Rwanda: Making Democracy Work in Local Communities

“It was never heard of that a little person would go to the office of the Minister of Health and speak. Even for me, it seemed impossible.” – Pastor John Rutsindintwarane

This is the seminal story of organizing in Rwanda where Specioza Dugengimana, Poline Usabyeneza, and other grassroots leaders in Mumeya dared to represent their community’s need for a hospital. It is the story of democracy.

Now, Specioza and Poline work as part-time community organizers. They help new communities in the Kirehe District build teams and spread disciplined, bottom-up organizing across Rwanda.

Over the past ten years, leadership teams in Rwanda have built three health clinics and five government-operated schools. This year, community teams have planted more than 45,000 trees to protect the fragile environment in Rwanda.

And this grassroots organizing, which began in one community in rural Rwanda, has now spread across Africa to Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, and Ghana.