Two months into my return home in 2010, a former Urugwiro staffer approached me at a party and led me into a conversation that has stayed me to this day. I was very excited to be home and more importantly my job that promised to play a role in shaping Rwanda’s ICT sector. He asked me why I hadn’t joined his department to which I said – God had other plans. To this he said, and I quote – “our office is like the Harvard of government – serving the Head-of-State the greatest honor and job.” As you may imagine, my jaw dropped because I just couldn’t wrap my little brain around that statement. I am amazed at the pomp and power/ego-tripping that some people in public service have. What’s worse is the disregard for the rest of us, and the self-importance they bestow upon themselves. It’s quite sad, in fact.
My response, quite simply, “no matter what you or the next Rwandan do, it is all for the same thing – the development of our country and livelihood, whether it is sweeping or manicuring our streets, or serving in the highest office.” Now over 2 years later, President Kagame in Rwanda, Inc. says of moving people around, “ People tended to equate themselves with the institutions they are responsible for…” In this case, sadly, a young man was equating himself to the institution he was working for.
I am very impatient when it comes to laziness, incompetence and ignorance and can easily get worked up in their absence, however, I don’t lose sight of the fact that we ALL matter and are working for the same thing – the betterment of ourselves and more importantly, our country.
Rwanda’s Vision 2020 depends on our combined efforts, no matter what we do, where we do it, or how much we earn doing it!!
Allan Ssenyonga
Nice!
LucyMbabazi
Webale sebo!
Mwene Kalinda
Wished more people would understand this fundamental fact; each and everyone of us: Rwandans, wherever we may be, and Rwanda residents contribute in our different ways and capabilities to the progress of this country. The professor and vocational trainer helping to build our skills base, the shop operator improving the efficiency of our distribution services and increasing our economy’s productivity while profiting from his labours, the humble lady sweeping our streets clean and contributing to a liveable environment, or the foreign investor who has bet his capital on prospering together with Rwanda; all these are as critical to our collective welfare as the official in the most hallowed institution in the land.
Yolande
Hey Lucy – great to see you blogging. I think you may have misunderstood that Urugwiro staffer. This person was merely showing pride in working for the President and did not mean to diminish the importance of other Rwandans working elsewhere. There is no doubt that there is something special about the proximity and opportunity to work with the person leading this country and doing a great job at that. But President Kagame would be the first to tell you that humility is important and that every Rwandan’s job is valuable and critical for the development of our country.
LucyMbabazi
Thank you Yolande – hope to do it more.
In the context of the conversation, it was actually meant to undermine my choice in working else where, even after an opportunity to come correct. Working directly with the President is and should be a humbling opportunity – but sadly some don’t treat it as such and can try to belittle others.
I have no doubt about the President’s stance on this.