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U.S. Embassy in Kigali Joins Umuganda in Kicukiro district

On September 26, 2009, over 20 American and Rwandan staff of the U.S. Embassy, led by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Anne Casper, joined residents in Masaka for umuganda, the national program that brings local communities together to develop their neighborhoods on the last Saturday of every month.  Together, U.S. Embassy staff and the people of Masaka worked to construct the foundation of three new classrooms in the Masaka sector of Kicukiro District.  The U.S. Embassy joined in umuganda in the spirit of cooperation with their Rwandan neighbors and in response to President Barack Obama’s call for U.S. Missions abroad to participate in community service in honor of those who lost their lives during the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

At the end of umuganda, the Mayor of Kicukiro District, Jules Ndamage, spoke to all the Masaka residents, who were gathered around.  He welcomed and thanked the U.S. Embassy for joining in umuganda and reminded residents that the Masaka Secondary School was built with Humanitarian Assistance Program support from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).  Chargé Anne Casper, speaking in simple Kinyarwanda, told residents of Masaka that U.S. Embassy Kigali staff were happy to participate with the people of Masaka in umuganda in the spirit of friendship and in order to join with Rwandans in building their nation.

This school, inaugurated as the Masaka Primary School on July 21, 2003, later became the Masaka Secondary School.  It has 12 classrooms, a library building, an administration building, 300 student desks, 12 teacher desks.

AFRICOM’s Humanitarian Assistance Program is currently constructing a dormitory, a combined cooking facility and cafeteria for 500 students; a teachers’ lounge and conference hall; 10 latrines; a soccer field and a basketball court.

left to right : Jean Woynicki, Karl Deringer, the   Chargé’s husband and J.M. Gasana at work	Chargé d’Affaires Anne Casper at work
The group photo: U.S. Embassy staff with local leaders	Chargé d’Affairs a.i. Anne Caper speaking to Masaka residents after Umuganda