazine in order to let the age group where ever they are in the country know the importance of Ni Nyaminga for their lives.

Commending the initiative, Rwanda’s popular female singer, Miss Jojo said, “I am so glad that teenage girls in Rwanda can now have their voices heard, I think the innovation will change girls’ social behaviors.”

Nadia Umutoni aged 16 years and one of the Ni Nyaminga radio show presenters motivated by the project said, “I can now stand firm and speak without fear and I believe I will change the lifestyle of my age mates.”

According to Clementine Barada, Ni Nyampinga radio Producer, the initiative is also about fostering a culture for girls that gives them space, time and tools needed to experience their teenage years in the most positive way.

{{President Obama has now named Clemantine Wamariya to the board of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Wamariya knows more about death than a young woman should. She’s an American now, but hovering always in her memory is one of the horrors of the 20th century, the genocide in Rwanda, where she was born. }}

At only 23 Wamariya is the youngest person ever appointed and the first from Africa. She was still a child when she and her sister ran for their lives.

She didn’t see her parents until 12 years later, when she won an essay contest sponsored by Oprah Winfrey. Today, she’s a student at Yale and her early memories of Rwanda are not without joy.

Below are excerpts of an Interview with NPR News.

{{WAMARIYA}}: We had this huge mango tree in my backyard. Every afternoon we’ll have literally just tons of kids climb that tree and play and make as much noise as we want. And that tree became sort of a world where we could travel. You know, it was a train. It was a plane. It was a car. My memory of childhood is so rich, and I think that’s why I was able to just sort of live and overcome things that had happened, ’cause I remember how beautiful it was growing up in Rwanda.

MONTAGNE: {{Everything changed in the spring of 1994 when, over the course of just three months, one ethnic group, the Hutus, killed hundreds of thousands of people from mostly another ethnic group, the Tutsis. You were just six and alone in the house with your sister when the killers came for you.}}

{{WAMARIYA}}: Well, I just remember being in a room and being so scared because I did not know who or what was going to happen. I never knew what death meant. To me, whatever was happening outside, I called it noise. I didn’t know it was genocide until I started studying about it. But no one is telling you what’s going on because everyone is busy trying to find a way to hide and where to pray and how to pray and how to kneel and how to, you know, raise their hand up high so that they can pray more.

MONTAGNE: {{Do you remember running with your 16-year-old sister when you were six out of the house into a field? I gather you walked and walked and walked for days to get to the first of many places that you spent as a refugee for the next six years in Africa.}}

{{WAMARIYA}}: Yeah. I mean, how can anyone forget waking up and you know that someone’s going to come and get you. You do not know where they’re going to come – if they’re going to come from the front door, the back door, the window. You’re in a panic, absolutely panic, and jump out and go and run and crawl so much that, you know, your knees are completely bleeding but you can’t stand up. And all you could think about is your stomach. You know, from morning you think of what you’re going to eat to a night where what food, what water can you drink?

MONTAGNE: {{Your life changed so dramatically when you came to the United States, as a sixth grader.}}

{{WAMARIYA}}: Well, a sixth grader who hadn’t been in school until sixth grade.

MONTAGNE: {{Well, you did pretty well because you ended up at Yale. So how do you do well and still hold this other part of your life in your mind? I mean, how is it even possible?}}

{{WAMARIYA}}: Well, I have had so many incredible people in my life. You know, my first role model being my mother and then my sister, nothing can gander(ph) away. And so when I’m place in a challenge to finish the sixth grade, I will ask for any help I could get so I could get through. But then, you know, to realize that being in school is not only, like, oh, I have received an education, but it’s more to learn about others. You know, why we do things to each other as the way we do, such as killing a whole race. What does that really mean? You know, slowly, yes, that it – sort of learning about it, especially in eighth grade, that’s that question. And since then I’ve been hunting it down, trying to understand psychologically why do humans do such terrible things to each other.

MONTAGNE: {{Do you see your work in the future, your appointment to the board of the U.S. Holocaust Museum, helping you find an answer?}}

{{WAMARIYA}}: I think just sitting with incredible leaders who are making decision of others – they might never have an input of what it means to grow up in a refugee camp as a little girl. You have no mother, you have no father. Am I going to give them an input what it means to live in seven countries where people look at you and they think, oh, you are nobody.

MONTAGNE: {{Is there a particular person who didn’t survive that you think about or that you want especially to be remembered?}}

{{WAMARIYA}}: There are too many. And it’s not only people that I lost in the genocide. I am most talking about people that I lost along the way, you know, living in refugee camp and dying with diseases that can strike you in a second. Those people had become my family. What I want to remember is the joy that filled my house every Sunday when we had visitors and the joy that I had playing in the mango tree.

MONTAGNE: {{Clemantine Wamariya, thank you for taking the time to speak with us.}}

{{WAMARIYA}}: Thank you so much.

{{Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is, like his country, very pleasant but enigmatic.

I got a chance to talk with him for two hours today, along with a dozen or so other journalists here on a trip sponsored by the International Reporting Project. Before I get into details, let me say that Kagame is quite charming and personable.}}

He doesn’t act at all like a war criminal or dictator, which are some of the charges his most strident critics throw at him. Kagame comes off more like a professor, making his points at length, with a chuckle here or some slightly irritable admonishment there.

Still, we had a job to do and tried to get at some of the more critical issues swirling around this architect of an “African success story” – beginning with the perception some have that his government is regarded as authoritarian, stifling of critics and free speech.

We acknowledged that in our two weeks touring Rwanda, we had seen some pretty amazing signs of progress made in health, education and the economy. Many Rwandans say they believe things are getting better.

But economic growth and democracy, as one student at the University of Rwanda told us, are two different things.

We asked Kagame about the findings from several reports, such as Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders, which rank Rwanda as very poor when it comes to media freedom, free speech and allowing for dissenting voices.

“How do I convince you?” responded Kagame, who cited other reports from World Bank and Transparency International which gave Rwanda high marks for fighting corruption and public confidence in government. Which reports do you believe, he asked.

Here are further excerpts from our conversation with Kagame:

Q: {{Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries on Earth. Is curbing population growth critical to its long-term success?}}

{{PK}}: The population growth rate would have been even higher if we had not already taken certain measures. One of the ways we are addressing this is by investing more in the education of women … It takes a long time (to change).

Q:{{ Many Rwandans are still desperately poor and living in isolated communities. How are you trying to reach out and help these people?}}

{{PK}}: Again, that’s why we are investing in education. In Rwanda, 96 percent of children receive primary education. It’s the highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa…. Our poorest of the poor, where are they? Where were they 10 years ago, and where are they today? (He noted that per capita annual income has tripled, from $200 to $600, in ten years with the goal of reaching $1,000 by 2020.)

Q: {{Given the history of ethnic clashes in Rwanda which culminated in the 1994 genocide, how can you prevent another such conflict? It appears that most of the powerful positions in Rwanda are now held by Tutsis and that the majority of the population, Hutus, are not as well-represented in government.}}

{{PK}}: The people of Rwanda, their psychology and politics have completely changed. Genocide did not happen by accident, you know…. I don’t want to be misunderstood. Our situation is not a mathematical thing, how many Hutus and how many Tutsis. It took 200 years to get a black president in the United States…. Here, it’s not about black or white, Hutus or Tutsis. That (kind of thinking) is where the problem starts.

Q: {{Many in Rwanda are speculating about whether you might remain as president for a third term, rather than step down as you have promised. What do you say?}}

{{PK}}: (chuckling) I have to answer this question all the time. I don’t want to spend the rest of my time in office answering this question. But seriously, I did not become president because it was something I was dying to be. I don’t want to be president-for-life. I don’t think I’m that stupid….

Q:{{What do you think of the Arab Spring and the U.S. intervention in Libya?}}

{{PK}}: I think the Arab Spring has lessons for all of us. For me, I am happy it is happening. People are having their say. You can’t suppress people for too long or it explodes in your face…. (On U.S. intervention in Libya) How could you not get involved? If the U.S. had not gotten involved, people would have turned around and blamed you for that.

Q: {{Elaborate on how you see Rwanda serving as a financial or economic hub for all of East Africa.}}

{{PK}}: All of what we are trying to do is in the context of East Africa. Rwanda is land-locked with not many natural resources. Our Vision 2020 is about investing in our people with the goal of providing high-value services. We are trying to distinguish ourselves and find a niche.

Q: {{Rwanda receives a lot of foreign aid. Much of it comes with strings attached, with expectations and requirements from western donors. Is this causing problems?}}

{{PK}}: There will always be strings attached to aid. That is why our goal is to become less dependent upon aid, to be free to be who we are rather than be dictated to…. Aid has made a huge difference in health, education and agriculture here. But we wish to wean ourselves off this.

Q: {{You have a number of ambitious goals for Rwanda, many of them on track to be achieved. What is the most critical key to success, or the weakest link, in your strategy?}}

{{PK}}: The most important thing is buy-in and ownership by Rwandans. If Rwandans are not owning the process … for me this is almost an obsession. Yes, finally, they must own it. This is key.

{{Electricity generation business can be a highly capital-intensive enterprise, very risky, and the returns may not be felt for a long while. African entrepreneurs tend to avoid this venture.}}

However,Rwanda’s 60 year old Gregory Tayi (above) saw this as a great opportunity. Tayi holding a master’s degree in chemistry set up the first private mini hydro-electric power station at Mirunda in Rwanda with a generation capacity of 96 kW which is supplied to the national grid.

It is estimated that his company, Repro generates around $10,000 per month.
Having supplied medical equipment, vegetable products and chemicals for many years, he decided it was about time to start providing electricity.

In his Interview with the BBC-African Dream series Tayi says due to the countrys energy demands like in most African nations,he realised that he could make a difference – and a profit – by putting up mini hydro-electric stations in some of its numerous rivers.

“We went to the government. The government had a fund that would subsidise the people who do go into this business. So all these factors helped us to enter into energy”.

“There was this subsidy but the bank also gave me the credit. They looked back at my history of business, at what I was doing before,” added Mr Tayi, now the proud general director of Renewable Energy Promotion (Repro).

{{Starting from zero}}

According to him, for even the smallest hydro-electric station in Rwanda, one would need an initial investment of around $500,000 (£312,000).

But he says that having the capital is not the main point. He believes that it is much more important to be clear about where one wants to go.

“When you start from zero, you learn what you wouldn’t have learned in school. And I think that’s the most important capital that one can get.”

He said he did not have an easy start. When he was a student, his family could not even afford to help him with his school fees.

He remembers that when he finished university, with a master’s degree in chemistry, he was “as broke as anybody”.

“I couldn’t count on anybody. As I didn’t get a job, I couldn’t even sustain myself,” he said.

{{Forced into business}}

Mr Tayi pointed out that for him becoming a businessman was not a choice.
“I was forced into it but, luckily, I was forced into business because I struggled for the first years but other years, you know, things came much much easier.”

Repro opened in 2007 and its main power site, at Murunda, in Rwanda’s Western Province, started three years later. It currently generates around $10,000 per month.

{{And how would he describe a good business person?}}

“When people look at businessmen, they look at money, but I think money is not what makes the person,” he said.

“A business, it’s working with the people. It’s making life easier for others. A good businessman is the one who looks at his neighbours, at his countrymen, at the world,” he explained.

“It would be meaningless if I were rich and I’m surrounded by poor people. A good businessman is one who looks first on others before he looks after himself.”

{{The bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Australia has taken a new
direction with Ambassador Charles Murigande presenting his credentials
to the Governor General of Australia.
}}

Murigande has been Rwanda’s ambassador to Japan but will also be
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Australia.

“I delivered the message from President Paul Kagame wishing the Governor General Peace and good luck and thanking Australia’s support for Rwanda’s Admission into the Commonwealth Organisation,” Murigande told Igihe.com in Perth soon after meeting the Australian Governor General Ms Quentin Bryce.

“The Governor General also praised the existing good relationship between his country and Rwanda. He also commended the progress achieved by Rwanda since the tragic 1994 Tutsi genocide,” Murigande added in interview.

The two countries have agreed on Education Cooperation aimed at providing skills improvement of Rwandan Teachers.

At the occasion, High Commissioner Murigande was accompanied by Michel
Roux who has been representing Rwanda’s Interests in Australia with his
Seat in Melbourne.

{The business environment in Rwanda is suitable for all regardless of sex and age. In the past probably two decades ago women were segregated from doing businesses and their job was reproduction and housekeeping.

The Rwandan business environment has taken a different attitude to day from that of isolating female to an environment that embraces all human resources for the development of the country.

Chantal Munanayire is one of the extraordinary women who have taken the courage to confront what most people consider as a men’s job. Igihe.com’s Herbert Ndahiro caught up with Munanayire in an exclusive interview and the following are the excerpts.}

{Igihe.com}: {{Explain the nature of your business}}

{{Munanayire}}: Quick&C garage is a Vehicle garage that operates 7days a week offering the best services to our customer. We do body car spray, light and tier alignment, general mechanics. Our garage is new in the area but not new in the business because we have been working from Nyabugogo and only changed location soon.

{Igihe.com}: {{Given the market around, does this business make profit?}}

{{Munanayire}}: Our business started as a small garage and really it was hard for us in the first days as people knew little about us. However, given the massive efforts invested in public awareness, we gained popularity and we are currently making some profits though not excessive but otherwise we wouldn’t still be in business.

{Igihe.com}: {{What type of vehicles do you handle?}}

{{Munanayire}}: We repair all types of vehicles. Let it be small personal cars, trucks, jeeps, mention it. As long as it’s a vehicle, we handle it to the best wishes of our clients.

{Igihe.com}: {{Who are your regular customers?}}

{{Munanayire}}: We have a diverse clientele base (ministries, companies, individuals, associations, and agencies) but I can say that our regular customers are the private individuals as most ministries and government institutions have their own garages.

{Igihe.com}: {{Describe the working procedure in this garage}}

{{Munanayire}}: When a customer brings his vehicle to this garage, we immediately analyze what is needs to be done on the car in any terms depending on the customer’s request.

We then proceed to checking the bits and pieces in the car by use of a check list in the presence of the driver. This is done for secure grounds for on both of us as the customer confirms every piece in his vehicle before living it in our possession. After that we start working on the vehicle.

{Igihe.com}: {{How secure are customer’s vehicles in this garage?}}

{{Munanayire}}: Safety is a key factor according to our values and objectives. We make sure people’s cars are handled with extra care and attention. We keep a close eye and make sure the security status of our customers’ cars from time they enter our gates until we officially hand them back to their respective owners.

We also have a monitoring system whereby once we check in the car we register it in our data base and inform our security officers. As the vehicles lives our garage, its noted ok in our computerized system.

{Igihe.com}: {{What unique feature do you have in this garage?}}

{{Munanayire}}: The uniqueness we have is that we have the “Millibar Air System Technology” a machine that automatically sprays cars original paint by itself. This machine is computerize and does the spraying in less than 40minutes. The machine has a baking system that is used to dry paint in the shortest time possible.

{Igihe.com}: {{As woman, what motivated you to do this business?}}

{{Munanayire}}: Normally I personally believe that women have the same potentials as men. Once you love something you have to do it no matter what case it may be.

People laughed at me when I was starting this business but I never minded because I was positive minded and wanted to achieve my dream. The whole idea of fearing to take on heavy business ventures is shallow thinking because we are able as anybody else.

{Igihe.com}: {{How do you deal with the private sector?}}

{{Munanayire}}: The private sector is our umbrella that unites us all in one association (ARG which stands for Association Rwandese de Garages).
We also offer training to internship students from the private sector that once they perform to our expectations we retain them as our employees.

{Igihe.com}:{{What challenges do you encounter in your daily business?}}

{{Munanayire}}: We don’t have many challenges as many of our competitors partly because we are well positioned however we have about two main challenges. First and foremost are the delayed payments from the insurance companies.

They take long to clear their dues which affect the smooth running of our business. Secondly is the water shortage problem in Remera. There are times we lack water during the day, leading us to spend a lot fetching from the collection water center.

But this challenge is almost being resolved as we have in place water harvesting collection centers and soon we shall purchase water tanks to reserve our own water reserves.

{Igihe.com}: {{What advice would you give to other women who are scared of engaging in such business?}}

{{Munanayire}}: Don’t fear to engage in any business. As long as you have a dream, chase it until you achieve it. Be brave to face the challenges because that is how business is made.

I would like to encourage my fellow women to wake up and work seriously now that we are in a country that avails equal opportunities to all citizens.