21.11.2019

UEM at the German Christmas Market in Kigali

At the "German Christmas Market", which took place for the fourth time on 16 and 17 November in the capital of Rwanda, it was shown in which areas German organisations are active in Rwanda. In this way, German-Rwandan relations were further strengthened. In addition, many Rwandan exhibitors presented their handicrafts, so that a wide range of products could be found, from clothes and woodwork to scented oils and care products. In order to make the whole thing seem a bit more "German", the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) organised a stand with mulled wine and apple punch and the restaurant "la Galette" supplied the general public with German pastries such as "Weckmänner", "Stollen" and "Berliner Ballen". In this relaxed environment, which was accompanied by various Christmas carols, the UEM representatives took the opportunity for the first time this year to draw attention to their own work and that of the VEM.

The Church Development Service of the Anglican Church in Rwanda "Rural Development Interdiocesan Service" (RDIS), which is supported by UEM, presented its activities and got into conversation with people about the perspectives of Rwanda. Using his own products, the UEM co-worker Richard Madete explained how to protect the environment and improve living conditions in Rwanda's rural regions. Not only Germans and Rwandans were interested in the improved cooking stoves developed by RDIS, but also many families from the USA and Asia visited the market. Visitors were enthusiastic about the idea of using the innovative stoves to save firewood on the one hand and to protect the health of local people on the other, thanks to reduced CO2 and smoke emissions. In addition to the stoves, the ceramic water filters from RDIS were very well received, giving everyone access to clean drinking water. Interested parties tried the filtered water directly on site and found that it was a good energy-saving alternative to boiled water. "We are happy that we can present our work to many people and have good conversations. We have also made contact with people who are interested in long-term cooperation with us," said Madete.

In addition to RDIS, the APRED peace initiative, also supported by the VEM, also presented its work. APRED, represented by UEM co-worker David Fechner, is committed to peaceful cohesion between people in Rwanda, Congo and Burundi. The focus of the work is on theatre projects in Kinyarwanda, English and French, which above all show young people that peaceful coexistence is possible and important. Visitors to the "German Christmas Market" also had the opportunity to purchase DVDs of the pieces performed and to discuss peace and development work with Fechner.

The weekend was especially dedicated to UEM, which was the main financial sponsor of both projects. The two North-South volunteers of UEM addressed interested parties with homemade cookies decorated with sugar icing in the form of the three letters UEM and informed them about what is behind the abbreviation UEM and how the international community works. Other UEM give-aways, such as balloons and glucose, were particularly well received by the younger guests, and many parents were delighted with the flyer and UEM's commitment.

"All in all, the weekend was a complete success," enthuses Fechner. "The visit of the German ambassador to our stand was particularly important. He and the visitors saw that the UEM is active in Rwanda and is committed in many ways".

Hannah Bilgenroth

(Hannah Bilgenroth and Janek Lenz are currently spending a volunteer year in Rwanda as part of the "Weltwärts" programme.)