Chinese enterprises join Rwandan residents in community work

Staff of Chinese enterprises in Rwanda on Saturday morning joined Rwandan residents in doing monthly community work "Umuganda," in Kigali's eastern suburbs, with a purpose of contributing to the development of the local community.

The joint community work organized by the association of Chinese enterprises in Rwanda attracted about 70 Chinese people, mainly from Chinese enterprises in Rwanda, to help local residents clear road drains and renovate roads. Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda Wang Jiaxin and the 19th Chinese medical team in Rwanda were among the participants.

As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the association wants to make tangible contributions to the development of the local community through Umuganda, Li Jianbo, head of the association and head of China Road and Bridge Corporation in Rwanda, told Xinhua before the community work started.

He also expected that the joint community work could help staff of Chinese enterprises better integrate into the local society.

Vice mayor of Kigali Ernest Nsabimana thanked Chinese people for participating in Umuganda together with Rwandan people.

Chinese people have done many projects in Rwanda like roads and houses construction, and have been supporting projects in the central African country, he said.

The association of Chinese enterprises in Rwanda, officially established in 2009, also donated funds to the local government to support local residents to renovate roads through Umuganda.

Umuganda, held on the last Saturday of the month, can be translated as "coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome." It has been crucial for reconciliation and reconstructing the country since 1994.