Social Cohesion and Hindrances to Dignity and Self-Reliance in Rwandan Society
Senior 2 · History
Social Cohesion and Hindrances to Dignity and Self-Reliance in Rwandan Society
Lesson 1 of 4
18 min
In 1994 Rwanda's social fabric had been torn apart by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and the country depended heavily on outside help. Since then, three ideas have guided the rebuilding: living together as one people, the worth of every Rwandan, and standing on one's own feet. This unit studies those ideas and what still stands in their way.
| Concept | Meaning | Kinyarwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Social cohesion | The bonds of trust, belonging and cooperation that hold a society together, so that people of different backgrounds live and work together peacefully | ubumwe (unity), kubana neza (living well together) |
| Dignity | The worth and respect every person is owed simply as a human being, and the self-respect that comes from living honourably | agaciro |
| Self-reliance | The ability of a person, family, community or nation to meet its own needs through its own effort, rather than depending on others | kwigira |
Situation: Niyonzima's cooperative, whose members include genocide survivors and families of people who took part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, grows coffee together, shares profits fairly, and has paid for its members' health insurance for three years.
Social cohesion: people with a painful shared past work together in trust. Self-reliance: the cooperative meets its members' needs through its own work. Dignity: members earn their living honourably and are treated equally. One example can show all three concepts working together.
Tip
Memory hook: "Ubumwe, Agaciro, Kwigira". Unity (social cohesion), worth (dignity), standing on your own feet (self-reliance). Learn the Kinyarwanda word with each English term.
Define social cohesion.
Solution. The bonds of trust, belonging and cooperation that hold a society together, so that people of different backgrounds live and work together peacefully.
What does agaciro mean, and why did Rwanda name a development fund after it?
Solution. Dignity or worth. The Agaciro Development Fund (2012) expresses the idea that a nation that finances its own development protects its dignity.
Give an example of self-reliance in a community.
Solution. A savings group (ikimina) or a cooperative whose members meet their needs through their own work and savings.
Remember
Sources and credits
